[Izulde]

Miracle of miracles, we have an actual trade to report.

Denver Nuggets receive
J.J. Reddick
New Orleans Pelicans 2021 2nd round pick

New Orleans Pelicans receive
Will Barton

What this means for the Nuggets
Denver has grossly underachieved these past two seasons, but shooting hasn't been a reason why. Nor is Redick, at 36, an answer to any of the problems they have. Feels like a strange trade for the Nuggets to make.

What this means for the Pelicans
Barton is an even worse defender than Redick, but does have a much better shooting profile. Still, he's 6 years younger and that's better for a rebuilding New Orleans team. But the second round pick was probably more valuable for their situation.

Winner: No one
File this under making a trade to make a trade.

Home vs the Knicks and we still can't beat a New York team. 4 point loss.

Hello, losing streak. Spurs gash us in San Antonio. We staunch the bleeding with a 118-105 win over the Pistons in Charlotte. Nemanja Bjelica scores 22 with 2 steals, Steven Adams nets 13 and 12, and Cory Joseph (15 points) and Gary Harris (12 points) get it done off the bench.

I block everyone but Monte Morris, Nerlens Noel, Xavier Smith, and Jason Minor, just to see if anything shakes loose.

31 points, 11 assists, and 2 steals gives Monte Morris PotG in a scrappy 6 point win over Denver. Nerlens Noel and Cory Joseph head the reserves with 14 and 10 respective points.

Monte Morris again with 25 points, 8 assists, a steal, and a block as our defense suddenly wakes up to smash Southeast-leading Orlando 115-79. Jason Minor has 11 boards and 3 blocks off the bench, with Cody Martin and Cory Joseph each adding 13 to the score tally. The rest allows us to finally beat Philly on the back end, 102-96, Monte Morris scoring 25, Gary Harris 18 points in 19 minutes, and Cory Joseph continuing his hot streak off the bench with 11 points.

Rare game where our defense deserts us in a 121-126 home loss to Detroit.

It comes back a few nights later as we hold the Wizards to 95 in DC. Steven Adams - 27 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals; Monte Morris - 22 points, and 14 and 11 bench points by the Martin twins. First time I've been able to type that sentence.

Playoff position fight in Cleveland, and we win resoundingly - 116-93. Monte Morris is everywhere with his 23 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, and 3 steals. Steven Adams scores 26, the Martin twins score 11 and 12, and Gary Harris adds 14 for good measure.

Houston's struggling this season and they get handed another home loss by Monte Morris's 30 points and 3 steals. Support came via Pat Connaughton's 20 points (he's been starting at SF for a while now), the Martin twins scoring 10 each, and Nerlens Noel chipping in 13 points and 2 rejections.

Just when I think we're rolling good, Portland beats us 143-126 on their court. I think that's the most points we've given up in my tenure. Second straight butt-whipping follows a few nights later against AD's Atlanta Hawks, dropping us another game behind them. That one hurt.

Chance for revenge comes vs Portland and we win 95-79 (or the complete opposite of our shootout in the PNW). Steven Adams has a triple-double of 21 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 blocks. Also coming up with 20 points is Monte Morris, with Cody Martin adding 11 bench points.

Picture's much clearer in the East now - Brooklyn, Chicago, and Atlanta respectively are all in charge of their divisions. Orlando is the #4 seed, 2.5 games back of the Hawks. We're 29-21, a game back of the Magic and with a sizable lead on the seeds below us.

The West is now the bloodbath that the East was last month - Golden State has risen back up to the conference's top seed, but it's by fractional percentage points. Memphis/Spurs and Warriors/Clippers are fantastic division fights, whereas Utah is 6 games up in their division. After those five 60% win teams, it falls to 54% Portland, so a pretty substantial tier dropoff.