[Izulde]

Los Angeles Lakers receive
SG Duez Walker
New Orleans Hornets 2020 2nd round pick

New Orleans Hornets receive
SF Andre Bryant

What this means for the Lakers
Walker's a much better ballhandler and defender than Rupert Jones and Ross Crispin, the Lakers' other two backup guard options. Crispin could be a better passer and more secure option in time, but he'll never match up to Walker's respectable D.

What this means for the Hornets
Bryant, taken 16th overall last season, is a colossal bust already at 24. Great technical defensive skills, but he can't shoot, can't score, is the worst passer and ballhandler of his age in the entire NBA, is equally terrible at rebounding, can't block shots, can't steal, doesn't really know the game... in short, he's the epitome of a one trick pony and the Hornets just tanked their way to the worst record in the league guarantee.

Winner: Lakers
The Purple and Gold rip off the Hornets here and even if the 12-33 Hornets manage to catch the 12-36 Suns for the league's worst record, the lottery's luck factor makes tanking a fairly unappealing strategy.

I think they're right. I mean, Bryant grades out a 1.5/1.5* by most national scouting standards and he's a 2nd year, mid 1st-round draft pick. That may just be the biggest bust in league history.

I've still got the urge to make a trade but we'll see how things look at the All-Star break.

We kick off February with a wild 126-118 win over Golden State that sees us needing a sensational 4th quarter to avoid the upset. Mateen Yeaton blistered the Warriors for 44 points, Zelipe Gama netted 19 points and 12 assists and Victor Gipson and Rico Wolfe provided major bench support with 12 and 11 points a piece.

The scoring gets even crazier on the front end of a doubleheader as we top Utah 133-129 in OT and Marcelino Augusto puts on one of the finest games I've ever see anyone play. 52 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 9 blocks and 2 steals... a oh-so-damn-near QUADRUPLE-DOUBLE.. Lost in the frenzy of that excitement are double-doubles from Andrew Bogut (18 points, 15 rebounds) and Zelipe Gama (17 points, 16 assists), along with Mateen Yeaton's 25 points and Rico Wolfe's 10 bench points. The Jazz had four players with 20+ points: Chris Gearheart (28), A.J. Dunkley (25 points, 15 assists), Henry Fisher (23 points, 9 rebounds) and Terrence Howard (20 points, 11 rebounds, 7 blocks). After that game, our 101-82 pasting of the Timberwolves seems anticlimatic, even with Marcelino Augusto scoring 42 points with 9 rebounds and Mateen Yeaton adding 25 points.

We trounce the Cavaliers 114-93 as Mateen Yeaton scores 28, Andrew Bogut chimes in with 10 points and 12 rebounds and Louis Mertens bursts off the bench for 21 points in 14 minutes, 7/8 from the floor, 5/5 from 3-point range. He may not ever be starting material in our system because of his defensive liabilities, but the 22 year old Belgian is one I would take as a backup PG to anybody else in the league. He's that much a wizard with the ball and he's really made great strides since getting a chance to show his stuff here in Denver.

A fourth quarter rally carries us to a heartpounding 96-94 win over the Nets. Marcelino Augusto and Mateen Yeaton combine for 27 and 26 points respectively, Andrew Bogut has his second straight 10 point, 12 rebound game and Victor Gipson scores 10 to headline the reserves.

Talent barely trumps balance in our 103-98 win over the Hawks. The first game of a road back-to-back results in Nuggets victory thanks to usual suspects Marcelino Augusto (27 points) and Mateen Yeaton (24 points), with Zelipe Gama (14 points, 11 assists) and Rico Wolfe (11 bench points) providing the finishing touches. We have a much easier time the next night against the Bobcats, coasting to a 108-84 blowout on Mateen Yeaton's 33 points, Marcelino Augusto's 28 points and 15 bench points from Victor Gipson.

That same game, Mateen Yeaton's back locks up with severe spasms and Emeka Okafor strains his hamstring. Yeaton's probably going to miss the All-Star game now, even though he'll likely stubbornly insist on playing.

There's really nothing to see in the Skills contests or the Rookies/Sophs game for Nuggets fans. Victor Gipson dressed for the Sophomores and made a lovely bench ornament, registering a DNP as the second years killed the rooks 93-75 on Sonny Boxler's 23 points. For all my commentary during the draft that Boxler's reported laziness caused him to drop all the way to the Trailblazers despite his phenomenal talent, he's quickly proving me and everyone else wrong. While he isn't and never will be Gym Rat of the Year, he works hard enough, is an absolutely fantastic locker room guy, really showing respect to the vets.. and of course, the fans just love him.

Much to my shock, Mateen Yeaton agrees to sit out the All-Star game. He told me he really wants to chase Nigel Abel and Augusto for the scoring title, the one thing that's missing from his resume. Nuggets fans don't lose heart though, not when Marcelino Augusto is named to the starting lineup for the West and wins All-Star MVP scoring 23 points with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 6 blocks in the West's gritty 86-77 win. Actually, gritty's a lie. It was a flat-out, ugly defensive All-Star game, with both teams shooting under 40%. Not pretty, not pretty at all.

So now we're left with a decision. Emeka Okafor's still very unhappy and frankly, I'm feeling a little obligated to meet his wishes, but nobody's willing to take on a 37 year old faded star, not one that's signed for 2 seasons, even at the veteran minimum. So for better or for worse, he's going to stay a Nugget.

And to be honest, as much as I love trading, I don't really see any other moves that'd make sense for our team right now. We're in a really good spot on all levels outside of Okafor's unhappiness and our team captain's man enough not to let his disappointment spread to the others on the team.

We get killed our first game back from the break. The Celtics hammer us 112-89 as we can't stop their hot shooting all night long. Marcelino Augusto tries with 23 points and Andrew Bogut gets 18 points and 10 rebounds, but they and Rico Wolfe's 11 bench points aren't enough.

Two nights later, we're an iron wall, shutting down the Grizzlies 102-68. Mateen Yeaton scores 25 and Rico Wolfe adds 11 points to key the reserves as the deadline's officially passed without our making a move. I think it's the right decision.

Our 115-111 victory over the Hornets isn't anywhere near as close as it looks. Mateen Yeaton and Marcelino Augusto each score 27 points, Zelipe Gama helps out with 16 points and 12 assists and Victor Gipson rises off the bench for 14 points.

We keep the positive note going and conclude February with a 112-105 win over the Hawks as Marcelino Augusto puts up 26 points and 12 rebounds, Mateen Yeaton scores 21, Zelipe Gama dishes 12 points and 14 assists and Victor Gipson and Rico Wolfe power the second unit with 15 and 16 points respectively.

It's just past the halfway point, but we're pretty much running away with the West right now at 44-12. Our closest competitiors are the Mavericks, who are 35-20 and up by 6.5 over the Spurs. Sacramento has a solid 6 game lead on Golden State and I can't help but wonder where the Warriors might be with something called a good coach. 5 teams with winning records to date, so the West isn't quite restored yet. Lakers are 23-32.

Toronto's got the East by the throat at 45-11, as the Hawks really fell off the pace this month, in part by having to play us twice. They're 41-15 and lead Orlando by 5.5. Raptors, on the other hand, are up by 11.5 on the Knicks. The Central's tightened up again, the Bucks and the Pistons sharing the conference lead. Cleveland and Chicago are 3 and 4.5 back respectively. The Cavaliers and Bulls are really going to have to make their move soon if they want to go to the playoffs, because as it stands right now, only two of the Celtics (30-27), Nets (30-27), and Cavs (29-26) would get into the postseason, with the odd man out and all teams below them staying home.

Miami's 22-36, so still behind the Lakers, but Fabian Kruger comes back next week and 24 games is still a ton of time to fast make up ground.

Halfway Leaders

Scoring
T1. Nigel Abel (MIA) - 25.7
T1 Marcelino Augusto (DEN) - 25.7
3. Mateen Yeaton (DEN) - 24.7
4. Corey Neal (NJ) - 23.7

Abel, who's won a few scoring titles already, including last year's, doesn't want to see it taken by either of our boys.

Assists
1. Bernard Kelly (MEM) - 11.8
2. Calvis Graham (LAL) - 11.2
3. Kenny Graham (DET) - 11.0
T5. Zelipe Gama (DEN) - 10.5

Rebounds
1. Greg Oden (TOR) - 15.0
2. Jonte Jones (DAL) - 13.5
3. Kelvin Moody (MIN) - 12.3
T12. Andrew Bogut (DEN) - 10.5

Blocks
1. Patrick Riley (SAC) - 3.6
2. Derrick Robinson (LAL) - 3.5
3. Martin Beerbohm (NOH) - 3.0
T4. Marcelino Augusto (DEN) - 2.9
T4. Greg Wilden (CLE) - 2.9

Steals
1. Derrick Sterett (NJ) - 2.0
2. Bernard Kelly (MEM) - 1.9
3. Kyle Smith (CLE) - 1.8

Rookie Leaders

Points
1. Keith Attaway (IND) - 15.3
2. Devone Allen (DAL) - 14.4
3. Filip Mikulic (HOU) - 12.1
4. Carlton Goree (SAC) - 10.1

Assists
1. Carlton Goree (SAC) - 7.6
2. Filip Mikulic (HOU) - 5.5
3. Keith Attaway (IND) - 4.9

Rebounds
1. Dylan Clark (CHI) - 7.6
2. Charlie Joseph (POR) - 6.9
3. Jeremy Bellairs (GS) - 6.1

Blocks
1. Louis McNeish (MIL) - 1.6
2. Devone Allen (DAL) - 1.5
3. Walter Hicks (NJ) - 1.1

Steals
T1. Keith Attaway (IND) - 1.3
T1. Carlton Goree (SAC) - 1.3
T1. Devone Allen (DAL) - 1.3
4. Walter Hicks (NJ) - 1.1
5. Jeremy Bellairs (GS) - 1.0

D-League
Tzvetan Kishishev is 4th in D-League scoring at 16 points a game, with 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 0.7 steals and the Timberjacks are deadlocked for the top spot in the West with Bakersfield.

Paulinho Buboltz/Mateen Yeaton Comparison

Paulinho Buboltz
2013 Stats: 82 games/77 starts - 17.0 PPG 9.5 APG 3.0 RPG 0.7 BPG 1.2 SPG
2014 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 19.1 PPG 8.7 APG 2.8 RPG 0.5 BPG 1.4 SPG
2015 Stats: 55 games/48 starts - 14.1 PPG 8.3 APG 2.8 RPG 0.5 BPG 1.2 SPG
2016 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 18.3 PPG 8.1 APG 3.3 RPG 0.7 BPG 1.5 SPG
2017 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 19.1 PPG 8.5 APG 3.0 RPG 0.7 BPG 1.2 SPG
2018 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 20.5 PPG 8.3 APG 3.2 RPG 0.8 BPG 1.5 SPG
2019 Stats: 56 games/56 starts - 21.7 PPG 8.2 APG 3.5 RPG 0.9 BPG 1.7 SPG

Mateen Yeaton
2013 Stats: 82 games/81 starts - 23.3 PPG 2.4 APG 5.2 RPG 1.8 BPG 1.6 SPG
2014 Stats: 82 games/80 starts - 23.2 PPG 3.6 APG 5.2 RPG 1.7 BPG 1.3 SPG
2015 Stats: 82 games/81 starts - 23.6 PPG 2.4 APG 4.5 RPG 1.6 BPG 1.5 SPG
2016 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 25.0 PPG 3.1 APG 4.5 RPG 1.9 BPG 1.8 SPG
2017 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 24.4 PPG 3.2 APG 4.9 RPG 1.9 BPG 1.6 SPG
2018 Stats: 82 games/82 starts - 19.8 PPG 2.4 APG 4.2 RPG 1.5 BPG 1.2 SPG
2019 Stats: 57 games/57 starts - 24.7 PPG 2.6 APG 4.8 RPG 1.6 BPG 1.7 SPG