So, this is off to a promising start.
The Nuggets are 2-0 since coach Brian Shaw first publicly discussed pushing the time of his team’s shootarounds back from the traditional morning walkthrough to the new afternoon sessions.
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Officially, they are 2-1 because they didn’t have one in their New Year’s Day contest at Chicago either – and lost – but most important to Shaw is how the Nuggets are playing. They’ve had just one bad quarter in the last three games (the fourth in Chicago), and in each one they’ve gotten off to fast starts.
“I didn’t want to just measure it in wins and losses,” Shaw said. “In the Chicago game I thought our energy was good to start the game out. And it’s been really good at the start of all of these games. So, we’re keeping an eye on it.”
Shaw gazed out toward the players still on the practice court.
“And, of course they are going to help us keep an eye on it, when it turns out the way we want it to turn out,” Shaw said, grinning.
Shaw said he recognizes the pitfalls that could occur.
“It’s a double-edged sword,” Shaw said. “Because, really, it could be that way with everything. You’ve got to be on-time for practice. ‘But if we’re not on-time, what is it going to really hurt?’ You know what I mean? You can make an excuse for everything. And I don’t want it to turn into that.
“But I understand. For years, teams that I’ve played on and teams that I’ve coached, players have always asked ‘Why do I have to get up and come to shootaround?’ I’ve been there sometimes myself as a player. So, if in their minds, this helps them play better and the results show that, then I don’t mind being the pioneer, in terms of doing it.”
Which is music to players’ ears.
“I’m not going to lie,” Nuggets guard Ty Lawson said. “I’m loving it. Coming in at 3:30, everybody is well-rested. And the last three games we’ve played, we’ve gotten off to good starts. I like it.”
Follow Chris Dempsey on Twitter @dempseypost or email him at cdempsey@denverpost.com
