I think Faried can some this up pretty well himself:
That said, he has been injured, missing games with various foot and back injuries which have also hampered his performance.
Having watched more than a few Denver games this season, he's not getting the ball in the low post like he was last season after the all star break when he averaged 20pts / 12 rbs until seasons end. He doesn't fit into Brian Shaw's offense, and as a result the only touches he gets are looks he creates himself from offensive rebounds or on the pick and roll. Keep in mind that Mozgov, then Hickson are the teams 1 & 2 options in the pick and roll now that both are healthy, so Faried now becomes the third option in this scenario. He's played 378 minutes along side Mozgov already and another 57 with Hickson. Thats 435/589 minutes (about 73%) logged where the "other" big man gets preference.
His FG% is a career low 49% (down from 54% last season), but he's also shooting the ball less. The nuggets are getting more shot attempts from the SG position than last season, so with a bigger focus on Mozgov and more long range shooting his attempts per game have dwindled. Shaw has criticized him for not being able to bring the same energy to the glass as last season, but there's only so many minutes that can be handed out and lets face it - the nuggs are deep at every position (without any all star talent). One game he'll play 32 minutes, then back it up by only playing 18. How does any player get into a game in a broken up 18 minute playing time scenario? Come in, play 4 minutes, come back out - its not easy. In fact, it's the lowest amount on minutes per game he's logging since his rookie year.
Let's analyze the comment about not getting used in the post where he proved last year to be so effective, shooting 69% on these shots.
2013-14 Shot Chart / Heat Map
Compare that to the 2014-15 Shot Chart / Heat Map.
He's still shooting 65% on these shots, which is efficient by any means, but no post game. No getting the ball on the low block.
I like Brian Shaw, I really do - and it's easy to point the finger at him I know this. However, I feel that he isn't utilizing Faried to his strengths - and was very reluctant to do it last year too. He only turned to him after Hickson went out, Mozgov was out, Lawson was out, JaVale McGee was out and Gallinari was out. Now all these guys are back and they are getting first pickings (except for JaVale who's just eating into everyone minutes - they have to come from somewhere!). Darrel Aurthur is also chewing into the Manimals minutes as he's able to stretch the floor better than Faried can, a requirement in the system Shaw has implemented.
The Manimal wants to be in Denver, evident of the contract he just signed - but I can't help think that maybe its time to move on where he can do his thing, or the Denver front office needs to break out of NBA Purgatory and either bottom out or package these roll players + draft picks to bring in some all star talent and free up the logjam at each position.
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@ozballer23 does this answer your question at all?
