Eastern Conference scout on the surprising early success of the Nuggets:

"I think they got off to a really slow start because [new coach] Brian Shaw was still trying to figure out his personnel. He saw that the players on that squad weren't made for the Triangle [offense he prefers], so he started to let them run and get out and play and do what they do best.

"The other big reason they improved is because JaVale McGee went down. I hate to say it, but that's been a bonus for them. They were originally trying to go inside-out with McGee, but they aren't built like that. I think that's why [Ty] Lawson was out of whack, but Brian -- to his credit -- saw that they didn't have the post presence to play that way and let them go back to what they're good at."