Bilderecke » three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Theres

DENVER -- The thinking is big around the Denver Nuggets this season. As in, pairing towers Jusuf Nurkic and Nikola Jokic on the court more often.Thats a counter move in a copycat league where teams are trying to be fast and free-shooting like the Golden State Warriors. The way Nuggets coach Michael Malone sees things, the Nuggets have two talented big men -- dubbed the Balkan Bigs -- so why not utilize their particular niche.Anything to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2012-13. By Malones estimation, the Nuggets (33-49) need to find a way to capture 12 more games in order to end their playoff drought and woo back disenchanted fans.Thats what I love about our roster -- we have versatility, Malone said. We can play a lot of different ways.It will help to have a healthy Wilson Chandler (hip surgery) on the floor. Same with Danilo Gallinari (ankle). Point guard Emmanuel Mudiay has an improved jumper and a year of experience under his belt, along with another offensive weapon in Jamal Murray, the seventh overall pick in the June draft.The talent is different, but the talent is there, Golden State coach Steve Kerr said. This is a good young team and theyre going to cause problems for people.Especially up front with the 7-foot Nurkic of Bosnia and the 6-10 Jokic of Serbia. Nurkics a bruiser inside and capable of putting up some big numbers, as he demonstrated down the stretch a year ago. Jokic is riding a wave of confidence after helping Serbia to a silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics over the summer.The real dilemma for Malone will be finding minutes for everyone. He can easily go 10 deep, including a smaller lineup that features Will Barton, Gary Harris (once he recovers from a right groin strain) and Murray.Were not here to finish six-to-eight (in the Western Conference), general manager Tim Connelly said. Thats not the goal. We know it wont be easy sledding. The wins and losses will take care of themselves if we keep doing the right things every day.Things to know about the Nuggets as they prepare to honor Dikembe Mutombo during the home opener by retiring his No. 55 jersey:MANIMALS ROLE: There are rumors flying around that Kenneth Faried is on the trading block after a season in which he averaged 12.5.points and 8.7 rebounds. For now, he may come off the bench with Nurkic and Jokic getting more playing time.He hasnt gotten caught up in, `Whos starting? Am I not starting? Why am I not starting? Malone said. Hes, `Let me go out there and do the best job I can do to help this team win games.HIP CHECK: The pain from Chandlers surgically repaired hip was nothing compared to watching night in and out from the sideline. Chandler thinks it made him a better basketball player because, I got to see the game from the coachs perspective. It made me a stronger person.MIKE AND HIS MECHANICS: For veteran leadership, the team brought back Mike Miller. The 36-year-old guard/forward knows that playing time will be sparse for him. His true role will be as a leader at practice and on the bench.Listen, theres no beating around the bush -- Im old, Miller cracked. You can say it. ... The guys in the locker room, the best way you can lead and be a part of it is by doing it with action, by not missing practice and getting through it when its tough. I can definitely help.SILVER LINING: Jokic has been teased about his Olympic silver medal. He played well before his squad lost to the Americans in the final. He averaged 9.1 points and six rebounds for the Serbians.Theyre saying Im changed now -- I need a red carpet, Jokic joked. Crazy.NO ALPHAS NEEDED: Darrell Arthur doesnt believe a team needs an Alpha leader to make a run at a title. He cites the Boston Celtics as a perfect illustration.They really dont have that Alpha player, said Arthur, whos working his way back from left knee surgery. As far as their team, they all play for each other. It doesnt matter who is scoring. Its going out there and competing and playing hard. If we come out with that mindset, we can do the same thing. Carnell Lake Jersey . The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. Stitched Antonio Brown Jersey . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. http://www.cheapsteelersjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-rocky-bleier-jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Antonio Brown Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Mike Webster Jersey . -- PGA TOUR Canada member Steve Saunders took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the Web. Theres another top-10 showdown in the SEC on Saturday as Texas A&M and Tennessee square off in College Station. Can Miami exorcise its Florida State demons? And which hot seat coach needs a win most? Our experts break it down:Which team projects as Alabamas biggest challenge moving forward: Texas A&M or Tennessee?Andrea Adelson: Texas A&M Tennessee has won its biggest games on literal prayers and double-digit comebacks. Is that feasible throughout the course of a season and, more specifically, againnst Alabama? It hardly seems so.dddddddddddd At some point, the luck will run out against better teams. Texas A&M is vastly improved on defense under coordinator John Chavis, and Oklahoma transfer?Trevor Knight?is playing well at quarterback. Outside of the opener against UCLA, the Aggies have had their games well in hand in the fourth quarter. They are the biggest test. ' ' '