George Karl and Daryl Morey agreed that you cannot play a slow pace in today's NBA in a panel at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference. Defenses are just too good, they said, with Morey citing Tom Thibodeau's ability to smother teams deep in the shot clock. The data show clearly that early scores are vital. 

Morey discussed the different use of Dwight Howard by the Houston Rockets. Stan Van Gundy ran set plays for Howard when he was with the Orlando Magic, but he is getting the ball with the Rockets in unpredictable situations and scoring efficiently.

A quick-hitting, fast-thinking attack wins.

Morey recalled reports the Rockets use to run on the effectiveness of different plays called by then-head coach Jeff Van Gundy was with Houston. Above all the set plays was a play categorized as Random, when a play call broke down and a random screen was set to free up a scorer. This was the most effective play.

Karl thought back to the time after the Denver Nuggets acquired Raymond Felton. Karl said he thought Felton was perhaps his best guard at the time but Lawson had the starting job. So to improve Denver's ability to make fast decisions, Karl played them together. Karl believes this may have started a trend in the league of a two-point guard offense. 

The panel discussed fouling up three in the closing seconds. Even though the numbers support taking the foul, it's not done widely. Karl cited a lack of devoted practice time to making sure teams can execute a two-shot foul. 

Morey said you should win the game almost always either way, but cited coaches wanting to show confidence in their defense to stop the three, or just the embarrassment factor of not wanting to give up the three-point foul.  Kobe Bryant was named as one of the best at anticipating the intentional foul and getting off an attempt from behind the arc as the contact is made.

The Denver Nuggets have a 5-12 record since Jan. 17 as the season has begun to spiral out of Brian Shaw's control.

Shaw insists that he doesn't hate the Nuggets' roster.

“I can’t remember who it was that asked me yesterday; he said ‘Would you have taken this job with the roster, if it was just the guys who are healthy and playing right now would you have taken this job?’” Shaw said. “I said, after interviewing for head coaching jobs as many times as I did, 11 times prior to this interview, and not getting a job, I said ‘Yeah, I most likely would have taken it.’ But the expectation and everything else would have been different, knowing if there wasn’t going to be Gallo, JaVale (McGee), Nate (Robinson) for half the season and the situation be what it is.

“So, no, I don’t hate the roster. What I hate is having to beg guys to play. That simple. That shouldn’t be a part of what coaching should be. And circumstances are what they are. None of us asked for it.”

Injuries have plagued the Nuggets this season with Ty Lawson, JaVale McGee and Danilo Gallinari missing significant time.

The Houston Rockets have acquired Jordan Hamilton from the Denver Nuggets, a league source told RealGM.

Aaron Brooks will be dealt to the Nuggets.

Hamilton is averaging 6.8 points and 3.4 rebounds for the Nuggets this season, and the 6-foot-7 forward has shown glimpses of his versatility and shooting.

The Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks were moving forward with discussions on a trade of Jordan Hamilton for Beno Udrih, but a trade with the Houston Rockets has been made instead.

The Knicks have been shopping Udrih since his falling out with Mike Woodson.

Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Nuggets are discussing deals involving Hamilton with multiple teams.

The Washington Wizards have agreed to acquire Andre Miller in a three-team trade with the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers.

Miller has been away from the Denver Nuggets for more than a month following his confrontation with Brian Shaw.

The Nuggets will acquire Jan Vesley, while the 76ers get Eric Maynor and two second round picks.

The Wizards will send a second round pick to the 76ers next year and the Nuggets will send the other second rounder in 2016.

The New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets are in discussions on a deal involving Beno Udrih for Jordan Hamilton.

The Knicks and Nuggets have long discussed a bigger deal centered on Iman Shumpert for Kenneth Faried.

Udrih has requested a trade from the Knicks.

Andre Miller has no desire to return to the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets were attempting to bring Miller back to the team after more than a month in which they were unsuccessful in trading him away.

"The vibe is delusional," the source said. "It's a burned bridge. No reconciliation. He's waiting by the door with his bag already packed. The relationship is irreparable. Under no circumstances does he want to come back to Denver.

"Andre hasn't spoken about the situation. He's being quiet out of goodwill."

Miller has been working out daily at the Nuggets' practice facility, but mostly at night away from the team.

Brian Shaw also has no interest in bringing Miller back.

Miller's camp hopes the Nuggets can still find a suitable trade before the deadline.

The Denver Nuggets are considering bringing back Andre Miller to the team after being unable to find a suitable trade. The Nuggets worked out Miller this week.

The Nuggets haven't played Miller since Dec. 30 when he engaged in a public confrontation with Brian Shaw.

Miller's $4.6 million salary for next season is partially non-guaranteed.

Teams like the Sacramento Kings that have previously been interested in Miller have fallen too far out of the playoff race to still be an option.

The New York Knicks are attempting to resume trade talks with the Denver Nuggets on a deal centered on Iman Shumpert for Kenneth Faried.

The Knicks were actively looking to trade Shumpert earlier in the season with Faried as a potential target.

The Knicks believe they have depth at Shumpert's position in J.R. Smith and Tim Hardaway Jr., which would allow the team to balance the roster.

Kenneth Faried is still available at the right price as the NBA trade deadline looms, according to sources.

The Denver Nuggets were reportedly gauging the trade value of Faried before the season.

Faried is averaging 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds this season.