It's not as much fun when you have to play an actual "team"...
by Andrew Feinstein on Apr 13, 2008 1:43 PM MDT
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I first want to apologize to all the readers of this blog for this terribly tardy recap of last night's (second) bloodbath (of the season) in Utah. I was away for yet another bachelor par- ...errrrr... "guy's getaway" and got back into town early this afternoon. Fortunately, last night's festivities didn't keep me from watching the game. But most unfortunately, last night's festivities didn't keep me from watching the game.Rather than recap last night's game, I should just repost my column after the last disastrous performance by George Karl and the Nuggets in Utah. The only difference this time was that the Nuggets imploded late in the third quarter, compared to late within the first third of the first quarter last time. Back in early March, I argued that that loss ended any and all debates arguing that the Nuggets are a well-coached, well-prepared team. And frankly, last night would've been just as bad had Allen Iverson not decided to carry the team all by himself in the second quarter.
With last night's loss fresh in our minds, one of my friends from Denver asked me to look at how the Nuggets have faired this season against actual "teams" like the Jazz. For the purposes of this argument, "team" shall be defined as an NBA squad that meets the following requirements:
-Well-coached.
-There's a system of plays on offense.
-All 12 players run the coach's system, even in garbage time.
-The players give a solid effort in almost every game, on both ends.
-There hasn't been locker room dissension whatsoever (at least not that we know of).
-Whomever is on the bench is usually standing up and cheering for their teammates on the floor.
Based on those requirements, these are the only "teams" in the NBA this season, with the Nuggets record against them in parentheses: the Lakers (0-3), Jazz (1-3), Spurs (2-2), Pistons (0-2), Celtics (1-1), Hornets (1-2) and Rockets (1-2). Therefore, the Nuggets have gone 6-15 against actual "teams" this season. Not only is the Nuggets' record against "teams" awful, but they haven't won a single road game against a "team" all season. Worse yet, the Nuggets' point differential in those 15 defeats against "teams" is 16 points (20 on the road).
Even though everyone had last Thursday's game at Golden State penciled in as the Nuggets most important game of the season, I fear we (and by "we" I mean me, you, the press, the Nuggets players and especially, Coach Karl) have dangerously overlooked and underestimated tonight's contest at Pepsi Center against the Rockets. Under the radar (again), the Rockets have won five straight and are still in contention for the Western Conference's number one seed.
Unless the Nuggets make the playoffs, this could be the last time the Nuggets face a real "team" all season.
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Apologies for the re-post but here goes:
Bill Parcells once said, you are what your record says you are. It might be time for fans and pundits to cease calling the Nugs a talented team. Talent is irrelevant if you don't perform. If we focus on performance rather than talent, we will see the Nuggets for what they are.
But to the point of the comment, the Nuggets don't play as a team. As Bernie Lincome pointed out, one of the main culprits is Allen Iverson. His helter-skelter dribbling to get himself an open is selfish ball-playing. Forget the warrior mentality he displays by taking it to the hole and sacrificing his body. What does it do to help the other players? Once Iverson gets the ball, it has gone into the Black Hole while his teammates stand around not knowing whether he's going to pass (rarely), make or miss the shot. Not to mention that many nights he's shooting slightly above 40%.
The offense as a whole is a mess and reminds me of the way dudes ball at the gym.
If they can't play better and more consistent, I hope Houston puts them out of their misery tonight.
Bill Parcells once said, you are what your record says you are. It might be time for fans and pundits to cease calling the Nugs a talented team. Talent is irrelevant if you don't perform. If we focus on performance rather than talent, we will see the Nuggets for what they are.
But to the point of the comment, the Nuggets don't play as a team. As Bernie Lincome pointed out, one of the main culprits is Allen Iverson. His helter-skelter dribbling to get himself an open is selfish ball-playing. Forget the warrior mentality he displays by taking it to the hole and sacrificing his body. What does it do to help the other players? Once Iverson gets the ball, it has gone into the Black Hole while his teammates stand around not knowing whether he's going to pass (rarely), make or miss the shot. Not to mention that many nights he's shooting slightly above 40%.
The offense as a whole is a mess and reminds me of the way dudes ball at the gym.
If they can't play better and more consistent, I hope Houston puts them out of their misery tonight.
by DeAngelo Starnes on Apr 13, 2008 4:17 PM MDT reply actions
Allen Iverson is not the only one who plays like that, in fact Carmelo and Smith are even worse since they rarely pass (At least A.I. averages 7+ assists a game.) The fact of the matter is George Karl doesn't desire to put a SYSTEM into place so the Nuggets could develop a consistent style of play.
To be honest I'm done with the Nuggets for the rest of the season and I won't come back if Karl does next year. I'm sure watching the Nuggets play has landed someone one in the hospital due to a heart attack.
Karl needs to watch the way the Lakers run their offense where even the 10th guy on the roster feels like he can contribute, and where Kobe never has to complain about a double team since the SYSTEM he plays lets him know where the open guy will be.
The Nuggets right now are a good team but they are not a legit team.I'm not even going to go into their Defense!!!
To be honest I'm done with the Nuggets for the rest of the season and I won't come back if Karl does next year. I'm sure watching the Nuggets play has landed someone one in the hospital due to a heart attack.
Karl needs to watch the way the Lakers run their offense where even the 10th guy on the roster feels like he can contribute, and where Kobe never has to complain about a double team since the SYSTEM he plays lets him know where the open guy will be.
The Nuggets right now are a good team but they are not a legit team.I'm not even going to go into their Defense!!!
by j2y2k3 on Apr 13, 2008 4:29 PM MDT reply actions
A point that is minor, but also a reinforcement of what your post is trying to convey is that Portland is also a 'team'. And, look what happened to the Nuggets against them.
This off season will be interesting to see what happens with this team.
I think that next year will bring many changes, maybe even some HUGE changes to the squad.
I realize what blog I'm commenting on, but coaching changes aside I think that a better team can be had for much less mula.
This off season will be interesting to see what happens with this team.
I think that next year will bring many changes, maybe even some HUGE changes to the squad.
I realize what blog I'm commenting on, but coaching changes aside I think that a better team can be had for much less mula.
by GeneralPhysician on Apr 13, 2008 6:03 PM MDT reply actions
Allen Iverson is not the Nuggets' problem. I don't understand how you can blame their entire demise on him. He's averaging 7+ assists this season, so obviously he's "sharing" the ball. Tonight's game against Houston is basically the Nuggets' season. They can't lose this game, and then just pray for Phoenix to beat Golden State Monday.
We all know how the Nuggets have done on back-to-backs this season, but hopefully, they'll find SOMEWAY to win.
We all know how the Nuggets have done on back-to-backs this season, but hopefully, they'll find SOMEWAY to win.
by natttttt on Apr 13, 2008 6:59 PM MDT reply actions
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