[UPDATED] The quest for 50 wins remains intact (for now)...

by Andrew Feinstein on Apr 8, 2008 11:42 PM MDT

The Nuggets survived one of their toughest three game stretches of the season, finishing an admirable 1-2 against the Kings Practice Squad, the "Super"sonics and the Clippers, whom they whacked tonight 117-99.

Alright, enough with the sarcasm.

As mentioned ad nauseum on this blog, I attended tonight's game at Staples Center and sat about 13 rows up from the Nuggets bench. I tried desperately to gather some insight into why the Nuggets struggle defensively overall and offensively in a halfcourt set, but this wasn't the game to observe any struggles whatsoever.

The Nuggets finally did what they're supposed to do against underhanded and playing-for-nothing teams like the Clippers: they beat them wall to wall and on both ends of the floor. Unfortunately for us Nuggets fans, it took two losses prior to tonight's win for the team to figure out how to beat already bad teams made worse by missing key personnel.

Since I don't usually sit this close to the Nuggets bench (at Pepsi Center I often sit behind the visitors bench), here a few things I observed from my vantage point. Please take this with a grain of salt considering this was a walkover game, and I don't present any of these tidbits as representative of the entire season...

-Contrary to what some members of the national media have made up about them, there seems to be a genuine camaraderie among the Nuggets players both on the floor and on the bench. For example, no one rolled their eyes when Carmelo shot a few turnaround jumpers over two defenders with no rebounders underneath.

-Owner Stanley Kroenke and at least two of his three GMs (Bret Bearup and Rex Chapman) accompanied the team and hung out around the players during pregame warmups. Kroenke spent most of the warmups chatting it up with the all-time-best NBA fan Jimmy Goldstein, and I hope for Kroenke's sake he wasn't getting fashion advice.

-Head coach George Karl's son Coby - who plays for the Lakers - got to sit in the very first row behind the Nuggets bench, which must have been cool for both him and his dad.

-To Karl's credit, when he pulled the core players for the scrubs with five minutes to go, he didn't embarrass veteran Chucky Atkins by putting him on the floor, even though Chucky would get yet another DNP-CD. Does anyone besides me find it ironic that Karl used Atkins' injury as an excuse for the Nuggets shortcomings all season, and yet he never plays him anymore? Or is Atkins hurt and we just don't know about it?

-And finally (and much to my surprise) Coach Karl actually worked the refs in the first half, but with the following caveat: they had to be standing right in front of him.

But most unfortunately, after the results of two other games tonight I fear the Nuggets will not make the playoffs. Remarkably, both Dallas and Golden State were able to beat the "Super"sonics and Kings Practice Squad, respectively. I didn't think the Mavericks and Warriors had it in them against such challenging opponents, but somehow, someway they were able to pull off what the Nuggets could not.

If you assume - as I do - that the Mavericks and Nuggets will win two out of their last four games, and the Warriors will take three out of their last four, then the Nuggets will fall one victory short of 50 wins and miss the playoffs by a game. Of course, I'm the guy who told you the Nuggets would beat Sacramento and Seattle over the weekend, so what do I know anyway?

[UPDATED] As cool as I thought I was sitting 13 rows up, AOL Fanhouse's Brett Edwards got to sit courtside AND interview Carmelo after the game. Be sure to check out his recap and interview:
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/08/nuggets-at-clippers-courtside-report/
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/04/09/post-game-with-carmelo-republicans-and-democrats-both-buy-my-s/

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Comments

all we need to do is beat golden state

which would be alot easier if they weren't in the same situation as us

by andrew fisher on Apr 9, 2008 7:41 AM MDT reply actions

You are correct about the guys getting along. Last night it was pretty obvious. This appears to be a team that shares in wins and losses.

by markp on Apr 9, 2008 8:14 AM MDT reply actions

It’s a shame the Nuggets have placed themselves in this position. They HAVE to win 3 of he last 4 games to make the playoffs, meaning They have to beat either Dallas or Golden State on their floor to make the playoffs… Of course it is possible for them to win all 4 but the odds are not in theirs favor with Karl on the bench.

See, I don't hate Karl… If this was the George Karl of the Sonics this team would be at the top of the west… But its not. Instead we have a watered down version of one of the best coaches in the NBA. I don't know if its his lack of interest or his system just doesn't fit the Team on either the Defensive end or the Offensive end!? He never seems to get intense even when speaking to the media making moronic comments like "We said (Utah) had to win 52 or 53 and we made them do that,"… No Karl, you didn't make them Win… Had you got those two wins against the Bulls and Bucks as well as the two wins against The Kings and Sonics!? Your team would have had 51 wins right now and 27 losses, and in contention for the number 4 spot….
The Team's comradery is a given. They have to band together to ward off the blame that’s been unjustly left on their shoulders by the media and their coach who never owns up to their losses. Its sad that he may be back next year.
I caught something in what AI said the other night after the Sonics loss, that was a definite odds with his coach. (("Karl suggested the team might be wearing down under the weight of the playoff race, but Iverson doesn't think that's necessarily the case. "You got to go through the whole team and talk to guys individually," Iverson said. "I don't know how a person can speak for somebody else."))… Interesting comment. AI seems to be like WTF!? LOL
I hope they make the playoffs but if not, that’s fine just please let Karl go. He's just not doing the job. Pick up a great player in the draft… Hire Rick Carlisle or Larry Brown and Win a ring next year cause Karl wasted this year… Same roster, different coach would be a wonderful birthday gift for me!

by chillz on Apr 9, 2008 9:48 AM MDT reply actions

After watching the last 3 games, I honestly don't think we'll do squat even if we do make the playoffs. What? Are we gonna beat New Orleans or LA in round 1? There was a time I was excited about this but as of now... not so much. I can't see them winning a series against a top seed when they just went 1-2 against 3 bottom feeders. And the Clips were tied with them late-2nd quarter and possibly beyond (I don't know because I had to put my daughter to bed and much to my surprise, when I was finally able to get back in front of the TV we were actually blowing them out with about 3 minutes left in the game).

by Eric on Apr 9, 2008 10:41 AM MDT reply actions

Hey blogger dude... I forgot to ask, considering the circumstances, can we not now sarcastically say that the Nuggets have finally won a meaningful road game? I mean, I want to get them off of that proverbial schnide before the G-State game so that demeaning stat isn't still looming over their heads Thursday night... so can we bury that bone yet or not? LOL!

by Eric on Apr 9, 2008 10:43 AM MDT reply actions

Clippers were trying to lose. They got worried having been tied with the Nuggets in the second and made the appropriate changes to make it a sure thing.

by Anonymous on Apr 9, 2008 11:17 AM MDT reply actions

Hey Chillz -

I've posted your comment on the main blog. I think everyone should read it.

Thanks to all of you for contributing frequently to this blog!

All best,

Andrew

by denverstiffs@gmail.com on Apr 9, 2008 12:52 PM MDT reply actions

"Contrary to what some members of the national media have made up about them, there seems to be a genuine camaraderie among the Nuggets players both on the floor and on the bench."

Yup. The supposed "15 cabs for 15 players" knock is False Myth #2 right behind the "they don't play defense" False Myth #1.

-----

Win or lose, the story remains the same.

Last night, Anthony Carter was -9. J.R. Smith was +9.

Anthony Carter played 30 minutes while J.R. played 20 minutes.

WTF?

by Petey on Apr 9, 2008 2:33 PM MDT reply actions

OK frustrated Nuggets fans, send some of our ideas to George Karls thoughts ( in a cartoon perhaps ? ).If just one of the ideas for improvement can break thru Georges hard skull tomorrow night against Golden State we may have a win. I mean it would be fabulous if we beat Golden State. How many of us would respond to the post following a win instead of a loss. 10 if a W - 50 or more if a loss ?
What my point is we are desperate to see the Nuggets into the post season. We want the lads to win. I would say most of us here have spent many planned hours to catch the Nuggets games. In my case catching nearly all the games on Altitude and 2 home games. We are pissed off fans and loyal fans. As a true fan ( and the time our webmaster has dedicated his time to this web page ), I'll respond to the post following Thursdays game regardless of the outcome. I for one will be ready hours before game time because I can't wait for it to begin.

by markp on Apr 10, 2008 1:03 AM MDT reply actions

Thanks a million!!!!!

by chillz on Apr 10, 2008 2:52 PM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.