"Yeah. We quit. Everybody."...
by Andrew Feinstein on Apr 27, 2008 2:02 AM MDT
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So said Carmelo Anthony after the Nuggets most humiliating big game loss in a season full of humiliating big game losses when the Nuggets lost 102-84 at home to the Lakers in Game 3 of the playoffs yesterday.Normally I'd appreciate Melo's sudden candor - which is quite a departure from his historically delusional quotes like: "Nobody can say that I don't make my teammates better" or "Can't nobody question how hard I'm out there playing" - but it's about 85 games too late to be taken with any sense of sincerity or seriousness whatsoever.
Just like it was 85 games too late for head coach George Karl to be taking Allen Iverson out of a game for not delivering him the "answers" he was looking for.
And it's 85 games too late to try to figure out how to win this playoff series.
Once again, Coach Karl and the Nuggets players shamefully violated the Number One Rule of sports fandom: they cared less about the outcome of the game than the fans did. While they get paid millions of dollars to play the game, we pay millions of dollars (collectively, of course) to watch them. This is why I don't blame half of the Pepsi Center attendees from vacating the premises as early yesterday. Coach Karl and the players didn't deserve one more minute of our support, just like Kroenke Sports Enterprises didn't deserve one more nickel from us at the concession stand or the team store.
As Mike Fratello apparently said during the TNT broadcast of the game, players have to earn the passion of the fans - it's not to be assumed or taken for granted.
The Nuggets coach and players earned nothing from us today. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
But even though the Nuggets coach and players likely won't win another game this year - nor will they win a playoff series (for the fifth consecutive season) - they at the very least owe us fans a tremendous effort in Game 4.
Because as much as we all love Rocky, he's not worth $132 a ticket.*
*Although in fairness to Rocky, he's pretty damn close!
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by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 1:34 AM MDT reply actions
I have come to the conclusion that this team is molded in Coach Karl and Carmelo Anthonys image. If a player like Allen Iverson, a player thats known for his heart and effort couldn't rub off on Carmelo, who could? Honastly? I mean I agree that Coach Karl should have sent a message to his players by benching them, but it was too little too late. Even when Iverson doesn't have a good game, I feel good about his effort. I have questioned Carmelos effort all season long. It seems like Iversons effort has rubbed off on some of the players (JR Smith, Kenyon, Eddie, Klieza, AC) and the others still seem not to get it.
People can say whatever they want about Iversons teams in Philly, but one thing his teams never did was give up. Even if they were facing superior teams, they never gave up, because they were molded in his image. This team seems to be filled with some weak minded players and Carmelo is one of the main suspects. He acts frustrated, but the fact is he knew his shot was off yet continued to shoot his team out the game, at least Iverson realised his shot was off and was still playing hard to try to contribute elsewhere, Melo just kept shooting instead of passing and trying to rotate the ball. Whenever Melo got the ball I knew he was going to shoot it and I cringed. It was just embarrassing.
Melo talks a good game, but he doesn't do anything to back it up half the time. Melo has basically been non existant during this series. He seems to have not been focused what so ever. He really has no one to blame but himself. I wish Iverson hadn't come to Denver because then he wouldn't be one of the scapegoats for that team and Carmelo would have to deal with it on his own and actually have to take responsibility for something for once. Iverson can take some blame for being one of the leaders, but Carmelo has been the most dissappointing out of everyone.
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 3:33 AM MDT reply actions
The thing is Melo, you can't be lazy because you're not the 12th man. You're the "franchise" and best player on the team. Like it or not, rest of players have to look at you and act accordingly whether they like it or not. It's just nature.
You copy your boss or manager's work ethic and approach. Have you ever worked at McDonalds where the manager is lazy? Of course not, otherwise you'd think you can get away with being lazy. This is the same with the team... Melo is the manager because he's the best player and the rest of the players are employees.
Ship Melo out because he will never get it.
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 5:34 AM MDT reply actions
Having made the 8th spot, it seemed obvious they had zero chance against the Lakers. Now I figured that if they lost in 4 games, I might get the same result where they didn't make the playoffs at all -- fire George and blow up the roster.
Now I see that George's job is "safe" and Melo has just gone crazy -- and weirdly -- people are blaming Melo for all this (e.g. Woody Paige). Melo is wasted on a "non-team" in any case and he's frustrated.
It's no wonder all those poor folks at Nuggets Talk are so confused.
If Karl is not fired and they don't blow it up, I am looking for a new "team" to root for.
Any suggestions?
PS -- if you think that this year was bad, wait 'til you see next year if nothing is done with George and the boys. We are already the laughingstock of the league, but that figures to get much, much worse in the absence of any acknowledgement of the totally dysfunctional nature of this "team."
Theus said "way to beat a horseshit team..." or something like that. That says it all.
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 6:05 AM MDT reply actions
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 7:02 AM MDT reply actions
^The problem is Melo is not the best player on that team. He has the ability to be, but as of right now he's not, Iverson is. And untill Melo starts to focus and live up to his potential, he will stay in cruise control. Thats probably what Melos problem is, so many people giving him something for nothing. Calling him a 'franchise player' when he really has yet to live up to that. Calling him the 'best player on the team', that might have been true before a player like Iverson came. Carmelo seems to have a ton of excuses, but not enough results. Players like Kobe, Lebron, Duncan, Iverson, K.G and others are all regarded as some of the best players to play in the league because they earned that title, it wasn't given to them.
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 7:10 AM MDT reply actions
This is not a team that deserves any love from its fans.Time to pay attention to other more exciting matchup of the playoff series...
by joanna on Apr 27, 2008 7:48 AM MDT reply actions
by Paterade on Apr 27, 2008 7:59 AM MDT reply actions
Without the full set of tools, Melo get's frustrated when he can't reach his potential, and Karl, instead of teaching and helping Melo get those tools, just sits there like a bump-on-a-log and doesn't even try to provide that support for Melo (eg. Melo gets hacked hard in yesterdays game, get's a technical for compalining (frustration) and GK doesn't even get his lazy ass off the bench (no support) and Melo goes on to complete a terrible game).
Melo came into the league very young and hasn't had a coach/mentor help him learn how to be that franchise player. Without that, he does what he's always done: rely on his skill which was SO much better than his competition in the NCAA and high school. That doesn't work so well at the NBA level.
All Karl does is bitch and moan in the press instead of COACHING all year long. This "problem" should have been addressed from the first time they met, not now in the middle of crunch-time. The results that we all desire from Melo (and the others) aren't something that magically happens at the start of the playoffs. This is an all year - and longer - process.
Does anybody else remember A.I. being the poster child for spoiled, underachieving players? He had million dollar skills and a ten cent head (Practice? we're talking about PRACTICE??). Now he's matured - and with the guidance of LB along the way - we're talking about him being the role model for this team. Melo needs that same growth, which unfortunately, hasn't been fostered for him by this current staff.
Not to suggest that Melo is completely innocent, but what exactly does GK do for his fat contract? Even in the player-centric NBA, a coach is part motivator, teacher, disciplinarian, supporter, etc. Karl is none of those things. I'd bet that once Melo gets a taste of that and sees the tangible benefits, he thrives in it. And if he doesn't, send him packing. There's a new crop of young players every year that are itching to get that chance.
Just my 2 cents worth...I could be wrong. ;-)
Cheers,
J
by J on Apr 27, 2008 8:09 AM MDT reply actions
by Dan on Apr 27, 2008 8:19 AM MDT reply actions
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 10:11 AM MDT reply actions
by markp on Apr 27, 2008 10:39 AM MDT reply actions
On a side note. For all the fans/whoever who think that the Nuggets should trade Iverson, get real. You wouldn't even have made the playoffs if it wasn't for Iverson. He leads the Nuggets in minutes played, assists, steals, and points. Good luck finding someone to replace that.
by Nataly on Apr 27, 2008 11:08 AM MDT reply actions
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2008 11:51 AM MDT reply actions
Now remember the Nuggets did not build not concentrate on Offense throughout training camp, and defense was a failure. So how is George Karl not to blame.
For all those who say AI is to blame, the Nuggets were not relevant nor even feared by opponents until AI came to town. The fact of the matter is that what Karl did to Smith, which was criticize him for silly rookie mistakes, he should have done to everyone. But no he did that to Smith, who blew up and babied Melo who regressed. Sad I tell you...just sad.
by j2y2k3 on Apr 27, 2008 1:11 PM MDT reply actions
Melo's questioning the effort and heart of his Team yet was smiling and talking to his friend Kobe all nite!? While Kobe tortured his team again.. Kobe's belittle his team ON THE COURT! And thatstarted NO fire in Melo. no fight. I'm not gonna bring up his bad shooting because he did drive and try to make layup but was off last nite... I thought AI started the game tying to facilitate the team but its hard to do so against the soft Man/zone the lakers were playing without some sort of slashing by your team mates. I didn't even know he shot 16 times.
As far as coaching goes... AI said it best when they asked him had they changes anything in the last 3 games... he said "Not at all"... This is telling because EVERY game was identical to the other in this series and even the regular series... Every game they start out neck and neck with the Lakers but the lakers end up with a few easy baskets and they pull a lead... The Bench comes back with AI on the floor and they take the lead... AI leaves the floor and Melo comes in the lead grows and they go into halftime down 7-10 points... 3rd quarter opens its one on one time and the nuggets decide not to pass out of double teams and the lakers stretch thier leads to 16 - 20 points... The nuggets go to the bench again with AI and the lead gets trimmed again but not enough and the loose by double digits... EVERY game has been the same. Think about it.
and as far as officating goes.. the nuggets shot 19 to the lakers 33 ft's at home....With Carmelo and Iverson, who were VERY aggressive going to the hole not pulling more than 5 and 4 freethrows respectively, you can't hope to win. None called fouls break your rhythm up and it frustrate you. In the 3rd quarter Kleiza was called for a foul that the ref didn't even see. All he saw was Vujacic fall and called a foul. Just a terrible game...
by chillz on Apr 27, 2008 1:21 PM MDT reply actions
by j2y2k3 on Apr 27, 2008 2:10 PM MDT reply actions
by Geandily on Apr 27, 2008 2:30 PM MDT reply actions
Yeah, I wrote 2 games because they'll win tomorrow and then lose back in LA.
But like I said before, this team has a collective low basketball IQ. That's the problem as much as a poor offensive basketball design to the extent you could say there is a design. Look more like the brothas I watch hoop at the gym.
by DeAngelo Starnes on Apr 27, 2008 8:03 PM MDT reply actions
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