Denver Stiffs: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Cal RB Jahvid Best Seriously Injured, Carted Off Field

2008-2009 Game 2: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers

Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers, Oct 31, 2008 8:30 PM MDT


 

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…(no age of wisdom here). 

The teams I believe are Denver’s closest competition for the last playoff spot, Portland and Dallas, are both 0-1.  On top of that, Portland is without Greg “adding him will push us to 55 wins” Oden for two to four weeks.  Plus keep in mind, Denver need only beat out one of those two teams.  Good times. 

On the other hand, the Nuggets are also 0-1 and are playing another game without alpha dog Carmelo Anthony.  A loss to the Clippers will leave the Nuggets 0-2 and matched up against the juggernaut Los Angeles Lakes in game three.  Those are pretty bad times.

Does that make this a must win game?

I am sure the Nuggets do not look at it that way, but I believe games played in October count just as much in the standings as games played in March and April and I do not want to see Denver start off the season losing two very winnable games, even if they are both on the road without Melo.

I thought Denver had a good shot to win Wednesday in Utah and I certainly think they have a shot to win tonight in LA against the Clippers.  LA is playing without Marcus Camby and they were demolished by the Lakers in their opening game by 38.  We can draw two conclusions from that.  The Clippers are not a great team and they will be well motivated to not loose by 38 again.

Once again the Nuggets will need someone to step up on offense and provide a boost.  The Clippers do not have anyone who can stay with Iverson or J.R. Smith if they decide to go the basket.  They do not have anyone who can handle Kenyon Martin or Nene if they face up and go to the basket.  Kleiza is deadly driving to his right off of a skip pass.  Dahntay Jones cannot shoot so he better drive.  You can probably surmise that I am hoping the Nuggets play aggressively on offense and drive every chance they get.

Defensively they need to play the same kind of team defense as they did in Utah.  No one in the NBA can shut down a motivated Baron Davis.  He is going to put up his numbers.  It will be important to keep Cuttino Mobley, Al Thronton and Chris Kaman from having big games. 

Most likely Linas Kleiza will start again and Thornton can eat him alive on offense.  AI will probably have to cover Cuttino because Baron would smush his little bones into dust.  The Nuggets will have to play well on defense to make up for those mismatches. 

The Nuggets struggled rebounding the ball in Utah (I think a lot of that was a lack of effort and some bad bounces), but the Clippers were statistically worse.  The Lakers outrebounded them by 19.  We may be viewing some resistible force versus the moveable object action on that front.

I think we are in for a higher scoring game than we saw in Utah, but also a well contested one.  Hopefully the Nuggets can pull out a win so we can stomach a loss to the Lakers tomorrow night a little easier.

Make sure you check out JLucas' game preview and hop on over to Clips Nation for some more stellar game preview blogging.

One more thing, no news on the Kleiza extension front.  I would think if it was done, we would have heard by now.

 

0 recs  |  Comment 18 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

No Kleiza extension yet? Sounds good to me...

We need to trade him while we can still get somethin for him. And also what is up with Camby? 2 games against his former team in a week and he not playing?? Come on now Marcus…

MELO!!!

MileHighReport.com
PickaxeAndRoll.com

by abaca15 on Oct 31, 2008 6:07 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

On LK. I have never been a fan of his (see any of my posts this off-season), but the Utah game just reminded me, especially his mini-temper tantrum. I know it’s stupid, but that bothers me. A lot. As for his extension, I wonder what’s going on. You have to figure if anyone backed out, it’s us. I mean, Jason Maxiell (who I think is tons better than LK) only got 4 years $20 mil. I guess we’ll see on the pre-game show….provided Altitude’s allowed to bring us news that isn’t 100% pro-Nugs.

So in other words I guess we’re waiting until tomorrow.

The artist formerly known as Nuggets4.

by JLucas4092 on Oct 31, 2008 6:52 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just logged on

21-16 Clips. Don’t like that scoreboard one little bit

by joshhopp on Oct 31, 2008 9:05 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Oh man

We are turning it over and leaking points
This sucks.

by joshhopp on Oct 31, 2008 9:08 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

This is the first time I wish I didn’t have the free league pass preview.
This is getting embarrassing.
But I’ll try to keep hope alive.

His Wolves, My Nuggs

by Kay on Oct 31, 2008 9:10 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

D. Jones is keeping us alive

can’t believe I’m saying that

by joshhopp on Oct 31, 2008 9:25 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

This is the most hideous thing I’ve ever seen.

by joshhopp on Oct 31, 2008 9:46 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

55-37 Clips

No folks your screen is correct
The clippers are up

His Wolves, My Nuggs

by Kay on Oct 31, 2008 9:54 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Like Herman Edwards with the Chiefs.....

It completely boggles my mind how George Karl still has a job. This team looks so hideously, disgustingly bad right now I don’t know whether to cry or to laugh. They have absolutely no strategy on offense, still have no concept of team defense, don’t shoot free throws well, don’t pass well, don’t rebound well; what is left?

Iverson looks like he has lost 15 steps. Kleiza is horrible. Carter is dog shit. K-mart kills us offensively, as if we have a game plan on offense. J.R. looks as tentative offensively as I have ever seen. The Birdman, well, nevermind.

This team is absolutely depressing and looks hopeless right now. Going to be a long year. I know we’re without Melo but does anyone really think he is going to make that much of a difference? I don’t.

by RyanBuff on Oct 31, 2008 10:00 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

4 point game

I can hardly handle this. i’m sweating more now than i did playing basketball this morning

by joshhopp on Oct 31, 2008 10:44 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Now he makes the 3

His Wolves, My Nuggs

by Kay on Oct 31, 2008 11:17 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Ladies and gentlemen, the Denver Nuggets

The first half deficit was really inexcusable though. LK didn’t do many any favours for me in my defence of his extension against JLucas, he played like trash. His recent performances are a major concern, I think Balkman is ahead of him at this stage. JR and AI proved that the Nuggets are worse than a D-League team when they are not looking to be agressive at all times. I learned that AI is a Hall-of-Fame type scorer when he wants to be. Superb. He must have looked up at the scoreboard at half-time, though “to hell with this” and turned it on.

The best story has got to be Nene. Kaman played well and scored quite a few points, but he had a few great blocks against Kaman and his man-to-man was very encouraging. He proved that he can ancour us down low defensively. And on offense, he was great as well, with a bunch of put backs and post moves. One of his buckets late in the game should not have counted though, as the clock had run out.

by joshhopp on Oct 31, 2008 11:30 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

AI still has the killer instinct....

Good to see…And how bout Nene, didnt get his 6th foul until after we had take control of the game late in OT, double-doubles by K-Mart, Nene, and JR. Good second half/Overtime for the Nuggs. Lets do all that in a whole game.

Also, Dahntay Jones! Great defense and free-throw shooting by the former Blue-Devil.

Go Nuggs!

MELO!!!

MileHighReport.com
PickaxeAndRoll.com

by abaca15 on Oct 31, 2008 11:54 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Sorry I missed the conversation

I was about a half an hour behind due to some trick or treating (for my daughter, not for me), but I could not have typed anything anyway because I was standing the whole fourth quarter and OT.

That was a good win.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 1, 2008 12:06 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I know what you mean about the standing up the 4th/OT....

I dont even think the bench sat down the last 15 min of the game. I’m really liking the unity of the team early in the season…

MELO!!!

MileHighReport.com
PickaxeAndRoll.com

by abaca15 on Nov 1, 2008 12:21 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

WOW!

Denver pulled one out the ass. Now lets see what we can do when we have Carmelo!!!!!

FEAR THE NEVERMORE DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Benji5203 on Nov 1, 2008 12:47 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

The Proprietors
Andrew Feinstein
(denverstiffs@gmail.com)
Nate Timmons
(ntimmons73@yahoo.com)
Start posting about the Nuggets »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

David-thompson_small
Friday the 13th
Small
Carmelo On The Stiff List/ Trade Carmelo
Larryking_small
Eddie Najara????
Larryking_small
Kmart's Injury = Balkman's Opportunity
Small
Its Coach Karl fault that we lost
Nuggets_alternate_logo_small
Golden Nuggets...
Small
Tyrus Thomas?
Nuggets_alternate_logo_small
DeJuan Blair's knees
Small
The score bar on Altitude
Nuggets_small
And The Charlotte Bobcats Hit a New Low...

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

THE STIFF LIST (as of 11/4 by Nate)

STIFF #1: DAN HAWKINS
After predicting 10 wins for his club before the season the Buffs find themselves just 2-6 with four games to play. To add injury to insult ... former 5-star prized recruit Darrell Scott announced he'll be transferring to UCLA after just 1 1/2 seasons at CU. Another black eye for the program and hopefully the final nail in Hawk's coaching coffin.  

STIFF #2: CHRIS PAUL/RAJON RONDO FEUD
Each player was assessed a technical foul after refs had to separate the two in Boston's 97-87 win Nov. 1st. After the game the arguing and posturing continued. As Celtics' coach Doc Rivers pointed out, the 180 lb. fight rule should be invoked allowing the two to scrap because, "It's impossible for them to hurt each other." Maybe Paul should focus more on his teams' 1-3 start and not on the opposing teams' point guard's ability to, "respect me as a man."

STIFF #3: ESPN NBA HEADLINES
The Nuggets headline today reads, "Nuggets sink Pacers to avoid taking first loss." Compare that to the Suns' line reading, "Suns remain unbeaten, hand Heat first loss." Thanks for the backhanded compliment Worldwide Leader. At least Yahoo! Sports got it right, "Nuggets off to best start in 24 years." Maybe I'm being too picky.

STIFF #4: STEVE NASH'S MINUTES
When has it EVER been considered a good idea to play a 35 year-old (36 yrs on February 7th) point guard 36.8 minutes per game? Nash is on pace to average a career-high in the minutes department. And while Nash has averaged 77 games played in five full seasons with the Suns, his chronic back issues could rear its ugly head out early at this rate.

STIFF #5: PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Sure starting the season off 2-3 is no big deal, but when head coach Nate McMillan begins openly questioning the teams' effort to the media ... look out.

DENVER STIFFS ON FACEBOOK

Enter your email for updates

Email:

Denver Stiffs on Twitter

Blogroll

SB Nation Colorado Team Blogs

Purple Row (Rockies)
Mile High Report (Broncos)
Mile High Hockey (Avalanche)
Ralphie Report (CU Buffaloes)

Nuggets-Related Sites

Chris Andersen Files
Denver Nuggets at Basketball-Reference
Denver Nuggets Examiner
Denver Nuggets official website
Denver Nuggets on Wikipedia
Denver Nuggets payroll
Doug Moe quotes
Mile High Fan
Nugg Doctor
Nugg Love
NuggetsHoops.com
Remember the ABA
Roundball Mining Company

Denver Sports Media

Benjamin Hochman
Colorado Sports Desk
Dave Krieger
Dino Costa
Drew Litton
Jim Armstrong
Mark Kiszla
Mile High Sports
Woody Paige
The Sports Guys

NBA Team Blogs

Atlanta Hawks
Peachtree Hoops

Boston Celtics
Celtics Blog
Celtics Hub
Red's Army

Charlotte Bobcats
Rufus on Fire

Chicago Bulls
Blog a Bull
By the Horns

Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavs the Blog
Fear the Sword

Dallas Mavericks
Mavs Moneyball
The Two Man Game

Detroit Pistons
Motown String Music

Golden State Warriors
Golden State of Mind

Houston Rockets
The Dream Shake

Indiana Pacers
Indy Cornrows

Los Angeles Clippers
ClipperBlog
Clips Nation

Los Angeles Lakers
Forum Blue and Gold
Silver Screen and Roll

Memphis Grizzlies
3 Shades of Blue
Straight Outta Vancouver

Miami Heat
Peninsula is Mightier

Milwaukee Bucks
Brew Hoop
The Bucky Channel

Minnesota Timberwolves
Canis Hoopus
TWolves Blog

New Jersey Nets
Nets Daily

New Orleans Hornets
At the Hive

New York Knicks
Knickerblogger
Posting and Toasting

Oklahoma City Thunder
Bend it Like Bennett
OKC Thunderballs

Orlando Magic
Third Quarter Collapse

Philadelphia 76ers
Liberty Ballers

Phoenix Suns
Bright Side of the Sun
Valley of the Suns

Portland Trail Blazers
Blaze of Love
Blazersedge
Rip City Forever

Sacramento Kings
Sactown Royalty

San Antonio Spurs
48 Minutes of Hell
Pounding the Rock

Toronto Raptors
Raptors Blog Raptors HQ

Utah Jazz
Frank Layden Admirers
SLC Dunk

Washington Wizards
Bullets Forever

NBA Blogs and Other Recommended Sites

And Here Come the Pretzels
AOL NBA Fanhouse
Ball Don't Lie
Basket Bawful
Basketball Reference
Basketball Statistics
Basketbawful
Bill Simmons
By the Book
Call it Mile High
Deadspin
Free Darko
Girls & Sports Comics
Hardwood Paroxysm
High Level Sport
Hoop Access
Hoops Daily
Hoops Hype
Hoops Vibe
Hoops World
Inside Hoops
Mouthpiece Sports
Need 4 Sheed
OTR Basketball Forum
Outside the Boxscore
Peter Robert Casey
Pro Basketball News
Ridiculous Upside
Slam Online
Sports by Brooks
Stock Lemon
That NBA Lottery Pick
The Basketball Jones
The Big Lead
True Hoop
Wages of Wins Journal
With Leather
With Malice

 

 

 


Managers

Nuggets_alternate_logo_small Nate Timmons

Andy-blogger_small Andrew Feinstein