Another gutty win...

by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 30, 2008 8:12 PM MST

I have a lot to catch up on after the long Thanksgiving weekend so this will be a short post (sorry!). But I couldn't ask for a better way to cap off the weekend than watching the shorthanded Nuggets beat the shorthanded Rockets in Denver tonight (after watching the Broncos awesome victory over the Jets, too).

Unfortunately, Carmelo Anthony had to leave the game early with an elbow contusion. If you're wondering what that is, check out MDAdvice.com's explanation of this particular sports injury. According to that site, he could be out 6-10 days. That's not good.

The Nuggets finished November at 12-6 (11-3 in the ACB Era) and they went 3-1 during this recent four game, five day stretch. Right before our eyes, the Nuggets are becoming a tough, gutty team that we can proudly support.

Get well soon, Melo, and let's keep it going in December!

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Melo will be back sooner than 6-10 days, probably he will miss only two games, this is the NBA, no place for babies anymore, but if he has to be back so late, we can do good with J.R and Kleiza, who are playing pretty good now.

Good win!

by Lucas Navarrete on Nov 30, 2008 8:32 PM MST reply actions

^^^^^ what he said. But still, get well soon and hasty Melo =]

by Jack on Nov 30, 2008 11:06 PM MST reply actions

A great win. Still AC plays too many minutes, he had a stretch of allowing a 6 point run midway thru the 4th period all by stupid turnovers he caused. Houston was making strides in a hurry but he did redeem himself with a great layup assisted by CB to slow down Houston's momentum, still I don't get it
We say here what we enjoy about JR but he is still a Gunslinger, and w/o doubt when his hand gets hot on the tres he would try to drop them from the cheap seats if given the opportunity. If he were to stay even all the time the dude would be over the top dangerous and in command of his incredible talent he owns.
CB is the difference. He is the catalyst the Nuggets have needed.
His clutch shooting is what the Nuggets have needed to get out of the playoff basement.

by markp on Nov 30, 2008 11:43 PM MST reply actions

The thing with JR, is that he can be hot or cold. However, so far this year, I haven't seen that he has overextended himself. He does take wild shots, but he can make them a good portion of the time. When he is hot, he shoots, which Chauncey recognized in the 2nd qtr, and kept feeding him. When he cooled down however, he started to slow down and that's when he got more assists. What's important is that he was able to recognize when he was cooling down, and started to contribute in other ways.

Over the last three games, I'm getting pissed with some of the Denver media. Quotes like "Smith, who has been in and out of coach George Karl’s dog house for lapses in play and professionalism" does a disservice. Unless there is some sort of revelation that he deserves this treatment, like being "extremely late" (a disciplinary action I agree with), he has been nothing but professional with this club.

*The emphasis on AC is another, but similar problem that relates to poor lineup decisions. The fact that GK stuck with AC after about four poor possessions in a row (late in the game no less), flies in the face of his decision to bench JR last game for a poor performance in about 4-5 min in the first qtr. I like AC as a backup PG, but AC should very rarely be paired with Chauncey. I'd hazard that this backcourt lineup has been played more often than the explosive backcourt of JR and CB.

by I rarely post on Dec 1, 2008 1:10 AM MST reply actions

Linas Kleiza is making headway as a player, but am I the only one who cringes when he comes on for Melo or Kenyon? He gives up so many turnovers when doubled up on and never fails to botch an easy layup. You can tell he's trying to overcome his rustiness lately, but I wish he'd click back into the player we saw put up triple double numbers against Utah last season.

by enver Thuggets on Dec 1, 2008 1:25 AM MST reply actions

Er... I guess I should qualify that last sentence: "who put up triple double numbers against Utah once last season and then fell back into a bench player like two games later."

by enver Thuggets on Dec 1, 2008 1:28 AM MST reply actions

Thing is, JR understands now that if he can't get his shot he can work in other beneficial ways for the team. He's shaping his game into a more all round game style. Kind of like Melo is actually.

JR is crashing the boards getting his assists up. JR is great off the high pick and roll because the opposition know they just CAN'T leave him open on the perimeter. He's so good shooting off screens so the defenders tend to focus on him on the perimeter. The guy who sets the pick (usually Nene) rolls with a clear path to the basket. That's where JR gets most his assists from.

I truly hope GK gave hiim only 7 minutes against the Wolves to rest him for last night's game! JR is our X-Factor.

by andrew fisher on Dec 1, 2008 1:51 AM MST reply actions

the thing about JR is not that he's either hot or cold. The thing is that he has to prove himself within two minutes or he will spend the rest of the night on the bench. Carl benches him if he goes 1-1 in 5 minutes and he also benches him if he goes 1-7 in 5 minutes. Being part of a consistent rotation would help him a lot I believe.

by aeneas on Dec 1, 2008 1:51 AM MST reply actions

Looks like the media has finally decided to do their job, and is reporting on Smith's playing time. There's a good article in the RMN (don't know how to link). It just proves that there was no "secret plan" to rest JR the other day for the back to back, and GK is yanking Smith's chain around for no good reason I can see.

I hope this issue blows-up, but either way, I don't see how it can end well with Karl remaining in charge.

by I rarely post on Dec 1, 2008 8:01 AM MST reply actions

Does anyone know why Renaldo Balkman is not getting any playing time?

I hope he finds his way back into the rotation. I felt the Nuggets could have really used his services Thursday night.

by Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 9:26 AM MST reply actions

JR Smith isn't getting his just minutes because George Karl is a fat asshole. Plain and simple.

by Marmatard on Dec 1, 2008 10:10 AM MST reply actions

I think the constant highlight of almost every Nugget game for me has to be when JR comes in and the entire crowd cheers like they do for no other player on the team, not Melo, not Chauncy, not Nene. During this time I love when the camera zooms to Karls face where an akward look is always expressed. Something between a half hearted smile and an angry bitter look like he is trying to hold himself back from just exploding. It was a great win though and I feel like this is the first time all year that I can confirm that we are actually a different team from last year. Good to see Birdman back and good to see Dante Jones making some plays that show he may be worthy of the start over JR. I still can't figure out what is going on with Balkman and some of George's lineups. It's too bad Melo got hurt early in the game, he seemed like he was in position to have a phenomenal performance with some of the plays he was making. Hopefully he isn't out too long. Here's to actually being in the hunt for the division!

by Goldennugget on Dec 1, 2008 2:05 PM MST reply actions

Oh yeah, and one more thing. Remember Andrew how on your stiff list you had K-Mart up there for a while with the line of something like "can't buy a jumpshot?" It seems like now he can't miss one if he tried. Here's to K-Mart's resurgence of his athleticism and coordination!

by Goldennugget on Dec 1, 2008 2:10 PM MST reply actions

December has traditionally been a really good month for Melo. Remember his double digit streak of 30+ point games a few seasons ago (before he got suspended 15 games of course)? He usually starts off the season rusty (of course I'm talking about his shooting, not other aspects of his game where he has been excelling as of late), and by December he's really warmed up and he's nailing his shots... let's hope he continues that trend and comes back from this shoulder soreness with some energy and a nice shooting touch!

by Anonymous on Dec 1, 2008 9:33 PM MST reply actions

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STIFF LIST (as of 2/7 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. THE NUGGETS AT HOME
How is it possible that a Nuggets team with this much talent can be 7-5 at home?! Things have gotten so bad that fans are clamoring for J.R. Smith to return.

2. CARMELO ANTHONY
Kobe Bryant plays through any and all ailments. Melo uses any and ailments as an excuse not to play.

3. KEVIN LOVE
Just when the T'Wolves are looking better, Love stomps on Luis Scola and lands himself a two-game suspension.

4. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
The 'Cats have lost 11 straight and are now 3-21 ... in the Eastern Conference! This is what happens when you let an underwear salesman with a Hitler mustache run your team.

5. MIKE BROWN
Dr. Bunsen Honeydew (Google it!) got himself a one-game suspension for making contact with a referee.

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Another gutty win...

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