Could our Nuggets be the NBA's version of "Major League"?...
by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 20, 2008 1:34 AM MST
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After watching the Nuggets beat the Not-Your-Father's-Spurs in San Antonio tonight, I was trying to think of the last time a professional sports team had been gutted by management, dissed by the national media and yet proved the naysayers wrong. Nothing immediately came to mind other than the 1989 hit baseball movie "Major League."Admittedly, this comparison is quite a stretch, but it's fun to consider nonetheless (this is what happens when yours truly turns in his post-game blog column north of midnight).
Like Indians owner Rachel Phelps in "Major League," Nuggets owner Stanley Kroenke was clearly fed up with the direction of his team and seems intent on cost-cutting wherever possible. His credo to save, slash and burn salary led to his cronies in upper management giving away Marcus Camby for nothing, not re-signing Eduardo Najera, skipping the 2008 NBA Draft, not bothering to fill out a 15-man roster and signing a collection of NBA also-rans for the absolute minimum. I didn't even know you could make less than a million dollars in the NBA until I looked at the Nuggets payroll and saw three players in the sub-million range, in addition to two more players barely making more than a million.
What's next? Cold water only in the hot tub to save money on heating expenses?
Also seen in the early parts of "Major League" was a group of professional athletes who partied together off the field while their on-field chemistry was god awful. That Indians "team" also featured a longtime manager who had become so disillusioned with his team that he barely put forth any effort while daring ownership to fire him. And then a former player beloved by the fans returns to the organization after being discarded by every other team in the league, and the team begins to turn the corner.
Sound familiar?
For the 2008-09 Nuggets, I see Chauncey Billups in the role of Tom Berenger's Jake Taylor: the grizzled veteran who shows his young, selfish teammates how the game is really played. Carmelo Anthony is akin to Corbin Bernsen's Roger Dorn: he used to only look out for himself, but thanks to Taylor's leadership, he becomes a selfless teammate. Nene? Dennis Haysbert's Pedro Cerrano obviously. J.R. Smith is the Nuggets equivalent of Charlie Sheen's Ricky "Wild Thing" Vaughn: the erratic youngster who - as ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy acutely stated during the Boston broadcast - "makes both coaches nervous." And of course, George Karl could take on the role of James Gammon's Lou Brown: the old school bench coach who's playing with the house's money and therefore gives his team one more energetic managing effort.
Throw in the national NBA media leaving this team for dead before training camp even started, and we have the making for a possible Cinderella season. Not one reputable NBA writer (other than this blogger, naturally) picked the Nuggets to make the playoffs. Not one. In fact, most NBA pundits had our Nuggets winning about 37 games at season's end...13 off of last season's win total.
It's still very early into this new season to make any bold proclamations about where the season will end up. But if (and it's a big if) the Nuggets can stay healthy, there's no reason to think that their "us against the world" mentality won't continue to produce gutty wins like we witnessed in San Antonio tonight.
I can't remember the last time I was this excited to be a Nuggets fan.
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Cheers,
Shaun
by Shaun on Nov 20, 2008 1:44 AM MST reply actions
I've never been this excited as a Nugget fan either.
This is without a doubt the smartest and most efficient team since I've been a fan in 2003.
Gone are the streetball ways, the me-me ways, the talk ways...
We're not talking now, we're playing. I can see guys just play and are about the game... no more about the flash and hype.
It's good to finally be substantial as a team, to play together and the players now seem to have a sense of goal playing the game from the tip off to the final buzzer.
I think we can really make noise this year barring any serious injuries to key players (Melo, Billups, KMart, Nene, yes... Balkman and Carter). But I don't think we have a chance at a championship unless we acquire a big man/ legit 7 footer who can play in the paint on both ends.
- Snake -
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 2:11 AM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 2:17 AM MST reply actions
Even now, the Nuggets aren't getting much respect. Now they use the quality of the teams to discount this 7-1 run. I think tonight was a good statement game, though they'll still use all of the Spurs injuries to shrug it off.
Friday will be the day of truth. Can they beat the Lakers? If they beat the Lakers, they'll have beaten the Celtics and the Lakers. If that doesn't wake people up. I'm actually really nervous about the Lakers matchup.
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 2:25 AM MST reply actions
"The Nuggets' on-court communication has been clear and continuous, perhaps epitomized by one play early in the third quarter. Anthony held the ball near the top of the key, while Billups was on the right wing. While Anthony controlled possession, he pointed toward a spot on the floor and yelled out a play call. Billups responded back to Anthony and, suddenly, Billups popped open on the wing, received a pass and hit an open 3-pointer."
Woo Hooooooo....!
Real basketball in Denver. An actual team. This is great.
by Dave on Nov 20, 2008 6:59 AM MST reply actions
K-Mart has been a beast, and he's playing 'within the system' effectively now.
God I love what Chauncey has done to this team, top to bottom... but of course, we all still need to cross our fingers everyone stay's healthy.
by Eric K on Nov 20, 2008 8:59 AM MST reply actions
by Brian on Nov 20, 2008 9:04 AM MST reply actions
by BillFace on Nov 20, 2008 9:30 AM MST reply actions
2003 at my friends High School graduation party, watching the draft lottery, and then a few months later we got Melo. But I'd say that was more "yay, we're not gonna completely suck" instead of now where its "we could make a serious run at this"
by Adam on Nov 20, 2008 10:12 AM MST reply actions
by Brian on Nov 20, 2008 10:21 AM MST reply actions
Even Chauncey was fitted for the goat after the Pistons failed to get back to the finals. Traded for A.I.? w.t.f.?? Carmello still doesn't get the pub that other draftees of his class get(weather you feel it's wrong or right)and now all of these guys have something to prove. They all have some major chipage on their shoulders and someone( Billips) to help focus that energy to TEAM play. The whole is now greater than the sum of it's parts.
The "I better take what I can because A.I. and Melo are going to take the rest" mentality is suddenly gone. The intensity is up. I can see a "lockdown" attitude begining to take shape, much like we have seen in San Antonio for the last 10 years.
All this in an 8 game transformation, and the scary part is, they will continue to get better as they continue to jell.
The last time I felt as good about a Nuggs team, Alex English and Fat Lever were donning rainbow skylines...
by chargershed on Nov 20, 2008 11:27 AM MST reply actions
I know we all want JR in the starting lineup, but if G. Karl (worst coach ever) wants to start defense, then start Balkman over D. Jones, who is the most athletic guy who was never taught how to shoot a damn basketball!!!
by Eli on Nov 20, 2008 11:38 AM MST reply actions
by matt on Nov 20, 2008 11:42 AM MST reply actions
by Goldennugget on Nov 20, 2008 11:47 AM MST reply actions
Nene as Cerrano. Too funny. I'd love to see his shrine in the locker room.
And let's hope Karl never walks into Kroenke's office naked.
Up your butt, Jobu.
*Takes Shot*
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 12:20 PM MST reply actions
Remember him; "As fast as Hayes (Bullet Bob), but as good as Mays (Willie)"!
I'm thinking maybe Birdman could fit that role? He's flamboyant enough, & seems to like to trash-talk a good game!
Dahntay Jones maybe?
Naw- don't think so.
Any help?
by KaiserSoze on Nov 20, 2008 12:26 PM MST reply actions
by Lucas Navarrete on Nov 20, 2008 1:18 PM MST reply actions
Then I'd have to go with Chris Anderson for Wild Thing Rick Vaughn. And injured on the bench, I'm sure he feels like a banker wearing that suit.
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 2:09 PM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Nov 20, 2008 2:20 PM MST reply actions
after the game 4 win in the 1994 playoffs vs Sonics.
If JR gets his stroke back & we continue this way into March... I may well be as excited as after game 6 vs Jazz in the '94 playoffs.
by CB on Nov 20, 2008 7:27 PM MST reply actions
by Rand on Nov 20, 2008 11:20 PM MST reply actions
"jussssst a bit outside..."
by Rand on Nov 20, 2008 11:23 PM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Nov 21, 2008 9:23 AM MST reply actions
That said, I think we might have a legitimate shot of getting out of the first round this year facing any team except maybe the Laker, but I doubt we'll be seeded against them anyway.
by Denverson on Nov 21, 2008 9:42 AM MST reply actions
by Kieran on Nov 21, 2008 11:15 AM MST reply actions
I hope so, what do you think about this? Do you think Nuggets can beat the Jazz in the ranking this season?
by Lucas Navarrete on Nov 21, 2008 1:14 PM MST reply actions
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