NOW can Renaldo Balkman get more minutes?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 9, 2008 8:36 PM MST

Well, we've had our first official Cheikh Samb sighting. And Renaldo Balkman should have - in theory - played his way into more PT after his gutty performance in tonight's win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

One shouldn't read too much into a home win over the talented but inexperienced Grizzlies. But after a predictable 1-3 start, the Nuggets are back to .500 and are 2-0 with Chauncey Billups at the helm. Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are 0-2 with Allen Iverson running the point. I'm just saying. We'll wait about 20 games into the season before comparing the two players with their new teams in more detail. I hope for both Billups and AI that the trade is a win-win.

Luckily for the Nuggets, the Billups acclamation process gets to continue against one more bad team when they face off against the Bobcats in Charlotte on Tuesday. After that, the Nuggets have two huge road tests: at Cleveland on Thurdsay and at Boston on Friday. Those games will tell us a lot about the current state of our Nuggets.

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I really enjoyed the hustle plays late in the game. Great defensive rebounding all game. I think that's the key for this team. If they allow too many offensive rebounds they're in trouble, as with any team. Which means melo and kleiza need to stay back more for rebounding instead of leaking out on the fast break.

Also dallas and utah losing tonight.

by emptytwo629 on Nov 9, 2008 11:14 PM MST reply actions

i hope everyone can stay healthy. especially nene.

we need Nene to hold us down on the inside. i don't think many people expected nene to be this solid.

by andrew fisher on Nov 9, 2008 11:42 PM MST reply actions

It was a great game to see. The defense is improving, C.B. looks as if he is taking control.The team needs a leader on the court, not a whiner who pretends to be a leader. Here's hoping Carmelo will swallow some pride and learn from C. Billups.

by markp on Nov 9, 2008 11:53 PM MST reply actions

JR and Melo used to be the highest scoring tandem in the NBA back when Andre Miller was running the point. Until Allen Iverson arrived of course. Now with Chauncey, lets hope that scoring duo can return once the season is truly underway! They're still getting started.

by Anonymous on Nov 10, 2008 4:25 AM MST reply actions

Denver will have little problem with Cleveland. I really think that the Nuggets, since Melo's been here, have not gotten nearly enough credit for doing what LBJ hasn't been able to do. Which is say that they've made the playoffs every year of there respective tenures. Now, the Nuggets ARE going to have there toughest time saying that after this year. But still, I'm an optimist. Not to mention, without me having any official stats, I'm pretty sure that when Melo plays, the Nugs have a winning record vs. the Cavs.

Oh, and one final, subtle thing:
The Nuggets are better offensively vs. most teams, without K-Mart in the lineup. Primarily, because they are forced to lean on ball movement, and Melo more. As opposed to swinging it to the wing for a K-Mart special...

by Walter on Nov 10, 2008 8:17 AM MST reply actions

Can we start calling Chauncey "The General" here in Denver? I don't like for him now, and I don't think he ever liked the "Mr. Big Shot" moniker.

And I think the trade is better for us. As we can now see, adding an AI to your team causes some major transition issues for teams to adjust to his style of play, and it's (obvious from Nuggets lack of results) still to be seen if AI's game can truly work sans the one Philly Finals season loooong ago.

by Eric K on Nov 10, 2008 8:32 AM MST reply actions

Dear Petey,

I don't want to be one of those a**holes who goes around saying I told you so, but, well, I told you so.

Please note that the Nuggets were a plus 28 when Chauncey Billups was on the floor yesterday! Plus 28 in a 10 point win!

I know, I know. Beware of stats guys yielding sample sizes of one, so consider this a prediction rather than a statistical observation.

Adding Chauncey puts the nuggets up a tier in the west. Adding AI drops the Pistons down at LEAST one tier in the East. I predict both the Nuggets and will be in the five or six seeds this year. Were it not for this trade, Pistons would have been a two and the Nuggets a 9 or 10. Huge change.

Speaking of 9 or 10 seeds, the Spurs are in big, big trouble. With their lineup for the next month, they might have to go undefeated from February through April to catch up.

by Kieran on Nov 10, 2008 8:59 AM MST reply actions

I'm liking the look of the new Nuggets. I'm a little concerned about the chaos that ensues when the 2nd team takes the court, but hopefully these guys will gel better as the season moves on.

I'm also hoping CB's shot returns, but even without it he has been a calming influence on the team and the fans.

by JTR on Nov 10, 2008 10:59 AM MST reply actions

I still hate George Karl. I can't stand the man. I hate every descision he makes, especially with his lineups. They are the most pathetic thing I have ever seen. Finally though, Balkman got some more time and so did Kleiza and look what they did with it! Jones, though I am growing very fond of, still shouldn't start over Smtih. And I know that based on the last few games you can't blame Karl for doing so but we all know how good Smith is when he is given a freakin' chance. Let him feel proud and in charge by inserting him in the starting line up and I know he will take over, just like he did in the playoffs. Good thing is at least we are no longer under .500, at least for now.

by Goldennugget on Nov 10, 2008 1:20 PM MST reply actions

To markp: Have another glass of "MELO HATERADE", why don't you? I loved these first 2 games, yet every one of your posts is a bitch & moan about Melo "sulking" or bad "attitude"! What games were you watching? This team is no longer a "frenetic mish-mosh of nothingness"! CB is a CALMING , steady influence, & I haven't seen any indication of Melo, JR, or anyone else having attitude problems. All in all, they've meshed pretty well, & the future looks brighter. Heck, they play DEFENSE now!! Unless you're the Amazing Kreskin, could you tell us what the FCUK you're talking about??

by KaiserSoze on Nov 10, 2008 7:09 PM MST reply actions

For the record, I think Melo is a great player and am not as down on him as a vocal minority of this blog might be, but he seemed fairly lazy on defense on many plays tonight. He often would give up when a player beat him and sort of hang back, not making any impact on defense when he was on the weak side. It was just a general lack of effort. I don't know if it was his conditioning (a possibility) or perhaps he's lost a little fire with the acquisition of Billups, or if I've just not noticed it as much in the past, but I thought it was striking. Even more so when you compared the intensity from Balkman. Granted, Balkman doesn't play as many minutes as Melo, but if Melo had the kind of motor that Balkman does, he'd be unstoppable. I guess that could be said for a lot of players, though.

by denverson on Nov 10, 2008 7:26 PM MST reply actions

I've been waiting for this for some time, a capable PG running the show. It was definitely nice to see Chauncey come back. However, as Goldenugget said, GK will find a way to screw it up. He's already doing it by starting DJ over JR, and he is just slow to recognize defensive mismatches and adjust. The performance of the second team really scares me. I think you can see how bad AC is when he comes in to run the show. The flow just disappears and they make boneheaded passes and take stupid shots. They're also going to miss Bird for a few weeks. Whatever happend to Elton Brown? Why don't they sign him instead of bringing back Howard.

by micb on Nov 10, 2008 7:37 PM MST reply actions

Mr Kaisersoze, I'm incline to agree with MarkP, why don't you tell me when Melo gets the defensive rebound he brings it down court instead of giving the ball to the pg. He reminds me of Camby. Wanting to be a point forward. He'll get his shot. He does have an arrogant dispostion about him. Seems like he feels left out now that CB is there teaching and coaching. Don't you be a hater of Mr MarkP I'm quite sure many have notice Melo's attitude and it's apparent tonight, when you hurt the teams efforts you should as in your words "shut the fuck up" and play ball. I know MarkP has a valid point.

by samiam on Nov 11, 2008 6:28 PM MST reply actions

samiam- So, your point isn't that Melo has said or shown that he has any "issues" about acquiring CB. Rather, you jump to your conclusion based on his surly "disposition", & that he dribbles upcourt on a defensive rebound!?? Are you effin' kidding me? Please- can you provide something concrete & tangible, instead of your personal biased perspective. We all can see, then interpret what's happening in front of us. I'm willing to criticize Melo when necessary- but I'm not prepared to pile on when he's done NOTHING to deserve it. Dribbling upcourt after a defensive rebound? That's all you got? REALLY???

by KaiserSoze on Nov 11, 2008 8:56 PM MST reply actions

Mr. Kaisersoze, thanks for the shout back and no I'm not effin kiddin you. To put things in proper perspective, does Melo make others playing with him BETTER? How well does Melo recognize the double team and pass the ball? Can Melo use his left hand to DUNK as well as his timid layups with his right hand? The Nuggets are already the Rodger Dangerfield of the NBA, they don't get any respect. Does Melo help with his crying to the refs? Is this the year Melo starts setting positive examples for youngsters? One question to you Mr. Kaisersoze, do you think Melo is the leader of the Nuggets? Leaders don't quit, they leave it on the floor each and every night.

by samiam on Nov 13, 2008 7:23 AM MST reply actions

Mr. samiam- I also thank you for the "shout" back but I'm a little confused- are we talking about Melo & CB over these last few games, or is this a critique of Melo's "shortcomings" over the last few years? Again, I won't defend Melo for some of his deficiencies. But if we're talking about the time AFTER this CB trade, that's where I think it's unjustified! It's been 4 games as of this writing- so where is this glaring issue about having CB on the team, as espoused by MarkP? If your criticism is based on the many complaints about Melo- fine. But if we're only talking about this season & since the trade, then I beg to differ!

by KaiserSoze on Nov 13, 2008 7:10 PM MST reply actions

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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.