The Nuggets just shouldn't play the Lakers anymore...

by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 2, 2008 8:35 AM MST Comment 17 comments

I'm sure Kroenke Sports Enterprises was thrilled when the NBA released the schedule for 2008-09 and they got two home dates against the Los Angeles Lakers (the Lakers only came to Denver once last season). After all, in what was sure to be a tough season attendance-wise with the economy in the shitter and the Nuggets roster itself in cost-cutting mode, KSE knew they had at least two guaranteed sell outs on their hands.

After watching the Nuggets lose to the Lakers for the eighth straight time last night, I'm convinced that the Nuggets should just skip all these future Lakers matchups and use that time for extra rest. When you're asking Anthony Carter to guard Kobe Bryant (to quote Clint Howard from Parenthood: "He has no business being out there. NO BUSINESS!!!!") in the fourth quarter, aren't giving a well-rested energy surplus guy like Renaldo Balkman one minute of playing time in a game when the rest of the team is clearly exhausted and allow Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith to revert to rookie-like shot selection, you might as well not show up in the first place.

There were some positives, obviously, as the Nuggets led throughout the first three quarters and hung tough until about five minutes left in the game. But the Nuggets always get dismantled by the Lakers when the game gets tight towards the end of the fourth quarter. They are consistently out-matched from the coaching position all the way down to the last man off the bench and what's worse, they don't seem to have a clue for how to resolve it.

So I say, just forget these Lakers games. Concede three losses to them this season (you've already conceded one), and focus on beating everyone else.

On a side note: I have to admit loving the new Carmelo Anthony hairdo. Maybe it was just the hair, but I thought Melo looked like he was in better shape to start the season than we've seen from him in his career thus far. Of course, being in better shape didn't improve his shot selection.

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I'm hopeful that Melo shedding his braids is symbolic of leaving his checkered past behind and focusing on his potential as a top player in the league, rather than his image of a thuggish street baller.
Also, I'm loving how Kmart is playing this year, he's playing like an animal! You go Kmart!
(though I'm not sure about the new bright red lips tat...?)
Connman
Southlands Aurora

by Anonymous on Nov 2, 2008 9:21 AM MST reply actions

Methinks last night's loss was due to nothing more than running out of gas. The Nuggets were more than a match for the Lakers most of the night.

George did have some fresh legs on the bench, and why he didn't use them is beyond me.

Maybe the fix is in, and the vaunted Lakers are the chosen ones (again).

by John S on Nov 2, 2008 10:57 AM MST reply actions

besides all my questions and complaints....what do you all think about the rumors AI and his contract paired with money/players for billups. as much as i love AI this may be something good

by bring back rauf on Nov 2, 2008 11:00 AM MST reply actions

I actually think there is a lot to like about the first three games, including the losses in Utah and against the Lakers. While it is clear that the Lakers are the better team, the Nuggets competed much better against them this year than in any game last year. They are more physical and actually seemed focused and animated on D for all but a few possessions.

2 big reasons the Nuggets aren't 3-0 right now. First (as usual) when games get tight down the stretch, good teams execute half court offense. Detroit did this to us last year to win 2 close games and the Lakers were fantastic down the stretch this year. It helps to have Kobe hitting jumpers, but it also helps that the Lakers (and other good teams) RUN OFFENSE down the stretch. The Nuggets just stand around after running pick'n'roll all game and having generally good player movement in all 3 games it just stopped with about 8 minutes to go in the game. Second, and perhaps worse, the Nuggets so far are the second worse rebounding team in the league. They get a lower percentage of offensive rebounds than anyone and are below the league average in the percentage of offensive rebounds they give up. Only Toronto has been worse in the offensive rebounding percentage differential, but that is because Toronto shoots so well that they don't try for offensive boards.
They have had 3 winnable games, would have beat Utah by rebounding and making FTs and could have beat the Lakers if they hadn't gotten torched on the glass. These are things that can be fixed (esp. the fts as that will likely average out over the season) and George can work on rebounding. Not having K-Mart down the stretch hurt, but it wasn't just at the end of the game that they got worked on the glass.

They played the Lakers tougher than anyone else so far and while the chances of beating LAL this season aren't that great, the team has looked much better than a lot of people anticipate so far despite the 1-2 record.

by Eric B on Nov 2, 2008 11:03 AM MST reply actions

they've been outcoached pure and simple. if not for Baron Davis getting hurt they would likely be
0-3. if Karl doesn't start using his bench it's going to be a long season.

by Anonymous on Nov 2, 2008 1:32 PM MST reply actions

I don't think a basketball player can use the excuse that they simply ran out of gas. You're right, easy for me to say. If I got paid the mega bucks to play a game, I'd leave it ALL on the court each and every time I was out there. If I was Balkman and Jones I'm in the Asshole's face put me in, I can do better than that you got on the floor now. I'm taller than Anthony Carter. George Karl really sucks ass. What ever it is that ANTHONY CARTER has on George Karl I hope he exposes it pretty soon so that the Nuggets can get a taller PG and get things in the proper focus. Chuck Atkins that MF is just prolonging shit until he can get a better deal somewhere else. Ship his ass off also. The SOB has been here two years and has shown squat. The other two, Weems and Hunter they need to get their shit in order also. Thanks for letting me vent.

by samiam on Nov 2, 2008 1:42 PM MST reply actions

One more thing you can't use that excuse about running out of gas, when you have the same schedule as the rest of the teams in the leauge. In fact this really shows where you are as a team. Strong or whimps.

by samiam on Nov 2, 2008 1:47 PM MST reply actions

The Nuggets are so thin this year it's terrifying Their only low-post presence is two guys who've played about a third of their games in the last five years. Plus, "coach" Karl continues with his non-sensical rotation strategy. Balkman shines in his debut, then rides the pine for the next couple of games. Despite the fact that he's the only Nugget who would have a prayer guarding Kobe. 33 wins, here we come!!!

by Kieran on Nov 2, 2008 3:11 PM MST reply actions

The offense worked better when the ball was fed into Melo posting up. He was creating great stuff out there and that resonated throughout the team. I didnt think his shot selection was too bad, he became too hesitant when his money shots rimmed out.

by Anonymous on Nov 2, 2008 7:59 PM MST reply actions

Congrats on the deadspin link.

Great blog, by the way. It's one of the few good things about being a Nuggets fan.

by Andrew on Nov 2, 2008 8:07 PM MST reply actions

Wow, just got back from Boulder for Halloween and I while I was wearing my Nuggets t-shirt one night got tons of comments about Melo and his new hair. That is crazy, Melo has had cornrows since college, and I hope this is a symbol of him turning over a new leaf and shedding the whole tough guy gangster thing. I have only seen the Utah game but I have to say that I was impressed even though we lost like Andrew said. I was perhaps most impressed with Balkmans performance and it sounds like he hasnt got much time these past couple of games. It also sounds like Karl has made some typical Karl descisions as well. I am aslo impressed with our effort against the Lakers, not many teams can play with the Lakers but it appears we can. But we have to not only compete with these teams but win and putting Carter against Kobe is one of the stupidest things I have ever heard. Balkman has already showed he is one of the best defenders in the league so why wouldn't you put him on the best player in the leage? I am excited to be back and to read this blog, go Nugs.

by Goldennugget on Nov 2, 2008 9:43 PM MST reply actions

man i just want to know why balkman and danhtay jones played no minutes last night. i don't know what george karl goes by when he makes decisions like that. seriously

oh and to julian from australia. yeah that's me from the report cards on essendon website haha. what are the odds. favorite NBA team and favorite AFL team for both of us lol. that's weird. im from melbourne

by andrew fisher on Nov 2, 2008 10:24 PM MST reply actions

@ bring back rauf said...

If Billups got traded to the Nuggets for Iverson, I would be excited for Iverson and feel sorry for Billups...i'm sorry I just don't think Billups would be happy getting traded from his competetive team for the Nuggets..even if he is a hometown hero in Denver. Although I do think with their defensive mindset, Iverson would be a decent fit for Detroit.

People have to understand that different players fit different teams and just because they are effective on one team doesn't mean they will be effective on another. Billups fits with Detroit perfectly, doesn't mean he could come to Denver (whose team has a completely different mindset) and do the same thing. Sort of like Steve Nash, Nash was good for Dallas..but it wasn't untill he reached Pheonix and their run and gun style that he reached his MVP level. He just fits better there. Get it?

So I can understand while some fans are desperate for something that could possibly help out the team (myself included), I just don't want to see Billups get traded out of a decent situation and end up losing his swagger in Denver. I think the Nuggets are a decent team, but not the type of team Billups is used to being on and if they trade off Iverson its a strong possibility that the Nuggets miss the playoffs this season in the West. If they trade Iverson I really hope they do have enough class to trade him to a decent competetive team like the Pistons, because god knows the guy deserves it for the work he's put into the league. Iverson isn't perfect, no player is, but fans would be lying to themselves if they said that the Nuggets have lived up to their promise when they traded for Iverson, and it will not look good on the Nuggets organization if they continue on with this nonsense. Like it or not Iverson has a ton of fans and judging by what I see on other b-ball sites people are already starting to get irritated about the situation, so if the Nuggets don't do right by that guy they may get a backlash..and unfortounatly Melo might be included, I read these sites and Philly fans cant stand Melo right now. So the Nuggets need to get it together, quickly. Good luck to everyone.

by Anonymous on Nov 2, 2008 11:20 PM MST reply actions

I'm in Mid-East and i'm kind of glad i'm not back in denver to watch Karl's small ball crap again. at least he doesn't have the option of putting in boykins and AI at the same time this year.
Balkman and Johns Zero min? come on now

by Anonymous on Nov 3, 2008 12:18 AM MST reply actions

I just heard that there is a chance that the nuggets are interested if the knicks cut marbury. That would be an interesting starting lineup replacing AC with starbury. I wonder how good a player he still is after having to ride the bench these past couple of years. I am undecided on if this is a good idea or bad idea.

by james b.(seattle) on Nov 3, 2008 4:46 AM MST reply actions

Yeah I just saw that the Nuggets are interested in Marbury. Hahahha. They might as well just get Zach Randolph and Ricky Davies as well. Lets see just how many bad characters you can get.
Being positive for a minute I think Marbury and Iverson would be an interesting backcourt. Lots of points and prob no defense. A bit undersized as well.
As for Melo "shedding his image", I couldn't care less if he was the baddest dude in the NBA. You guys should care more about his shot selection and taking the game over down the stretch than his hairstyle.

by Simon on Nov 3, 2008 5:59 AM MST reply actions

looks like you guys get Antonio McDyess and Billups, and we get AI...wow...looks like the Pistons are going to try to be a western conference team now...hmmm

by Mike B on Nov 3, 2008 9:44 AM MST reply actions

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STIFF #2: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES/DAVID KAHN
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STIFF #3: TRACY MCGRADY
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STIFF #4: DANNY AINGE
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The Nuggets decided to bring back Anthony Carter on a one-year $1.3 million deal. Do the Nuggets really need a third point guard heading into training camp over another big body? Check out some names still on the free-agent market: Louis Amundson (yes he'll require more money), Fabricio Oberto, Kwame Brown, Anthony Tolliver, DJ Mbenga, Nathan Jawai, Josh Boone, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Joey Graham. Denver still has the bi-annual exception to spend ... so maybe there is still hope of grabbing somebody.

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