That's 10-3 in the ACB Era!...

by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 29, 2008 11:39 PM MST

It was only a matter of time, but Chauncey Billups finally had his breakout game as the Nuggets easily dispatched of the Timberwolves tonight.

Read that again, please...

It was only a matter of time, but Chauncey Billups finally had his breakout game as the Nuggets easily dispatched of the Timberwolves tonight.

You never want to over think a win against the lowly T'Wolves, but its pretty remarkable that the Nuggets were 9-3 with Chauncey going into tonight's contest, and Billups hadn't even had a stellar individual performance yet. Does this mean even better things are to come?

I must confess that I was only half paying attention to the game as I spent much of it getting my ass kicked in Scrabble by my little brother. It's a Thanksgiving tradition. Not the me-getting-my-ass-kicked part but the Scrabble part. Well, come to think of it, I routinely get my ass kicked in Scrabble over Thanksgiving weekend.

Anyway, while losing for the umpteenth time in Scrabble I believe I saw a lineup with Billups, Anthony Carter, Chucky Atkins, Linas Kleiza and Kenyon Martin (or was it Nene?) on the floor at the same time. I guess if you're going to experiment with bizarre lineups combinations, the T'Wolves are the team to do it against.

And did J.R. Smith really get a mere seven minutes of playing time tonight. Seven? I'm trying to find out what J.R. did this time (other than score just 32 points off the bench on Thursday), or if he got hurt. But the Post's website just refreshes the homepage when you click on "Sports," so I'll have to investigate tomorrow through my other sources. (The Rocky doesn't cover the Nuggets for the Sunday paper because, well, there is no Rocky Sunday paper).

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend. Although its not quite over yet as the Rockets come to town tomorrow night. It will be interesting to see the Nuggets undersized front line go head-to-head with Yao Ming.

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Yahoo says:

"With Smith not on his game early, Nuggets coach George Karl turned to Chucky Atkins as a primary reserve guard against the Timberwolves."

I named him again tonight thinking George Karl had the sense to give at least 25 minutes to the guy who kept you in the last game. Guess i was wrong.

Chucky played 16 minutes with no points and 5 assists with 2 turnovers. I'd hardly call that more productive. I coulda got 5 assists in 16 minutes with Chauncey that hot!

by andrew fisher on Nov 30, 2008 3:24 AM MST reply actions

At this point, I think there are only two options.

1) Fire George Karl, which anybody with half a brain would have done already.

2) Trade JR with the Camby trade exception for someone that GK will play. While I hate this option, there would be a number of teams that would pick him up with the sensible contract he just got. We could then hopefully get someone submissive enough to get into heavy rotation.

by I rarely post on Nov 30, 2008 5:27 AM MST reply actions

I hate Karl. He is ruining the confidence of one of his most talented players.

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 10:52 AM MST reply actions

At this point in time I am just going to say that Karl is an ass hole and thats all there is to it. I mean, show some respect. This guy has been on the team now for a lot longer than a lot of people and Karl is still fucking with his head. What an ass, especially after he practically keeps you in a game while scoring over 30 points comming off the bench.

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 11:00 AM MST reply actions

It's the T'Wolves that JR got dissed. Seven minutes played! What a disappointment, he could have used this game for some confidence building. If this isn't a slap in the face for JR I don't know what is. Actions like this bring on hostilities and anomosity. I hope Chauncy is the giant killer and gets George Karl FIRED. Destruction of confidence from the Coach should not be tolorated by management.

by samiam on Nov 30, 2008 11:25 AM MST reply actions

I have long been a supporter of GK, but this is unacceptable. Fuck Chucky Atkins and AC, they are no where near the player JR is. Also he only gave Balkman three freakin minutes....ugh!

by Zachm219 on Nov 30, 2008 11:38 AM MST reply actions

everyone needs to calm down right now. maybe karl had the back to back on his mind. we are playing a very huge game tonight against the rockets. who would you rather have completely rested for tonight? JR, chucky, or AC? look what JR did on the last back to back. i know karl is an idiot most of the time but this year he has surprised me, many times in good ways. and as long as we are winning i will be happy.

by bring back rauf on Nov 30, 2008 11:49 AM MST reply actions

How can players build confidence and maintain their games if their minutes are so erratic? One day I get 30 minutes the next day I get 3?!?! Don't players need to get into a rhythm and know what to expect on a given night? Surprises or unexpected benching would mess with one's head. When Karl makes these abrupt changes he AT LEAST owes the players and fans an explanation.

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 11:49 AM MST reply actions

our explanation in the chalk marks in the win column. the fans never need an explanation as long as the team is winning. who is to say karl isnt telling JR that he will see his minutes the next night where he is actually needed. dont waste his legs on a game against the twolves. if he still doesnt play JR tonight then we can ask questions as to what in the hell karl is thinking, which is very common.

by bring back rauf on Nov 30, 2008 11:54 AM MST reply actions

i wish Jr asks for trade that's the only way the coach is not feeling his player 7 mins that too much for Jr to stay with the nuggets i wish his agent calls the nuggets because he's too talented to stay out of the game not just out of the rotation and playing just in garbage time

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 12:19 PM MST reply actions

We may have to rename this website to, " PLAYJRALLTHETIME.com "

by markp on Nov 30, 2008 12:23 PM MST reply actions

I am a Karl defender to an extent. However I am starting to subscribe to the idea that his rotations are not helping the team.

Not just JR, but Balkman as well. I don't get how he expects his team to gel if he just keeps rolling out different lineups all the time.

I am ready to accept that since has alot more W's as a coach that he knows better than me...but I don't get this. Why did we resign JR if we are just going to play with him? I consider him a very important member of the squad, not just a role player.

IMHO Karl needs to treat him as such. That being said Good Win Nuggs!!!

by John Big John on Nov 30, 2008 12:31 PM MST reply actions

It's OFFICIAL- George Karl is an idiot! He always seems toput certain players in the doghouse, for God knows what. Tonite's game will say alot about JR- & how GKarl plans to use him. It's plain to see that JR could be a PREMIER weapon in the NUGGS arsenal. Yet, Kark chooses to F with him to make a point. Sound familiar?

by KaiserSoze on Nov 30, 2008 12:48 PM MST reply actions

"Why did we resign JR if we are just going to play with him? "
Because the FO decides who to sign and the coaches decide who to play. I'm sure if Karl had a say in the matter, JR would not have a had a contract extension.

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 12:49 PM MST reply actions

JR has been told over and over by the coaching staff to pass the ball and run the offense on the final play of quarter. At the end of the first quarter last night he dribbled the ball and waited for the 5 seconds mark and then tried to go one and one and got burned. He sat out the rest of the game until the final three minutes of garbage time. At which point he proceded to attempt to give the game back to the T-Wolves. BTW - everytime JR has a "big" game, the Nuggets lose. Just a fact. Check it out.

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 12:54 PM MST reply actions

come on guys, we are 10-3 with Billups and still complaining a lot with JR.

I agree with the guy that said that GK had the back to back on his mind, Billups only played 25 min, J.R is going to play today.

BUT! If he doesn't play and we still win, GK doesn't have any reason for changing anything guys, you have to understand that

by Lucas Navarrete on Nov 30, 2008 2:24 PM MST reply actions

That back-to-back point is a good one. But if JR doesn't get solid minutes tonight, George Karl is officially a douche. Well, more of a douche.

by andrew fisher on Nov 30, 2008 4:52 PM MST reply actions

Hopefully chucky atkins does not get that many minutes every night but I am prepared for it. george has these players like carter and atkins that he falls in love with. It was the same with boykins, no one on the nuggets liked boykins cause he was george karl's little spy for them, which in turn karl gave him way more minutes than deserved. I see carter and atkins the same

by Kyle on Nov 30, 2008 5:09 PM MST reply actions

Also to whoever said the nuggets lose when jr has big games needs to actually watch the games. If jr didnt have a HUGE game against the hornets they would have lost by about 20. He scored and defended when they needed it most when they were down 12-16. Watch the games

by Kyle on Nov 30, 2008 5:12 PM MST reply actions

Trade J.R. Smith. Get him outta here and bring in a Professional. A professional with something besides rocks between his ears.

by Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 10:59 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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