Heartbreaker...

by Andrew Feinstein on Dec 24, 2008 12:00 AM MST

Make that 13-2 when the Nuggets attempt at least 29 free throws.

I don't have time to do a lengthy recap tonight, so here are my quick thoughts...

...the Nuggets did a lot of things right tonight. I liked their defensive intensity throughout, especially K-Mart's. I thought they were going to steal this game in the fourth quarter, but then they imploded towards the end.

...J.R. Smith did his best John Starks impersonation even though George Karl gave him ample chances to help the team out.

...Dahntay Jones is a total waste of a roster spot. He doesn't contribute on either end. His defense is totally overrated.

...It was good seeing Chucky Atkins get some PT even though I've still never seen him make a shot. Ever.

...AC didn't have an air ball but one of his three-point attempts barely touched the front of the rim and he had his mandatory per game huge turnover. Other than that, I thought AC played well. Give the guy credit tonight.

...Makes no sense why Renaldo Balkman is getting all these DNP-CDs. We desperately needed his energy. Again!

...Kudos to Linas Kleiza for almost single-handedly winning the game off the bench. It made no sense for Karl to sit him for that stretch of the fourth. Kleiza was the hottest hand going.

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I too am honestly absolutely dumbfounded as to why Renaldo Balkman is getting this amount of minutes? When will the stupid Zen Master-wannabe Karl realise he is the energy player on the team, and that the team needs an injection of energy, not to mention the best defender in the Northwest, and should be matched up on guys like Brandon Roy, LeBron James, and oh I dunno, how about putting him on Kobe when we play the Fakers? George will you wake the f*%k up to yourself and stop putting Anthony f*$king Carter on in crunch time? You are not fit to coach an under 12's girls team at this rate! Sheeeeeesh. And J.R needs to sit down and think before games, the man is as inconsistent as they come. The game was so much closer than the boxscore says that it's ridiculous.

by Jack on Dec 24, 2008 2:43 AM MST reply actions

Carter and his -16 tonight (2nd worst next to Andersen -21) was fantastic. And when Billups, AC and Akins were AT THE SAME TIME on the court on the FRIKKIN 4TH QUARTER as fantasic too.

Dahntay Jones and Anthony Carter are a disgrace to this team.

And the fat bastard who plays them more.

by M.Balla on Dec 24, 2008 5:21 AM MST reply actions

So what you're saying Andrew is that you're going to restart firegeorgekarl.com soon?

by Eric K on Dec 24, 2008 6:32 AM MST reply actions

This game really disappointed me, I thought as Andrew that we could steal it, but they didn't miss a damn free throw and we missed like 4 in the last quarter, that's 4 point difference that would put us in the game in the last 4/5 minutes...

At least Portland has a difficult schedule right now and we have one pretty comfortable with 76ers in Denver, and then a road trip, which finishes against OKC. After that, the Hornets are back in home... We have to win Philly and try to bring home 3 of those 4 road games.

by Lucas Navarrete on Dec 24, 2008 8:22 AM MST reply actions

hmmmmm 2-4... not bad. i expected them to go 1-5 during that stretch

by Enver Nuggs on Dec 24, 2008 8:41 AM MST reply actions

Dahntay Jones, is gonna have to shit or get off the pot. I've defended him for a long time and he's not cutting the mustard. I'm putting him up there with Anthony Carter. Why isn't Balkman playing?
FIRE GEORGE KARL!

by samiam on Dec 24, 2008 9:03 AM MST reply actions

When they actually "practice," Maybe JR should shoot 3's with a hand in his face. Usually, when everyone is a bit cold on the first few shots. If I were a coach watching JR, I would only need see the first shot to know If he would play the rest of the game. If you add up the lost possessions on his cold streaks, it is usually enough to win the game. I can partially see why George gets so pissed at him. As for the rest of the team.......

K-mart - Although your free-throws last night weren't bad, practice anyway. I am pretty sure they put a line there for a reason...so you can stand on it. Stop f@*king traveling. Learn how to dribble.

Jones - Jumpshot.....look into it.

AC - You have a small salary for a reason.

JR - watching you dribble the ball is like a time bomb....it's only a matter of time before the ball goes away.

Nene - I enjoy watching you when you pull your head out of your ass and actually get open for people to pass you the ball. I wouldn't pay you the money you get though.

Anderson - I love what I see. I wish all of the Nuggets had your intensity.

Linus - Glad to see your shot is back. Keep up the good work.

And last but not least.....

George - Go with what works. We had them in foul trouble last night. If you would have found a way to get the ball down low, we would have locked it up.

by Philip on Dec 24, 2008 9:12 AM MST reply actions

It was a good game given that Melo spent it honing his broadcasting skills.

I'll agree Dahntay Jones did suck more than usual last night. But then I'm always willing to show a Duke grad a little hate.

by JTR on Dec 24, 2008 11:41 AM MST reply actions

Please change the name of this blog back to FireGeorgeKarl. That guy is a joke.

-Scott

by Scott on Dec 24, 2008 3:06 PM MST reply actions

Here's a question, fellas! With what we know about Balkman, does anyone doubt that he could play the 2-spot next to CB, & have Dahntay come off the bench instead? As its already been stated, why not have Balkman guard the Kobe's, the Roy's, the Manu's of the world? Balkman has the mentality of a Dennis Rodman- defense & rebounding 1st, scoring is only optional! the guy was a MONSTER in NY- he changes the entire complexion of a game by his hustle alone! And what is this secret, "in-the-closet" manlove between Karl & AC? Hello??? Why is GK the only one who seems to think AC warrants this kinda PT? Please, Please, Please, FIRE THIS MORON!! Bring in Van Gundy, ASAP!

by KaiserSoze on Dec 24, 2008 5:30 PM MST reply actions

Linas Kleiza is garbage.

by My name is Luke. on Dec 28, 2008 10:51 AM 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.