I'm calling this loss "Melo Appreciation Night"...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 28, 2009 2:37 PM MST

Nuggets/Hornets Recap...

Even though I watched this entire game from start to finish, I still did a double take when I saw the final score. "Did the Nuggets really score just 81 points tonight?!" I thought to myself. After a little digging, the Nuggets haven't scored so few points since they managed a mere 80 points in a January 3rd, 2008 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

While I never like seeing the Nuggets lose, it was almost fitting that they lost badly in what's supposedly their final game sans Carmelo Anthony who's been out since January 6th with a fractured right hand. The Nuggets will certainly be better off in the long run having finished this 10-game stretch sans Melo at a very respectable 6-4. But better without Carmelo Anthony they clearly are not. (For those scoring at home, Denver Stiffs predicted that the Nuggets would finish January 30-17 as a result of Melo's injury. Let's hope I'm wrong and they end up at 31-17 after beating the Robertcats on Friday night.)

Yes, J.R. Smith and Linas Kleiza are capable of Melo-type scoring outputs on any given night, but Melo does it virtually every night. And his relative consistency as one of the NBA's best scorers is an amazing talent unto itself, much like Alex English's was twenty years ago (god I feel old).

Looking back at this 10-game span, not only do I have more faith than ever in the Nuggets supporting cast, but I have a renewed appreciation for what Carmelo Anthony means to the Nuggets. On a night when the Nuggets put up a paltry 81 points and shot just 16 free throws against a wounded, thinned out Hornets team, I can assure you that Melo's 21.1 ppg and 6.7 was sorely missed.

Nuggets/Hornets Preview...

Is it just me, or does it seem like the Nuggets are always playing the Hornets?

They first met on Thanksgiving night, a game in which Kenyon Martin's ill-timed technical foul for kicking the side of scorers table and George Karl's ill-timed decision to yank J.R. Smith with about a minute to go cost the Nuggets the game. The two teams then reunited in Denver just over three weeks ago, when the Nuggets blew a 26-point third quarter lead and somehow pulled out the victory (thanks largely to, guess who? J.R. Smith). And now they meet again tonight - for the first time in New Orleans - with second place in the Western Conference on the line.

Luckily for Denver, New Orleans will be without the services of Tyson Chandler and most likely David West, too. So even though the Nuggets exerted a good deal of energy besting the Grizzlies last night, they could certainly win their fourth game in a row tonight, teeing things up nicely for Carmelo Anthony's return on Friday.

Go Nuggets!!

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It's not getting much hype, but this is probably the biggest Nuggets game of the season to date. This should be a game with great playoff-intensity and another big test for the Nuggets.

by Brian on Jan 28, 2009 3:55 PM MST reply actions

If they have West it will be a battle but if they don't and they are missing Chandler as well, then we should have to problem taking this one.

I heard somewhere that Dumars is trying to trade AI and that Philly of all places might be interested in a Brand for AI deal, just a rumor right now and I doubt that would happen but it is kind of intriguing.

And Andrew you should post the game time in the title or something so I don't have to go to ESPN to find it.

by Goldennugget on Jan 28, 2009 6:35 PM MST reply actions

I want to ask something. Does anyone think the Nugs are going anywhere with Kenyon and Nene doing all the work in the post. Look at last year and how they were manhandled by the Lakers. Does Birdman solve this problem? I actually liked the Kenyon on Kobe assignment but it left Pau killing us. We need to get some more size and it has to be better than Petro if we are going to be serious.

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 6:47 PM MST reply actions

So here are our pieces. JR OR Kleiza, the Bobcat first rounder, Petro or Birdman, and Dahntay. Of these JR with his ppm and small contract as well as the Bobcat first are the most valuable. Any suggestions on what would be a decent return for some of this? I'd like to see them go after Krstic who would be the perfect compliment to our bigs. At a reported 260 he should be able to help with the big front lines of the west.

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 8:13 PM MST reply actions

Is anyone going to guard Peja?

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 8:16 PM MST reply actions

Stojakovic vs ac what a match up

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 8:22 PM MST reply actions

Do we fricking miss melo yet? These guys couldn't hit water if they stood by the ocean tonight. After the 10th straight missed shot in the 4th quarter i have just shut this game off.

by Anonymous on Jan 28, 2009 8:24 PM MST reply actions

Man, just got back from class to find out I missed the entire game, great, and we lost. What the hell happened? Did we seriously let Peja Stojacovic beat us? You have got to be kidding me.

by Goldennugget on Jan 28, 2009 8:49 PM MST reply actions 1 recs

We sucked. When the game got away from us during the 4th, we forced jumpers and had terribly pathetic turnovers. We stare down the refs when the calls don't go our way and that is one less NENE on D.
At least Karl was off his ass getting his own technical and giving the refs an earful.
Games like this are sobering because we look like we have not grown up at all.

by markp on Jan 28, 2009 9:22 PM MST reply actions

Nenê needs to take/get more shots. Look back at most championship teams - gun big men. JR, CB, Melo working outside is all well and good, but we need a genuine inside threat of 25 points each night if we are to do well in the playoffs IMHO.

On AC. I agree with those that say he is a solid back-up. But he should only be a back-up. Maybe his D is good, but it still takes us back to the undersized backcourt from the AI era. How good is his post D on 6'6, 6'8 guards? Plus it eats JR and LK's playing time, which will diminish once Melo is back.

by Julian from Australia on Jan 28, 2009 10:59 PM MST reply actions

I was a work and was catching the gme in sprts, i went to help some customers at then end of the third ready to make my way back to the tv to cath an exciting ending to a close game, only to see us down by 14 with three mins to go. Arggggggh, I agree with our anonymous poster that we need more bigs, but I'm not sure I want to give up anyone that we have to get one. Nugz should pray we get portland, dallas or Utah in the first round because I don't see us getting past Houston, NO or Phoenix in a seven game series with our lack of depth at the bigs

by Zachm219 on Jan 28, 2009 11:07 PM MST reply actions

Good follow up Andrew. If there is one thing that attracts me to the NBA more than anything it is that this is a players league more than any other sport. You get one legend on your team such as Lebron and MJ and your fortunes change forever. It just amazes me how much impact one player can have on a team. For example tonight, as Andrew pointed out, if we had Melo we probably would have won, but same goes for N'Olins with West. I just think it is fascinating what Lebron has done with the Cavs, turning one of the worst franchises in sports to maybe one of the best when his career is over if he sticks with them, which he should. I mean he practically took them to a finals appearance all by himself at the age of 22.

As for the continuous battling off of the AC critics. I did a little research and found out some interesting things I want to share. First off, AC is 26 in the league in assists for PGs, that means coming off the bench he has more assists than 4 starters. He is also 20th in steals. Here is a list of guys AC has more assists than; Steve Blake (as a starter), Mario Chalmers (as a starter), Mo Williams (as a starter), Beno Udrih (as a starter), Kirk Hinrich, DJ Augustine, Derik Fisher (as a starter). And here is the list for steals; Rodney Stucky, Rafer Alston, Chris Duhon, Steve Blake, Randy Foye, TJ Ford, DERON WILLIAMS, TONY PARKER, JOSE CALDERON, DEREK ROSE, JAMAL CRAWFORD and STEVE NASH (ALL STARTERS). Now if you want to get even more impressed check this out, here is a list of non PGs he has more steals than; KG (the almighty defensive player of the year), T-Mac, Joe Johnson, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, Vince Carter, Amare, Kevin Martin, Dirk, Bosh, Melo, Dwight, and the list goes on. Not like all this means a whole lot but damn, the guy is pretty damn productive on the defensive side of the ball when he is in and on offense as well dishing out assists. I think what you guys don't realise is that a PGs job is not to score but create opportunities for his fellow teammates. Remember an assist only counts if the ball goes through the net, so he has to be doing something right. GIVE THE DUDE A BREAK!

by Goldennugget on Jan 29, 2009 1:37 AM MST reply actions

Melo has more variety in the way he scores as well. JR Smth is one of the most creative players in the league and used all the tricks last night. Other than Melo/Smith this is a dunking/jumpshooting team. Nene and Martin are basically finishers of plays and cant really reate their own shots with post moves. I would like to see more Sonny Weems so they dont have to play Jones and Carter at the same time.

by Anonymous on Jan 29, 2009 5:05 AM MST reply actions

They had one horrible 4th quarter, bad passes, worse shot selection, no get up and go. Noone seemed interested in the 4th quarter. After 3 Q's of great D we turned into the nuggets of old.

Oh and will someone please tell Carter to never shoot the ball again. He is easily the worst shooter on the team, seems each night he toss 2-3 long range shots @ the rim and barely hits it.

by Ryan in Aurora on Jan 29, 2009 7:30 AM MST reply actions

Goldennugget, you have all those stats and stats don't do squat of the real deal. The real deal is that when we need firepower your boy wonder hasn't come through and can't come through. If he had hit that open three pointer who's to say that might have been the catalyst to spark the Nuggets bench. D? What D? Peja, shot over him, CP3 went around him and he turns the ball over in the back court just to mention a few of the weakest link miscues.
NO I won't give him a break because I won't settle for mediocrity and complacentcy.
Here's a stat for you: mediocrity + complacentcy / Anthony Carter = Loser. He doesn't give the Nuggets the best opportunity to win. I read some where that there is a reason why he makes a small salary.

by samiam on Jan 29, 2009 7:52 AM MST reply actions

samiam - you are completely wrong. Check the stats with Melo and A/C on the floor. Melo averages 40.4 pp48min with A/C on the floor (team high) and a frightening low 16.4 pp48min with JR on the floor (team low).
The one thing A/C gives you is hustle and 100% effort at all times. I can't even believe you are calling him out on his hustle. He hustles more than anyone other than Jones, Andersen and Balkman. I have never seen any correlation in the NBA between salary and on-court performance, so calling him out because of his pay is ridiculous.

by Anonymous on Jan 29, 2009 8:18 AM MST reply actions

You guys keep blaming AC for doing what he's supposed to. As Goldenugget pointed ot he's a back-up point gaurd, not an offensive threat. He doesn't chuck the ball up with 15 left on the shot clock. He throws it up (although in desperation) in an attempt to beat the clock. Maybe if the scorers on the floor would man up and take a shot, or I don't know salsh through the lane in hopes of an easy bucket, AC wouldn't have jack one up from long range. It all comes down to the coach however. If GK had an offensive scheme of some sort other than let Chauncey take care of it, maybe the boys wouldn't fly by the seat of their pants out there. It does highlight Melo's impact and importance to this team. As for last night's loss, it was the Nuggs of old. They let a few crummy calls late in the first shake their confidence for the whole game, and they never seemed to fully get back into it.

Yes Andrew it does seem like we're always playing the Hornets. All these meetings has made me really not like CP. He's perfected the flop so early in his career, and his size (much like AI*) gets him more free throw attempts than other players.

*I'm a huge AI fan but he gets calls based on his size. Also note that I'm not calling AI a flopper. I hate flopping and think it should be called a wreckless foul. Flailing arms and falling ass backward is bound to end up in an unnecessary ankle sprain or freak eye loss or something.

by joelsopinion on Jan 29, 2009 8:37 AM MST reply actions

Most individuals in the NBA give you all out hustle given the opportunity to play unless they are looking for a trade, you think? Birdman, Smooth, LK, Weems, and the rest will give you that 110% effort given the opportunity to play.
So that argument that he's all out hustle is mute.
As I stated and most of you have witness his assists are from the fact that he's knows he doesn't have a shot and so instead of shooting he passes. In some instances this is a good thing, but there are times when he has a wide open shot he should take it instead of passing. He needs to work on a shot. Defense is not his fortey either. He's does nothing greater as to any other being on the court at that paticular moment in time. In the crunch, AC isn't who I would want in. In the crunch I'd play Balkman instead of ANTHONY CARTER. Why not?

by samiam on Jan 29, 2009 9:11 AM MST reply actions

Who said AC doesnt take early shots? Last night he took one with 18ish sec on the shot clock, in the 4th quarter........ We should start compiling how many shots dont even hit rim + missed layups + turnovers and look at that against his assists. Im sure the negative would win.

by Ryan in Aurora on Jan 29, 2009 9:22 AM MST reply actions

AC does his part, and I for one am starting to lose fiath in Balkman. He has one of the worst +/- on the team. I'm fine with AC being our backup PG, and yes he does play excellent D and he is a good passer. We don't need him to score, look at all the scorers we have on this team. Also, to the anonymous poster who said Nene can't create shots with his post game, are you serious?! The guy has one of the best post games in the league. On a side note, does anyone know the last time GK got techs in back to back games? I am fairly happy with the job he has done this year, minus the fact he whined and whined for another big man and then decided to never play him, but then again Petro isn't exactly Dwight Howard, or even Chris Kaman. I'm not sold on Weems either, he seems like a less talented JR and I would much MUCH rather have AC or Dahntay on the floor then him at this point. I think Melo's injury will work wonders for this team, especially for JR's confidence, he pretty much has been the number one option while Melo has been out and has performed exceedingly well. Its nice to know that teams will need two quality perimeter defenders (a la Houston) to be able to match up with us.

by Zachm219 on Jan 29, 2009 9:59 AM MST reply actions

ZACKMAN219
Yes you do need Anthony Carter to be able to score! Some times he doesn't even hit the rim. Sure we have scorers on the team; however when you're the PG and the wide open shot presents itself you're suppose to be able to knock it down or does he get a pass on this criteria because he's just a "back up point guard"? Balkman is probably depressed because he knows he can help the team yet GK won't give him pt. Why did the Nuggets trade for him? If they can't play they wouldn't be in the NBA. A Perfect example is GK's son he can't play so he's not in the NBA. I'm quite sure both Balkman and Weems are excellent players given the opportunity. GK and his comfort zone coaching technique is a factor why the Nuggets won't fulfill their full potential.
AC does what he has to do, are you kidding me? Peja, shot all over him. Byron Scott just couldn't wait until AC got in the game so he could run the pick and roll. AC cannot stay with guards who are 6'5 or taller. You pro AC'ers along with GK should stop living in denial and wake up and give Sonny or Balkman a chance. Either one of them probably gives you a better chance to win than Anthony Carter

by samiam on Jan 29, 2009 11:34 AM MST reply actions

"Melo has more variety in the way he scores as well." Exactly! It isn't like JR and Kleiza can't score but sometimes it seems as though they get in their comfort zone where they just drive to the basket. Very well said Anonymous.

Samiam - You still don't seem to be getting the point. Let me put it this way. Look at other teams around the NBA that are successful and look at all the role players they have. For example, Ben Wallace in Cleavland. He is put in the game to defend and block shots, not to score, and that is his job. And same with Greg Oden for the Blazers. These types of players are not in the game to score and Carter falls in this category. You seem to be ignorant about this fact because I have explained it over and over. My whole point is that it is out of Carter's hands how much playing time he gets and who he is assigned to guard, which are the things you seemed flipped out about, those things are all up to Karl. It is utterly ridiculous to assign a PG to guard a SF, especially when there is a guy on the bench who is a lock down SF defender (Balkman), in fact it is unheard of. But guess what? Our coach does it any way. It is not Carter's fault that he does what the coach asks of him, and I bet if you asked the guy privately he would probably tell you he would prefer not to guard Forwards or even Shooting Guards at that, but he has to because Karl is a goof ball. My whole point was that for what Carter is assigned to do, he does an outstanding job at it, that is why I posted those stats. But the thing that continues to startle me is that nobody ever gets on Jones, nobody. When in fact he is a worse shooter than Carter.

by Goldennugget on Jan 29, 2009 12:57 PM MST reply actions

Ooh I remember that Spurs game from last year you mentioned Andrew. I was at that game. That was exciting. Anyways, this couldn't have come at a better time. Melo is coming back JUST in time for two quick home games against the Cats and Spurs and then an 8 game ball-buster of a road trip (albeit with the All-Star break in the middle of it). Hopefully we won't need any miracle shots from him against OKC this time.

by Anonymous on Jan 29, 2009 5:33 PM MST reply actions

I'm with you on that one Andrew. Melo means a lot to the Nuggets and they are really better off with him in the lineup.

And I'm pretty pissed that Melo didn't make it to Phoenix. Now let's hope one of those undeserving players (like Duncan or Yao) gets really injured and hope Carmelo will get to replace him.

by Geerten on Jan 29, 2009 6:00 PM MST reply actions

melo got screwed again btw

how the hell is david west on the team over melo????? there must be something i don't know

by Bektur on Jan 29, 2009 6:05 PM MST reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

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.