Does last night's win help or hurt the Nuggets?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 4, 2009 9:07 AM MST

Blowing a 26 point lead in the third quarter is never a good thing. But falling behind by one with 1:10 to go, composing yourselves and grinding out a victory against the Western Conference's second best team is a very, very good thing.

(They were a little lucky, too. Chris Paul got hammered on his way to the basket in those closing seconds and the refs - who over called the game in the first half - let that one slide.)

Our Nuggets seem to do only two things consistently this season: win 6.6 out of every 10 games and never play two games the same way. They fall behind by 18, come back and win (like the 76ers game). Or they go up by 26, blow the lead, and win (like last night's Hornets game). Or sometimes they blow out a team wall-to-wall and never look back (like the Kings game). Or get their asses handed to them out of the gate and never put up a fight (like the Cavaliers game).

But it's games like last night's affair that will mean more down the road than the others mentioned above. Maybe the next time the Nuggets find themselves up 20ish points, they won't rest on their laurels, disappear in the second half and watch their lead vanish.

NBA teams - good and bad - are notorious for giving away second half leads and it's always infuriating for the fans of the leading team. I stupidly thought that being up 18 in the latter minutes of the third quarter would be enough to get the Hornets to quit last night (just like the Hornets folded to the Magic on Christmas Day), but obviously it wasn't. What typically happens, however, is the team behind exerts so much energy coming back that they rarely pull it out down the stretch. And that pattern was present in last night's Nuggets victory.

At 23-12 with 10 out of the next 13 games at Pepsi Center (including six more consecutive home dates), THIS is the Nuggets moment to seize the division lead for good. Head coach George Karl is already playing the "it's still early in the season card" but I'm not buying that. Last I checked 23 plus 12 equaled 35 and that's six games away from the halfway mark of the entire season. I wouldn't exactly call that "early in the season." And with the exception of the Pacers (who embarrassingly beat the Nuggets at Pepsi Center last season), those consecutive home games coming up are against teams similar to the Hornets: the Heat, Pistons, Mavericks, Suns and Magic - i.e. all playoff calibre teams who know how to win playoff series, and not one pushover in the group.

So did last night's win help or hurt the Nuggets? I guess we'll just have to wait and see over the next six games.

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sorry man but your gonna have a hard time convincing me that a WIN hurts the Nuggets in any way. The bottomline in this league is always W's and the bottomline is the Nuggs picked up a win against one of the best squads in the NBA.
On another note...chris paul is a primadonna! there is no denying his skills on the basketball court but as for the way he carries himself and acts during games, I have no respect for him in that regard. K-mart should have punked the little baby after he threw that elbow at him in the 2nd quarter i believe. I am not hating on chris paul the basketball player, but his personality needs some work.

by Brandon on Jan 4, 2009 10:50 AM MST reply actions

My favorite part was when they started to break, and Hastings or Marlowe said something like "Chauncey is holding it up. He's thinking 'Hey guys, let's run one of our fancy plays.'" Then it was one pass to JR who gunned it and threw up a brick. Nice play, indeed.

I also like when Maya Starks discussed the timeout, saying that Karl was very calm. Umm... yeah. That's all he really knows, I think. To his credit I think he coached a good game.

Last night was entertaining, yet frustrating. We may be at home all month, but it's gonna be brutal to face all of these good teams. We're about to learn whether or not we're really able to improve our teamwork over last season, or if we're still a bunch of street ballers getting lucky.

On the bright side, the entire team functioned well during the run, and then again in crunch time. It looks like roles are being developed, despite the fact that we don't have any consistent rotations.

Ice Ice Baby. Go Nuggets!

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Jan 4, 2009 11:19 AM MST reply actions

As I have said before, " A frustrating win ".
But entertaining for certain. Brandon well said, Chris Paul is a Prima Donna punk, K-Mart Bump-ins and staredowns notwithstanding. I love it.
We have slipped at the free throw line especially near the end with Kmart and Melo throwing bricks and many 1 of 2 throws going in the basket .
As for that comment about Hastings or Marlowe , it was Marlowe, who overall is ok but the other shoe can drop hard sometimes when he gets a little excited for " YOUR DENVER NUGGETS !!!!! ".
When Kmart threw up two bricks at the free throw line well into the second period, the second free throw nicked the front of the rim and bounced back into Kmart's hands and Marlowe said that Kmart made a smart offensive play doing that.
What ???!!!.
Hastings deftly cleaned up Marlowe's dumbass coment and Marlowe followed up with something ( can't remember ) with a bit of embarrassment in his tone.
And to follow up to the Kmart play he was fouled immediately again, so he goes back to the line and this time drops both shots in. Who knows maybe Marlowe gets his thoughts from a higher authority.

by markp on Jan 4, 2009 12:15 PM MST reply actions

just wanted to say this is the last time I will read this blog and here is why. WHen is the last time there was a positive blog about the nuggets. All of them are oh a win but not a good one, does this win hurt, or my favorite is it time to push the panic button. The nuggets are first in their division and second overall in the west. Are you kidding me with these blogs. They are playing better than 90% of the league and yet all we can say is negative about them. YOu are all terrible. They made a huge trade that takes more than 30 games to really see what is going to happen and yet they are playing great basketball. Get over it and lets hope I can find a nuggets blog that is supportive of the nuggets and not another critique who only looks at the glass half full

by Jeff Ening on Jan 4, 2009 12:40 PM MST reply actions

I love Hastings and Marlowe, more Hastings than Marlowe though. And yeah, I kind of think Paul is a little quick to react to phisical play sometimes and needs to chill a bit, especially being the smallest guy on the court most of the time. But as far as the game went, it's the NBA people, this kind of stuff happens on a regular basis and this is why we watch sports, because anyting can happen. I mean, how boring would it be if we won by 10 every night, or lost by 10 every night. I think though, I am getting more comfortable as with this team than I have in past years. I think this team is more of a "team" now that Chauncy is here and less of a buch of guys trying to pad their stats. This team actually cares about winnig wich is something I haven't been so sure of about past Nuggets teams. I still think Karl could run some more actual plays and get a steady rotation going but we are looking solid right now. I really thought last night we were a lot better than the Hornets which is good because they are ahead of us right now in the standings. Here's to a season we fans deserve, cheers!

by Goldennugget on Jan 4, 2009 12:46 PM MST reply actions

Bye Jeff,

by samiam on Jan 4, 2009 12:46 PM MST reply actions

And I do agree with Jeff above, often times we fall into the trap of constantly trying to critique the Nuggets performance as if it should be a certain we instead of just taking it as it is, which is a winning gameplan. Hopefully we can look a bit more at the bong as half full from now on, I bet JR and Melo do.

by Goldennugget on Jan 4, 2009 12:49 PM MST reply actions

To Jeff Ening:

you clearly don't read this blog. because if you did, you'd know that the stiffs has been very positive on the nuggets this year. even going out of its way to compliment the job GK is doing which angers many of the readers. what's wrong with being cautiously optimistic?

i agree taht a lot of the commenters are total whiners even when the nuggs win. but i wouldn't blame the blog. learn how to read.

by maxie miner on Jan 4, 2009 12:51 PM MST reply actions

I have to say that, after some thought, my favorite moment from last night was seeing the picture of Chris Marlowe with the Reagans back in the 80's.

In case you missed it, he had at least half of his shirt unbuttoned down his hairy chest, and I swear I thought it was David Hasselhoff.

Now if he had only done the Running Man in the post-game wrap up...

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Jan 4, 2009 1:02 PM MST reply actions

Since the subject came up: Chris Marlowe has to be the worst play-by-play guy in all of basketball. The reason is simple. The purpose of having a play-by-play guy is to tell you what's going on that isn't obvious from the picture on the screen. Chris Marlowe never knows what is going on! I lost count of how many times the referee's whistle blows and Marlowe doesn't know what the call is. I've seen plenty of times where the ref blows a whistle on a drive to the basket and clearly signals that there was no shot, the foul was before the shot and it will be ball out of bounds on the side. So then Marlowe reports that there will be two free throws coming up! Or he has sometimes reported that they don't know if it was a shooting foul or not as if he is acsking Hastings. Sometimes Hastings answers the question for him, but a lot of times I think Hastings is afraid to show him up for the idiot he is. Marlowe never knows what is going on because it appears that he is glued to the monitor and he anticipates calls instead of looking to the official for a signal. Marlowe is the worst ever.

by Anonymous on Jan 4, 2009 3:25 PM MST reply actions

I agree w/ the marlowe/hastings bashings here.

Let me add one more criticism: neither marlowe nor hastings are critical of the players or nuggets organization.

I realize who pays the announcers. But they're cloying, vapid homer shtick makes me want to tear my ears off my head.

by slothrop on Jan 4, 2009 5:22 PM MST reply actions

I agree with those who say a win can NEVER be a bad thing. The 96 Yankees had a saying; "You play today, you win today- that's it"!
Just get the W, everything else is rhetoric!
As for Jeff the poster, sorry to see you go. But 5 straight years of postseason "one-n-done", tends to make us a little wary. We've seen this movie before & what we're looking for is a sign that this year, things will be different. CB coming here is a good start, but GKarl's coaching scares the beegeezus out of all of us! Peace, bro.

by KaiserSoze on Jan 4, 2009 5:37 PM MST reply actions

I don't want anyone thinking I'm bashing Hastings or Marlowe. I find them to be endearing. They crack me up often, and when I go to games I wish I could hear their commentary. Both are all-around sports guys, and of course Hastings was in the NBA, but I don't even think Marlowe is primarily a basketball guy.

I think the role that they play is that of two guys who you'd like to drink a beer and watch the game with. More of a buddy thing than actual analysis. Shoot, they don't even know the answers to their own trivia questions most of the time!

Marlowe does cheerlead too often, and neither tells it like it is, but that's the problem with Kronke owning everything. And what's the deal with Hastings buying the post game interview dinner on the plane? Is that for real? They have to pay for their own food? Talk about a cheap club owner.

Sometimes it's refreshing to hear Barkley, Van Gundy, Jackson or whomever when we're on nationally, because it gives us a different perspective that's usually right on. But Marlowe and Hastings are cool in my book!

On another subject, I just took a look at February, and we'll be gone most of the month. Here's to a good January!

Go Nuggets!!!

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Jan 4, 2009 5:54 PM MST reply actions

For all of Marlowe's faults, he's about, oh, a MILLION times better than Hanzlik. That first season of Altitude was terrible because of him.

I still won't watch pre- or post- game stuff, since he's usually involved.

by Chris C. on Jan 4, 2009 7:59 PM MST reply actions

Jeff,
I think a Rosebud like you may find a website www.nuggdoctor.com and read all things kind. Heck Mister you can even comment on that website, you will be one of few or often 0 comments to respond to the blog.
You can read your singular head- in-the sand positive remarks over and over and...
Sorry if you are offended.

As a Nuggets fan, but not a basketball intellect I do my best to take Marlowe commentary w/o pre-determined prejudices while I catch nearly all of the Nuggets games on Altitude. Truly I rely on Hastings to fill the mechanics of the game or the running fan thread during the game @ Roundball Mining Company (formerly Pickaxeandroll) during the game.
As a sidenote to all here it is a great fan thread if you like to post during the game. Several of the comments are from fans in other countries/ timezones etc. who catch the game on the net. ( they don't even know who Marlowe is ) My wife tells me she feels like she is watching the games alone now.
Finally, we can whine,bitch,call out the poor and great moments etc. because we are fans and we have earned it and we want to see our team win always. I believe many comments here come from Winners and Winners hate to lose and when we do we lose we lose ugly.
Now Jeff, I'm sure you have revisited this site for replys now go find your happy pill at Nugg doctor and let us be real.

by markp on Jan 4, 2009 8:20 PM MST reply actions

Chris,
Hanzlik - can he ever find the correct camera to look at while reading his crumbled notes.
Dude this is comedy at it's finest,don't pass it up.

and that 80's photo of Marlowe with the Reagans is so true.

by Markp on Jan 4, 2009 8:42 PM MST reply actions

Do We Have Any Plays - No, first of all, well maybe Chauncy has a few but Karl definatly doesn't. But as for the whole thing with Hastings after the game telling the guys he is going to buy them dinner on the plane, it's a joke, that's why they always laugh.

I guess I am the only one here who actually likes Hastings and Marlowe then? Wow, lighten up people, these dudes are hilarious. I would much rather listen to them than 90% of the announcers out there.

by Goldennugget on Jan 5, 2009 12:00 AM MST reply actions

This is the first Nuggets' game I've watched since AI-Billups trade, and I found an old Nuggets once again. Billups' bringing better tempo for the games, and the health of those big men(esp. Nene) is also another key factor. But other than those, no defense, no way to get the 2nd round ticket in the playoff. By the way, I still hate seeing Karl's face on TV.

by Joanna on Jan 5, 2009 2:24 AM MST reply actions

I mute the sound on my tv and listen to radio. The announcing is terrible. Everything is biased towards the nuggets and whenever they say "nobody beats the king" and then the other guy says "nobody" I spit fire like charmander from Pokemon(gota cAtch em all).

by Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 3:03 AM MST reply actions

I wrote the comment above about how awful Marlowe is. I just wanted to clarify that I do like Hastings. He acts like an idiot sometimes but in his case it is just an act. You can tell that he has had a lot of coaching in his life and he has absorbed a lot of what he has been told by coaches.

Hastings and Marlowe are not supposed to be objective. They are selling you a product and that product is the Nuggets. Hastings used to be very critical of the Nuggets, but that has beewn toned down a lot. Notice that when the Nuggets were giving away the 26 point lead Hastings kept saying that the Nuggets had become jump shooters, everything was a jump shot and a miss. When that happens they need to take the ball to the hole. So when the Nuggets are having problems, Hastings is willing to point out the cause of the problem and be critical of their play.
I'd be glad to have Hastings over to my house to watch a game, but keep that idiot Marlowe away from me.

by Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 9:34 AM MST reply actions

The difference between this team and the AI "era" team is that the Nuggets win this game, and w/ AI I think they lose it because AI and Melo would have served up bad shot after bad shot at the end. Chauncey didn't have a great game, but he played well when it counted (end of 4th, great steal and free throws) and he was a huge part of this win.

CP3 may be a punk (I'm not so sure) but he is an amazing player. He seemed to be able to do whatever he wanted when he was on the floor. Talent wise, the Hornets are much weaker than the Nugs, but CP3 is such a great player that he gives them a chance every game.

by Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 10:50 AM MST reply actions

anonymous,
Just read your post about Marlowe/ Hastings.
My thoughts are your words. Hastings is a class act and knows the game.
"Nobody beats the King."
The kid on the commercial is annoying enough but....
When that is spoken by Marlowe, my eyes go black and my face turns purple. My poor wife thinks I'm some sort of Misanthrope ( I am only at that moment, especially at the growl " nobody " )
and the "Lexus drive of the game"
Give up already.
Now I ask you, " Do you want a positive driving experience ? "

by markp on Jan 5, 2009 11:15 AM MST reply actions

1510 on the radio has poor poor sound

by markp on Jan 5, 2009 11:19 AM MST reply actions

It was a great win. Period. It would take some special circumstances - which did not exist last night - for a win over a team most considered to be your equal or better to be viewed as a "negative".

Re: Marlowe and Hastings. To me they are fine. Apart either one of them would suck, but together they work for me. Yes, they are homers, but when you like a team as much as I do the Nuggets, you get fed-up with the bandwagon announcing you get on the ESPN and TNT. They only reason I ever watch the Nuggets on ESPN and TNT is for the superior camera work and picture quality, especially on road games.

However, I would like it if Melo would smack Hastings upside the head the next time he says, "I'll buy you dinner on the plane."

by JTR on Jan 5, 2009 11:52 AM MST reply actions

I miss "T's For Threes, D'Gornio!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

I like the Mattress King Rejection Of The Game. It's kind of a double entendre, and I don't know if they realize it. It makes me chuckle every time I hear it.

I really like this community. You all crack me up. Maybe we could get together and have a beer. I'll invite Chris, Scott and Bill.

:-)

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Jan 5, 2009 11:56 AM MST reply actions

I like Hastings and Marlowe, lest we forget the whole Hanzlik experiment.

Jeff quit being so sensitive. This isn't pee wee basket ball where they never declare a winner and a loser. Someone has to lose, and even when the team wins there is always something else to work on. That's what people do here is point out the flaws in a game to see if improvement has been made.

I think we all have the right to gripe. I pay for cable pretty much just for Denver sports. I pay outrageous prices at Pepsi Center to see the team play. My tax dollars pay for those new stadiums in part, so yeah they F'ing win and win BIG.

by joelsopinion on Jan 5, 2009 12:40 PM MST reply actions

Another observation, what the hell,
I saw Kmart interviewed by the Hot Chick, Maya Starks last night about 15 minutes after the game.
Now to me Kmart hates the mike in his face more than any Nugget and the last few seasons all I would ever remember from those 60 second post game interviews were, " You know what I'm sayin " and that nasty torrets twitch that was so present.
Well this year - no more twitches and never "Know what I'm sayin" at all.

by markp on Jan 5, 2009 12:53 PM MST reply actions

5.3 out of every 10 games?
so, the nuggets are 18 and 17?!?

by MZG on Jan 5, 2009 1:11 PM MST reply actions

Hi MZG,

Good catch. That's an unacceptably stupid error on my part. I meant the Nuggets win 6.6 out of 10 - i.e. the Nuggets win 65.7% of their games.

Thanks for following the blog!

All best,

Andrew

by Andrew on Jan 5, 2009 1:20 PM MST reply actions

Joel
Yeah, I remember Hanzlik back before Hastings arrived to save the commentary.
I didn't catch as many games back then on Altitude or whoever it was before the Altitude name however what I remember is Hanzlik screaming, " M-E-L-O !!!!!!! " every time he scored.
I sure I saw pom-poms in action at the Cheerleaders, er Announcers table as well.

by markp on Jan 5, 2009 1:59 PM MST reply actions

As an out of town nug fan who watches on league pass where they choose which home announcers I listen to, I have to say I prefer the nuggets announcers to most others, except maybe houston with clyde the glide or the blazer announcers.

It is sometimes frustrating to here announcers say wrong stuff about the nuggets team.

Like the recent raptors game I think the announcers said that Bargnani should use his speed against Nene because he is quicker.

I have seen Bargnani a few times now and dont see how the raptor annoncers think he is quick at all! If anything he has average speed compared to most 7 footers in the NBA. How many times have we seen Nene drive on someone when he faces up and dunks on their head!!! I have trouble believing Bargnani has the quickness to do that!

by james B.(seattle) on Jan 5, 2009 4:37 PM MST reply actions

The Nuggets have just Marcus Camby-ed Ceick Samb (traded to Clips for conditional second round pick).

Funny...

by Geerten on Jan 5, 2009 5:07 PM MST reply actions

I am also a Nug fan who is stuck in Los Angeles and left to watch on League Pass. I watch a lot of League Pass and I have to say that Marlowe and Hastings are a couple of the better guys out there. The most unintentionally hilarious are the Grizzlies announcers. Check these guys out. Not to further negative stereotypse about the south but, well, they're nice guys, just... rural. Also, the most intentionally funny I've heard are the Hornets announcers. I heard them this week during a 'Ladies Night' game in New Orleans where they ignored the action on the court to debate "Who decides a successful ladies night? The men or the ladies?" Then they had their (female) producer sitting next to them, to which one kept remarking "You look like a doll tonight. Looking sweet." I was dying. Gotta love New Awhlins.

by Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 10:11 PM MST reply actions

Wow, 2 of the best comments I have ever read on this blog all in the same post...

"I like the Mattress King Rejection Of The Game. It's kind of a double entendre, and I don't know if they realize it. It makes me chuckle every time I hear it."

Ok, I have heard some funny things in my life but this has to rank up there with some of the funniest. I think the thing that makes it so hysterical is that everyone is totally obliviuos to this, including Hastings and Marlowe. Props Do We Have Any Plays? that is some hilarious stuff. Next quote...

"I think we all have the right to gripe. I pay for cable pretty much just for Denver sports. I pay outrageous prices at Pepsi Center to see the team play. My tax dollars pay for those new stadiums in part, so yeah they F'ing win and win BIG."

I absolutely love this quote. I am not a money driven person and don't usually look at things like this but for how much time, mostly, and money that we put into our teams we deserve the best and if the owners can't give us that then they shouldn't be owners at all. And eveyone who doesn't like our announcers read the dude from Seattle's comment, it is basically proof right there as to how original our announcers are.

by Goldennugget on Jan 5, 2009 10:31 PM MST reply actions

hahahahaha the mattress king rejection of the game, i never thought of it but that is freaking hilarious! I definitely have had a few mattress rejections of my own game in the past...though i think my mattress was made by american furniture...anyways i digress. It was nugs of old tonight against the Pacers, but its nice to see we can still outscore anyone if we want to. Melo looks like he could be down for a few weeks...also the Samb trade is interesting, it would be great if we got the pick that we traded camby for the rights to swap for, thus ending the asterisk on the statement "we traded camby for absolutely nothing" all in all though, a second round pick for Cheik Samb, sounds like the Kronies called up Dunleavy and were like "come on, you owe us this much at least." And one final thought on all of this, how is Cheik Samb worth a second round pick but Marcus Camby only worth the right to swap second rounders..man did the Clippers know we were desperate to unload Camby or what. farewell Mr. Samb for we hardly knew ye.

by Zachm219 on Jan 5, 2009 11:04 PM MST reply actions

Melo broke his hand...wonder how long he is out?

by john on Jan 5, 2009 11:15 PM MST reply actions

by the way, to chip in my 2 cents, i really like marlow and hastings

by john on Jan 5, 2009 11:16 PM MST reply actions

I thought Hastings replaced Hanzlik, not Marlowe.

by Jason on Jan 6, 2009 3:20 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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