If the Nuggets were a cat, they'd have about five lives left...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 2, 2009 10:07 PM MST

They say a cat has nine lives.

I'm starting to think the Nuggets do, too.

Since I'm still away, I was unable to watch the game. But my phone buzzed like crazy throughout dinner which meant that the Nuggets either lost or won in some remarkable fashion.

Thankfully - as I discovered when I was able to sneak a peak at the score on my phone from under the dinner table - it was the latter. I've since watched the highlights and am damn, damn sorry I missed this one!

Given that I didn't see the game, I won't get too much into why the Nuggets allowed possibly the worst team ever to beat them (although I did warn that this post-New Year's game at OKC would be a trap game in my schedule preview on October 24th and again earlier this week). But I can assume a few things based on how the Nuggets performed and yet still came out victorious against other dreadful squads like the 76ers, Grizzlies, Timberwolves and Knicks...

My guess is that after a decent first quarter they got behind by at least 10 points in the second quarter. They then probably limped into halftime down by nine, took control at some point in the second half, let the lead slip away, gathered themselves late in the fourth quarter (after George Karl finally called a timeout) and somehow eeked out a victory.

For those who watched it, am I right?

A game-winning three pointer is always exhilarating, and give Carmelo Anthony credit for being able to make (and take) such a big shot. Remember 2005-06 when he seemed to do that on a regular basis?

Maybe we'll be getting that clutch-shooting version of Melo back for the rest of this season. And frankly - and unfortunately - if the Nuggets are intent on keeping it close with the NBA's worst, we just might need him to do this more often. After all, how many lives do these Nuggets have left?

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They actually waited till about mid 3rd quarter to collapse, then stormed back, then Durant (who always seems to be very clutch against the nuggets) nailed a 3 with 2 point something left to regain the lead for OKC, then melo made an amaaaazing shot from the corner. Nene was also in full beast mode tonight

by Zachm219 on Jan 3, 2009 12:29 AM MST reply actions

Although an amazing finish the Nuggets never should have placed themselves in that position.
The first period was a great Nugget dominating performance, then they got lazy, played down to the competition and the competition got confident, the fans are rabid for their Thunder and Denver could never get to with 5 and the Thunder would play up 9 points or so.
Durant is an exceptional player and it looked over with his tre and then Mello...did what needed to get things done.
Jr was rusty and so was Anderson who looked lost at times.
The entertainment value was great

by markp on Jan 3, 2009 12:46 AM MST reply actions

hahah full beast mode. like a transformer or something.

Melo's shot was identical to the one he hit on Minnesota a couple seasons back when HE was in full beast (clutch) mode.

by andrew fisher on Jan 3, 2009 5:49 AM MST reply actions

Melo must be living right. Can you imagine the posts this site would have gotten if he had missed that shot after making that bone head foul.
Why was AC inserted in the final moments of the game instead of Chucky Atkins.
Now one can tell me that George Karl doesn't have a man crush for Anthony Carter.

by samiam on Jan 3, 2009 9:53 AM MST reply actions

Samiam,
Agreed on all comments although Carter had an no screw-ups that I can recall last night.
Damn I always spell M-e-l-l-o instead stead of Melo

by markp on Jan 3, 2009 10:03 AM MST reply actions

AC was great down the stretch last night. That's why he was in there. All five guys that finished down the stretch deserved to be the five guys on the floor. They took control of the game, made no bad decisions (barring the previously mentioned foul) and got the right guy the ball at the right time each trip down the court in the final five minutes. I thought it was probably the best five minute stretch the Nuggets have had all season. So, save the AC hate for another game.

by Anonymous on Jan 3, 2009 10:15 AM MST reply actions

hoocoodanode?

by Kieran on Jan 3, 2009 10:20 AM MST reply actions

Wow, what a game. A lot to say but I am going to start with something kind of off topic. Did anybody see the wannabe Birdman for OKC? Haha, I was having a good laugh at that guy, who looked like he tried his hardest to immitate our one and only Chris Andersen. What a joke. As for the game, I don't get all these comments about how we should have never been in the place we were in the first place. The Thunder, as much as I hate to say it, are a really talented team that are way better than what their record shows. I have watched a few of their games and they definatly are not that bad. They know how to control the game, they have good players and a star in Durant and can beat a lot of teams in the league, their only problem is they don't know how to finish, as shown in last nights game. I guarantee if they had some veterans on that team they would have won at least 5 more games. I see them landing a top 3 pick, most likely, next year and picking up yet another talented young player and they should then be set for the next decade. As for the Nuggets, where has the defense gone? That is why we have the record we do right now. All of a sudden it is as though the defense has just dissapeared. I don't know what the deal is but once again there is nobody to blame for that other than Karl. And my goodness, if Melo hadn't made that shot I don't know what I would have done. He seems to be pissing me off more and more as the season progresses. He just isn't smart. But one thing I have noticed lately is that I think Melo plays better when JR is on the floor, it almost seems as though Melo gets energized with JR out there and plays up to JR's level of energy. And once again a DNP for Balkman, some BS if you ask me.

by Goldennugget on Jan 3, 2009 12:12 PM MST reply actions

I have 2 games saved on my Tivo...the Minnesota game from a few seasons ago and this game... unbelievable how similar the 2 are from the shot to the reaction and the crowd noise. Everything is spot on. Really cool.

by john on Jan 3, 2009 1:22 PM MST reply actions

To the !@#$ who hides behind the curtain of Anonymous. Is it not common sense to insert a better shooter than one who MIGHT make the shot? AC is a 22% tre shooter. Why was CA signed? As of yet he hasn't had the opportunity to contribute and thats bull shit. If you want mediocrity that's on you, however there are some who want more and AC doesn't give that senero a chance. With all that said I go to my former statement and wonder why would you insert a 22% tre shooter over some one like CA? LK could have been inserted. He shoots thre's and please don't give me no shit about defensive tanasity. Lets see what happens tonight.

by samiam on Jan 3, 2009 4:06 PM MST reply actions

Is anyone seeing this awful display of basketball occuring at this time between the nuggets and the hornets. A 28 POINT LEAD?

by Anonymous on Jan 3, 2009 8:58 PM MST reply actions

Twenty six point lead blown.
Now Mr. Fisher, I ask you, if this disaster doesn't call for you to rename your site to the original "FIRE GEORGE KARL" what does?

by samiam on Jan 3, 2009 9:19 PM MST reply actions

Make that four lives left...

by Maxwell on Jan 3, 2009 9:59 PM MST reply actions

Damn Maxwell, you stole my line, or at least beat me to it.

by Goldennugget on Jan 3, 2009 10:56 PM MST reply actions

they won so shut up they are tied for second in the west give me a break people how about we apploud the nuggets for winning once or is that to hard to comprehend

by gus on Jan 3, 2009 11:08 PM MST reply actions

Nuggets have 4 lives left... and Nene, KMart are on the verge of losing their only one if we don't get a big man soon.

I thought CP3 would kill us with another banked in three pointer...

- Snake -

by Anonymous on Jan 4, 2009 12:45 AM MST reply actions

Man, I just looked at the schedule. Once we get past Indiana, hopefully victorious, we have a stretch of 6 games against potential playoff teams. Fortunately, all but 5 of the 6 are at home. If we want to start leaving Portland in the dust, now is the time to do it, because February is going to bring a brutal 8 games straight on the road.

by JTR on Jan 4, 2009 9:18 AM MST reply actions

Gus didn't your mother ever tell you it's not polite to tell someone to shut up. Or is that all you ever heard and now you're like a parrot.

by Anonymous on Jan 5, 2009 10:24 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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If the Nuggets were a cat, they'd have about five lives left...

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