Melo who?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 7, 2009 10:25 PM MST

Just kidding.

I don't believe for a second that the Nuggets are better off without Carmelo Anthony. I do, however, believe that the Nuggets could be better off in the long run by not having Melo for this stretch of home games. And if I was building a case for my argument, tonight's win over the much improved Miami Heat would be Exhibit A.

I can't remember the last time three Nuggets scored at least 20 points in the same game (perhaps Melo, Allen Iverson and Linas Kleiza did it once and I'm sure Alex English, Kiki Vandeweghe and Dan Issel did it routinely), not to mention two other players putting up 14 points apiece. Now that's a balanced attack.

As this blog's astute readers have pointed out in the comments since Melo broke his hand, making up for Melo's scoring output won't be the Nuggets problem. And it was great watching LK and J.R. Smith fill it up throughout the game.

As with all wins against mediocre or sub-par teams, we probably shouldn't make too much of this victory over the Heat. But undoubtedly tonight's win will give the Nuggets the confidence they need to perform well without Melo for the next three to four weeks.

Oh, and wasn't it fitting that the first time I ever witnessed Yakhouba Diawara make an open three-pointer at Pepsi Center he's wearing the opposing team's uniform? That was classic.

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Well Andrew, you can move the Kroenke Cronies from your stiff list, or change the reason they are up there, because we got our big man. And no I am not one of them. By the way, remember when you had K-Mart on there because he had to shoulder more of the load on defense, and for his max contract, couldn't find a mid range jumper? Well, Chauncey changed that in my opinion, that and the fact that K-Mart is a captain. He hit 2-2 3 pointers today and he's being doing pretty good lately on that perspective. Not to mention, he is possibly the best all around defending 4-man in the league. And LOL at the Diawara comment.

by Jack on Jan 7, 2009 11:10 PM MST reply actions

I saw Scott Hastings picking his nose on espn.

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 12:11 AM MST reply actions

Ummm, Melo, Chauncey, and Kenyon each scored 20+ against Indy on Monday night. I enjoy your blog though!

by Bill M on Jan 8, 2009 6:01 AM MST reply actions

^lol

The Heat are a quality team although they're young. So it's a quality win.

Our D was pretty good. I think it's not perfect, or suffocating like the Celtics D, but it's very solid. I think our D could get better, but I'll take this W baby.

- Snake -

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 6:04 AM MST reply actions

Let's hope LK, JR, Chauncey and, uhhh K-mart can continue lighting it up from beyond the arc against the Pistons.

by JTR on Jan 8, 2009 7:07 AM MST reply actions

YES! Somebody else saw the nose-picking! I told my girlfriend about that last night. We need a screen cap of that ASAP.

And having Vitale call the game was great. Maybe it was the novelty of it, but I loved it.

by Chris C. on Jan 8, 2009 7:10 AM MST reply actions

Any team that boasts D Wade (easily in top 3 in NBA along w/ Kobe and Bronnie) and S Marion is going to be able to give anyone a run for their money. That's not a subpar team. It's a quality win.

by Eric K on Jan 8, 2009 8:40 AM MST reply actions

OK, first off, I have seen quite a few Heat games and they are a good solid team, and I have seen Diawara drain 3s routinely. As for the game, how can JR not get the starting job after last nights performance. I mean, he is an absolute stud, and now that he has really stepped up his defense I don't think Karl has any reason why JR shouldn't be starting over Dhante Jones.

by Goldennugget on Jan 8, 2009 9:45 AM MST reply actions

Trade: Atkins + First Rounder for Johan Petro (who?) and a Second Rounder.

Since OKC will probably finish with the worst record in the league, we really will be exchanging maybe the 22nd-25th pick for the 31-34th pick, so not a big deal there. And they're under the luxury tax, so congrats Kroenke.

Anyone know anything about him? All I know is that he's 22, plays 18 minutes a game and puts up 4/4 a night.

by Denverson on Jan 8, 2009 9:50 AM MST reply actions

so, let me get this right... lk starts and gets 21. jr doesn't start but comes on and makes clutch shots when we need them and people are still screaming for him to start? i guess you would demand ginobili start too!

it ain't broken, so let's fix it.

if we win, you guys are happy.

if we lose you blame karl - and you're happy.

so - just be happy.

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 9:55 AM MST reply actions

The happiness of Nuggets fans will be determined by the results of the the first round of the playoffs.

by E on Jan 8, 2009 11:27 AM MST reply actions

JR starting or not has nothing to do with Kleiza - they play different positions. Jones started and went 2-8 and was basically invisible. His incredible defense contributed to Wade only getting 31 points.

I was suprised that Balkman still didn't get any minutes. They basically used the same players, minus Anthony, and gave people more minutes. Balkman must really be in the doghouse for something.

Good solid win.

by KarlSucks on Jan 8, 2009 11:27 AM MST reply actions

I went to the game last night, and it was a solid effort. It didn't even matter that they didn't count JR's dunk at the end of the first half, because it was a great energy boost. JR has got to be one of my all-time favorite players. He's got everything I look for in a basketball player: he can create, he plays on the edge, and does it all with heart and flair. He's an entertainer, and I like that.

On another note, I never thought I would miss Rocky. He really does add some fun to the environment. I thought the guy may just be on vacation, but Rocky was on the roof after the game throwing stuff to people. I guess it could be a different guy in the suit, though.

Anybody know if the guy who dresses up as Rocky is the same guy who got arrested for domestic violence a few years back?

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Jan 8, 2009 12:05 PM MST reply actions

if we win, you guys are happy.

if we lose you blame karl - and you're happy.

--

Life sure is grand, ain't it?

;-)

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Jan 8, 2009 12:07 PM MST reply actions

god i love this team...

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 12:31 PM MST reply actions

Rocky is staying on the roof until 100,000 Nuggets fans vote for the All Star game

by KarlSucks on Jan 8, 2009 12:31 PM MST reply actions

"Anybody know if the guy who dresses up as Rocky is the same guy who got arrested for domestic violence a few years back?"

god, i would hope so... a mascot with a past... and a bad past at that...

"Well, sir," Joker says with exaggerated
thoughtfulness, "I suppose...I was trying to suggest something about the duality of man."
"The what?"
"The dual nature of man?... You know, sir,
the Jungian thing about aggression and xenophobia
on one hand, and altruism and cooperation on the
other?"
There is a fairly considerable
mouth-breathing pause from the colonel.
"Whose side are you on, son?"

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 12:40 PM MST reply actions

1. Saw Hastings pick his nose, awesome baby.
2. I like JR off the bench, brings explosiveness when we need it.
3. Dahntay Jones is taking horrendous shots. That being said, does he not have some serious hops. he can jump big time, and he has full out effort.
4. Why in the hell do we have to do a write in for Nene on the all star ballot. He is playing like one of the top three big men in the West for sure, if not the league.
5. With Vitale it was very nice not to have the homers calling the game. Even with him not knowing as much about NBA basketball.

Mordecai

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 1:58 PM MST reply actions

whaddayamean some guy DRESSES UP AS ROCKY???

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 2:21 PM MST reply actions

What if...they trade Melo for an all-star big? Starting line-up is Chauncey, JR, Nene, K-Mart, insert all-star big hear (Bosh?...sigh) ...w/ Kleiza, AC, bird, Balkman etc. off the bench. That wouold be a pretty sick team w/ little redundancy.

I'm not a Melo hater either...I'm a huge Cuse fan and a Nuggets fan. I'm just sayin'.

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 2:28 PM MST reply actions

Good comment on Diawarra. He joins a list of former nuggets who perform out of nowhere when returning in a different jersey (james posey, jalen rose, Antonio McDisss, even Francisco Elson)

by Stoneafoam on Jan 8, 2009 3:25 PM MST reply actions

Do We Have Any Plays? -- JR is one of my all-time least favorite players, he absolutely drives me nuts, but to answer your question: Yes, that is still the same Rocky. His name is Ken Solomon. No one else has ever worn the Rocky suit.

by Anonymous on Jan 8, 2009 4:13 PM MST reply actions

"5. With Vitale it was very nice not to have the homers calling the game. Even with him not knowing as much about NBA basketball."

Vitale doesn't know much about college basketball either - uhh, unless the ACC is college basketball.

I didn't watch the ESPN telecast and now I'm actually happy about it.

"I was suprised that Balkman still didn't get any minutes. They basically used the same players, minus Anthony, and gave people more minutes. Balkman must really be in the doghouse for something."

I was shocked by this too. I think someone needs to reintroduce Karl to Balkman.

by JTR on Jan 8, 2009 4:32 PM MST reply actions

Shocked at how many people saw me picking my nose

by Hastings on Jan 8, 2009 11:14 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.