[UPDATED] Broken hand = (gulp) broken season?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 5, 2009 10:59 PM MST Comment 22 comments

I was all set to write a fun, positive summary of tonight's 135-115 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Even though we're all thrilled with the Nuggets commitment to defense this season, you still can't beat an old-school, 80's shootout like what we witnessed tonight at Pepsi Center. Now that's what I call 80's Night! (On a side note, how could the Nuggets not don the rainbow uniforms on "80's Night" against the Hornets on Saturday? Moreover, they should only have "80's Nights" against 80's rivals, like the Jazz, Spurs or Mavericks and have both teams wear the retro jerseys. And yes, the Nuggets marketing department should hire me.)

But while glancing at the AP recap of the game, I immediately noticed they're reporting that Carmelo Anthony fractured his right hand. Damn. Damn, damn, damn, damn.

Before pushing the panic button, we'll have to wait and see what the Nuggets officially report on Melo's status. After all, will this be an Allen Iverson-type situation where he plays on with a broken bone in his hand? Or will it be much worse, a la Chris Andersen in 2002 when he fractured his hand smacking the glass after missing a blocked shot attempt and was out two months? I suppose the Nuggets have proven that they can (sort of) play effectively without Melo, but if he's out for more than a few games, he'll be sorely missed. You'll never catch me siding with the Melo bashers who believe the Nuggets are better off without him. I guess Linas Kleiza can now prove why the Nuggets should have re-upped him when they had the chance.

Since most of us in Nuggets Nation - including me - will be depressed over the potential for Melo to be out for a while, allow me to leave you with this video clip that should cheer you up momentarily. This goes well with the recent ranting about Nuggets announcer Chris Marlowe that popped up in the comments after Sunday's post. This video was sent in from loyal Denver Stiffs reader Matt W. in Los Angeles...

[UPDATED] The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Tomasson gives a detailed update on Carmelo Anthony's hand situation. According to Tomasson, the initial report is that X-rays showed Anthony "has a probable nondisplaced fracture on the third right metacarpal of his right hand" and we'll get more news tomorrow. George Karl - playing a doctor on TV - says "I think it's in the weeks area." Ugh.

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I think he plays a Coach on TV too.

He's not much of an actor.

That being said, he did seem to be upright for most of the Indiana game.

by john on Jan 5, 2009 11:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Also, I think we are going to get to see a lot more of Balkman now.

Time to see if Nene can continue his rise to stardom now that he will be the #1 scoring option.

I think the team will be fine for 2-3 weeks. 6-8 weeks is a different story.

by john on Jan 5, 2009 11:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Well maybe it will help him to rest his elbows too, although those bone spurs will probably need surgery. Best case scenario is that this break keeps him fresh into the playoffs and he heals up in the offseason.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 2:50 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

MUST use Nenê as no.1 scoring option. Try to get him 25-30ppg at least. Now would be a really good time to get in another big man.
Smith should start, more (some?) minutes for Balkman.

While I wouldn't call this a blessing in disguise, at least it will let Melo rest his elbow a bit longer.

Also, this is strikingly similar to a situation to something happening in the cricket world ATM. I suppose you Americans don't follow cricket (it's kinda like baseball), but the South African captain has been troubled by a very sore elbow for months now, and just broke his finger so will be out for sometime and will have surgery on his elbow.
If Melo is out for a long time with the hand, is elbow surgery a possibility? Or would that put him out too long?

by Julian from Australia on Jan 6, 2009 3:36 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Why are people calling for Nene to carry the load when we have a do-it-all once-in-a-generation player in Anthony Carter?

On a more serious note, a team's identity is truly defined during times like this. JR, Kleiza, Balkman, and Birdman will keep the Nuggets afloat if they are given the proper opportunity (Rotation, rotation, rotation).

One silver lining could be that the Nuggets' GM seems to be at his best when his back's to the wall. Maybe without Melo he can see where this team truly stands and can fill in the gaps. Time will obviously tell.

by E on Jan 6, 2009 4:38 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

^Great point... just like the Spurs gave Roger Mason and Matt Bonner opportunity... actually they were forced to produce as they had no other option with Parker and Ginobili out.

Now that they came back, these guys are playing with confidence and are legitimately in their rotation.

Melo getting to rest his sore elbow is also good, it might actually heal 100% seeing how many games he'll likely sit out.

And at least, Portland still won't have Roy for the next 10 days or so, and Utah will not have Boozer for a long time. And we're playing a lot of home games in January.

- Snake -

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 5:38 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

That asshole Jeff Foster.
Yeah it was unintentional but damn you still want to break his knees.
Tell you what to me Melo was elevated to hero status just staying in the game. After his gimp free throws he played hard and well.
Well giving his elbows time to heal may be an added bonus for such an unfortunate injury.
Time for the bench, no one mentioned Chucky Atkins, maybe it's time for GK to get him on the court so we as fans can see what he is all about. At his salary, it's time to rotate him in.
After much griping about old school fast break Nuggets basketball last night they really came together in the 4th.

Hey Julian ,I had the opportunity to live in England back in the early 80's and had plenty of free time on my hands, I used to go to the local Sports Field and catch the Cricket matches at times. Hell, I even got a bat and started playing the game with some of the locals. I was a source of comedy swinging for the fence so to speak. I still have the Bat. Some great memories.
That Marlowe comment was great timing, no room to criticize there.
Here's to a speedy recovery for Melo.

by markp on Jan 6, 2009 8:24 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I didn't watch the game last night and this happens.... #*$% me. Hopefully the injury isnt bad, just a couple of weeks. And hopefully this will get the front office to make a move for another off the bench big, which we NEED!

I do think this could prove to be a good thing, IF we get a good rotation and PT for players like Klieza and Balkman......

but still.........#*$&

by Brent on Jan 6, 2009 9:15 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

No comments on Samb being traded to the Clippers? I certainly hope this deal was made to open up a roster spot for an upcoming trade. I can't believe they make that trade without some other deal pending.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 9:24 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

According to Eric Sebastian, Nuggets PR guy, the Nuggets players voted against wearing any throwback jerseys this season. I guess they decided it isn't cool any more and is no longer the "in" thing. I do see a lot of people still wearing throwback hats/shirts/jerseys at the games. But it isn't as widespread as it was a few years ago.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 9:27 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

First off, Melo finished off the game last night after his hand got injured, so it can't be that bad. If his hand was really broken bad he wouldn't of even been able to dribble or shoot and he did both fiarly well. As for the future without him, I can't agree with E more. Just like Donald Trump says with real estate (location, location, location) Karl must do the same with his lineup (rotation, rotation, rotation). I really believe if we get Atkins and Balkman significant minutes we will be just fine, and maybe even continue to build the lead we have in the division. And why would the Nuggets vote against wearing throwbacks when they have some of the best in the league?

by Goldennugget on Jan 6, 2009 10:11 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Anthony breaking his hand is terrible news. Hopefully he can come back soon. They should put Smith and Balkman in the starting lineup and bring Kleiza in as the sixth man.

Were my eyes deceiving me, or did G.K. pick up a technical last night? I'll assume he didn't get it on purpose, as Kleiza got one for moving his arm six inches.

In general, I like the announcers. I expect them to be homers, but I do wish they would talk about needed in game adjustments/timeouts. Last night was classic though - explaing the pick and roll. "First you set a pick, then you roll to the basket." Next game they will explain that driving to the basket doesn't involve a car, and that nothing actually gets broken in a fast break.

by KarlSucks on Jan 6, 2009 10:15 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nobody mentioned, and I forgot to as well, that the Nuggets are off to thier best start in franchise history after 36 games. Seriously, what more could we ask for? An NBA Championship?

by Goldennugget on Jan 6, 2009 10:19 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Oh no, please don't tell me we are asking for Atkins and Balkman to replace Melo??? In keeping with the car theme above, trade in your Ferrari for a Pinto and a Vega?

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 10:35 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

As a former high school basketball referee I spent a lot of time around other officials of all levels except NBA, but I can tell you what the mentality of basketball officials is. From that experience I can tell you what happened last night with the officiating. After the Nuggets got the 20 point lead at some time-out the officials got together and one of them said "If we keep calling fouls like this; the Pacers won't have any players left to play in the second half, they'll have all fouled out. We have to let up on them and look we haven't called anything on the Nuggets. If we don't start calling fouls on them we'll look really look bad". So the officials stopped calling fouls on the Pacers and started calling fouls on the Nuggets. That's why Karl and Kleiza got technicals; the officials stopped calling fouls on the Pacers. So the officials brought the Pacers back into the game and created an atmosphere of physical play that led to a broken hand.

by Anonymous on Jan 6, 2009 10:36 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

goldennugget did you watch the end of that game? Melo was not dribbling or shooting with the injured hand, every time he had to touch the ball he grimaced and had to bite his lip to fight the pain, its definitely a fracture, im guessing we lose him for about a month

by Zachm219 on Jan 6, 2009 11:21 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Anonymous,
How about Reggie Evans or Fransisco Elson for a return visit.
That was suggested by Woody Paige in last week's newspaper. Of course he was using a center as the focus of his discussion but still. Makes me feel a little ill.

by markp on Jan 6, 2009 11:51 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

I didn't see the game last night, as i was envolved in a heated match of Wally-Ball and ended up with a sprained ankle.

I once had the same injury as Melo a few years ago, except it was my forth metacarpal. I was not in pain and played the rest of the pickup games that night. (I'm now talking basket ball) The next five weeks though I was in pain and could not dribble or shoot a simple free throw. Then again I'm not a world class athlete...except on Madden, any takers?

So I'm sure he'll be fine in 3 weeks tops.

I just always thought Bruce Bowen would be the one to seriously injur Melo. I friggin hate Bowen.

by joelsopinion on Jan 6, 2009 11:58 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

Going back to yesterday's rant...
Do you see what happens when we get positive Jeff? Karma comes in beats the reality back into us.

Now I friggin hate Jeff and Bowen.

by joelsopinion on Jan 6, 2009 12:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Melo is out 3-4 weeks according to ESPN

by Goldennugget on Jan 6, 2009 1:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

This team is better off WITHOUT Melo and his "me-first" petulance, & thuggish attitude. I hope this shows the FO that we don't have to put up with a 2nd rate "star", & can think about a Melo-less future! Maybe more focus on JR & Nene. I had that injury, and it wasn't till hours later that I started feeling the pain. I think Melo should win the Oscar for his "heroic" portrayal. Yeah, right! Good riddance, whiner!

by SKEPTIC on Jan 6, 2009 3:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Skeptic...are you really Jeff in drag ?

by markp on Jan 6, 2009 6:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

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