What, me worry? The eight game road trip the Nuggets shouldn't be afraid of (assuming Chauncey isn't hurt)...

by Andrew Feinstein on Feb 4, 2009 1:03 AM MST

Ever since the 2008-09 Nuggets season began NBA pundits, the Denver sports media and Nuggets head coach George Karl himself have pointed to the upcoming eight straight road games that take place this month, beginning with tonight's game at Oklahoma City.

Put me down as not worried about this road trip (caveat: unless Chauncey Billups' ankle injury is worse than a mild sprain).

First off, it's not really an eight game road trip. It's a five game road trip followed by a full week off (thanks to All-Star Weekend) and then a three game road trip.

Secondly, only two of the eight teams the Nuggets will face have winning records (the Heat and Magic) and only one of them (the Magic) should be feared. As I stated a few weeks ago when talking about this road trip, the Nuggets should just concede the Magic game now and rest up. There's no way they beat Orlando one night after playing in Miami and with the All-Star break starting the following day. No way.

The other six teams (the Thunder, Wizards, Nets, 76ers, Bulls and Bucks) are garbage. I mean, did you see how the 76ers "defended" Ray Allen at the end of their near win against the Celtics last night? It was NBA incompetence at its finest.

Frankly, of the six losing teams, the matchup with the Thunder scares me the most. They're playing much better basketball as of late and have won six of their last 11 games. And four of those five losses were within just four points, including a thrilling OT loss to the Kings before the Super Bowl (and yes, I was the only non-Kings or non-Thunder fan who actually watched it). Either Denver Stiffs Interim Head Coach Hall of Famer Scott Brooks is actually doing a decent job or Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook are that good. I'm going with the latter.

Back-to-backs are always going to be a problem for the Nuggets, especially with Nene and Kenyon Martin taking a nightly pounding and Billups possibly being hurt. So of the eight games coming up, don't be surprised if the Nuggets lose to the Thunder, Nets and Magic, and win all the other games to finish 5-3 on the road in February. But here's hoping for 6-2.

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Really we should win every one of those games. I know that isn't going to happened but we definitely can do it. The Magic are now without Nelson (an All Star) and I think we can compete with them. The Heat will not be easy either but everyone else, including the Thunder we should beat. I expect a 6-2 road trip, or at least I would if I was Karl.

by Goldennugget on Feb 4, 2009 1:27 AM MST reply actions

It all depends on Chaunceys ankle. Without CB the nugs are lost because we dont have an offense or system to fall back on. The Spurs can compete with their bench because they have a system and good coaching. Will George wake up and STOP playing his only two point guards at the same time?

by go nugs on Feb 4, 2009 4:55 AM MST reply actions

Chauncey will definitely be key, obviously. Just have to keep beating the teams we're supposed to be beating.

by Chris C. on Feb 4, 2009 7:16 AM MST reply actions

I agree...mostly. Obviously, it depends on Chauncey, but I think 5-3 is a reasonable expectation (with losses to the 76ers, Magic, and a Random Loss That Cannot Be Explained).

The 76ers are playing really well (they beat the Spurs and Blazers recently). Luckily for the Nuggets, Elton Brand is back (The Sixers were 10-7 without him, including a seven game winning streak).

The Magic lost their starting point guard (who the Nuggets drafted for them), and their backups are bad, really bad. I would say that the Nuggets could pull this one off except they have a habit of losing games right before the All Star Break. I think they even lost to the Magic last year on All Star Eve.

Then the Nuggets will lose to a team that will leave us scratching our heads. If I had to hazard a guess it would be early, like to the Thunder or Wizards. The Nuggets haven't really had a head scratching loss yet, and it wouldn't be a Nuggets season without one.

So they'll go 5-3 and end up 37-19 with 15 of the remaining 26 games at home. Phil Jackson once said that if a team can win 40 before it loses 20, it is a championship contender. So we can pray for a 3 game winning streak at home after the roady. Too bad those games are against Boston, Atlanta, and the Lakers.

by WhoWantsToSexMutombo? on Feb 4, 2009 10:09 AM MST reply actions

Maybe Chauncey should sit out this year's All-Star game.

Loved GK's comment that using Smith as backup PG would be "interesting," with condensation and contempt in his voice.

by Do We Have Any Plays? on Feb 4, 2009 11:56 AM MST reply actions

wasn't anyone really disturbed by the game? didn't anyone walk away from it shaking their head?

"set up - like a bowling pin..."

i love watching this team this year. i have a sneaking suspicion that this is going to be an ugly month. say goodbye to this lovely #3 ranking.

"knocked down... it get's to wearin' thin...

they just won't let you be..."

by Anonymous on Feb 4, 2009 12:03 PM MST reply actions

The Denver Nuggets have woken up and come to grips with who and what they really are. Any fantasy of being an 'elite' team has faded away with a thrashing by the spurs second string. I don't care who won. It is hard to wake up, but it had to happen eventually. now that it has we, the fans, should just enjoy the rest of the season.

I have seen street fights that had more cohesion than last night's game.

by Anonymous on Feb 4, 2009 12:09 PM MST reply actions

I've been on the road, so unable to comment. Missed a couple of games while traveling.

Go Nugs is dead on. The spurs started a team last night that largely belongs in the D-league, and pulled within two in the fourth. Coaching and a system helped them make up for a lack of talent. As soon as Billups went out, so did any semblance of a coherent game plan.

Billups is clearly the only thing holding this team together. If he misses significant time, the nugs could miss the playoffs.

Smith had a poor game, but is it me or did Jones play even worse off the bench than he usually does starting? In his first minute in, he allowed an uncontested fast break layup, not even attempting to defend it or foul the guy. You are a bench player - use your fouls!

I wonder if Karl is getting the message that the other teams don't respect him. First Phoenix sits shaq, now Pop sits his entire starting team. Major disprespect.

by KarlSucks on Feb 4, 2009 12:17 PM MST reply actions

Think positive andrew. 8-0 with Jameer Nelson out. GO NUGGETS!

by Kohaku on Feb 5, 2009 3:15 AM MST reply actions

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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.