What division rival?...
by Andrew Feinstein on Mar 5, 2009 11:30 AM MST
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Nuggets/Blazers Recap...Article courtesy of "Goldennugget," photo courtesy of "Mordecai".
First off, starting JR was the best decision Karl has made since, well, forever probably. He played great, provided many key plays throughout the game (from the first point of the game to the put back over Joel Pryzbilla which gave us a lot of energy and started our first big run of the game, to the half court buzzer beater) and helped relieve some of the duties off Chauncey Billups' shoulders. J.R. simply brings countless things to the table that Dahntay Jones does not (big surprise). I think at this point in time head coach George Karl needs to realize that J.R. may be dumb as nails on the court sometimes, but he plays at an All-Star caliber level most of the time, and starting him is to the benefit of the team.
Carmelo Anthony had a great game too. The Nuggets, and Chauncey in particular, function much better when Melo is on. When Melo is the one taking on most of the scoring responsibilities it allows Chauncey to relax and do his thing, much like Rip Hamilton did for him in Detroit. I felt the biggest "theme" of the night was "don't let yourself beat yourself". Yeah, maybe the grammar isn't correct, and it doesn't roll off the tongue, but it is dead on the money.
We beat ourselves when we lose, not the other teams. When we decide we want to play the right way and be disciplined, we win about 80% of the time, it's when we let Boy George get inside of our players' heads that we start playing bad. Anyways, it was really nice to see the Nuggets do what they were supposed to do tonight and put away a division rival.
Tomorrow's game is even bigger, hopefully we can catch Utah at a time when they need a little rest as we did with the Lakers when they were on a roll. Here's to keeping the season alive!
Nuggets/Blazers Preview...
If I wanted to watch a team eeek its way to a 50-win season just to pick up the final playoff seed and get routed in the first round while routinely blowing third quarter leads, serving up erratic substitution patterns, giving up season scoring highs to opposing teams, wearing down its big men and having its best player publicly defy the coach, I'd just watch highlights of the 2007-08 Denver Nuggets...perhaps the least satisfying 50-win season in the history of the NBA.This Nuggets team was supposed to be - and until recently has been - different. Having been counted out by all the NBA pundits before the season began, this Nuggets team was supposed to play with a chip on their shoulders all season long. This Nuggets team was supposed to respect the regular season by taking care of business against the Eastern Conference's lesser squads. This Nuggets team was supposed to play with an energetic, gutty spirit that couldn't be doused easily.
What the @#$% happened to this Nuggets team?
A few things. First off, even though Nene, Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen are all having terrific seasons, George Karl's refusal to play backup power forward Renaldo Balkman significant and consistent minutes has worn those three bigs down. They're banged up and they're exhausted. And given that Balkman produces every time he's on floor, it makes absolutely no sense why he hasn't spared the main front line guys from the start of the season. Balkman needs more minutes and he needs them now.
Secondly, the Nuggets have gone away from two very simple formulas that result in successful outcomes: shoot more free throws than personal fouls committed and shoot at least 30 free throws. In the Pistons loss on Tuesday, the Nuggets mustered a mere 22 free throw attempts (yes, I know Carmelo Anthony didn't play) while committing 27 personal fouls. In the Pacers loss on Sunday, the Nuggets had four more free throw attempts than fouls, but only attempted 27 free throws. Whereas in the victory over the Lakers on Friday night, the Nuggets shot 36 free throws and committed only 26 personal fouls. Can someone please forward this paragraph to the Nuggets coaching staff?
Thirdly, while Karl deserves blame for his erratic substitution patterns and underusing of Balkman, the players deserve blame for their blatant carelessness with the ball and poor shot selection as of late. Melo has shot over 50% from the field twice in his past 11 games and during that span he's had a five-turnover game and two four-turnover games.
And fourthly, and perhaps most importantly, the Nuggets once stingy defense has cratered into a free-for-all that gives up open layups and three-pointers with frightening regularity. Over the past 11 games (kicked off by that 44-point humiliating loss in New Jersey), the Nuggets have given up at least 100 points seven times.
The last 11 games haven't been pretty. The Nuggets lost six of them, two of which (the New Jersey and Boston games) were blowouts of historical proportions. But while this happened, glimpses of the 2008-09 Nuggets have appeared as well, with splendid victories over Orlando and the Lakers.
Looking at the immediate future, the Nuggets need to rediscover the team that made this season so special up to and until 11 games ago. It begins tonight with division/playoff/conference/everything you can imagine/rival Portland coming to Denver for a TNT night cap. As fans in Nuggets Nation don't need to be reminded of, the Nuggets have lost all but one game when broadcasted by TNT, and that was a game when Shaquille O'Neal sat out. Tonight is a must win and will tell us if the 2008-09 Nuggets have a chance of re-emerging, of we're stuck with the 2007-08 version all over again.
On a side note, I'm taking off to Las Vegas this afternoon for a bachelor party. Since I'm already losing all my money in the stock market, at least I'll have fun losing my money for a few days. While I should be able to watch tonight's game and tomorrow's all important game at Utah, I certainly won't have time to write game recaps. So loyal Denver Stiffs reader and commenter extraordinaire "GoldenNugget" will be taking over game recap duties for the next two games.
In case anyone is curious (I certainly am), the line on tonight's game is Nuggets by seven. IF I bet on the game (which is doubtful, I never like betting on my own team), I have to take the Nuggets to cover. The last thing you want to do is root for the opposing team to lose but beat the spread against your team.
Go Nuggets!!
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by Blazer Maniac on Mar 5, 2009 1:24 PM MST reply actions
I have been barking about Balkman's lack of playing time for most of the season. As you so aptly point out, it impacts the entire team in terms of exhaustion.
Let's hope we can pull ourselves together, commit to playing defense, driving the lane and passing, and come out of the weekend up 2 on Portland and 2.5 on Utah.
by imnogm on Mar 5, 2009 1:41 PM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Mar 5, 2009 2:00 PM MST reply actions
Big ups to Goldennugget on taking over for Andrew. Your comment are usually right on the money, and I look forward to reading your posts in Andrew's absence.
by joelsopinion on Mar 5, 2009 2:34 PM MST reply actions
I HATE ANTHONY CARTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh well go nuggets.I'll be there tonight but this time not infront of the tuaca chill zone, I'll be by the opposing teams entrance. And yes I'll scream I HATE CARTER eveytime he gets in the game
by 1NUGS1 on Mar 5, 2009 2:57 PM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Mar 5, 2009 4:38 PM MST reply actions
by NugzD on Mar 5, 2009 4:48 PM MST reply actions
The Nuggets are averaging 30.4 FTAs and 22.82 PFs. Their opponents are averaging 26.4 FTAs and 23.7 PFs.
By comparison, the numbers for the Lakers are 26.6 FTAs/20.63 PFs vs. 23.7 FTAs/22.73 PFS, and the numbers for the Spurs (lowest in the league for PF for and against), 19.9 FTAs/18.83 PFs vs. 19.9 FTAs/18.63 PFs.
by A Different Andrew on Mar 5, 2009 5:57 PM MST reply actions
As for the game, and our season, I don't think it is time to wave the white flag just yet. Remember comming off the Boston loss when everyone deemed this team dentine for failure and we went and won against ATL and LA? I think we can do it again. I think this team is not ready to fold just yet after all they have gone through already. I expect Melo to have a big game, same with everyone else. I think the key to shutting down the Blazers is to boss them around a bit. All their young guys think they are hot *ish so if we go in there and "play the right way", like Boy George frequently suggests, then we should be alright. But ther is no doubt about it, this is the biggest game of the season so far. This is personal. This isn't just another game on the schedule, this is what sports are all about baby. Go Nuggs!
by Goldennugget on Mar 5, 2009 6:31 PM MST reply actions
by 1NUGS1 on Mar 5, 2009 6:47 PM MST reply actions
Goldennugget, 1Nugfan should yell our sentiments until he gets horse and can't yell no more. You fail to realize that in our eyes AC is on the opposing team. When AC is on the court the Nuggets play against six.
Please spare me your rhetoric about the "Roll and Backup Player"
by samiam on Mar 5, 2009 7:00 PM MST reply actions
by Aiden FoCo on Mar 5, 2009 10:44 PM MST reply actions
by Goldennugget on Mar 5, 2009 11:54 PM MST reply actions
As I said before AC is the weakest link on the floor. Even if you are a "back up" roll player. You should be able to score on a wide open shot, or make a layup. AC is a detriment because he can't play. He has no offense and very little defense. He might have hussle. No he's just useless. Every time he comes on the court he puts the Nuggets at a disadvantage. U can believe the position he plays is not going to have any scoring. The opposing team is going to run the pick and roll and get the switch and the Nuggets have to play help defense plus get scored on. If AC was in the game tonight we would have lost.
Speaking of the newest player, why wasn't he inserted into the game tonight? It must me an indication that he's going to ride the bench like Balkman. This team is in dire straights and they know it with GK at the helm. The rebellion of Carmelo is just the beginning.
Fire George Karl and
by samiam on Mar 6, 2009 12:12 AM MST reply actions
by samiam on Mar 6, 2009 12:17 AM MST reply actions
by emptytwo629 on Mar 6, 2009 12:23 AM MST reply actions
(3) Denver (40-22)
Games remaining: 20 (11 Home, 9 Away)
vs. +.500: 8 vs. Div: 6
(6) Utah (38-23)
Games remaining: 21 (8 Home, 13 Away)
vs. +.500: 13 vs. Div: 5
(7) Portland (38-23)
Games remaining: 21 (11 Home, 10 Away)
vs. +.500: 10 vs. Div: 5
(source: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/matchups?season=2009)
So, no real reason we can't maintain the 3 seed and avoid the early 1st round bounce (unless AC keeps throwing the ball in the stands of course).
by Anonymous on Mar 6, 2009 12:35 AM MST reply actions
by Denverson on Mar 6, 2009 9:08 AM MST reply actions
I question i'd like to hear your (or anybody's) take on:
Linas obviously is important to our team, and usually if he plays well, we win. Does JR starting have any impact on how Linas plays, or did he just happen to have a good game no matter who started?
by John on Mar 6, 2009 10:17 AM MST reply actions
by grantarchy on Mar 6, 2009 10:20 AM MST reply actions
Personaly I think Linas is the only one who has an impact on Linas. My buddy and I were talking about it at the game, and there's no denying that he's having an off year. I don't know if it's confidence, or if he's pouting because he didn't get his contract, or what, but he makes some boneheaded decisions out there and just doesn't look as fast or as motivated as he has in the past. Every time he threw it up last night, me and my buddy cringed, but gotta give him credit, he made the shots. Maybe it will give him some confidence moving forward. If we want to make it beyond the first and hopefully second round, we're going to need him to play better.
by grantarchy on Mar 6, 2009 10:25 AM MST reply actions
Melo scored a "quiet" 38 if that's possible. His sprint off the court being subbed for was classic and I think even George had a chuckle. Rudy Fernandez is the new Manu Ginobli with the exception he also has a ball imprint on his forehead. Nene was attacking. AC didn't see the floor (I don't think), but did Hart either? The rotation was very short. Why did Petro start? Nuggets played thru fouls that didn't get called for them without much bitching (a good thing). Brandon Roy was waaay off last night. Oden wasn't even in the house period. Anyone else see the Travis Outlaw dead-on impersonation of Jordan vs. Utah on that crossover jumper he nailed against us? Where was K-Mart? and to sum it up...
JR Smith is the best athlete on the Nuggets period. Melo can't match him, neither can Chauncey, but they beat him with the hoops IQ department. Nene is as physical a player in the NBA when he wants to be (and he wanted to last night thankfully) but JR Smith was the star last night IMO though, even as hard as it was to choose between JR, Nene, and Melo.
PS, Portland was very unimpressive. Looking at them in person, aside from Brandon Roy and Lamarcus Aldridge who was a beast, there's not a whole lot of "wow" factor to any of the other players. Yeah some are young but Fernandez didn't impress, Batum who somehow started is extremely young and barely above D-League material and same for the import PG kid. Bayless was energetic but he's not a savior there.
How in the world are they even as good as the record they've produced? I don't see the hype.
by Eric K on Mar 6, 2009 10:50 AM MST reply actions
by Anonymous on Mar 6, 2009 11:45 AM MST reply actions
Great win last night, and short handed!
After last nights game, I think I can agree with some of the things said by Andrew the last couple of weeks.
First, I love K-Mart when healthy, he's great defensively and throws down monster dunks. That said, I have to agree that Nene is more effective playing PF. So Birdman at 5 and Nene at 4 looks better than Nene at 5 and K-Mart at 4. Maybe next year, they should try to move K-Mart for a similarly priced Center. Maybe rent Shaq for the last couple years of his contract.
The second thing is what pretty much everyone on here has said - Start J.R. Smith. Refreshing to not have to dig out of a hole in the first quarter the way they usually do with Jones in there.
I've been trying to figure out what the Nugs need to do to become legitimate contenders. As currently constituted, they are one level below the real contenders. The first step would be actually winning a playoff series, maybe even two! If they can do that this year, I think they would be in position next year with the right moves this summer.
What are the right moves? I think the K-Mart for Shaq trade - doesn't add money or years, but makes us bigger. Sure Shaq is old, but even old he is huge and solves size issues. Re-sign Kleiza for off the bench, and draft a guard. A lineup of Billups, JR, Melo, Nene and Shaq, with Birdman, Kleiza, Balkman, and Carter/weems/1st round pick playing the reserve guard minutes. That's a group that can really contend!
by KarlSucks on Mar 6, 2009 1:21 PM MST reply actions
by Zachm219 on Mar 6, 2009 1:24 PM MST reply actions
John - I don't see what JR starting would have anything to do with Kleiza's exceptional play last night. It seems clear to me that Kleiza is having a confidence issue. I am not sure if it is the whole contract thing or if it's something else but his body language leads me to believe he has, or had, some sort of issue going on that none of us know.
Again, I truly believe that the reason we won last night was mostly due to JR starting. He is such an improvement from Jones offensively its hard to believe he hasn't started the whole year. I really hope he continues to start. I don't see the dumb, bone-headed plays he was constantly making a while ago (the tech wasn't THAT bad). You have to admit, his defense has vastly improved too. I just hope, for the sake of our season, that George manages to find some sort of sympathy in his vast body and start JR the rest of the way.
by Goldennugget on Mar 6, 2009 1:36 PM MST reply actions
Years from now, one might look back at this game as a historic night — Karl finally put J.R. Smith in the starting lineup because he wanted Smith in there, not because Smith was filling in for an injured player. Smith's Achilles' heel had been his defense, but lately, he's been on his toes defensively, and his recent zest appealed to his old-school coach.
"I tip my hat to J.R.," Karl said after Smith's 17-point performance. "He had his best non-spectacular game as a player."
Asked if Smith is now Denver's starting shooting guard, ahead of Dahntay Jones, Karl said, "I'm not signing that contract, but I'll say yes to the question."
by grantarchy on Mar 6, 2009 1:50 PM MST reply actions
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