The Hornets should save the jet fuel...
by Andrew Feinstein on Apr 27, 2009 11:13 PM MDT
28 comments
Nuggets/Hornets Game 4 Recap...Did the Nuggets cover the spread?
The Nuggets figured out how to get Nene going all right. And Carmelo Anthony, too. And Chauncey Billups. And J.R. Smith. And Dahntay Jones. And Kenyon Martin. And Chris Andersen. And Linas Kleiza. And...
You get the idea.
Wow. Just wow. @#$%& wow!!
As noted in the headline of this game recap, the Hornets should seriously consider NOT flying to Denver tonight and just save the jet fuel for next season, because their season is over. As my friend Justin who was watching the game with me and 12 other Nuggets fans aptly pointed out: "It's losses like this that ruin franchises for 10 years." When you're on the wrong side of a 53 year old playoff blowout record, that's exactly what might happen.
But luckily for Nuggets fans, the fate of the Hornets aren't our problem. Now we just need to focus on Game 5 and deliver the knockout punch that this franchise has been desperately seeking since 1994.
A few days removed from an NFL Draft that has left Broncos fans gravely disappointed (after a season and an offseason chock full of disappointment) and with a new Rockies season already forgettable and heading for disaster, Denver sports fans needed a pick me up. And thanks to our Nuggets, we got one in a big, big, big way. I don't want to hype this win up too much more for fear of jinxing Game 5. But it's clear that if the Nuggets can just maintain their focus against these stingless Hornets, a visit to Round 2 will easily be theirs.
Congrats to George Karl and the Nuggets on this historically big win. A couple more like these and your doubters and naysayers will be few and far between.
Nuggets/Hornets Game 4 Preview...
After a more-than-solid 12-point, 14-rebound and one block night in the Nuggets' Game 1 over the stingless Hornets, Nene has delivered two sub-par performances, culminating with Saturday's unacceptable two-point and six-foul showing. Everyone has an off night, but the label of "unacceptable" is apt given that Hornets' starting center Tyson Chandler remains banged up and ineffective (Chandler himself had just two points to go with his six fouls in Game 3) and the Hornets' backup "big man" is Sean Marks. With Nene weakened by foul trouble and an all around bad performance, Marks delivered the best white-stiff-off-the-bench-in-a-Game 3 performance since Bill Hanzlik led the Nuggets to a huge Game 3 win at Dallas in 1988.For the Nuggets to beat the Hornets tonight and get this series back to Denver for a Nuggets series victory, we'll need the Nene from Game 1 back. This can be accomplished by feeding him the ball early and often, hoping he'll punish Chandler down low out of the gate.
Beyond the Nene situation, the usual "must's" are still in play for tonight. The Nuggets must contain Chris Paul. The Nuggets must defend the Hornets' three-point shooters (enough with Rasul Butler nailing three's already!). The Nuggets must remain the more physically bruising team. And the Nuggets must get Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith to the free throw line.
Three games in, it's no longer a subjective question as to who the better team is in this series. It's now objective and the answer is Denver. Even if the two teams' starters play themselves even, the Hornets don't have the firepower off the bench to contend with our Nuggets. Thanks to fortunate three-point shooting, a bad game from Nene and a poorly played second half by the Nuggets, the Hornets stole Game 3. I don't see those same things happening tonight and I suspect we'll know a lot more in the first five minutes based on how Nene responds to that Game 3 debacle.
GO NUGGETS!!
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by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2009 1:32 PM MDT reply actions
by KaiserSoze on Apr 27, 2009 2:10 PM MDT reply actions
We need him but he puts himself into a position where you can't play him because he gets those stupid fouls. He doesn't get his money worth like Kmart. Who's fault is it that we don't get spacing on the floor where you can develope an inside out game. GK is ridding on CB's coat tail. If it weren't for Chauncey we be up the creek without a paddle.
One more thing, how do you not play Dahntae Jones on Paul for the whole game if that's what it takes. How do you insert AC at any point of this series? He doesn't score and Paul and Paja loves to embrass his ass cause he has no D.
by SamIam on Apr 27, 2009 2:11 PM MDT reply actions
2. Our spacing in game 3 was not very good at all. Karl needs to run a few pick and rolls with Nene and Melo early in the game to get him back in his groove. Force the defense to stay honest and the floor will open up more for Nene to operate.
3. The only player stopping Nene from tearing it up is Nene. Snap out of it big guy! It's just a basketball game, you've beaten much bigger challenges.
by My3Cents on Apr 27, 2009 2:19 PM MDT reply actions
by Goldennugget on Apr 27, 2009 4:01 PM MDT reply actions
Run some freakin' plays, or at least play fundemental basketball (pick and roll, give and go) and we're golden.
Nene can't create for himself, and can't post up. That's not to disrespect him, it's just not his game. But if we could ever see any motion in our offense (good luck) Nene is so darn athletic he would be unstoppable.
How about this, oh, every time down the floor. Melo or JR draw a double team, Nene sneaks in from the weak side. Wham, bam, thank you ma'am. Make that extra pass. This would even work with all the one on one we see.
If the Nuggets can add a post-up player this off season and move Nene to PF we'd be in great shape. Add a system and we'd be rockin.'
This team has so much talent, and now heart, that it pains me to see it wasted by GK. Nothing personal against the guy, but as a coach he drives me batty.
If CP3 plays the entire game, Dahnte Jones should also play the entire game. He can rest in the off season.
On another note, I read that Melo's elbows are acting up again.
Go Nuggets. Here's hoping that you can get some easy baskets this week.
by Do We Have Any Plays? on Apr 27, 2009 4:15 PM MDT reply actions
by JASON on Apr 27, 2009 6:41 PM MDT reply actions
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/playoffs/2009/04/27/nba_20090427_oliver_det.nba/index.html
by Anonymous on Apr 27, 2009 7:15 PM MDT reply actions
by The Fairlady 350Z on Apr 27, 2009 9:22 PM MDT reply actions
by NugzD on Apr 27, 2009 9:23 PM MDT reply actions
losing game three could have been the best thing that could have happened to the nuggs. a reall wake up call.
second, dahntay was ON IT, and i mean ON IT.
So - i'll SEX MUTUMBO...
by SpokenWar on Apr 27, 2009 9:30 PM MDT reply actions
Secondly, I think there is a question we on this blog need to ask. And that question is: "Who Wants To Sex Dahntay Jones?"
I was interested to see how the Nuggets would respond this game. I can't help but think that a sweep would have left the Nuggets more susceptible in the 2nd round. Now they've had a chance to show that they can shake off a loss.
And I also like the fact that the bench opened up the lead even more. The Nuggets were on a 48 minute mission: accomplished.
I don't see the fans at the Pepsi Center letting the Nuggets have a letdown. Honestly, my main concern is that I hope the Nuggets don't get silly and go out partying. They need to stay focused. Does anyone have any info on a personnel rule for no partying and the like?
by E on Apr 27, 2009 9:46 PM MDT reply actions
by JASON on Apr 27, 2009 9:49 PM MDT reply actions
by Sea Note on Apr 27, 2009 10:07 PM MDT reply actions
by CBG on Apr 27, 2009 10:50 PM MDT reply actions
by Goldennugget on Apr 28, 2009 12:51 AM MDT reply actions
Definately the first "Moving to the next level" game i've seen out of Melo in a while.
by john on Apr 28, 2009 7:31 AM MDT reply actions
by SpokenWar on Apr 28, 2009 8:04 AM MDT reply actions
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2009 8:22 AM MDT reply actions
That's how you know it was amazing.
Usually when the Nuggs are up big and the other team quits a little so do the Nuggs. But not last night. That was the most well executed 48 minutes of basketball I've ever witnessed. There was no let up at any point. The reserves came in and didn't miss a step. They actually stepped it up.
I can't say I feel bad for N.O. though. They just were not professional last night. What I do feel bad about for them is that Byron Scott didn't even aknowledge his short-comings. He didn't say "I let my guys down" or "I didn't prepare them". What a dick.
I know we won, and I should feel great...But I was really hoping J.R. would have nailed the coffin shut in the last 1:30 and dropped a couple more 3's. Just to say we set a never before achieved record and DOUBLED the scoring effort of another team in the playoffs. 126-63 would have been phenominal. But I guess a 58 point spread is acceptable. (If you can't tell I just became a basketball snob)
Oh well this should give the Hornets time to go home and fix the levy they have in their game.
by Joelsopinion on Apr 28, 2009 9:36 AM MDT reply actions
Let's just put this thing away tomorrow night.
Go Nuggs.
by JTR on Apr 28, 2009 9:50 AM MDT reply actions
I've always maintained that there is no such thing as running up the score in pro sports. Feeling sorry for the other team, trying not to embarass them is appropriate for amateurs, but these are professionals who get paid based on their performance. That said GK took the approach last night that he would keep Melo in as long as CP3 was in. When Scott put his reserves in, so did Karl.
Hastings was texting Barkley toward the end of the game to see if Chuck had any love for the Nuggets yet. The national media as a whole haven't given the Nuggets their due and the small market and playing in the West, which translates into late at night in the East doesn't help. There is another factor at play here though. It's easy for the national guys to say "I told you the (insert Cavs, Lakers or Celtics here) would be good this year, but they have a real hard time saying "Boy I really missed the boat on the Nuggets this year, even after the Billups trade". They just can't stand admitting it.
Thursty
by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2009 10:11 AM MDT reply actions
I would like to see all the idiots who voted for West over Melo lined up and informed of their ignorance and general stupidity. Then they could be shown how one really good PG, in the right system, can make a player seem much better than they are. (See- anyone who played with Nash.) Then they could be mocked relentlessly and told that the every Nuggets fan is smarter than they are.
Maybe I'm enjoying this a little too much.
by NugzD on Apr 28, 2009 11:15 AM MDT reply actions
Yeah, all the coverage was about how poorly the Hornets played, and not how well the Nuggets played. This is understandable, as the Hornets really did play piss-poorly (before they all just gave up), and the last thing I would want to see would be Melo or Karl gloating on how well we played.
I must say I think Melo conducted himself well in the post-game interviews. He seemed humble, even though you know he had to be thrilled on the inside. I never knew Melo could be so classy.
The only people I feel badly for are the NO fans. I was at the Celtics rout this season, and it sucked, but I never got the sense that he Nuggets gave up. The Hornets just rolled over, and at one point Hastings said something to the effect that nobody should feel sorry for any of the Hornets, as they are all making millions of dollars to play basketball, which they stopped doing for over 12 minutes.
Impressive defeat. If we can keep the momentum going I really think we can give LA a run for the money in the Finals, especially with their inability to hold onto a lead.
Well, time to pull out the Dirk voodoo doll. Dallas is always a good game, and I can't wait to get tickets to the second round.
Go Nuggets!
by Do We Have Any Plays? on Apr 28, 2009 11:23 AM MDT reply actions
Like everyone else, I get the greatest joy in FINALLY hearing some props tossed the Nuggs way. A 58pt. beatdown tends to grab people's attention. And as someone said, how about finally giving Melo some due? Seems like all he needed was to play w/ a true PG to elevate his game. And where are all the morons who decided that David West was an All-Star over Melo? Every season its the same thing- & to only have 2 AStar selections in 6 years is an absolute joke! Maybe NOW folks will HAVE to give credit where its due. Right now,the Nuggs have 2 legit superstars who can be counted on to "show up" every game. If everybody else contributes, they're gonna be a tough out in these playoffs! Bring on the 2nd Round!!
by KaiserSoze on Apr 28, 2009 11:56 AM MDT reply actions
may i suggest you change the name of this site to
nuggetsplanet.com
You have to respect George Karl and give him credit for turning this franchise around.
I know it sounds a bit skeptical as to George Karl pushing the envelop but Chauncey Billups arrival, but may I note that Phil Jackson was nothing before Pau Gasol came to Los Angeles.
I believe, Karl's new approach to his system and handling of players are the formulas that exactly rotated this franchise 360 degrees. From a bust to true winners.
Perhaps the Nugs aren't prime yet for a championship, but I could safely say next year is the Nuggets' time! JUST NAB RASHEED WALLACE OR DREW GOODEN, or anyone who is a fitting player from the free agent market.
by Mark Ogarte on Apr 28, 2009 12:08 PM MDT reply actions
Phil Jackson was nothing in LA before Pau Gasol? Pau Gasol? Seriously?
Um, what about that guy Kobe... and that other guy, Shaquille something... wait, it will come to me.
As much as I can't stand Phil Jackson, I don't think that Pau Gasol is what made him legit in LA.
And if we're not careful, George Karl will indeed take us 360.
by Do We Have Any Plays? on Apr 28, 2009 1:05 PM MDT reply actions
Also of statistical note: All but one Nugget had at least one steal. The lone Nugget who did not log a steal was Johan Petro, and the team totalled 15 for the game.
Dear NBA TV: Can I get my game in HD for the love of G-d! Between standard definition viewing and listening to GP and C-Webb pretend to be television commentators, I went to sleep with a headache.
by parce on Apr 28, 2009 1:10 PM MDT reply actions
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