Game 5 is Game 7 (Nuggets/Lakers Game 5 Preview 7pm MST)...

by Andrew Feinstein on May 27, 2009 1:01 AM MDT Comment 31 comments

If I were George Karl, I'd write one phrase on the Nuggets locker room white board before Wednesday night's enormously important, biggest-game-ever-in-franchise-history Game 5 at Staples Center:

"Game 5 is Game 7"

(While I'm at it, if I were Karl I'd bring Dahntay Jones back into the game in the second quarter to avoid an Anthony Carter/Chauncey Billups back court, I'd work the refs if they try to whistle the Nuggets out of being aggressive, I'd call timeouts when it's clear my team is chucking too many threes and is losing their composure, and so on, but I digress...)

In order for the Nuggets to survive what's sure to be an offensive onslaught from Kobe Bryant and (attempted) big time performances from the Lakers "big" men after the national media has labeled them soft, the Nuggets must treat Game 5 like a back-against-the-wall, season-ends-tomorrow Game 7. I don't care if our Nuggets end up more bruised, banged up and exhausted than they've ever been before, but a gutty Game 5 win redelivers the home court advantage that the Nuggets need to close out the series. The Nuggets players might be miserable come Thursday morning, but they'll feel a hell of a lot better if Friday is a close out game rather than another grueling battle just to win a trip back to Los Angeles.

My biggest concern - and I'm sure the Nuggets biggest concern, as well - is Kobe. The over/under on Kobe versus the Nuggets is 34 points. In the Nuggets two wins, Kobe has averaged 33 points. In the Nuggets two losses, Kobe's average is 40.5. After what transpired in Denver and all the (foolish) talk about Dantay Jones harassing, haggling and (unfortunately) tripping Kobe, Bryant will be hell bent on having a big night. Throw in that he's getting nothing from his teammates and knows his championship window is closing, and I see Kobe gunning for 50. That doesn't mean he'll get 50 nor does it mean if he gets 50 the Nuggets will automatically lose - of the 25 times Kobe has gone for 50 in his career, he's lost eight - but it certainly will make the Nuggets cause more difficult.

Ending up in a Game 7 at Staples Center leaves too many things to chance to the detriment of the Nuggets: an epic night from Kobe, a return of the Nuggets' knuckle-itis, a few bad calls from the refs, another errant inbounds play drawn up by Karl, a lack of Game 7 experience, and so forth. If the Nuggets are to avoid such a predicament, they need to get their Game 7 experience over with during Game 5, and walk away with the biggest win to date in franchise history.

On a side note, I'm confident that the Nuggets can take Game 5 for one simple reason: I won't be there. Dating back to 2003 - when I watched Kobe drop 50 points on Junior Harrington and Vincent Yarbrough in 31 minutes of playing time - and including last year's playoff debacle and Game 1 of this year's Western Conference Finals, in about eight or so tries I've never witnessed a Nuggets victory at Staples Center. Instead, I'll be watching the game at an undisclosed location with a few friends here in Denver whom I've been watching Nuggets games with my entire life. And we'll be screaming at the TV for three hours straight to keep my streak alive of not hearing a word that Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Breen or Mark Jackson have said all series. From what Denver Stiffs readers have told me, I'm not missing anything from the broadcasters.

And just in case you're the only Nuggets fan in the world who needs to get pumped up for Game 5, I encourage you to check out this Game 5 video produced and submitted by longtime Denver Stiffs reader "Bektur".

More than ever...

...GO NUGGETS!!

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Comments

you're right on point there with the dahntay n ac swaps, ac just doesn't have the size we desperately need to bother kobe

i'm confident tho that the players will come out focused and motivated (even if george karl doesn't do what you said in the locker room)...n besides, we do have chauncey, he'll get everyone's heads straight

btw, i really appreciate you posting the video yourself, thanx for that

and also more than ever

GO NUGGETS!!!

by Bektur on May 27, 2009 8:28 AM MDT reply actions

Very simple nuggies, you win this game the series is yours.

LETS GO NUGGETS.....LETS GO NUGGETS.....LETS GO NUGGETS

by Melonugg on May 27, 2009 8:44 AM MDT reply actions

I am so nervous about tonight.

by Marmatard on May 27, 2009 9:14 AM MDT reply actions

Don't want to blow your bubble but review some facts- You massively out rebounded them and JR absolutely blew up. Yet until the Lakers threw in the towel you were only up by ten. If they rebound better this game, which it would be impossible to rebound that badly they win the game - Fact. Plus relying on JR Smith isnt ideal. Melo looked awful and you know Kobe is going to be Kobe.

by Simon on May 27, 2009 9:43 AM MDT reply actions

Simon, homie, maybe you should look up "fact" in the dictionary.

by MJKeenan on May 27, 2009 9:48 AM MDT reply actions

You shouldn't digress Andrew, you should keep pointing to his weaknesses. He's hard head. I think some brain leaked out when he got bit by the dog. So many times this blog has pointed out the failures in his ability to get the Nuggets to the "Promise Land" only to see them adhead to for a game or two then he reverts right back to his insane approach.
DJ has foulded out the game already. Even before the game begins. The Strom Troopers are looking for DJ to look wrong at Coby. Melo will be guarding Coby some, however to me the key is to stay big. When Chauncey needs a rest LK should come off the bench and play Melo position and Melo should guard Coby. We need to stay big and have point production from all positions.
AC does not fit this situation, he's to small to guard anyone on the Lakers team. He can't shoot and he will get posted up. Did I mention OMTO (one man turn over).
This is the gut check game seven that you speak of. We can't have any weak chinks in the armor.
GO NUGGETS

by SamIam on May 27, 2009 10:01 AM MDT reply actions

Only to see "them adheared"

by SamIam on May 27, 2009 10:05 AM MDT reply actions

Kobe will be Kobe. No one can argue that. But let's review some more facts.

Melo complained of flu like symptoms before game 4 and sprained his ankle in the game. JR stepped up when called upon to do so, and they won.

This isn't the 1st time that the Lakers big men have mentally checked out of a game on the road. In all truth, they kinda suck on the road in the post season. Denver worked hard to get those boards, so don't take that away from them.

Kleiza seems to have come to life in this series and has proved to be an extra boost off the bench. Denver's bench is also completely out preforming the Laker bench.

Basically the Nuggets have a few more plus marks in their favor. And if Kobe doesn't get the help he needs from Gasol and Odom, the lakers will be on the wrong end of a 3-2.

I think the Nuggets are fine with Kobe being Kobe. As long as his teammates are just the guys in purple and gold, and not playing to their full potential, Nuggets will win.

p.s. That pic of Stephen A. looks a lot like the Nike puppets.

by Joelsopinion on May 27, 2009 10:06 AM MDT reply actions

The only ring Kobe gets through Colorado is the one that he has to buy his wife after raping someone.

by Anonymous on May 27, 2009 10:10 AM MDT reply actions

I agree that this is game 7 as well. The scary thing about Kobe is that the more he scores the better the Lakers chances of winning are unlike many other star players (ie: Lebron). I am not a Kobe fan but I respect his game more than anyone's in the league. He is so smooth and never forces anything. Occasionally he takes an ill-advised jump shot but who doesn't? The absolute key to this game, and the series, is preventing Kobe from going off. Nobody can stop him, you can only slow him down, but that is enough to get a win in most cases.

As for the Nuggets. I am pretty confident in this team after the victory a few days ago when we won by 20. I think the other Lakers not named Kobe will come out and try and be more affective after hearing all the criticism, but it is our job to make sure we do what we have been doing all season, which is playing great defense to prevent them from getting in the game. I think it will be another close game but I hope that we can start to pull away early like we did in game 4 to prevent any chance of Karl screwing up the game for us.

by Goldennugget on May 27, 2009 10:15 AM MDT reply actions

Jones has to harrass Kobe without picking up a flagrant or else he gets suspended for a game. We need him for this series. He is less critical vs orlando or cleveland. If we limit Kobe to jumpers and crash the boards and this game ours. The Nuggets need to play the best game of their lives and send it back to D-town to close it out!!! SOOOO PUMPED! GO NUGGETS!!!!

by Coballer on May 27, 2009 10:25 AM MDT reply actions

Im nervous about tonight and excited! I think the nuggets will win. ill have now nails by the end of the game, thats for sure. I liked the video too. go nuggets!

by Tru Fan Colorado on May 27, 2009 10:31 AM MDT reply actions

Go Nuggets! Has anyone else been unable to focus at work today? It has been impossible for me to get anything done becuase I have inbounds plays floating through my head. GO NUGGETS! NUGS BY 6, CLOSING THE SERIES IN 6 AT THE CAN ON FRIDAY. Can you guys picture how insane that place would be on Friday? It gives me chills thinking about it.

by Kaley on May 27, 2009 10:58 AM MDT reply actions

Kaley I've gotten about nothing done at work today. I've targeted other Nugget fans in the office, and when they go back to actually working (what kind of fan does that?) I get right back to reading one article after another.

Andrew if I get fired, can I get a job with you. If it happens your blog is partially responsible. I can be the 1st ever Denver Stiffs intern, or hired muscle. I'll let you think it over.

GO NUGGETS!

by Joelsopinion on May 27, 2009 11:07 AM MDT reply actions

Not getting anything done myself...

Although, I'm very worried that Phil Jackson is something like 19-0 at home in Game 5's if the series is tied 2-2 going into that game. That history does not bode well for us. But... sports aren't tied to history. I don't care what people say about curses against the Cubs or any of that other garbage about history. Sports is just about one of the ONLY places you can throw history out the window as each game is it's own, without any impact (except perhaps mentally on some players) being attached to it by something that's happened in the past as obscure as that stat for Coach Phil.

I'm frickin scarred!!!!! Go Nuggets!!!

PS, do the rest of you seem to get consistently hilarious "word verifications" on this site? Mine right now is "spankli" I think that's what I'm going to name my next pet.

by Eric K on May 27, 2009 12:48 PM MDT reply actions

The Lakers will try and feed their bigs in the first quarter, get up by 5-10, then revert back to their old ways in the second quarter. Bynum will disappear and Kobe will try to take over. Nuggets will need to stay close and give themselves a chance to win by making shots (FTs) in the last five minutes...and not fouling Kobe so much that he is able to put the game away on the line.

DJ will pick up 3 fouls in 2 1/2 minutes and then should sit the rest of the game, allowing JR & Kleiza to take the minutes. I personally think a DJ suspension would be fine because he is a distraction right now and just serves to piss Kobe off..which isn't good. Less minutes for DJ means more minutes for JR and Kleiza.

Oh, and watch out for Odom...he has been terrible but he is bound to have at least 1 good game.

Keep taking it to the hole Nugs!!

by Pusherman on May 27, 2009 1:02 PM MDT reply actions

I don't have to work today but I am still doing nothing but waiting for the Nuggets to play. And yes Erik I always get weird word verifications, most of the time they just make me hungry when they are foods but I hate those things. I never get them right on the first try.

by Goldennugget on May 27, 2009 1:24 PM MDT reply actions

Great article again Andrew. I couldn't agree more. Have you seen the Rick Reilly write up on ESPN.com yet?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4208778

Good Stuff!

by Chris on May 27, 2009 2:10 PM MDT reply actions

Chauncey for HOF! http://www.nba.com/2009/news/features/vince_thomas/05/27/thomas.billups/index.html

Hell yeah!

by jakester on May 27, 2009 2:34 PM MDT reply actions

Reilly hit the nail on the head:

Being a Denver Nuggets fan means never having to say you're happy.Just like Andrew, who said a few weeks ago that this post-season is redefining Nuggets basketball.

It was an amazing experience to be at Pepsi the other night.

Let's get it done tonight.

In the immortal words of Stephen A Smith (from 2 years ago when AI first came over and we struggled to make the playoffs as an 8th seed):

Get it together Denver!

by Brosephus Maxiumus on May 27, 2009 2:42 PM MDT reply actions

Oops! try this:

Chauncey for HOF!

by jakester on May 27, 2009 2:49 PM MDT reply actions

A blazers fan site post about why the Nuggets are most entertaining. Pretty funny. I tried to embed a link. My wife accidentally switched to the WWE thing. Kinda funny.

by KarlSucks on May 27, 2009 3:23 PM MDT reply actions

Okay, so you have to click on my name to see the link. Jakester, how did you embed a link like that?

Word Verification: kidlyza

Per the announcers, that's how you pronouce "Kleiza"

by KarlSucks on May 27, 2009 3:25 PM MDT reply actions

LeavingTheNuggetstalk about bad timing.

by KarlSucks on May 27, 2009 3:40 PM MDT reply actions

it's basic HTML

by jakester on May 27, 2009 3:57 PM MDT reply actions

Nuggets!

by COPioneer on May 27, 2009 4:24 PM MDT reply actions

OK. Before the playoffs, I wrote here that if the Nuggets made the Western Conference Finals and gave the Lakers a good series I would give George Karl some credit.
Here it comes.
I give him credit for the development of D Jones. He started him when everyone, including me, was shouting for JR. But we have to admit that the DJ experiment has worked. He has overachieved and Karl deserves some of the credit for bringing him along.
Hell, I watched NBA.com's all access after game 4 and actually didnt puke after seeing what Karl had to say. More than that I agreed with most of what he said.
So there you go George, if you win, even some of your biggest critics, ME, will give you some props.
BUT
Stop having your team in situations where AC has to guard Kobe. Put anyone on him. DJ, Melo, JR, Kenyon, Chauncey, ANYONE but AC. He's overmatched.
Thank you.
One more thing. Do you think the Lakers would ever have a chance to beat the Nugs if Kobe had only had 15 points in a game?
We are deeper and better.
Prove it tonight boys.
Go nugs!

by go nugs on May 27, 2009 6:53 PM MDT reply actions

If there was ever a game where we needed Karl to stand up for his team it was this one. After a bunch of close calls that went the Lakers way he needed to scream at the refs until they threw him out.

How can our guys shut up and play if their coach never argues their case? Then the players get hit with T's. Absolutely ridiculous.

We can still do this but it's gonna take some real effort. We will win game 6, but D has to get better.

by NugzD on May 27, 2009 9:51 PM MDT reply actions

NugzD agreed. Karl has got to do something. He let his team get worked up as opposed to himself. Karl can afford a tech, 3 of his 4 key players cannot.

Horrible final 12 minutes. Horrible.

by Joelsopinion on May 27, 2009 10:07 PM MDT reply actions

NUGZD,
You hit the nail right on the head.
GK is so sorry.
Here's GK with courtside seats and the best team he has ever been a part of and the chance to make it to the finals and he has no clue as to what to do and how to get there.
Pathetic loser

by SamIam on May 27, 2009 10:52 PM MDT reply actions

Hey Guys -

Since there's so much to talk about after Game 5, I put up a new post. I hope you don't mind but I'm transferring your post-game comments over to the recap post to kick off the conversation. Thanks as always for following the blog. Boy am I depressed...

All best,

Andrew

by Andrew on May 27, 2009 11:07 PM MDT reply actions

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The STIFF LIST (as of 8/30 by Andrew)

STIFF #1: J.R. SMITH
Remember when I wrote that J.R.'s "nine lives may be up"? Well, that was last January. With Denver police looking closely at J.R. allegedly attacking former 14er Damien Lolar at a recent Pepsi Center shoot-around, it's clear that J.R. will never mature and it's time to move him.

STIFF #2: LEON ROSE AND WORLDWIDE WES
After commandeering LeBron's departure from Cleveland, Rose and Wes are allegedly working to move Melo out of Denver. Let's hope the Nuggets do what's best for Denver and not these two franchise-destroyers.

STIFF #3: RIC BUCHER
The man who once guaranteed that Kobe Bryant had played his last game in a Lakers uniform has been gravy-training on other reporters' Melo-related stories all summer long. Who does Bucher think he is, a sports blogger?

STIFF #4: MARCUS JORDAN
Like father, like son. Last week, His Airness's 19-year-old son tweeted about dropping $50k at the Aria casino in Las Vegas prompting an investigation.

STIFF #5: INDIANA PACERS
Brandon Rush has been suspended five games for violating the NBA's drug policy and 2010 draftee Lance Stephenson was recently arrested on assault charges. Larry Bird sure is doing a great job re-shaping the Pacers' already shoddy image.

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