Make room for a Melo puppet? (Nuggets/Lakers Game 2 recap)...

by Andrew Feinstein on May 22, 2009 1:01 AM MDT Comment 46 comments

Pardon my lame attempt to create a Carmelo Anthony puppet (pictured to the left) to rival the Kobe Bryant and LeBron James versions being shown endlessly these days, but the F.A.O. Schwartz custom Muppet maker has very limited options and this was the best I could do.

At least the suit is a dead ringer for an item in Melo's wardrobe.

In addition to the ongoing LeBron/Kobe puppet show (and I must confess that I like the ads) and the Vitamin Water LeBron vs. Kobe ads, before the Game 2 pre-game show ESPN aired a Nike-sponsored special titled "Dream Season: 23 & 24", inferring that this will be a "Dream Season" when LeBron and Kobe meet in the NBA Finals. And during the first quarter when the refs did everything possible to keep the Nuggets from playing aggressively, one of my friends watching the game with me sarcastically noted: "Was that foul sponsored by Nike, too?"

But the foul calls eventually evened out and the Nuggets eventually remembered that they're better than these Lakers. So while the LeBron vs. Kobe 2009 NBA Finals might be preordained in the NBA's offices in New York, I'm thrilled that neither the Nuggets nor the Magic have gotten the memo. I can't really speak for the Magic, but I can assure you that the Nuggets have every intention of ruining the NBA's June ratings party.

This Game 2 comeback victory was special for so many reasons...

...Carmelo Anthony channeling his childhood hero Bernard King to break a Nuggets record with his fifth straight 30+ point game, which included attempting 14 free throws (now you know why Denver Stiffs has been harping on Melo's FT attempts all season long!).

...Chauncey Billups outsmarting Kobe Bryant with the off-the-back pass to himself to close the second quarter and complete a stunning 14-2 Nuggets run.

...The rebirth of Linas Kleiza. Welcome back, LK!

...Kenyon Martin's hard but fair/necessary foul on Trevor Ariza that sent the red hot Ariza slamming into the floor.

...For the first time ever, George Karl (almost) worked the sidelines as much as Jack Nicholson did.

...Melo's untiring defense on Kobe.

...The Nuggets missing only eight free throws to keep their playoff streak alive of consecutive victories when they miss less than 10 free throws.

...Chauncey's lucky pass to Nene who found the open Kenyon Martin for the go-ahead layup with 29 seconds left.

...Nene's awesome close out defense on Derek Fisher's last three-point attempt.

And yet Chauncey uncharacteristically missed three free throws. And J.R. Smith remains ice cold. And Nene was impotent offensively. And Karl continues to pull Melo from the game at inopportune times (note to Karl: let Melo tell you when he's ready to come out, not the other way around). And Chris "Birdman" Andersen gave us next to nothing tonight. And Anthony Carter (thankfully) barely touched the floor.

What's going to happen when all the Nuggets contribute for 48 minutes? That's what we're going to need on Saturday night at Pepsi Center, because the Lakers will be seeking revenge for what could easily be a 2-0 Nuggets series lead right now.

(Puppet LeBron and puppet Kobe might need to make room for puppet Melo soon!)

Even though this was the biggest Nuggets playoff victory since perhaps Game 5 against the Supersonics in 1994 or possibly Game 2 against a different Lakers team in 1985, it's just one game. If the Nuggets are to indeed get to their first ever NBA Finals and get Nike to create a Melo puppet to supplant that Kobe model, they have to win three more very tough games ahead. But for now, at least I can get a good night's sleep.

Congratulations to the Nuggets for gutting out their biggest victory yet and making Nuggets Nation proud.

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Hell Yeah! This is a tremendous win and a huge confidence builder for our nuggets. The Pepsi center will be rocking on Saturday and I can't wait! This is the type of victory that lets the league know what Type of team we have. Melo is a superstar! Chauncey is an underrated closer. This team won a game on the road with JR and K-mart ailing. We were down 13 on the road and it still didn't matter. I'm super excited!

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 12:23 AM MDT reply actions

How close was this game? Check out the stats - the Lakers & Nuggets were within 2 in every category but 2: 3 pointers attempted (Nuggets had 6 more - all Melo going 0-6) and points (Nuggets had 3 more). Otherwise, in FGM, FGA, 3PM, OREB, DREB, Total RB, AST, STL, BLK, TO, and PF, both teams were essentially even.

It came down to the ball bouncing to us rather than the Lakers on that Trevor Ariza turnover. And Fisher missing a 3 at the end.

Extremely satisfying victory. But if this playoffs has shown us anything, it's that momentum and records should go out the window. Just like the Lakers' playoff streak against us, and the Cavs' home record, our home streak can't be taken for granted. If we keep playing at a high level and JR gets off the schneid ...

Hoo.

by jakester on May 22, 2009 12:33 AM MDT reply actions

I think they have got to make a puppet commercial with Melo and Dwight Howard puppets sitting around laughing at the Kobe and Lebron puppet commercial or something along those lines.

The game tonight was crazy. I actually was thinking about changing the channel early on I thought it was so bad. I still, after everything we have been through, am afraid of us converting back to our old ways. It's just flat out scary, that thought.

I think Melo is having a better all around series than Kobe so far if you ask me. He is playing better defense and scoring in more ways as well as rebounding and finding his teammates.

I thought the biggest story of the night was Kleiza. I think he wants to play in L.A. after his contract expires because he always has a great game at Staples it seems like. I have been kind of critical of him this year, I just didn't understand what the hell happened to him and it frustrated me. He was on the verge of being one of the best bench players in the entire league and suddenly laid an egg...for an entire year. But I don't care, he made up for every bit of it tonight, because if you think we would have won without him, your obviously very wrong.

The last thing I felt was kind of ironic was when Chauncey inbounded the pass off Kobe's back and scored at the end of the half. If you didn't read the OTL article on ESPN about him a few weeks ago it has some interesting stuff in it. Here is the link... http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=090511/billups
I highly suggest, like Andrew did a few days ago, that you read the whole thing but if you don't have time make sure you read the part under "Metro State College" (great college by the way) and then under "Pepsi Center" and see if the play tonight isn't somewhat a sign of the level of coaching (or lack there of) Karl does.

This series is going to be great, you can already tell. I think winning in Denver for LA is going to be really tough. I expect our guys to be firing on all cylinders and the crowd to be as loud as it ever has been in the Pepsi Center. I think we could steal 2 games personally but we will have to wait and see.

Shout-out to Mark (I think it was) for keeping everyone at the live Stiff Chat positive. I think everyone else gave up on the Nugs except him. He kept saying "BELIEVE" or something like that and it seemed to work.

Go Nugs!!! Can't wait til Sat.

by Goldennugget on May 22, 2009 12:53 AM MDT reply actions

If you go to the puppet page, Kobe's puppet looks more like J.R. Smith than Kobe.

by Randy P on May 22, 2009 1:20 AM MDT reply actions

What a game! Melo is a beast.
It was great to see LK break out tonight. He has had a really tough year and he came through when we needed him most. Not just the threes but also the rebounding. We were getting killed on the boards before he came in and it will continue to be a problem for the rest of the series if we dont take care of it. We might have to sacrifice the fast break a bit and send all five guys to the boards and BOX OUT. Carmelo said it best after the game. "Rebounding is all about effort." If we can keep them off the offensive glass we neutralize one of their biggest weapons.
I am really enjoying watching Melo D up Kobe. He is doing a fantastic job on him.
Mabye that bad pass by AC was a blessing in disguise. I like AC but he doesnt match up well against this team. Limit him to 10 min a game to spell Chauncey.
I expect JR and Birdman to play better at home, so lets rebound the ball, hit our free throws and keep fighting.
Oh, and Chauncey's back pass was AMAZING. The fact that it was off Kobe in the WCF makes it even better. The OTL article is great and yes Goldennugget, the part about no inbounds plays before Chauncey is bizarre.
Anyway, tonight was a great result and only three more to go.
Go Nugs!

by go nugs on May 22, 2009 1:36 AM MDT reply actions

What a game. Melo is definitely a beast. He's becoming a marquee player in this league and it's a joy to watch.

That inbounds pass...pure poetry to watch. Chauncey getting to the foul line repeatedly in the 3rd and 4th was a HUGE key to keeping the Lakers from going on runs.

LK...nice to see you again. Hope you can stay for the party.

We still have work to do. Melo was a little injured after the game...hope it wasn't serious.

Believe.

by Jeff on May 22, 2009 2:01 AM MDT reply actions

Re: the Nuggets eventually remembered that they're better than these LakersThat says it all. We are better than the Lakers. Let's get the next two on the home court to reinforce the point.

Chauncy, Melo -- will not be denied.

by Dave on May 22, 2009 5:38 AM MDT reply actions

I knew that LA was going to start off hot tonight. The key for Denver was stopping by not letting the deficit get above 15.

The Nuggz can get this series, but just got keep fighting.

AND, how many people laughed at themselves in the middle of the first quarter after Dahntay Jones picked up his fourth foul? I actually remember being worried that Balkman was in street clothes.

Great job Linus the Menace!

by Brosephus Maximus on May 22, 2009 7:12 AM MDT reply actions

About the time that the Lakers lead got up to 12 that familiar sick feeling was coming back. But what a comeback. A tweleve - zero run to close out the half! These guys are good. Now if we could just keep some guys off the offensive glass we would be dominate.

I thought Kenyon had one of his poorer games. Agree with the thought that all these guys, except maybe Melo, will play better back at the Pepsi center.

Melo has officially entered superstardom. He is in the same stratosphere as Lebron, Kobe and Wade. The teams offense has gotten to the point of give the ball to Melo at half court and let him go to work. (Is that good?) I am biased but it is starting to look to me like Melo is actually better than Kobe. I think he proves it in Denver.

GO NUGS. TAKE THEIR HEARTS OUT IN DENVER!!

by NugzD on May 22, 2009 7:34 AM MDT reply actions

Thank you nuggies, I had gone to the negative side. Glad the players didn't take game 1 L like I did, I was ready to give up on them. Not to mention the huge defecit early on yesterday. Nuggets kept fighting like they have all year and rewarded themselves and their fans w/ a tough fought win. Glad to be a nuggets fan. ROCK THE CAN NUGGET FANS!

by Melonugg on May 22, 2009 7:59 AM MDT reply actions

I can't wait to be at the nest on Saturday. 36 hours is such a long time. I can't wait to hear the Pepsi Center louder than it's ever been before. I plan on losing my voice prior to the end of the first half. Last game I yelled so loud I had to sit down due to a potential black-out.

by Kaley on May 22, 2009 8:14 AM MDT reply actions

One more thing. Seems like the big lineup of Nene, Kmart, Kleiza, Melo and Chauncey is a very good combo against the Lakers. If LK can keep hitting that three, and more importantly rebound, it gives us another option and helps on the boards. Keep JR on the court but this can replace the 2 point guard lineup that George uses too often. I hope he sees this.

by go nugs on May 22, 2009 8:22 AM MDT reply actions

Melo is playing unbelievable. These performances should get him the next 3 years on the all-star team, at least. If not, I will eata Kobe jersey.

I will give GK some credit this game. I liked the line-up of Chauncey, Kleiza, JR, Melo and Anderson...A lot of shooters and a guy who rebounds and blocks shots. I would like to see that line-up for at least 10 minutes a game because I don't think the Lakers had an answer...of course if Phil would have put Bynum in (did Bynum play in the second half?)...that would have been interesting. In the end Chauncey controlled the game and got to the line.

Great game!

by Pusherman on May 22, 2009 8:37 AM MDT reply actions

I think you did a pretty good job on the Melo Muppet.

GN- I too was thinking of that article, especially the part where Chauncey talks about having done that exact same thing on an inbounds play in high school

Go, Kleiza, Go!

The beginning of the game scared the crap out of me. Luckily they pulled it together. Can't come out flat like that against the Lakers.

Billups 44 minutes. A.C. 6 minutes. Violated the rule by two minutes. Would have been more except for Anthony - which comes to the best part of the playoffs so far, by far.

Second half. Karl inserts A.C. and goes to the dreaded two point guard lineup. Melo quickly goes to the sideline and tells Karl to get A.C. out of the game and put Kleiza back in. Melo will guard Kobe. That is superstar stuff from Melo, stepping up to take responsibility. It also shows that this team is winning in spite of Karl's "coaching" not because of it. If Melo spends the offseason improving his defense, the way Lebron did a couple years ago, he could be a double beast next year.

Let's Go Nuggets. Win Saturday. Win Monday. Do that, and the series is over.

by KarlSucks on May 22, 2009 8:40 AM MDT reply actions

Pusherman,

I too liked that lineup, but if Karl had his way it would have been Carter for Kleiza for much of the time. Give credit to Anthony.

by KarlSucks on May 22, 2009 8:42 AM MDT reply actions

Fuck Steve Javie. Not all the refs. Just Steve Javie. He should never be allowed to ref another Nugs game. He has been biased against us since Issel and van Exel days. He needs to let shit go. He (along with us not putting it away, but I am still a little pissed about that phantom call) cost us game 4 in Dallas, and almost screwed us last night too. We we smart enough to not engage in physical basketball in the last couple minutes, otherwise Steve Javie would have gotten more involved. Interesting that he keeps getting assigned to our big games. He is a JERK!!!

Also wait until JR Smith and Birdman get some energy from the home crowd. LK is playing like it is 2008, hopefully he can keep it up. Get Balkman back, and have him play AC's extra minutes when George keeps him just for backing up Billups instead of giving him extra court time. LOOKING GOOD. I think we fight out a close one in game three with another 2-3 point victory, fought out in the 4th. Game 4 we beat them down, 12-15 point victory. Game 5 we can already concede, I think we blow that one, especially if we win the next two. Then we wrap thing up at home game 6.

P.S. Steve Javie SUCKS.

Mordecai

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 8:50 AM MDT reply actions

Two other game changers I forgot to bring up. Thank god for Dick Bavetta. I have always loved him. He has always been one of the fairest refs I have seen in the NBA. He was an equalizer for us with some non calls, to help erase the 8 point spread Javie gives to any team we face. Also that foul Kmart put on Ariza was a game changer. He came up lame, and wasn't the same after. It looked like a simple little foul, but he tugged his arm at exactly the right place,and didn't get the T or Flagrant. Nice work KMart.

Mordecai

P.S. I still hate Javie.

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 8:56 AM MDT reply actions

GN, I love your idea for the commercial. Perhaps Andrew can make a cartoon strip of it.

I would characterize this team with one word - "resilient". We've seen an undercurrent of it throughout the year, but in the playoffs it has been a constant.

The Nuggets had plenty of opportunities to get on the wrong side of big runs by the Lakers last night. But they just wouldn't let it happen. They stayed the course, they stood their ground and the answered back with execution when they needed to.

My (3) game keys; They hit their free throws down the stretch. They kept the Lakers off the glass in the 4th quarter. And they limited their unforced errors.

Denver Nuggets Basketball: When AC isn't playing, Amazing Happens.

by My3Cents on May 22, 2009 9:07 AM MDT reply actions

Mordecai, I agree that the foul on Ariza was key. Some might call it "thug" but as any of the greats would say, you don't let Trevor Ariza beat you on back-to-back dunk drives in traffic. There's a reason you have to pick your spots to drive, it's because it's dangerous in there.

I thought the Nuggets did a fine job of not overcomplaining about the calls. There was some frustration by Kenyon, and Nene, and Melo, leading to poor transition defense, but for the most part, they just kept their heads down and went back to work. To train yourself to do that when your entire career you've been doing otherwise - that's possibly the most impressive change I've seen in the Nuggets.

by jakester on May 22, 2009 9:12 AM MDT reply actions

Great win!

Does anyone know if Van Gundy is announcing at the Pepsi Center? If so, maybe it is time for a Van Gundy Sucks chant... just like the old days with Barry Melrose. He drove me nuts during the game. Absolutely nuts.

by Bee on May 22, 2009 9:25 AM MDT reply actions

Oh, and two boneheaded coaching moves I forgot - one by each coach.

Bonehead move one - leaving Jones in the game with three fouls. Jones immiediately lost all agressiveness, gave up two easy baskets, and got his fourth foul in the first quarter. Bonehead.

Bonehead move two - Designing a play for Fisher to take the last shot. Prior to the final shot, Fisher was 1-8 in the game. 1-9 after a last shot that wasn't even close. Bonehead

by KarlSucks on May 22, 2009 9:30 AM MDT reply actions

Van Gundy Sucks!

Van Gundy Sucks!

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 9:32 AM MDT reply actions

fuck denver.
that was a clear violation when j.r. cut through the lane right before the jump ball.
and still whiny denver fans complain the lakers would get all the calls.
screw the nuggets man, tomorrow we're gonna run you guys out of your own building.

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 9:45 AM MDT reply actions

I don't think you needed Nene to get Fisher to miss that last shot- that guy has been killing us since the Houston series so thats a crock.... not everything the Lakers are doing poorly is because the Nuggets are that damn good.

As a Laker fan, its like me saying the only reason the Lakers won was because they beat themselves- which is not the case.

Melo played his tail off, he has been this whole playoffs, LK finally got more minutes that Carter and Jones

I'd like the Lakers to win but if they don't I won't be bummed out- as long as its good ball, which it has been.

Melo is fun to watch and I'd love to see him go mano a mano with one of the 2 other young guns in the east (be it James or Howard)... I've always thought Melo was a top player, its good to see him finally hit his stride.

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 9:46 AM MDT reply actions

The Nuggets played great last night, they had enough spark from t he key players to come through where and when they needed to.

This should be 2-0 Denver at this point and nearly was.

If all of the top 8-10 Nuggets come out and play for a full 48 Minutes, there is no one that can stop them.

I really wish the commercials, commentators, everyone, wasn't so pro-lakers all the time. It is like we are watching this with the Lakers TV Announcers telling us the play by play. At least TNT's coverage was more un-biased.

by Sean on May 22, 2009 10:06 AM MDT reply actions

I liked the interview with Melo where he told the story about how Karl was planning on putting K-Mart on Kobe, and Melo broke in to remind him that they got swept doing that last year. Just classic. Karl is an idiot.

Good to see Kleiza come to life! It only took 92 games for him to warm up.

The NBA: Where regretting turning your back to the ball happens.

They should make a poster of this, for sure.

Fun game, and I'm glad we won. Tomorrow we'll see the return of Birdman and JR, and then lookout! All of Denver is going to be rocking tomorrow!!

Go Nuggets!!!

by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 22, 2009 10:07 AM MDT reply actions

keys to the game
(from a pistons fan, whos rooting for your nuggets to win it all this year):

- obviously the run before halftime was key. the lakers already checked out of the game mentally and a billups-team will never allow the opponents to do that

- k-mart absolutely frustrating the bigger and more talented gasol on the low block. on the other hand gasol made the birdman look silly..

- melo is a beast. all of you know that. nobody on this lakers team can defend him. he posts up kobe and kills him on the glass, he is too strong for ariza and too quick for odom..

- kleiza was huge. the announcers kept praising this small denver line-up (bigshot, jr, melo, kleiza, bird) and it worked really well for them. also his offensive boards were key..

great win.

go... nuggets

(great blog btw)

by zzz on May 22, 2009 10:07 AM MDT reply actions

Make that 93 games...

by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 22, 2009 10:08 AM MDT reply actions

I agree with the K-Mart talk. I think he is very underrated. That foul he put on Ariza totally changed the game. It let the Fakers know we weren't going to let them penetrate and posterize any longer, which they had been doing freely up til then. I think Kevin McHale briefly entered K-Mart's body for that moment to defend all things anti-Lakers. K-Mart epitomizes the attitude, swagger, passion, etc that this Nuggets team is made of. I loved his comments about the Kobe vs Lebron preconceived Finals match-up too. He didn't say anything disrespectful, he just said we are going to have something to say about that. Perfect. It's not something that would totally fire up Kobe (like what Jerry West said) but more fire up his teammates. And one last thing, that shot he made last night won us the game, and it wasn't just an easy shot as it may have appeared. He had to catch the ball and toss it back up in a split second to prevent Kobe from blocking it, which he almost did. Just saying, K-Mart means a lot to this team, even if he hasn't developed a consistent j.

by Goldennugget on May 22, 2009 11:27 AM MDT reply actions

Sorry it's taken so long to comment. Everytime i try my boss walks in and i have to start looking busy. Would someone please tell her this history!

Excellent game. It' nice to see LK back to his old (good) ways. Limiting AC in clutch moments was good...very good. I wonder who came up with that? Hmmmm? When put in his proper place in the puzzle AC can be prouctive.

JR had an off night on the offence, but did all the small things very well which contributed to a clicking offensive storm.

That was not even a hard foul on Ariza. It looked like he was going for 2 posters in a row and launched himself kinda awkward.

Mordecai I had the exact same thought about Javie. Not to mention Phil Jackson's hired muscle Dick Bavetta. But in the end it was called fair I think.

@Zzz and the nonangry laker fan above, it's good to hear an objective critique that doesn't include a storm of F* Bombs. I love the diversity this blog is picking up Andrew.

It's also good for Nugget Nation and Laker Land to remember this series could be 2-0 either way. I'm just stoked to see an actual conference finals that is not 100% bias as regards the whistle. The refs are letting the guys PLAY in the final minutes, and it's great.

Van Gundy SUCKS! I swear he has Kobe-itus. I know the Lakers have a strong legacy and a huge fan base, but come on Stan. Just call the F*ing game as it is, not how you see it. Stop talking shit about the refs that didn't like you during your crappy career. Stay of of #24's jock and call the damn game. He really pissed me off in game 1 when he said "Kobe's missed shots might as well be assists. When he misses it always goes to one of his team mates." Just give someone other than Kobe credit for doing something. Geeez!

Let's Go Nuggets!!! Rock the Can D-Town.

by Joelsopinion on May 22, 2009 11:29 AM MDT reply actions

Jones did NOT lose any aggressiveness with those three fouls. A whole group of us were watching that game together and we were all amazed at how Jones didn't back down an inch when he picked up that third foul. And why worry about his fouls? He isn't playing in crunch time anyway, so let him get his fouls and set the tone early on. Absolutely disagree with the poster above on that analysis. Brilliant move by Karl and great playing by Jones.

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 11:51 AM MDT reply actions

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-sports-media22-2009may22,0,3852856.story

I'm serious... Can we please get a

VAN GUNDY SUCKS

VAN GUNDY SUCKS

VAN GUNDY SUCKS

chant going in Game 3?

PLEASE!! I'm begging.

by Bee on May 22, 2009 12:01 PM MDT reply actions

Although everyone turned in a solid performance, I will always refer to last night as the night Linas Kleiza saved the Nuggets season. I don't say that to minimize Melo's 34, but there were no signs of life until Kleiza came in and started rebounding. Like everyone else, I had almost given up on him turning in that kind of game. Most of the season I called him the Ghost of Linas Kleiza. Good on ya, LK. Keep it coming.

As Go Nugz and Golden Nugget said, Chauncey's backpass was classic. It must have been pretty humiliating for someone as cocky as Kobe. He looked pretty steamed in his halftime interview.

I like where we're at, but it's still too soon to tell. We took a pretty big punch from the Lakers during the first half, tasted our own blood, and still won a gut-check game on the road. Shannon Brown and Trevor Ariza are not going to keep hitting their threes, right? And you have to assume we'll get more out of JR and Birdman in Denver. But on the other hand, without a 4 for 6 night from Kleiza and 34 tough points from Melo, we might have been blown out.

It is nice to see that Sasha Vujacic's deal with the devil has finally run out. Does anyone remember last year's series when Chris Marlowe blurted out "He's an annoying player!"

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 12:54 PM MDT reply actions

Its unbelievable that GKarl was more than prepared to go back to his infuriating habits. He sits CB just as he started rolling, takes out Melo while LA makes a 4th quarter run, & wanted to AGAIN, put AC on Kobe. WTF is wrong with this guy? We've been saying it all season long, that eventually Karl's stupidity would show itself. Now with the whole basketball world watching, our pessimism is being confirmed. He needs to step back, & do minimal tinkering. Just stay outta the way, moron- we got this!

by KaiserSoze on May 22, 2009 1:08 PM MDT reply actions

Van Gundy Sucks

Van Gundy Sucks

Van Gundy Sucks

by Anonymous on May 22, 2009 1:56 PM MDT reply actions

I only saw the end of the fourth quarter. I really wanted the Lakers to re-gain the lead, but unfortunately, that didn't happen. hopefully they can win the next three games and call it a day.

by Chrystal K. on May 22, 2009 3:32 PM MDT reply actions

unsung hero last night: nene. made no less than 3 huge plays in the last 30 secs. The great dish to kmart to take the lead for good, the kobe strip (and should have had the subsequent jump ball), and the closeout on fisher. he also hit 2 clutch free throws late. not a great stat line for him last night, but he was the difference in the end.

by kenoshakid on May 22, 2009 3:52 PM MDT reply actions

Andrew....you have to put Jeff Van Gundy on your Stiff List...he was just interviewed by Mike Evans and Bill Hanzlik on the Fan....OMG...he flat out admitted he knows nothing about the Nuggets....AND the Lakers bias is stunning in it's stupidity.

The audio is up...just go to the on demand section on the front page.

http://www.fm1043thefan.com/

by Jeff on May 22, 2009 4:07 PM MDT reply actions

Thanks for the link to the JVG interview Jeff. Not really any insightful bits, but I'm glad that he's at least calling Kleiza "KlAza", instead of "KleeAza".

There's another guy that does game recaps, on Yahoo I think, that does the same thing, and it always drives me crazy.

by Cessair on May 22, 2009 6:02 PM MDT reply actions

KaiserSoze, excellent post.
It's amazing how dumb this idiot is. It seems as the players(Chauncey and Melo)have taken over the team. I salute them for not letting Karl fuck up the game by inserting the weakest link. Now it doesn't matter how many BJ's Carter gives GK his ass is on the bench. Melo and Chauncey aren't going to loose because of his stupid coaching.
In Chauncey we trust.
GO NUGGETS.
GO ORLANDO
I hope

by SamIam on May 22, 2009 6:48 PM MDT reply actions

have to love how the jr's jump ball fault keeps getting shown. but the fact is LA still ended up with the ball so in my book is irelevent. they got the ball and then lost it and jr wasn't involved in the play.
interesting thing is game one even the bias vangaundy said that lamar odem stole the tap at the end of the game vs anderson. I have not even seen one replay of that shown!!! even during game one!!!
but the again we have to be used to all of this biase because we are no part of the "big market".

GO NUGGETS GAME 3

by AN on May 22, 2009 10:11 PM MDT reply actions

I found the opportunity to catch the last 4 minutes of the game,( Softball- why didn't it rain harder before and during our game last night ?) and I know the Nuggets are a better team than the lakers. We can take two here in Denver and put LA out in 6.
We are the better team, hands down.

We have all the right stuff going for us. You can see it, feel it. All stats aside and chatter about whatnot, our Nuggets are where they never have been and still I believe that Chauncy is the catalyst.
I hope Karl doesn't blow it for us. Remember, this guy never won anything at all at any level when we are talking about the BIG ONE.
Go Nuggets !!!!

by markp on May 22, 2009 10:37 PM MDT reply actions

Like I said at the beginning of the playoffs for the Nuggs. ANYTHING IS POOSSIIBBLLEEE. Sorry KG. It's our mantra now!

PS
I want that mile high club shirt

by Ishlifyhead on May 23, 2009 2:01 AM MDT reply actions

Unless the Lakers do something against Denver penetration, I'd expect the Nuggets to take game 3.

Melo-Lebron mathcup is as good as Lebron-Kobe.

by itemplora on May 23, 2009 6:11 AM MDT reply actions

If this was circa 1990 nobody would be saying shit about K-Mart's style of play. The league has gone soft but he's a throwback to the glory days of the game. It's a good thing for the league to bring some muscle and excitement from the physicality aspect. We are playing the closest to 90's basketball of any team left and I love that type of game.

Best. series. ever. (And we're gonna win it)

by Eric K on May 23, 2009 9:29 AM MDT reply actions

The ending of that game last night was amazing and frustrating. I'm rooting for Orlando. It would be great if neither Kobe nor Lebron made it to the finals. I'm thinking as I watch - all they have to do is play defense for one second. Nope. Great shot by James.

by KarlSucks on May 23, 2009 9:33 AM 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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