We earned this...
by Andrew Feinstein on May 14, 2009 1:05 AM MDT
40 comments
(Photo courtesy of Denver Stiffs reader Mordecai)You know who you are.
You witnessed the abrupt dismantling of the Doug Moe/Alex English/Fat Lever era in one summer.
You accepted the rebuilding of 1990...and again in 1996...and again in 2002.
You watched two shysters attempt to buy your beloved franchise, only to sell out to a satellite conglomerate that couldn't point to McNichols Arena on a map.
You endured your team missing the postseason 11 times in 13 years on the heels of being playoff participants for nine consecutive seasons.
You screamed with anger at the television when they foolishly drafted a stiff named Raef in 1998, another stiff nicknamed Skita in 2002 and traded the 10th pick in the draft for some other stiff named Efthimios in 1996.
You were fed up with the attitude and lack of respect from an incredibly talented yet incredibly rudderless coach/team that teased us with 55-win potential but delivered only postseason ineptitude.
You've been a fourth class sports citizen within your own city, and an afterthought among the other professional sports teams in this country.
And yet for all these years, even in the leanest of lean seasons, you've spent whatever you could afford on tickets, parking, overpriced food and beer, TV packages, apparel and merchandise.
And you still have that LaPhonso Ellis jersey collecting dust in the back of your closet somewhere.
And you remember learning every curse word in the book (plus other fancy words like "Stiff" and "no hoper") by sitting within an earshot of Doug Moe when you went to games at McNichols Arena growing up.
And you still have your Maxie Miner or your rainbow T-shirt ready to be worn to the next home game.
And you were reduced to tears when your team pulled off the greatest upset in NBA playoff history in 1994.
And you were thrilled to hear that a basketball-loving billionaire out bid his own brother-in-law to buy your team and keep them in your hometown for good.
And you screamed with joy when a college phenom named Carmelo Anthony landed in our lap in the draft in 2003.
And if you're really old school, you still have your "Lunch Bucket Brigade" poster* buried in a box in your basement somewhere.
And you knew that with every new season your favorite team might - might - reward you with that once-in-a-decade-special season for all that you've given them.
And you had a feeling that when they brought Chauncey Billups back to his/our hometown, this might be that special season.
And you were in the Pepsi Center stands on Wednesday night or were glued to your television set because you wouldn't in a million years miss seeing your team advance to their third Western Conference Finals in NBA franchise history.
You know who you are.
You're a loyal denizen of Nuggets Nation.
And you've earned this Western Conference Finals appearance alongside the team that's done just about everything right to bring us to within four games of our first ever NBA Finals.
ESPN.com's Bill Simmons said it best after his Celtics won the NBA Finals last year when he said that as sports fans, we basically root for laundry (i.e. what's on the front of the jersey and the logo on the front of the building, rather than those who wear those jerseys or work in that building). And he's right.
But nothing feels better than being able to genuinely root for the players wearing those jerseys, and for the organization and coach that has put those players in a position to succeed. And for the first time in years, I can sincerely say that this team, this coach and this organization deserves our unequivocal, devoted support, beyond just the fact that they represent our city.
Before and during the series to come we'll (rightfully) discuss how we shouldn't settle for just a Western Conference Finals appearance, squabble and debate over individual performances and coaching maneuvers, and talk a lot of trash to Lakers/Rockets fans. But for now let's enjoy the Nuggets first trip to the Western Conference Finals appearance in 24 long years.
Every member of Nuggets Nation - from the owner to management to the coach to the players to all of us fans - have earned this together. They deserve our thanks for rewarding our loyalty with a great effort, and we deserve their thanks for sticking with this team for so long.
Way to go, Nuggets!!
*For the uninitiated, throughout the 1980s the Nuggets would produce an annual theme poster featuring the players dressed up in costumes. I don't remember exactly what year it started or what year it ended, but from about 1982 to 1989 season ticket holders could count on receiving a theme poster before each season. The most famous was the "Lunch Bucket Brigade" poster for the 1985-86 season, which featured Alex English, Fat Lever, Calvin Natt, Wayne Cooper, T.R. Dunn, Mike Evans, Bill Hanzlik, Blair Rasmussen, Danny Schayes, Elston Turner, Willie White and head coach Doug Moe in construction gear. In case you're curious, that team took the eventual Western Conference Champion Houston Rockets to six games in the semifinals, losing Game 6 in double overtime at McNichols Arena. This might have been one of the most underrated and least talked about Nuggets teams ever.
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I don't know what else to say. I'm excited but at the same time I saw this coming for a while. I think our real challenge will come against the Lakers of course. We all know this team is a great team, but are they really capable of winning a championship? That is our test, and it couldn't come against a tougher opponent.
I have to say about the game tonight, I am still not 100% convinced this team has tured over a new leaf. There are times we still look remenicent of the old Nuggets and it kind of scares me a bit. I love to see Melo getting involved more but I am not liking the scores of the last few games, they are way too high. I think we are falling back into relying on our offense instead of our defense a bit too much, so I would like to see that fixed for next series.
And I had to mention the All-NBA teams. I am so happy for Melo and Chauncy, they both deserved it, but I think Chauncy should have been 2nd team over Brandon Roy. I think Roy is a great player but A) he's not better than Melo and B) he didn't do near as much for his team this year as Chauncy did for our team. We are the freakin Nuggets and we are in the WCFs because of Chauncy. Idk, I just think the NBA has this little love affair with Roy that I am kind of getting sick of. I mean really, in what way is he better than Melo? Answer me that.
Anyways, enough rambling. I can't wait til the next series. Cheers!
by Goldennugget on May 14, 2009 1:34 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Mordecai
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 2:56 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
pics from tonight
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=79309&id=506538738&l=50d21e0d66
mordecai
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 2:59 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Brandon on May 14, 2009 3:23 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 5:30 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
And who are these clever guys who keep putting 'Melo in the third team All NBA ahead of David West?
Why is West an All Star again?
by Geerten on May 14, 2009 5:46 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Still remember some lady holding up a sign at the Avs parade in 96 that read "hey Quebec- wnat the Nuggets?" that got me all pissy.
The Simpsons episode where Frankenstein cant play hoops b/c he's made from "old Denver Nuggets"
Remember the old cursive hats in the 80s? A buddy of mine deftly used a blue marker to change Denver Nuggets to Denver OG.
been a long time waiting. Somewhere Cadillac Anderson is weeping.
by Commish CH on May 14, 2009 7:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I could swear my Blair Rasmussen and Robert Pack action figures were crying for joy this morning on my desk.
by nuggetboy on May 14, 2009 8:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
How about that foul by Kidd on Martin? Kidd went down hard, through no fault of Martin, and you could tell Martin was very concerned and upset. And the fans gave Kidd an ovation when he got back up. Way to show the Dallas fans how real fans behave. Way to not riot in the steets as people have in the past.
Now we have to prepare for LA. The Lakers are so up and down. If they play like they have the first two series, Denver will beat them. If they play like they are capable, then they will beat Denver. I'm going to give the Lakers a slight edge because of home court, overall talent, and coaching. 55% Laker, 45% Nuggets. Nuggets have advantages in Athleticism, Nastiness, and Billups leadership. Either Nuggets in 6 or Lakers in 7. If the Nuggets go to the Finals, I'm going to have to change my screen name. Maybe BillupsRules or Smooth?
by KarlSucks on May 14, 2009 8:20 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Goldennuggett. Melo's scores have been too high. the strength of this team IS THIS TEAM. I am sick to death of watching one guy handle the ball on half the possessions. LeBron, Kobe, Dirk - you can keep them. It is damn well boring basketball.
For us to win against the Lakers (o, and by the way it IS going to be the Lakers in the conference finals), we need to get back to the defensive intensity we had in the Hornets games. I really feel we have slacked off. I am also concerned with our lack of play making against LA. Their scrambling defensive intensity has a habit of shutting us down. NO and Dallas are not in the same league as LA. No way. No how. I keep listening to guys on the sports shows who feel the Nuggets (once forgotten, now their darlings) can take down LA. We have PROBLEMS with LA.
So, it is time to bring on the A game. Points in the paint. Take care of the ball. Assists. More assists. Great (not good - good won't do it) shot selection. AND
Suburb defense on every possession.
Sorry. I know Andrew's post was about how long the fans have waited. But I'll add my own thought on this.
The fans have waited longer for an NBA Championship. And, with this team and organization, there is no reason they cannot go and get it.
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 8:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
to the rest of the team it means little if anything.
snatch the first game in LA. I don't like LA. i don't like jackson in the least. i don't like "the system." gasol looks like a criminal (and might be - you never know). i have no problem with jack nicholson sitting courtside year after year turning into a doddering old fool.
now for the good part.
if the nuggets decide to beat LA (and it IS a decision), they will be firing on all eight cylinders. Beat LA and they will be prepared to play Cleveland.
everything falls in place.
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 8:47 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
You forgot to mention being tormented in school for being the ONLY kid with Nuggets gear. Everyone else was rockin' Bulls, Lakers, Portland, and Magic gear. But that lone kid repping his faded #55 jersey knew all along, that it wasn't about who was winning at the time, but about where home is.
Does anyone else recall being at Ol'Mac on draft nights? Even though you knew we'd get screwed we still showed up and stayed through 2 rounds of selections.
I didn't mind the 15 win season. Tickets were cheap, and you could sit anywhere you wanted to it seemed.
Whatever may come for the rest of the season, off season, pre-season and next season this will be remembered most. Unless of course we screw around and win the whole damn thing.
by Joelsopinion on May 14, 2009 8:55 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I believe it was Vanderweghe's trade for Juwan and parts that kicked this all off. This has been well documented by Andrew but I remember thinking, "now there's hope." It just happened a little later than I (and Kiki) thought.
I can't get over how similar this team is to the 04 Pistons. Maybe we could get an article on this Andrew?
I for one am hoping we get the Rockets because this team is close to unstoppable at home. We go up two games on the Rockets and we've won.
by NugzD on May 14, 2009 9:03 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Can't wait for Game 1.
by Phony Gwynn on May 14, 2009 9:38 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the most TEAM oriented group I have seen from the Nuggets since the 80's. And while it feels great to get past the second round, I am not satisfied. I feel that we have unfinished business to take care of.
And I know that Chauncey feels the same way, Melo feels the same way and that we need to STAY FOCUSED.
Yes, savor the moment, but use it as fuel for attaining even loftier goals.
Thank you Andrew for providing your constant insight and perspective and for a place that we can join together in our support and in our criticisms. Like brothers, we may not agree on everything, but we will always band together when challenged.
To those who have been posting throughout the season; GN, Joel, KarlSucks, Sam, Plays, Nugz, Nug1, Cessair, Kaiser and any others I have missed, thank you for giving me someone to share this special season with. You all have made it much more fun for me to be a fan.
The next two rounds will be all out war. So for inspiration, I paraphrase the words of Jim Malone (Sean Connery) in the Untouchables: "You wanna know how you do it? Here's how, they pull a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue. That's the Nugget way, and that's how you get Bryant! Now do you want to do that? Are you ready to do that?"
I'm ready.
by My3Cents on May 14, 2009 10:26 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I remember going to the Western Conf finals in 85 at the age of 8, we used to live next to Wayne Cooper and he got us tix.
Since then, I've probably watched or attended 95% of games through thick and thin, mostly thin.
Especially frustrating were (still are!) the times when you go to a Denver bar and have to ask to have an important Nuggets game put on TV. Even worse is when the bartender gives you a hard time about it. I'm sure many of the die hards can relate.
I welcome any and all to the bandwagon, this town still has a long way to go before it's truly a basketball town. To wit: my brother had to sell his $50 face val tix for game 1 of round 2 for $10 apeice on that Sunday game, because there was nobody buying tix!
Go Nuggets.
by Sea Note on May 14, 2009 10:29 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Here's to the Nuggets and keeping this going. Hope it continues to be fun.
by Eric B on May 14, 2009 10:30 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
BEAT LA.....BEAT LA.....BEAT LA
by Melonugg on May 14, 2009 10:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I was looking at the winners of the western conference. Since 1999, the Lakers or Spurs have won every year except once, when Dallas won. Wow.
Go Rockets tonight!
by KarlSucks on May 14, 2009 10:50 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyways, WHOEVER woulda drafted Melo was gonna get a boatload of new fans, & luckily Denver did so. So, I've been a TRUE fan for "only" 6 seasons. But i can tell you, I was as nervous yesterday as I've EVER been for a team. I REALLY, REALLY luv this squad- & only hope they finish the job! Go Nuggs!
by KaiserSoze on May 14, 2009 10:52 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
and, yeah, love the old team posters. remember the full length fur coats?
but you forgot to mention the great animations at mcnichols. issel the missile, anyone?
great day to reflect on the history of the franchise and get excited about the immediate future of this team.
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 11:03 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
The finals start on Sunday.
I am salivating over the next round. It has the potential to be great. What a fun bunch of guys we have.
LA worries me. Guys like FrankenPau (or NeanderPau maybe more appropriately) will be tough to handle, not to mention Kobe. What I worry about most, though, is foul trouble. I have a feeling that we're going to get destroyed by the refs making a ton of calls in LA's favor. How we handle that will go a long way to determining our success or failure.
This is the first team we've played where our bench is not automatically superior. Kleiza will probably see more time as a result. It will be tough, and we have the talent, but do we have the poise? I hope so. Chauncey will help, but Melo is going to be the one to watch, the real X-factor.
Like others have said, I think our team right now is starting to believe it can outscore the opponent. Won't work against LA. We have to play tenacious D and remember how to pass to guys like Nene, K-Mart and Anderson for thunderous dunks and easy baskets. That opens everything else up. Hopefully the Nuggets can remember what got them here.
I truly hate the Lakers, starting with the coach, an arrogant putz. I hope the Rockets can take one more game and at least push LA to seven. I doubt they will, though.
What a test coming up. If the Rockets pull off a miracle, I think we can safely start analyzing our matchup with the Cavs.
by grantarchy on May 14, 2009 11:38 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 12:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 12:13 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Goldennugget on May 14, 2009 12:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 1:08 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
We'll just see what the next round holds.
by Joelsopinion on May 14, 2009 1:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I've been calling for George Karl's ouster since February '07. His substitution patterns, misuse of timeouts, and cocky demeanor have irked me since he got here. And while it can be said that the Nugget's probably wouldn't have been very good this year without Chauncey's leadership, you can't argue with GK's results.
So thank you, George Karl, for a job well done.
Eesh, that felt wierd. I'm gonna go take a shower.
by MJKeenan on May 14, 2009 1:28 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 1:48 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Now, I can't let last night's win deodorize the stink of Karl's coaching. I just can't. While he had some good lineups last night, what was the deal with not calling a timeout in the third to stop the bleeding? We went from something like a 17 point lead to 8, with no time outs. A stark contrast to the Mavs, who I thought would run out of timeouts in the first half. This won't fly in the next round, especially if we face the Lakers.
But we won, so I'll be calming down now.
Next, I would like to take this opportunity to disagree with a comment a made a few days ago on the "Big Shot" post. I said that it would be LA/Cleveland in the Finals due to Stern's marketing machine. Kobe/Lebron: last year's MVP vs. this year's MVP. This is all I've been reading, and it made sense... right up until Melo had that sweet Dr. J swoop.
If Stern were smart, he would rig it so that our Nuggets advance. Kobe may be great, but Melo is the new superstar in town. Let's look forward, rather than behind us. The league *finally* has the Lebron/Melo matchup they have been looking for all these years.
Lebron's one man show vs. the Nuggets' team play. Two young superstars taking the league into the future. This could last for years (especially if Chauncey gets the coaching nod in a few seasons).
Hey, it could happen...
GO NUGGETS!
by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 14, 2009 2:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=26448
jim (atlanta): John, 5 seconds left down by two, who do you want taking the last shot, Lebron, Carmelo, or Kobe. The stats say Carmelo are you willing to agree.
John Hollinger: Thanks for bringing this up -- I meant to write about it when Melo beat Dallas and never got around to it. His numbers in last-second situations are unbelievable, far better than LeBron's or Kobe's (even though both of them are also very, very good) ... so yes, as unbelievable as it sounds, I think I'd take Melo.
by Anonymous on May 14, 2009 2:29 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by My3Cents on May 14, 2009 3:30 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate to admit it, but I do remember Efthimios Rentzias from memory. In fact, I was the first Denverite to have seen Rentzias play in person. I was a Turner Sports intern during the Atlanta Olympic Games of 1996 and saw Rentzias come off the bench for 4 garbage time points against Brazil. To this day, it's my understanding that Bernie Bickerstaff never saw Rentzias play live. No joke.
All best,
Andrew
by Andrew on May 14, 2009 3:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
The first game was early in the season, pre-Billups. A.I. was still on the team - so throw this game out.
The second loss Birdman was inactive, while Balkman played a lot. Don't remember if Bird had an injury or why he didn't play.
The third loss was the second game of a back to back and K-Mart didn't play.
So the 3-1 advantage for the Lakers sounds bad, but the Nuggets weren't at full strength in any of the losses. Guys like Atkins were getting minutes.
by KarlSucks on May 14, 2009 3:53 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't help but think that during the post game roundtable on Altitude held at the Blue Sky grill, all of the "homers" in the background making all sorts of gestures for the camera, where were most of them ,say, 5 weeks ago or even 3 weeks ago.
It's great though to be a Nuggets fan seasoned , crusted over, beat up etc or a freshy out of the oven.
by markp on May 14, 2009 5:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Lakers are worn, Houston has no homecourt advantage. By no means this makes us the favorites, but we have a chance.
I think the Lakers shouldn't be viewed as the toughest opponents. Should we get past them, the Cavs are playing at an unbelievably level. They make the Hawks, who had been playing well, like a college team. The Cavs are probably one or two levels above the Lakers.
But for now, let's enjoy this moment and every bit of WCF when it comes, Lakers or Rockets :)
- Snake -
by Anonymous on May 15, 2009 12:32 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
That being said, by no means is this journey finshed we have two more series to win.
GO NUGGETS,
by SamIam on May 15, 2009 9:20 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Do We Have Any Plays? on May 15, 2009 10:35 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
by Matt on May 16, 2009 2:22 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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