Not the start we were hoping for (Summer League debut recap)...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jul 14, 2009 11:12 PM MDT

I have a ton to do before heading to Las Vegas tomorrow, so unfortunately I have to make this brief. First off, I must admit that I didn't see tonight's game, but I had a good excuse: I had the pleasure of attending my mother's - a lifelong Nuggets season ticket holder - graduation party for completing her PhD in clinical psychology.

But in looking at the box score, a few numbers jump out at me: 2-16, 0-7 and 1-5. That's what Sonny Weems, Ty Lawson and Kareem Rush shot, respectively, in the Nuggets' summer timers 78-76 loss to the Spurs Summer League squad. Alarmingly poor shooting numbers to be certain, but we'll give them a pass as it was their first summer league outing. Hopefully tomorrow night - when I'm in the stands - these Nuggets will put up a far superior performance.

On the positive side, however, here are a few more numbers to have in mind: 6-7 and 3-4. That's what Coby Karl shot from the field and behind the three-point arc, respectively, in 25 minutes of playing time. I know a lot of readers are adamantly opposed to the coach's son making the training camp roster, but if Coby keeps this up he'll earn his way into a camp invite.

I'll be "twittering" from the game tomorrow so be sure to follow me there if you're interested. My Twitter account name is denverstiffs and if you scroll down the right side of this blog, you can elect to follow my account right there.

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by Anonymous on Jul 14, 2009 11:24 PM MDT reply actions

I thought Ty Lawson and Weems played really good defense, NBA quality defense.

Ty Lawson looked really passive out there on offense. He deffered too much, but all of the rookie guards (except collison) struggled in their first game.

Sonny Weems missed some shots he will normally hit, i think he will impreve too. One promising thing about him is that he is a hustle player that will always fill up a box-score even if he isnt scoring. Too many young SGs/SFs dont rebound or assist and look for their shot. People forget that he is little more than a rookie. The amount of time he spent with the 14ers meant he didnt even train with th Nuggets as much as other rookies. He has always been ad seen himself as the best on the floor.

Coby Karl played great. he advantage that he has over a player like Weems is that he is rarely the best player on a team and has trained and pracitsed with great players in the NBA (lakers) and Europe. He knows his role on the floor

by theychantmvp on Jul 15, 2009 7:17 AM MDT reply actions

I have no issues with Coby K. He has length and can both handle and shoot the ball well. Is he NBA ready? Don't know. But if he produces, someone should give him a shot.

My concern appears to be shared by many; George plays his favorites and often to the detriment of the team (see Anthony Carter). If he cannot get his head wrapped around player roles and minutes, then having Coby K here is a bad idea.

by My3Cents on Jul 15, 2009 8:24 AM MDT reply actions

I don't think we should read too much into last nights game. It was these guys first game, most likely they were really nervous. I also saw Karl's highlights on NBA TV last night and they were impressive. On one shot he ran after a ball that seemed to be going out of bounds and got to it in time, turned and hit a fade away 3 while falling out of bounds. It was a REALLY incredible shot. And even though Lawson and Weems didn't have impressive box scores, like theychantmvp said, they played good defense which is huge. Also, Weems was by far the best rebounder on the floor with 9while the closest guys to him had only 6. So it's nice to see him making up in other areas of the game when his shot wasn't falling. I can't wait till the game tonight, hopefully there are better results from our guys.

by Goldennugget on Jul 15, 2009 9:42 AM MDT reply actions

I'm not too vexed about the numbers either. It's one game, the guys are young and they are in VEGAS. I'm guessing a little pre-game celebration was the order of the night. Agian like I said yesterday, I don't mind Coby K. If that production can cary over to the NBA that's awesome. I just still have a problem with the father son combo. And the way Karl plays mind games with players it could really affect his son's performance for the worse.

I generally hope the best for most people, until they show they don't deserve the best. CK has done nothing to me and I can't wish him any ill will. I just don't want the duo on the same sideline in Denver. On the other hand I don't want him ending up on another team and scorching us for 22 off the bench either. We'll just see what happens here.

Back to Lawson and Weems...Guys! Party AFTER the game NOT before.

by Joelsopinion on Jul 15, 2009 12:02 PM MDT reply actions

Well said Joel, I'd take the son over the dad.
I think he was impressive because he's been around so long playing against rookies and other D Leaugers. Plus he had that stint with he Lakers last year.
I can't see nepotism either, and with that being said
Fire George and AC and hire Coby

by samiam on Jul 15, 2009 12:17 PM MDT reply actions

Looks like Karl has been "coaching" the summer league guys after all. He's turning them all into A.C.

Yahoo is reporting that several Denver coaches, including A.D. have been flying east to visit J.R. Smith during his 30 days in jail. That's a good sign, but I'm pretty sure we won't see Karl get off his ass and go visit.

by KarlSucks on Jul 15, 2009 12:22 PM MDT reply actions

I am a Coby Karl fan. I don't think he will ever provide key minutes, but with his size he could easily become a bothersome, defensive-minded 2 guard. He could be the JR backup of the future. But not this season.

Now, if we can just get the kid to hit the open three every now and then...

What's so bad about a little nepotism anyway?

by Anonymous on Jul 15, 2009 1:44 PM MDT reply actions

Why is it so easy to picture JR in bright orange scrubs? I know that sounds messed up, but it's true. Maybe if he would stop throwing up gang signs after he scores it wouldn't be so easy.

by Goldennugget on Jul 15, 2009 1:47 PM MDT reply actions

What's wrong with nepotism? lol

by Goldennugget on Jul 15, 2009 1:50 PM MDT reply actions

GN I thought the same about JR, I just didn't wanna put the dude's business on Main St. I bet he looks like an extra fom the Akon "locked up" video. LOL.

Well since you put it that way Anon...I guess a little nepotism could insight some healthy competition...or it could get Coby beaten by a sock with a bar of soap in it while in the locker room...I'm just sayin'

by Joelsopinion on Jul 15, 2009 2:09 PM MDT reply actions

I thought it was clear that JR wasn't throwing gang signs on the chat box. I watch gangland on the History channel, and I've never seen that sign flashed. It is the three fingers down with the index finger touching the thumb, right? Must be my imagination that we thought he was just making a jester whereas he had made a three. I've seen Kmart do it also after making a three. With that being said I haven't seen AC do it. lol
Damn GN you are a trip. I remember you writing about how you could relate to JR's troubles whereas you had troubles of your own and he would come out of this a better person.And then you turn around and dis him. WTF? Yep that's messed up

by samiam on Jul 15, 2009 5:04 PM MDT reply actions

Oh yeah, in last nights game a player did get a flaggrant foul for fouling Coby.

by samiam on Jul 15, 2009 5:07 PM MDT reply actions

No fan with a functioning frontal lobe has a problem with Coby. He's certainly a better PG3 than AC.

I hope he makes the team outright just to shove it in the anti-Karl contingent's face. If the pussy front office is afraid of jeers of "NEPOTISM!!!!" it needs to suck it up. He'll be helping somebody else next year if not the Nuggets.

by My name is Luke. on Jul 15, 2009 5:44 PM MDT reply actions

Any fan with a funtional frontal lobe would know that AC isn't a pg anything. To compare Coby Karl to Anthony Carter isn't saying much. Anthony Carter doesn't belong in the NBA.
How is it that if Coby Karl is so good he isn't playing for someone already? He's been out of school for two years now. The Lakers had him and didn't keep him. He went to Spain for a brief period. Did he actually play over there?
There are many of us who are anti George Karl and maybe if GK did a better job in relating to the players he's been associated with there wouldn't be a problem with NEPOTISM.

by samiam on Jul 15, 2009 7:08 PM MDT reply actions

Sam, I am a messed up person so I can do messed up things, lol. I know he wasn't throwing up gang signs, I was kind of being sarcastic with that comment. But, you can't deny the way JR carries himself sometimes, it's easy to picture him in orange scrubs. I can related to JRs situation, but you would probably find it a little bit harder to picture me in orange scrubs if you ever saw me.

by Goldennugget on Jul 15, 2009 7:22 PM MDT reply actions

@GN How old was Baby Girl he was holding in that interview. Baby Girls make a hard head dad become softies. I hope he doesn't get soft on the court.

by samiam on Jul 15, 2009 8:15 PM MDT reply actions

AC has never thrown up the presumable 3 pointer gang sign because he has yet to actually hit a 3 pointer.

by Eric K on Jul 16, 2009 8:02 AM MDT reply actions

Samiam it is a gang sign. I grew up around that crap in the past. (Park Hill/ Montbello) Like I've said before I won't call JR a gang member, but chances are he grew up around it and adopted some of the mentality. I can only hope he grows out of it.

Luke...It's still a bad idea. I can tolerate one or the other, but not both. Look at a scenario from all directions. If GK ends up throwing more minutes than deserved at Coby, people will scream favoritism. If GK sits Coby at the end of the pine all season, people can say he's just keeping him around because it's his son and he's got the 2nd best seat in the house. OR Coby fans will say GK is playing the hard ass dad role, and not giving his kid a shot. OR if Coby developes into a good off the bench threat, people will say "That's because his dad gave him so much more playing time than Weems/Lawson/Rush/AC..." I really think it's a disadvantage for Coby. Hopefully by him getting some good playing time in the DL and showing what he can do, another team may take interest in him. It's hard to spread your wings if you never leave the nest.

by Joelsopinion on Jul 16, 2009 8:16 AM MDT reply actions

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STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.