Welcome to the NBA, Ty Lawson (Nuggets/Jazz Recap)...
by Andrew Feinstein on Oct 29, 2009 12:08 AM MDT
in Game Recaps
36 comments
I don't know how much you can really deduce from the first two nights of a still young NBA season, but it's already looking like this will be a season of the haves and have nots. And most fortunately for us, the Nuggets are one of the "haves."
There were some ghastly scores in the NBA tonight. Philadelphia got crushed by 14 at Orlando. The Knicks lost by 22 at Miami. The Kings mustered only 89 in Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies put up an unacceptably low 74 points in their home opener to a weak Detroit team. And worst of all, the Bobcats scored just 59 points against the Celtics who were playing the second game of a back-to-back.
The Nuggets opponent - the historically tough Utah Jazz - didn't fare much better than the NBA's other losers tonight as the Nuggets rolled over them 114-105 in front of a very energetic Pepsi Center crowd. (By the way, kudos to the passionate Nuggets fans who braved brutal weather conditions to come out and support the Nuggets in spite of the 8:30pm local start time!)
A few observations from the fan's perspective tonight...
...Starting Anthony Carter beside Chauncey Billups is doomed to failure. Not only was A.C. reckless with the ball on offense, but he might as well have defended Utah's Deron Williams while wearing a Matador's outfit and holding a red cape. It's no coincidence that the Nuggets big second half run came while A.C. was on the bench. I always have and always will defend A.C.'s effort on the floor, but he should be saved for garbage time only given how well Ty Lawson is already playing.
...Which brings us to Ty Lawson, who evidently is a quick learner. When I saw Lawson play in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, I swore he led the league in shots blocked. Clearly, Lawson has worked hard on manipulating his body to avoid getting his shot blocked and has learned a few more things as well in advance of tonight's game. Could he have played any better for a rookie debut? Welcome to the NBA, Ty Lawson!
...Carmelo Anthony is ready to play (and is going to make me look smart for drafting him in the second round of my fantasy league). Remember earlier this week when we pointed out how successful the Nuggets are when Melo takes at least nine free throw attempts, shoots 50% or better and grabs at least nine rebounds (he had eight tonight)? Those numbers are for real as are the Nuggets when Melo plays like he did tonight.
...Approximately 32 minutes per game might be the magic number for Chauncey Billups. When on the floor, Billups looked fresh and focused as evident by his 4-7 shooting from three-point range and having only one turnover.
...You had to love George Karl's beaming expression when Lawson came off the floor to a well-deserved standing ovation. Karl was like a proud father trying desperately not to overpraise his son's performance too early, but just couldn't contain himself.
Speaking of containing ourselves, let's not get too amped up over this first victory. But it certainly feels great seeing the Nuggets taking defense of their division title so seriously in Game 1. Now it's off to Portland where another one of those "haves" team awaits; the well rested Trail Blazers...
Photo courtesy of AP: David Zalubowski.
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Great game, Nugs!
Ty Lawson blew me away.
I will be ecstatic if we can make the Portland game just close and not get blown out.
Swats.
by BeefySwats on Oct 29, 2009 12:35 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
1 down 6 to go
some things reminded me of last season. denver gets off to a good start, has an early lead then starts taking jump shots and the jazz were back in the game. i do not see ac starting all seven games of jr’s suspension. against portland because of their bigs ability to rebound, brandon roy and a slow down style of play both afflalo and graham will be playing 2 guard. denver’s 3 point guards will attempt to dominate the blake- miller combo. nene got off to a good start with kmart having a strong finish. billups almost was able to sit out the entire 4th quarter if the jazz did not go on a final rally.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
by nohoops4u on Oct 29, 2009 12:36 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
When the Nuggets meet my Lakers in the WCF...
(you know it will happen because the Spurs are too old) can you guys please convince Karl to give AC all of the backup PG minutes? Tell him that Lawson is just too inexperienced.
kthxbai
by The Dude Abides on Oct 29, 2009 12:42 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Okay
As long as you tell Phil Jackson to start Adam Morisson over Kobe…
by Geerten on Oct 29, 2009 1:44 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
sounds like a fair deal. Maybe fit Walton in there for a bit too though if Morrison needs a rest
by higgyhoops12 on Oct 29, 2009 1:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, why don't we convince the Lakers to give us DJ Mbenga for Malik Allen?
We could say something like “he’s as fat as Andrew Bynum.”
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Oct 29, 2009 9:29 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
That first half was excruciatingly bad, I swear I thought the 02-03 Nuggets had killed our Nuggets and put their skin on just so they could crap up the court.
I’m glad they were able to keep it close, come to their senses and run all over them in the 2nd half. :)
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Oct 29, 2009 2:04 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow Is All I was thinking
I think AC’s time just shrunk…
Once Ty got going the team flow was so much better, as the opponent’s attention was drawn to him every time he penetrated into the paint over and over and over… Lawson is like the energizer bunny he just keeps going and going and going….
by InboundingLobPass on Oct 29, 2009 2:04 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
TyLaw reminds me fo Allen Iverson
without all the off-court stuff.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Oct 29, 2009 7:32 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not at all
He reminds me a lot of Tony Parker, extremely quick, not the best shooter, but understands the game and his role. I think we might be looking at the next Tony Parker.
by GoldenNugget on Oct 29, 2009 12:44 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
As for the new stiff list...
The Grizzzlies have Zach Randolph. ’Nuff said.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Oct 29, 2009 7:33 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
People forget, Lawson was a good rebounder in college and showed a decent knack
for it last night again. I see our rebounding improving with the 5-10 guy out there. LACK beat me to it, Ty is the new Answer, and he couldn’t have come at a better time for the Nuggets.
by NugzD on Oct 29, 2009 7:46 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Raise your hand
If you ordered a Ty Lawson jersey midway through the first half yesterday.
With thy watchwords, Honor, Duty / Thy high fame shall last.
by MizzouHoops on Oct 29, 2009 8:29 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Did you notice?
Did anyone else notice after Lawson got his standing ovation, he sat on the bench right next to AC. AC wouldn’t even look at him.
by philipba on Oct 29, 2009 8:29 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I think AC aknowleged him
but he definatly didn’t look happy at all. The expresion on his face basically said “That dude just totally stole my job”.
by GoldenNugget on Oct 29, 2009 12:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was sitting about 5 feet away and AC actually called Lawson over and told him “great game” or something like that and they shook hands. AC is a class act off the court, regardless of anyone’s opinion of him on the court.
by BrianD on Oct 29, 2009 1:09 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Karl is still an idiot.
But I liked the extended minutes for the players who were playing well. My complaint all last year (and years prior) was that Karl seemed to set up his rotations before the game and then was never willing to change them. He’d always take the hottest shooting player off the floor to put in AC.
There were many fewer examples of that last night.
That said, Melo was a beast. “I’m back! I’m back!”
Lawson showed some great stuff.
K-Mart seemed way too tired halfway through the 3rd quarter. He should have sat rather than just huffing and puffing and standing still with his hands on his knees on the court.
If Nene can keep up the intensity the Nuggets are going to be tough to beat. But he still needs to finish stronger around the net once he’s made his move.
Welcome back regular season refs. Now learn what a blocking foul is. If a defender is not set (ie feet still in the air or not centered over their feet) it is not a charge.
by NuggBuckets on Oct 29, 2009 8:58 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
What Kmart are you referring to?
I see 16 and 11 with some seriously intimidating defense and dunks.
by Gasus on Oct 29, 2009 2:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was a play were billups drove and hit a wide open Kmart who had an easy dunk. But Kmart had his hands either on his knees or his sides and wasnt ready for a pass then reached up at the last second and bobbled the pass which led to a turnover.
by GottaLoveMelo on Oct 30, 2009 7:57 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Nuggets
Have been a fourth quarter team for recent memory. Ty Lawson looked like a stud out there. I knew when we traded to get him that he was going to be the steal of the draft. If our team continues to improve we will be better than last year. Lets go get the Blazers. Blazers vs Nuggets game always remind of smoking weed.
by wangstu13 on Oct 29, 2009 9:48 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
haha
never thought of that, but I’ll be sure to mention it to my friends.
by GoldenNugget on Oct 29, 2009 12:47 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
That was sweet!
Ty is the real deal!! Great to see him in at the end of the game and great to see Melo play very well. If the Nugs had one more legit big to throw in for 15-20 a game they would be very, very tough for anyone…
by Pusherman on Oct 29, 2009 10:02 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
My Observations
I was a bit nervous when we started out. I know everybody likes to hop on the Utah bandwaggon just because they are such a solid org with such a solid coach, but this is not the same team from years past. It seems to me like everyone on the Jazz (including Sloan) has lost it. Boozer can’t do anything out there after being an All-Star for the past couple of years, AK47 isn’t even recognizable (especially with that haircut) out on the floor and Sloan seems like he can’t do anything about it. Anyways, basically what I’m saying is if we would have lost to them last night it would have been a complete disaster. Tonight against Portland is our real test.
But, some observations like my title suggests…
Starting AC was a total ego-move by George Karl. He knows, and everyone else knows AC is not fit to be a starter of any kind in this league yet he continues to shower his ignorance all over us with moves like this just so that he can let everyon know that he is still in charge…at least that’s how I see it. But now that everyone has seen how good Lawson is he doestn’ even have a choice but to move Lawson ahead of AC.
I kept thinking “I can’t wait till JR gets back”. It’s crazy how well JR completes this team, or any player for that matter. We are fine missing one player, we can deal with it, but when we have our whole team togethter I feel like we can stand with any team in the league.
Melo’s dunk was un-freakin-believable. That was by far, the best play I have seen Melo make in quite some time, maybe ever. Think of when the last time was that Melo made a defensive play that good and followed it up with a thunderous slam. Man it was good to see. But I still can’t understand the whole “I’m back” thing. Wtf is that supposed to mean?
I also like our depth a lot. That is a huge strenght of this team.
by GoldenNugget on Oct 29, 2009 12:57 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
Melo is a beast
That steal-dunk may be the best play of his career, excluding buzzer beaters. The announcers said the “I’m back” thing had to do with him being focused and motivated. The best thing I saw yesterday was Melo’s expression after a good play. Not the grinning, laughing, happy melo of years past. It was more of a tight, small smile and a look of focus, knowing that play was good but he has to stay in the game and not lose focus, to not let up. Kind of the assassin expression that says not only am I going to beat you, I’m going to tear your heart out and stomp on it to make sure you stay beaten.
Great first game by Lawson. Wow. A.C. say hello to your new best friend – the bench. You shouldn’t be getting off of it very much once J.R. comes back.
I also liked that there were no technicals despite how physical it was. The players talked to the refs and argued calls, but no one over reacted to bad calls. Martin especially had a couple of occasions that in the past he would have erupted and gotten a technical.
by KarlSucks on Oct 29, 2009 1:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Melo is saying "I'm back" because he lost 15 lbs in the offseason
For the first time in a Nugs jersey way may see Melo dunking in traffic and making steals that we didn’t think he was capable of. Anyone see how many times Melo was playing awesome defense last night? Seems to me that he has finally made his mind up that he is going to give basketball his all.
by Gasus on Oct 29, 2009 2:41 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
melo was being like wade, with the im back stuff
but i like it lol, melo was nasty, he had a determined look on his face, like if he wanted revenge of what kobe did, took a page out of kobes book, mayb start gnarling too lol
just a nasty dunk, he shAT on milsap
by hvino on Oct 29, 2009 3:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where is JR going to find playing time with this lineup? That is the real question. If anyone is going to cut into Lawson’s minutes, it is JR. You know Billups isn’t going to ride the bench for Lawson to get 30 minutes a game.
by BrianD on Oct 29, 2009 1:06 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
JR will get his minutes. Hopefully we’ll only see AC in garbage time once JR is back.
by KarlSucks on Oct 29, 2009 1:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
billups minutes
is where lawson will get additional playing time. if the jazz did not come back at the end of the game chauncey would not have played the entire 4th quarter. it will be a great thing for denver to keep cb playing less tham 30 minutes a game AS LONG AS THEY WIN. i cannot wait for jr to get back and see him and lawson on the fast break. one of the problems denver was having nobody could fill a wing on the fast break with lawson.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
by nohoops4u on Oct 29, 2009 2:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great game last night! Way to start the season!!
Ty Lawson is really impressive.
GO NUGGETS!!!
Dear Rockies - Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster of a season! NL Wild Card Champs. Best turnaround in MLB history for a team to win the Wild Card. Can't wait to do it again next year!
Troy Tulowitzki - MLB's BEST shortstop..nuff said
Yorvit Torrealba - Re-sign!! he's en Fuego!!
Brad Hawpe- I hope I get to see you in a Rockies uniform again!
Dexter Fowler - prowling CF, WC in his talons, leaping Utleys in a single bound!
by SDcat09 on Oct 29, 2009 2:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
My favorite thing.
Was that George Karl expression at the end of the game when Lawson came out. Beautiful.
by GottaLoveMelo on Oct 30, 2009 8:18 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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