Game 3 Preview & Thread: Grizzlies at Nuggets (6pm MDT)
by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 1, 2009 10:32 AM MST
in Denver Nuggets: Game Previews & Game Threads
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PrintMemphis Grizzlies at Denver Nuggets, Nov 1, 2009 6:00 PM MST
It's looking like we won't be getting the reunion game we were hoping for tonight. And no, we're not talking about Steven Hunter's return to the Pepsi Center.
When I divvied up my season tickets a month or so ago, this was one of the key games I had penciled in my column. I really wanted to see Allen Iverson - in theory rejuvenated after a disastrous run with the Pistons and having had his "humble pie" when teams didn't line up to sign him this summer - return to Denver for a spirited fight against his former teammates. But according to Yahoo! Sports, Iverson "will likely miss facing his former team." Our loss.
After a horrid home opening performance in which the Grizzlies mustered just 74 points against the rebuilt Pistons, the Grizzlies showed some life the other night by beating the much improved Raptors 115-107. With or without Iverson, this Grizzlies team has some real offensive firepower in Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Zach Randolph and even Denver Stiffs' targeted future acquisition for our Nuggets; center Marc Gasol. (I absolutely love the younger Gasol brother, by the way, and he's off to a great start. Had the Nuggets been able to steal Gasol over the summer somehow, we'd be neck-and-neck with the Lakers in the taking of the Western Conference.) The Grizzlies may not defend anyone, but they can score in bunches.
But this game just won't be the same without A.I. When A.I. came back to Denver last time, he led his Pistons to a 93-90 victory in a thrilling, hard fought contest. In that game, A.I. was out-dueled individually by the player he was traded for, Chauncey Billups, but A.I. was able to make some big shots down the stretch after shaking off an awful shooting night in the first half.
Speaking of Hunter, he's actually playing basketball this year. No, really, he is. In the Grizzlies two games thus far, Hunter has combined for two points (1-2 free throw shooting on both nights) and a blocked shot. Ok, so maybe he's not playing basketball this year.
On the Nuggets side of the ledger, it will be interesting to see if the Nuggets can maintain the intensity that we saw in Games 1 and 2 against division rivals Utah and Portland. If A.I. were playing, the Nuggets would undoubtedly have it. But sans A.I., the Grizzlies still shouldn't be treated as a walkover, especially after seeing them dismantle the Raptors on Friday night. Among the many things the Nuggets did great last season was win home games against sub-.500 teams. In fact, the Nuggets didn't lose a single game at Pepsi Center against a sub-.500 team. Assuming the Grizzlies ultimately become a sub-.500 team, it's games like these that you have to put away for the days ahead when you drop games against better opponents.
Maybe A.I. will make a last-minute, surprise appearance tonight, but I wouldn't count on it. It's looking ever more likely that we'll have to wait until April 12th to see A.I. on the Pepsi Center hardwood again. For now, if we want a reunion game we'll have to settle for Steven Hunter.
Photo courtesy of AP: Lance Murphey
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Time to take out the trash . . .
By my count, Denver didn’t lose a game at home against non-playoff teams last year. Can they continue to take care of bidness? I was looking forward to this one too, but Memphis can still be a dangerous team without AI.
What I really want to see is Birdman take flight tonight after a modest start to the season.
Shouldn't be taken lightly.
The Grizzlies looked terrible in their season opener, but bounced back quite nicely on Friday in their win over the Raptors. As much as I hate Z-Bo, and as dumb as the guy is, he can fill it up on nights and is coming off a great performance. He’s very fragile mentally, though, so hopefully K-Mart can get under his skin and get him attempting to do this which are outside of his game.
Mayo can fill it up to, and in the 4th quarter of their Friday game, wanted the ball down the stretch… and was scoring.
Those 2, plus Gay & Gasol, make for quite the talented team, although their record will not reflect that come season’s end.
I’d like to see Chauncey take advantage of being matched up with Conley & Marcus Williams; he should be able to have a field day with those two. Nene definitely has to bounce back from his lackluster Thursday performance (until those few offensive boards and his turn around hook down the stretch, he was invisible).
Let’s go Nuggets!
Z-Bo may be the only human in history to ever record a negative score on an I.Q. test.
BTW, now that Mr. Airball and DeMarre Carroll are on the team, do you think they will give us Darrell Arthur for the TE? I mean, this IS the Grizzlies…
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Last time we played the Grizzlies
We ran. Lots. Nuggets need to step up on D and just attack the hoop. There isn’t much post protection so Nene and Melo should be able to come up big time tonight.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 2:18 PM MST reply actions
I want to see Ty Lawson blaze over Mike Conley in the second quarter
Why does O.J. Mayo, one of the league’s premier SG turnover monsters, want to become a point guard?
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Kinda funny
First and foremost i am an AI fan, but i love this site and continue to visit frequently. But when steven hunter got traded to Memphis everybody around the grizzlies boards and forums were talking about how nice of a pick up hunter was, and how they though he would be a solid contributor. They clearly hadnt watched very many nuggets games in 07-08. He is the ultimate bump on a log player, who currently gets paid more than allen iverson to play basketball. wow.
Hunter should make it to the esteemed HOF some year
His failure at contributing and his lack of athleticism will never be overlooked.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Go Nuggets!
the grizzlies were horrible in their opener but showed some good signs in their second game. If we are not careful this could turn into a close game. we have to take them seriously. Mayo can be deadly when he is on his game, so can Gay. We just need to play solid D and we will win. Go Nugs! lets go 3-0
proviso east high school
in maywood, illinois is where hunter went to school. other players in the nba that went there are jim brewer, doc rivers, michael finley, shannon brown, dee brown and donnie boyce. boyce went to the university of colorado and played with billups. sports writer anthony cotton went there and he has a dvd about the school for sale on the internet. i think that is the reason people in memphis were excited about hunter was his high school pedigree. there is a holiday high school basketball tournement held at proviso WEST high school in hillside, illinois. players like isiah thomas, mark aguirre, juwan howard, jeff horncek, eddie johnson and other outstanding players have played there in over 40 years. they have a web site too.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Go Nugs!
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Nov 1, 2009 4:40 PM MST reply actions
Looking forward...
… to seeing rookie, and former Mizzou forward, DeMarre Carroll. Thus far he has shown the hustle he displayed in college. He just needs to find his offensive game.
See you whoever will be there at the game.
With thy watchwords, Honor, Duty / Thy high fame shall last.
BTW, Hasheem Thabeet has scored 0 points and only grabbed 2 boards per game in nearly 13 minutes of LACKtion
He’s be instantly sworn in to the Stiffs HOF if he plays for the Nuggets. Hopefully, he never will. I mean, they could have drafted Tyreke Evans, who is similar to Iverson but worse and younger.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Anyone have a link...
to watch the game for free online with? I am in Texas for college and dish network decided that it doesn’t like to broadcast anything on Altitude. Thanks!
League Pass BB?
I believe NBA League Pass Broadband is still free at the moment, but if you don’t want to use that, this link should work: http://www.atdhe.net/5549/watch-memphis-grizzlies-vs-denver-nuggets
Kidnap Marc Gasol
Go Nugs! I’m gonna miss the game but just looking for Nene to play a good game and the bench to get in the scoring Memphis actually played really well in the preseason and we all know Gasol is a monstar
Steven Hunter has made no impact whatsoever in about 7 minutes per game for the Baby Bears.
Why didn’t we try to steal The Other Gasol from them?
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
no resistance on mayo
does Karl start AC just to give the rest of the team a higher degree of difficulty?
Do you think Afflalo is that much better?
It’s pretty tough to fault him when JR is suspended.
"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet
hopefully we get to see balkman this game
and more graham who i think has played better than afflalo so far
When you eat a candy bar or have a wonderful dessert, have a diet drink. The calories are cancelled out by the diet drink.
After the Broncos game today, I really need a better performance than this from the Nugs.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
Ravens suck
Broncos evidently sucked more.
Melo likes the Ravens.
Will Melo erupt for 101 in a 202-195 win? At the rate the (lack of defense in the) game is going, it’s not outa the question.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Pretty lifeless so far
Grizzlies will go cold soon though.
"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet
Afflalo getting owned too
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
32 points and still 2 minutes left!
When you eat a candy bar or have a wonderful dessert, have a diet drink. The calories are cancelled out by the diet drink.
Did someone actually utter those words on you sig?
"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet
no
i wish it were true though
When you eat a candy bar or have a wonderful dessert, have a diet drink. The calories are cancelled out by the diet drink.
Why have the Nuggets
forgot how to play legitimate lock down defense?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 6:37 PM MST reply actions
I never knew that defense would be so hard to play
Dahntay wouldn’t have done much better. Everybody on the Grizz is on fire.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Ok Memphis. You want to play that way? We can play that way.
While the Grizzlies may put up 40 points in one quarter, Denver is going to put up 35 in all four.
Swats.
is this doug moe night?
all O and no D
When you eat a candy bar or have a wonderful dessert, have a diet drink. The calories are cancelled out by the diet drink.
Birdman looks absolutely terrible.
Out of shape, doesn’t have elevation, and incapable of making a smart defensive rotation.
What’s wrong with him?
Swats.
Who wants to trade Nene for Gasol? Me.
by SnakefromHell on Nov 1, 2009 6:47 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
nene for pau gasol?:)
When you eat a candy bar or have a wonderful dessert, have a diet drink. The calories are cancelled out by the diet drink.
Nuggets have to win!
They’re the only undefeated team left in Denver…
Still pissed about the Broncos game
I'm loving the play of Ty Lawson...
"All by their heads, he places crowns."
by Tempestuous Binary on Nov 1, 2009 6:55 PM MST reply actions
He's playing well so far
Seems like he worked on his shot quite a bit.
"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet
Ty Lawson is playing good ball right now.
Bird also playing better tonight. Fun game so far.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 1, 2009 6:58 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Ty Lawson is playing good ball right now.
Bird also playing better tonight. Fun game so far.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 1, 2009 6:58 PM MST via mobile reply actions
NUGGETS
LAWSONMONSTER! BEST NICKNAME! ALL CAPS!!!
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Melo will score 46
Nuggets win 130-124
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Block by the Big Stiff
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
DeMarre Carroll has led the newfound brickfest
Where is everyone?
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Conley 3
HAND-In-Face, guys. Is it really that hard?
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
DEFENSE
I hate you, Mayo. I hate you, Marc Gasol. I hate you, Karl. AC sucks
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
FREE MALIK ALLEN TIME
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Seriously, where is everyone?
Chauncey is quietly bricking shots…3-8
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
If you're listening Memphis
We’ll give you Kmart, Balkman, and Anthony Carter for Marc Gasol… You can opt out of Kmart’s contract next year, freeing up a lot of money…
Doesn't work capwise
And K-Mart’s deal is player option, not team option. Unless he suffers severe brain damage, he’s not gonna opt outa 16+ million.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
I've always thought that Melo had more upside than Lebron
It’s just that Lebron was a more complete player coming out of college and that Melo would eventually surpass him. This may be the year that happens
Bron went to college?
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
he needs to play d and rebound better
he is below avg at each
even after a make
ac shouldn’t be allowed to shoot
We're pulling it away
K-Mart even made a long jumper! Nobody is playing any D!
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
no d
can’t wait to hear karl post-game, he hates nights like tonight
well,
that was against a team that plays defense
by Rainbow skyline on Nov 1, 2009 8:04 PM MST up reply actions
Hold the 10 point lead
Come on guys! Mayo is not as good as you’re letting him be!!!
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:04 PM MST reply actions
Anyone ever notice
Nene doesn’t always finish strong to the hole? Sometimes he goes for the hook or the floater when he drives all the way to the hole instead of slamming it in
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:12 PM MST reply actions
birdman needs to quit going for every block
he puts himself in terrible defensive position as a result
They've been playing like that all game
It’s infuriating.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:20 PM MST up reply actions
Exactly!
What happened to the commitment to D we had last year? Karl has some things to answer for this far.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:23 PM MST up reply actions
guarenteed karl talks about this post game
to both the media and the team. there will be a quote about how the nuggs played their way and not his
Minute man!
Point per minute. Finally give some credence to the title, “Most natural scorer in the league”
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:29 PM MST up reply actions
Every Pacers game went from
Another difficult road win to “Oh god please don’t break Melo’s arm” to me. Jeff Foster should seriously get his comeuppance
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:31 PM MST reply actions
troy murphy
always kills us, we don’t have anybody to guard him. he takes our bigs so far away from the hoop
Yeah the whole team is dangerous
Hopefully Melo lights up Dahntay like he did in Beijing. Unfortunately we can’t count on Granger getting ejected like he did
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:37 PM MST up reply actions
off rebs
we actually got a few tonight, good to see after such a poor effort on the off boards against portland. that being said we shot enough, so there were plenty to get.
well, that was uninspiring
but still a win. I guess they saved some energy for their upcoming 4-in-5, no?
Seemed like a long practice
Karl just worked on rotations and left the bench out for a long time. I don’t see why Melo and Chauncey should have been out to the last minute though
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:38 PM MST up reply actions
Melo 42 points. Chauncey big double double. Nene perfect from field...
Unstoppable, baby!
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Only bad thing was Ty Lawson's bad performance.
I feel tired.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Well? It’s a win.
Who needs defense when you can score 133?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
Bad Memories
of Golden State , Nuggets games two seasons ago. Yuck.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:41 PM MST up reply actions
Great Weekend to be a Nuggets fan
Frustrating weekend to be a Broncos fan. Well at least 3-0 makes the Baltimore Beatdown sting a little less
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 8:43 PM MST reply actions
Melo's from Baltimore, right?
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Give me all ur Marc Gasol
I know, won’t happen ever but we’d seriously be awesome with him.
Thabeet got 4 blocks on us? A win is a win but we’ve been seriously struggling against teams with size
Most of those came from Ty Lawson floaters
I think we’ve been struggling against everyone because the team (or just Karl) is kind of struggling to figure out how good Lawson, Graham, Afflalo, etc.. is and what the best rotations are.
But oh man if we had another decent big we’d be a nightmare.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 1, 2009 9:00 PM MST up reply actions
I didn’t get a change to catch this one but man, Melo is on fire. Judging by the box score that looked like one hell of a first quarter too…
Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.
Nene, play D
Gonna go watch the game (on TV)
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
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