Game 14 Preview & Thread: Nuggets vs. Nets (7pm MDT)
New Jersey Nets at Denver Nuggets, Nov 24, 2009 7:00 PM MST
Sometimes being the first to do something is best. A lot of times people will call you an "innovator" or a "pioneer" if you put your neck on the line, but in tonight's case being the first would be the worst. You never want to be the first squad to lose to a winless team and that's Denver's task tonight ... don't be the first.
Records:
Denver: 9-4
New Jersey: 0-13 (key wins: n/a)
Injuries:
Denver: Chris Andersen is listed as day-to-day with his right knee tendinitis.
New Jersey: Get ready for a novel ... Yi Jianlian (right MCL sprain), Tony Battie (right knee), Eduardo Najera (lower back), Jarvis Hayes (left hamstring) and Keyon Dooling (hip surgery) are all out. Courtney Lee (left groin) and Brook Lopez (sprained right ankle) are listed as day-to-day.
There is not a lot to cheer about if you are a Nets fan. The team has yet to win a game and ESPN's Marc Stein mentioned this tidbit in his latest Power Rankings (where he ranked the Nets dead last in the NBA):
L(awrence)- Frank won his first 13 games as an NBA head coach after replacing Byron Scott. And now Frank's in the midst of an 0-13 start in what is virtually certain to be his final season in New Jersey. Did someone say full circle?
About the only hope for the Nets comes in the form of the approaching offseason (slightly more than 5 months away) where a plethora of big named free agents will be entertaining offers from new clubs and maybe, just maybe, Jay-Z is hinting at a little something in his new song: Empire State of Mind when he says:
If Jeezy's payin' LeBron, I'm paying Dwayne Wade.
Remember, Jay-Z owns a small stake in the Nets ... there is hope for a big name free agent after all.
And for the Nuggets, you do not want to be the first team to drop a game to the the Garden State crew. Should Denver lose, you know Sportscenter will have the highlights cued up and ready to go in the first half of the show telling the world that there is no longer a winless team in the League. Another positive for the Nets is that young and talented point guard Devin Harris (right groin) saw his first action since October 30th on Saturday November 21st when he played 26 minutes off the bench against the Knicks. Harris is not projected to start, but he should see a good chunk of time tonight.
In Harris' place ... veteran Rafer Alston will get another start versus the Nuggets along with, Trenton Hassell (SF), Chris Douglas-Roberts (SG), Josh Boone (PF) and Brook Lopez (C). A motley crew of sorts ...
These two teams last met on November 4th when Denver put a 122-94 beat-down on the Nets in New Jersey that helped erase an embarrassing 44 point-loss in Jersey last year. Ty Lawson stole the show in game one by scoring a team-high and career-high 23 points on 9-10 shooting (3-3 from deep). Law-son has blown away expectations this season and has assumed the primary backup point guard duties ahead of schedule (even if it was just my schedule) as Anthony Carter has recorded two straight "Did Not Play - Coach's Decision(s)" since returning from injury.
Just look at some of Lawson's numbers ... 21.5 minutes per game, 53.5% field goal shooting, 52.4% three-point shooting, 9.8 points and 3.1 assists. And for those of you who like advanced numbers ... Lawson's true shooting percentage is 64.8%* and his PER is 19.55** to compare, Chauncey Billups' PER is sitting at a very respectable 19.34. (see the Astrix's below for definitions.)
A very interesting point, that I've been thinking about since before the season started, is that the Nuggets are in a complete different position than they have ever been in ... at least as long as I've been following the franchise. Denver is now the hunted. The Nuggets' opposition has been coming out and giving tremendous efforts because they know the Nuggets are an elite team and one that they can hang their hat on by earning a win.
My assumption here of the Nuggets being "marked-men" is not a new one, but one even Billups has commented on publicly. My belief in this is cemented in reading other site's preview sections where fans expect the Nuggets to come in and blow them out and where fans are surprised that their team either hung with or defeated this Denver squad. This is a new place for Denver fans and probably for the team.
The chip-on-the-shoulder mentality that the Nuggets used to their benefit last season has to be modified this year. The team is discovering a new identity ... one that is still perhaps being figured out.
We are 13 games into the season and the new members of the team, the roles handed out to them by the coaching staff and the mental aspects of trudging through an 82-game schedule are starting to come together. We are 17% of the way through the 2009-10 season and drawing closer to the time where the contenders will start separating themselves from everyone else.
Tonight's game should be a no-doubter for the Nuggets as they continue to make their move.
Views you can use:
- The Nuggets are just the second team to score over 100 points against the Nets this season (122) with the Washington Wizards being the other (123).
- As losing streaks go ... the 1997-98 Nuggets started 0-12 before defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 95-84 in Denver.
- The Nuggets' leading scorer in the November 28, 1997 game against Minny was Johnny Newman, who dropped 31 on Tom Gugliotta and the T-Wolves.
*TS% True Shooting Percentage calculates what a player’s shooting percentage would be if we accounted for free throws and 3-pointers. True Shooting Percentage = (Total points x 50) divided by [(FGA + (FTA x 0.44)]
**PER Player Efficiency Rating is my overall rating of a player’s per-minute statistical production. The league average is 15.00 every season.
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
Follow me on Twitter: Nate_Timmons
Photo courtesy of AP Photos: Mel Evans
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36 comments
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Comments
Gotta win tonight
After the Chargers handed the Boncos a humiliating loss at home, Denver needs a reason to cheer. If the Nuggs come out and actually play the 1st half, and control the 2nd we’ll be 10-4. If not we’ll be able to hear the highlight reels being cued before the game ends.
I’m impressed by the Jay-Z quotes too Nate, but you lost me in the math lesson at the bottom. Montbello HS did not have a great math program. Victim of DPS I guess.
Go Nuggets!!
by Joelsopinion on Nov 24, 2009 12:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
As a white kid who grew up in the suburbs ... we thrived on rap/hip-hop! ha ha ...
I copy/pasted the True Shooting Percentage and PER from John Hollinger of ESPN.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 24, 2009 12:47 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Damn, ...
a loss was already too horrific to think about. Your post, Nate, on a post-apocalyptic sports world was almost too much to handle. It should probably come with a warning to the reader about the explicit content.
by JTR on Nov 24, 2009 12:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Should have also mentioned that Denver now must keep pace with Portland ...
The Nuggets sit a 1/2 game back of the Blazers in the Northwest Division:
Portland 11-5
Denver 9-4
Link.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 24, 2009 1:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
If we lose tonight
I am officially giving up watching sports for the remainder of the season.
by 5280 on Nov 24, 2009 1:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
If we lose tonight
This entire fansite will erupt into nothing but trade talk and demands for George Karl’s dismissal. Wait a second!?! That is already what dominates this fansite!
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 24, 2009 1:55 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
And for a damn good reason too
But I guess you’re OK with the 3 PG lineups and such.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:28 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Relax
This site wastes a RIDICULOUS amount of time on trades that either a.) cannot legally happen, b.) wouldn’t happen in a million years or c.) are not a net gain for the Nuggets. Am I right or am I wrong? Do not even bother posting unless you answer that question and provide support or you’ll be wasting the time talking about the crap that I am making fun of talking about…
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 24, 2009 7:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Wrong
Who died and left you in charge.
Just because YOU don’t think a trade would happen in a million years is your ass, excuse me.Opinon.
The Ridiculous part of this site is reading posts like yours who’s rehortic trys to intimidate people
by samdman on Nov 25, 2009 12:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Small correction....
The Jay-Z song says: “If JEEZY is paying Lebron, I’m paying Dwyane Wade”,
Jesus paying ‘Bron wouldn’t make sense…lol
MELO!!!
MileHighReport.com
PickaxeAndRoll.com
by abaca15 on Nov 24, 2009 2:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Details....minor details.
Somebody…si? no?
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 24, 2009 2:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Supposedly
From what I’ve heard, Jeezy’s original lyrics were actually a refrence to Cocaine prices. Something like…“I used to pay Kobe (#24) for a Kilo, but now I pay Lebron (#23)”. But that wouldn’t really make sense with Jay’s lyrics becuase Wade wears number 3. So, I don’t know, but I like that song.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:34 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
So let me get this straight
Jesus is not paying LBJ? I’m flabbergasted
by Joelsopinion on Nov 24, 2009 2:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
There seems to be a bit of confustion on the WWW with the lyric ... some have "Jesus" some have "Jeezy"
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 24, 2009 3:24 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
after listening again with a careful ear ... I'm going with Jeezy as well.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 24, 2009 3:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Jesus
Jesus paying ‘Bron wouldn’t make sense
because – if you asked LaBron – how could Jesus pay ’Bron when ’Bron IS Jesus?
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 24, 2009 2:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
I thought that was Ray Allen
Mr Shuttlesworth
by Joelsopinion on Nov 24, 2009 3:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
hahahahahahah
to both Mickey D and Joelsopinion
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 25, 2009 7:30 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Nets go to 0-14
Nuggets will start slow, then up by 10 at halftime. 20 by the end of the 3rd quarter. Hopefully get to see a few cool dunks by JR in the 4th.
by CSprings_Tommy on Nov 24, 2009 3:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Its funny
How so many “Fire GK” posts have disappeared since the two DNP-CDs for Carter. Like I (and others) were telling people would happen after JR came off suspension.
Swats.
by BeefySwats on Nov 24, 2009 6:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
What's funny is
How GK must be reading this post.
Did you notice that he started working the refs? Even got a tech.
I remember you posting that the Nuggets would lose to the Lakers also.
by samdman on Nov 25, 2009 12:56 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I said that
But they proved me wrong. Good for them. :)
Swats.
by BeefySwats on Nov 25, 2009 10:58 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Jeezy
Jay-z is sayin he pays three thousand for a kilo while jeezy da snowman is payn 23 thousand
by Birdman and Jay arah on Nov 24, 2009 6:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
This has to be one of the most lethargic games that I’ve seen in a long time. My 102 year old grandmother has more energy than this game.
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
by PosterNutbag on Nov 24, 2009 8:51 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
i was pretty surprised karl left melo in so long in the 4th...
but then right when he got out the game got kinda close lol
by hvino on Nov 24, 2009 9:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
also i know it really didnt matter but,
in the end the refs were rly trying to get NJ into it lol… like i understand that refs like to keep the games close but they gave NJ so many calls and we didnt get shit…. just saying is all
by hvino on Nov 24, 2009 9:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
26 comments?
Haha wow. That’s really surprising.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 24, 2009 11:22 PM MST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Blame it on the holidays!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 25, 2009 8:36 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

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