Game 5 Preview & Thread: Nuggets at Nets (5:30pm MDT)
by Andrew Feinstein on Nov 4, 2009 3:15 PM MST
in Denver Nuggets: Game Previews & Game Threads
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PrintDenver Nuggets at New Jersey Nets, Nov 4, 2009 5:30 PM MST
The Nuggets return to the scene of their February 7th massacre at the hands of the New Jersey Nets. It's time to exact some revenge.
Prior to February 7th, the Nuggets were on a roll. With Chauncey Billups on board, they hadn't lost a single game to a sub-.500 opponent (home or road), had won 14 of 18 games and were barnstorming their way to a division title and second place in the Western Conference. On Friday, February 6th, the Nuggets walked all over the depleted Wizards 124-103 with the Nuggets starters barely getting a sniff of playing time in the fourth quarter. With their starters rested and the team playing great, a back-to-back walkover was in the works as the Nuggets traveled just a few hours north to New Jersey.
And then this happened; an embarrassing 44-point loss to the lowly Nets.
It was such a shockingly awful game that the Nuggets coaching staff, the players and us fans just wrote it off as an aberration. It was as if the spirit of Dick Motta's 1996-97 Nuggets squad had inhabited the bodies of the 2008-09 edition and jinxed us for the night. Little did we know, however, that that 44-point drubbing would be the harbinger of bad things to come and test the Nuggets resolve in unforeseen ways.
After the Meadowlands Massacre (how's that for a nickname?) the Nuggets rolled off two straight wins over a Miami and Orlando team already checked out for All-Star Weekend and then returned from the All-Star break to knock out the 76ers in Philadelphia by 12. Meaning, the Nets loss was just an aberration after all, right? Not so fast...
Soon after besting the 76ers, the Nuggets succumbed to their first three-game losing streak of the 2008-09 season, losing at Chicago and at Milwaukee (two bad teams) and then punctuating it with inarguably their most pathetic performance of the season, a 38-point home loss to the Celtics who were playing without Kevin Garnett.
As the Jazz and the Trail Blazers suddenly caught up with the Nuggets in the standings, the fans (me first and foremost) pushed the panic button and things only got worse. Yes, the Nuggets beat the Hawks and Lakers just days after the Celtics debacle, but next they would go on lose five of six, including a second three-game losing streak - including a loss to the atrociously bad Kings - just two weeks apart from the first!
Had the Nets loss cursed an otherwise magical season? No. But it did test the Nuggets resolve and character and they responded with their best basketball of the season.
Somehow, some way the Nuggets dug deep and rediscovered what made them special in 2008-09 in the first place. The tough, aggressive defense. The frenetic pace. Getting to the free throw line. The heart. They got their mojo back by rattling off five straight wins against five bad teams - including a 121-96 win against the Nets at Pepsi Center - and would go on to win 14 of their last 16 games (excluding the meaningless "sit down" game at Portland at season's end). And we all know what happened next: the best playoff run in NBA franchise history.
Back to those pesky Nets, if I remember that game you better believe the Nuggets coaches and players do, too. I don't foresee the Nuggets posting a 40-point victory tonight but as bad as last season's Nets team was, this one's worse. Put simply, when Yi Jianlian goes down indefinitely and that's a bad thing for your team, your team sucks.
Nets Stiffs: Yi Jianlin (even before he went down with an injury, he was shooting just 40.6%...which is good for him), Bobby Simmons (getting paid over $10 million this season...and we thought Kenyon Martin's contract was bad).
Nets Non-Stiffs: Chris Douglas-Roberts (further proof that being a winner in college means something, CDR is off to a great start now that he's been getting some playing time), Brook Lopez (averaging over 17 points and almost three blocks per game to start the season), Devin Harris (led the charge against the Nuggets in last season's Meadowlands Massacre).
Go Nuggets!!
Photo courtesy of AP: Jim Mone.
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Harris out
Devin Harris is out, we better win this one.
CDR is ballin
From what I’ve heard. I cant wait to watch him, he was one of my favorite players in college a few years back. Loved his game. Can’t wait for tonight.
Focused
If the Nuggets stay focused we should bury the Nets early. Lets get Balkman some minutes tonight…
I think Chauncey said something like:
“You just wash that one off in the shower and move on” after last years debacle. I predict a 15+ scoring margin in the win. I wanted to say more but let’s not get too crazy.
PS, Chris Douglas-Roberts: Great name for the WNBA ! He has that ‘beneath the rim’ type game too I think. I like the guy though. Thought he’d be further along in his career by now but glad to see he’s getting a shot in Jay-Z-Land.
nuggs were a 9 point favorite this morning
i try not wager early in the season, buti had to put $25 on denver.
by calvin brodus on Nov 4, 2009 5:24 PM MST up reply actions
Getting out rebounded by Eddie
Kenyon shouldn’t be boxed out by the Chihuahua but at least his shot looks better this season. It’s still a kind of ugly last resort, but at least the odds he makes it is better now.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 5:51 PM MST reply actions
Then Billups out rebounds a PF
and Carter Bricks a 3 followed by Kenyon making a 3. Wha?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 5:52 PM MST up reply actions
Same here.
I had no idea his resigning was going to be such a nightmare
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 5:53 PM MST up reply actions
I think I'd be fine with more turnovers
if he could guard anyone now. But he does run the fast break good I’ll give him that
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 5:59 PM MST up reply actions
Nice pass by New Jersey
Dumb foul by Kenyon
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 5:57 PM MST reply actions
Hola fellas
Small crowd tonight, huh?
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 5:59 PM MST via mobile reply actions
What the hell, Melo with 2 in the first quarter?
Is he getting jobbed on the calls or are those legit offensive fouls
Swats.
AC has no ball skills at all
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:00 PM MST via mobile reply actions
What was the technical?
Did he complain?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:00 PM MST reply actions
He made them both
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:02 PM MST up reply actions
Hasting is implying
it’s because Melo and the ref have friction.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:01 PM MST up reply actions
Wow.
We’ve given up a 10 point lead in 3 minutes. What is going on with our defense?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:03 PM MST reply actions
Wow that was some great passing on the break by the Nets
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:04 PM MST via mobile reply actions
try this
http://atdhe.net/7228/watch-denver-nuggets-vs-new-jersey-nets
if that doesn’t work try it at atdhe.net
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:06 PM MST up reply actions
Nuggets could lose this
If we keep giving this many fouls by the 3rd quarter
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:06 PM MST reply actions
Lawson in for AC.
Praise the bball gods.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:07 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Afflalo looking good
Pushing the ball with Ty. Dumb offensive foul though
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:08 PM MST reply actions
Melo passes up on the wide open 3 for a contested 2.
KMart is the best shooter tonight. WTF
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:09 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Yeah Nuggets determined to spread the wealth I guess
I hope Melo is just playing lazy and isn’t going to be this off and onall season.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 6:11 PM MST up reply actions
I'm sure it has something to do with the back to back
But it’s the NBA. No excuses.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:15 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Wuhdup
I’m going to try extra hard not to mention AC and disregard that he’s on the team at all. It generally puts me in a bad mood and it’s hard to enjoy watching the game and constructively commenting on it.
Lawson for 3.
Love it.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:25 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Aflalo is ballin right now
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:27 PM MST via mobile reply actions
How good is Afflalo?
Melo is 1-6 and sitting on the bench. I hope he is pissed off and goes crazy with the cheeze whiz when coach Karl puts him back in.
We are giving up too many offensive boards
Nene is just getting worked under the basket, consistently. Man up
Big Bettha
should have been used to get Nene some help, He’s not a 5
Lawson ballin too
I can’t wait for the Billups Lawson J.R. Melo Bird lineup. Oh man…
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:33 PM MST via mobile reply actions
At least we know he won't shake it!
Up and down…a-okay….
Back and forth…No way!!!
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
3 playoff teams on the road in a row w/ a back to back in Miami and Atlanta.
The NBA hates Denver.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:36 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I like Anthony Carter
…. But I would rather not see him so much.
Still, all the hating seems mean.
My friend ran into AC in a bathroom at the Cherry Creek mall once. I’m like, “Boy, did you give him lessonz on inbounding the flippin’ ball?”
Melo having an awful night
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:38 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I don't care if Nene made that shot
He shouldn’t have the ball in his hands for the last shot of the half.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 6:41 PM MST via mobile reply actions
he's money in that range
Give the big fella some confidence.
by CCH on Nov 4, 2009 6:42 PM MST up reply actions
Just tuned in
And Melo looks out of control. He’s trying too hard to score, he needs to just let the game come to him like he did the first few games.
Starting poorly and not finishing
The Nugs don’t body anyone up for rebounds, they watch the ball and pray for a lucky bounce. Afflalo is the only one playing hard.
I'm happy to see Nene somewhat heading for the rim
He’s been so soft lately I was going to start calling him Nemarshmellow
Someone lit a fire those defensive stops led to offense.
by CCH on Nov 4, 2009 7:00 PM MST up reply actions
Hopefully that gets Melo going!
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 7:05 PM MST via mobile reply actions
word up
Eddie represented himself really well in Denver, he was a pro and gave great effort consistently. But, for limited defensive role player you’d rather have a guy with some athleticism and more strength – like Dahntay or Naldo
i heard avery johnson say ball movement during analysis a couple nights ago,
but with his country ass accent it sounded like bowel movement.
by calvin brodus on Nov 4, 2009 7:18 PM MST up reply actions
Rattle and roll
Awesome third quarter. Nice to see the defense. Even better to see Melo and Billups pulling the trigger and making a statement.
I liked Najera. He was slow, yes. But he had good hands for a big and was a great finisher.
lol great finisher
that just got swatted by NENE!
I'm an expert on the level of Scott Hastings now!
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 7:19 PM MST via mobile reply actions
That's what I'm talking about
Way to close the qtr
What a quarter!
Ty Lawson is a stud, man.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 7:25 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Yeah he is
What’s gonna happen when JR comes back? AA got his groove going on
Maybe AC gets swine flu
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 7:31 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
does JR or afflalo start?
surely we cant stay with AC starting…right?
by Rainbow skyline on Nov 4, 2009 7:36 PM MST up reply actions
Lawson and Aflalo
Turns out they’re pretty decent!
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 7:30 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I confess, I knew NOTHING about Afflalo when the Nuggets signed him. I could only assume they knew what they were doing. I’ve been a Ty Lawson fan for a while, so he doesn’t surprise me.
I want Afflalo to start instead of AC. And I want JR to come off the bench.
Stats Somebody
How many blocks does the Bird have compared to this time last year?
no worries
just thought i’d point it out since it happened simultaneously with your post
Oh man I went to eat dinner
And come back to a 30 point lead. Someone want to tell me what the Nuggets did to turn the game around? Just better defense, offense or New Jersey go cold? Good to see Balkman with significant minutes
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:37 PM MST reply actions
This is where AC gets good stats.
This POS gets his stats padded in Garbage time. And then he misses the layup
Biggest difference between Lawson and Carter
Lawson finishes around the rim while Carter doesn’t.
uhhh, thats 1 difference. No need to name the 10 other things.
by CCH on Nov 4, 2009 7:41 PM MST up reply actions
You never know, he might get in GK’s doghouse. Especially with TY playing like he is.
by CCH on Nov 4, 2009 7:42 PM MST up reply actions
GK's doghouse
Damn that’s been a long list.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 4, 2009 7:45 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Holy shit
I love Balkman. Why doesn’t he get minutes?!?!
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:43 PM MST reply actions
Haha yeah
Rhetorical question, but it bears repeating when he makes plays like that
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:45 PM MST up reply actions
ahaha oh god
he won’t let him touch the dreads but ac lets karl rub his bald head. uggghhhh
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:48 PM MST up reply actions
Petro
proves that if you’re 7’ tall, you can find a spot on an NBA team
Are we getting spoiled?
We’re stomping these guys on a night that Melo & CB didn’t really have it. yet we turned it on, almost at will & now we’re cruising. wasn’t it just last season when a game like this was a trap game?
Am I the only one who expects to win vs EVERYONE but the Big Five of the NBA? (LA, SA, BOS, Cle(?), Orl).
I still say we’re gonna fall if we don’t get “longer” on the frontline, but we’re definitely in the upper, upper, echelon of this league.
I'm feeling this too
I’m getting kind of frustrated when the Nuggets come out playing defense, but it’s hard to deny the talent and ability to come back. I don’t want to feel cocky, but oh many I’m just fantasizing about how tight the team might look with JR back.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:50 PM MST up reply actions
I heard Robert swift just signed with a D league team, wouldnt he been a better option than petro? ATleast he has alot of tattoos
It's really baffling
even more so when he doesn’t seem to understand how to dunk.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:51 PM MST up reply actions
Petro and 1!
ahahah
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:53 PM MST reply actions
HOORAY FOR PETRO!
he made his toughest shot of the night
Nice game for our pick-ups
A. Afflalo 30:59 5-8 1-3 4-5 +10 2 6 4 2 2 0 0 2 15
T. Lawson 27:19 9-10 3-3 2-2 +18 0 4 2 1 1 0 0 1 23
This is seriously the only thing I think every time
they mention that useless record. GK ties Red for most games won without a single ring to Red’s 9. So apparently GK is just as good with awful players or he has been just good enough to collect a paycheck for an insanely long time
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:56 PM MST up reply actions
Lawson is going to be really special
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
...and he's young. Only gonna get better.
If we can pick up a big I think we could really be a for real serious contender.
I agree I think we need another big that can
rebound because our current bigs really struggle when we face opposing teams with 4&5 that are actually good
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 7:57 PM MST up reply actions
You don’t think we’re a “for real serious contender” right now?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
I think we're really really good....
…think how bad ass we’d be with someone to take the pressure off of Nene…
We would be close to unbeatable if we had a true 5
even a serviceable one like Perkins on the Cs. That would allow Nene to move the 4 where he belongs and have Kenyon come off the bench
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 7:59 PM MST up reply actions
yeah
But Perkins isnt really a true center either, just goes to show you dont necessarily need height to compete.
by CCH on Nov 4, 2009 8:00 PM MST up reply actions
Perkins is 6'10 and 280
He is not 7 foot but he has the weight and long arms to bang with elite centers. A player like him. Not a superstar but a GOOD Center would make the nuggets the best team in the league
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 8:03 PM MST up reply actions
Perkins also has a 7 foot 6.5 inch wingspan which makes up for his 6'10 height
I personally think he is the most underrated player on the Celtics. I would love to have a player like him manning our 5 spot
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 8:07 PM MST up reply actions
I agree
It’s just that Nene can be that type of player some nights (like tonight).
by CCH on Nov 4, 2009 8:09 PM MST up reply actions
True but Nene is not
consistant. He have a night like tonight and then play horrible. He also struggles against true 7 footers for some reason. He needs to learn how to dunk also, I am so sick of him trying to lay it in with one hand. He would get the foul line a lot more if he would try to dunk with two hands more often
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 8:12 PM MST up reply actions
Preaching to the choir
He’s a beast when he doesn’t back down on the dunk.. which seems to be every single time.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 8:15 PM MST up reply actions
*which seems to be never
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 8:15 PM MST up reply actions
I do but we will be undersized when we play the Lakers
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 7:58 PM MST up reply actions
yeah…we struggle against the great bigs. But who can we realistically get? And for what?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
I dont think we will see any moves until the
trade deadline Hopefully someone will want to dump some money. We do not need a superstar. We just need a Good/Solid Center.
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 4, 2009 8:04 PM MST up reply actions
Shameful 1st half
44 for points in the 3rd quarter. Nuggets slowly working the kinks out of their game while simultaneously winning road back to backs. Oh man
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 7:58 PM MST reply actions
We're winning the games that we should...
good time to be a Nuggets fan… I just wonder how we’ll stack up against the elite… Although the Lakers almost lost to OKC… but Kobe had piggy flu.
The Jass (get it “ass”?) are on the decline….. Thankfully.
What really impresses me,
Is that without Graham and JR smith, its like we dont even miss need them. This team is deep and I love it.
JR is going to have some competition with the 3 ball
from Afflalo and Tywon. The accuracy of those two is just one more great aspect of their pick ups. Excited!!!
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 8:05 PM MST reply actions
That is a good problem
Ty Lawson 1
CB the 2
Jr the 3
AA the 4
Melo the 5
lol but it could happen
Seven seconds or less Suns
no match for a deep Orlando Magic team apparently. 22 points loss ow
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 4, 2009 8:10 PM MST up reply actions
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