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Game 27 Preview & Thread: Nuggets at Hornets (6pm MDT)

Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Hornets, Dec 18, 2009 6:00 PM MST


David_west_medium It's been sort of a hide your face start for the New Orleans Hornets this season, but the good news is that Chris Paul is completely healthy again after missing eight  games and the Hornets are 4-2 since his return. The Nuggets will be tested at the hive against last season's playoff foe.

Star-divide

 

 

 

 

The particulars ...

Records:
Denver:
19-7 (12-1 at home, 7-6 on the road)
New Orleans: 11-13 (9-3 at home, 2-10 on the road)
Injuries:
Denver:
Chauncey Billups (left groin) is listed as questionable tonight.
New Orleans: Sean Marks (right shoulder strain) and Ike Diogu (left knee strain) are both out.

Opposition's Take: At the Hive

 

If you have ever questioned George Karl when he says going .500 on the road is a great success, look no further than the Hornets. NOLA is just about as good as Denver at home, but out on the road ... well their 2-10 record speaks for itself and is exactly why the Hornets are on the other side of .500 right now. And you can't point to Paul's injury for all that road blame as the Hornets had four home games and four away games during his absence. With Paul in the lineup the Hornets are 5-3 at home and 2-6 on the road.

And on the road is where the Nuggets will be tonight. Denver has a chance to get a little breathing room above that .500 mark with five of their next seven games coming on the road, but they should not overlook the Hornets tonight.

NOLA has a little bit of a different look this season as they shipped out the oft-injured Tyson Chandler and sharp shooting Rasual Butler in the offseason. They replaced Chandler with Emeka Okafor, but they didn't really find a replacement for Butler as Devin Brown (former Nugget) has stepped into the starting shooting guard role (from the bench) and rookie second round pick Marcus Thornton has provided some scoring off the bench (10.6 ppg in 19 minutes per game).

The Hornets know what it's like not to have their floor general as they went 4-4 with Paul out of the lineup (which is quite impressive). In Paul's absence rookie (21st overall pick) Darren Collison out of UCLA stepped up and filled the starting role nicely. Collison averages 20 minutes per game, 8.7 points and 3.9 assists on the season, but with Paul out his numbers rose to 27.7 mintues, 13.6 points, and 5.8 assists. His turnover ratio climbed just a bit as expected with his increased minutes from 1.85 to 2.5, but still not bad for the "rook".

Since Paul has been back he has been on a tear averaging 15.8 points and 13.7 assists. A.C. and Lawson should each have their hands full tonight.

Denver now faces a similar problem with Chauncey Billups likely to miss a couple of games for the Nuggets. Rookie Ty Lawson has shown he is more than capable at running the Nuggets offense, but the Nuggets have the luxury of not asking the rookie to do to much with veteran Anthony Carter slated to start in Billups' absence. I'm sort of on the fence with the Lawson conundrum. Do you start him and see what he can do or do you keep him protected a bit by bringing him off the bench? It's a tough call, but not disrupting his current role with the team may be the best move at this point in time. But the Nuggets must find a way to replace his 17.4 points and 5.7 assists, but he will still be offering his insight from the bench I would assume.

Staying with the similarity card ... Emeka Okafor's role with the Hornets is eerily similar to the role Nene plays with the Nuggets.

  • Season stats for Nene: 13.2 points on 57% shooting, 8.6 rebounds and 1.08 blocks.
  • Season stats for Okafor: 10.6 points on 54% shooting, 9.6 rebounds and 1.90 blocks.

Okafor is not much of a focal point on offense, but maybe he should be. Like Nene, Okafor could use more shots as he has only recorded double figure shooting attempts in 8 times this season, likewise Nene has only recorded 10 games of double figure shooting attempt nights.

Okafor typically feasts on the Nuggets and in his career he averages 15.8 points and 13.7 rebounds against Denver, but last season in his two games with the Bobcats against the Nuggets he put up 12 points and 13 rebounds combined. Perhaps Denver has figured out a way to contain the big fella ... we'll find out.

Peja Stojakovic's offense is tailor-made for Carmelo Anthony. Peja is mainly a stand still shooter at this point in his career and when he does take the ball off the dribble he could be guarded by a street post. But veteran players have ways of scoring with angles and Melo must stay in front of him. Peja has hurt Denver with his shooting in the past, so while he is an easy matchup for Melo ... Melo does have the tendency to leak off his man and allow them open looks.

A great defensive matchup tonight will be Kenyon Martin against David West. K-Mart made West a non-factor in the playoff series between the two teams last season and I'm sure West remembers that. Paul and West love to run the pick-and-pop game and Denver has shown they like to trap Paul coming off the screen ... it will be interesting to see how Denver decides to play the pick-and-pops tonight.

 

Views you can use:

  • The Nuggets are 1-0 with Billups out of the lineup ... that one game came on February 4, 2008 in Oklahoma City where Melo's runner in the lane gave Denver a thrilling 114-113 win
  • The Nuggets are 48-30 with Anthony Carter in the starting lineup all-time
  • Former Nugget Devin Brown plays his best against his former team ... with at least 17 games played against an opponent Brown averages his best numbers against the Nuggets (and Suns) with 9.1 points per game

 

 

 

ntimmons73@yahoo.com
Twitter:
Nate_Timmons

Photo courtesy of AP Photos: Gus Ruelas

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This could be a trap game

But the predicting the game is hard because of these players: Darren Collison, Devin Brown, Peja Stojakovic, and Marcus Thornton. If we control all of them, we’ll see win #20. If we let one go off, we should be fine. However, if two or more go off, we will be in trouble.

If we let Julian Wright or James Posey go off, everybody on the Nuggets should give their best double facepalm

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 2:38 PM MST reply actions  

I would really like to see

Awesome LAWSOME do his best CP3 impression and school everybody!

Afflalo shut down everybody.

Melo feed Nene

and Kmart dominate Okafor

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 2:43 PM MST reply actions  

Karl will not put KMart on Okafor unless Okafor gets secretly swapped for Dwight Howard

Okafor gets few touches, and having KMart on him would make him even more of a nonfactor than he is. KMart will put David West into fits though.

Also, something that you should notice is that Nene is a very good passer, almost to the point to insanity. Okafor rarely gives up the rock and loves to hog the ball, at least he did in Charlotte.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 2:51 PM MST up reply actions  

keys to the game

nawlins will try to double and triple team melo as soon as he catches the ball. they used this tactic against dirk when they played dallas twice this season. first game dirk had 13 points in an overtime loss. he had 10 points in a 4 point win last time they played. melo gets rid of the ball when he catches it there will be open shots all night. west had 32 points last game against detroit. kmart stays in the game he should handle west. nene did not stand out against chuck hayes in the rocket game. hornets will give okafor a chance to go at nene early and often. denver will need to defend the perimeter. hornets are 5th in the nba in 3 point attempts.

pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow

by nohoops4u on Dec 18, 2009 3:11 PM MST reply actions  

I predict a loss

just because it seems that teams often get a not nearly satisfactory taste of revenge against teams that smoked them in the prior year’s playoffs (Denver-Lakers game for example). The Hornets might be especially hacked off by their 50 point loss in game 4.

I wonder if there are any stats on how teams this year have fared against teams that outed them the year before….

by margabelle on Dec 18, 2009 3:47 PM MST reply actions  

Elephant in the room

How can we forget the 121-63 shellacking the nuggets put on the hornets in theor last appearance at the hive. I think that game alone adds much more to this game than anyone wants to admit. We straight up embarrassed these guys and I don’t think they only have short term memories.

by Dr. Jre on Dec 18, 2009 3:47 PM MST reply actions  

true except

butler and chandler are gone. that dilutes the revenge factor. the coach from last season is no longer there also. byron scott is still calling the shots it would be a blood bath.

pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow

by nohoops4u on Dec 18, 2009 4:00 PM MST up reply actions  

CP3

doesn’t have Jones impersonating his shadow either so who knows what’ll happen.
this is a perfect game for Afflalo to show how easily he replaces whatever Jones left.

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 4:12 PM MST reply actions   1 recs

Interestingly enough

Jones is averaging 13.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg and is shooting 80% from the line in 32 min.
Afflalo is averaging 7.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.5 apg and is shooting 71.4% from the line in 24.06 min.
Jones is horrible from 3 point land at 15% vs. Afflalo at 44.6% though.

by My3Cents on Dec 18, 2009 5:23 PM MST up reply actions  

A lot of what Afflalo does

Doesn’t show up on a stat sheet though.
Plus Jones is a scoring option on his new team.
Afflalo isn’t really a go to option for points since we have Melo and JR and CB and … well you get the point.

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 6:18 PM MST up reply actions  

Alright

hey everyone, LETS GO NUGGETS!

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 6:33 PM MST reply actions  

To be honest...

Lawson is owning Chris Paul.

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 6:48 PM MST reply actions  

Nene was..

the X factor of last years playoff matchup.

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 6:49 PM MST reply actions  

This is...

Lawsons best game so far this season.

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 6:59 PM MST reply actions  

Nice 2nd Q

Good D
Fastbreak points

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 7:00 PM MST reply actions  

streaming link anyone?

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 7:07 PM MST reply actions  

I tried, but i don’t know how to send a message!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 7:13 PM MST up reply actions  

ok, message me at..

xaiver_jax@yahoo.com, I just don’t want to get the guys who run this site in trouble.

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 7:16 PM MST up reply actions  

I dunno. I think this is AC's last stand

George is pretty high on Fly Lawsome

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 7:11 PM MST up reply actions  

Wow please get Carter out of there

At least have the decency to not shoot it AC

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 7:28 PM MST reply actions  

his..

jump shot leaves much to be desired

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 7:30 PM MST up reply actions  

Our transition D just stinks

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:31 PM MST reply actions  

Someone in this unit needs to step up

Our starters are really bad with Melo covered up like this. GK will not call a timeout when the lead is cut into honestly this game feels like its already over

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 7:32 PM MST reply actions  

they score at will

this is painful

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:38 PM MST reply actions  

Why do..

we play much better when we are down by 17 then when we are up by 17?

I am sick of the roller coaster rides Nugs!

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 7:45 PM MST reply actions  

This looks like old Chris Paul… the really, really good one.

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 7:48 PM MST reply actions  

Oh, and I found a link, thanks CloudBurst!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 7:49 PM MST up reply actions  

Ok Nuggets, you are showing me why WE ARE NOT A CONTENDER

o

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:49 PM MST reply actions  

just fucking ridiculous deffense

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:50 PM MST up reply actions  

Let’s just watch the game without being depressed about it? Sound good?

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 7:50 PM MST up reply actions  

it might sound good to you after this 3rd period, not to me though

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:51 PM MST up reply actions  

how could we be losing..

when our bench has outscored them 31 to 11?

by CloudBurst on Dec 18, 2009 7:51 PM MST reply actions  

Just a guess

Melo — 3-12 FG, 11 pts
Through 3 quarters. I mean, with Chauncey out you would think Melo would step it up

by Uh on Dec 18, 2009 7:53 PM MST up reply actions  

MARTIN SHOOTING 20 FEET JUMPERS

GOD I LOVE THIS TEAM

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:54 PM MST reply actions  

Melo

Holy #$#$@ sh#t. We are wasting a great performance from Ty Lawson

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:54 PM MST reply actions  

There you are JR, do your thing baby!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions  

Ok boys...

Kept yourself in it until the fourth…let’s put this one to bed.

by Murph3000 on Dec 18, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions  

Melo is a nonfactor

KMart shouldn’t think about using his player deal until he stops shooting 22-foot twos.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions  

at best

his D has been ridiculous

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 7:56 PM MST up reply actions  

Imagine that

Funny how they called a timeout when their lead started to slip away. I wonder why teams do that?

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions  

Hmm I really don't know

Maybe somebody could possibly think of doing that. Hopefully that somebody is on our team, and super-hopefully it is possibly the guy making the game decisions…

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:57 PM MST up reply actions  

Same for JR as in shooting long 2's

But unlike Martin, JR actually makes a lot of his

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:55 PM MST reply actions  

So I don't really have much of a problem with JR on that

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:56 PM MST up reply actions  

JAMES POSEY!!!!

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:57 PM MST reply actions  

Nice to see that he has found himself a niche in Hornetsland bricking 3's

WHY THE HELL DOES PEJA HAVE OVER 20 POINTS?

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:58 PM MST reply actions  

JR MISSED A SHOT!!!?!?!!!

Time for Melo to show everybody why he’s the NBA’s leading scorer. I don’t care if he flops to the line as long as we win.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:59 PM MST reply actions  

AC in

Uhoh

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 7:59 PM MST reply actions  

OMFG ANTHONY CARTER STEAL

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 8:00 PM MST reply actions  

DAMNIT GameCast failure

Stupid AC

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 8:02 PM MST up reply actions  

And Arron Afflalo bricks again

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 8:00 PM MST reply actions  

WHAT THE HELL ARRON?

Spellcheck fail

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 8:00 PM MST reply actions  

Afflalo has to make something eventually right?

by snafu on Dec 18, 2009 8:01 PM MST reply actions  

damn AA, you dont have it tonight, dont fucking shoot it

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:01 PM MST reply actions  

He was open

This is a Dahntay Jones type game with the Nuggets, except even Dahntay wouldn’t shoot bricks over and over if he knew he couldn’t do it that night.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 8:02 PM MST up reply actions  

Pull Afflalo for Melo

I know that he’s usually a very good 3-point shooter, but 0-6 is just unacceptable, even if he’s open.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 18, 2009 8:01 PM MST reply actions  

u should here these hornets announcers, they aer literally laughing at AA

its so disrespectful, they r like saying he is dahntay jones, and they like say he sucks, rly pissing me off

by hvino on Dec 18, 2009 8:04 PM MST reply actions  

AC almost made a nice play!

That’s the most we can ask for at this point, amiright?

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:05 PM MST reply actions  

IS ANYBODY GONNA GET A FUCKING HAND ON A SHOOTERS FACE?

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:05 PM MST reply actions  

GRRRRRRR so angry!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:06 PM MST up reply actions  

Is AC really going to play the whole fourth quarter?

Might as well chalk up the L now. There’s no denying it bad coaching played a huge role in this and the Nugs road struggles.

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:06 PM MST reply actions  

they need to be more physical with chris paul

He will fold like baby when you are physical with him

by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 18, 2009 8:07 PM MST reply actions  

nice d! *not(

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:08 PM MST reply actions  

I've just drawn up a special play

Nene picks up Lawson and throws him toward the basket for the dunk.

wash, rinse and repeat

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 8:08 PM MST reply actions  

Nene blocked somebody out on a defensive rebound! Yessssssssssssssss!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:08 PM MST reply actions  

Holy crap....Landry was elbowed in the face by Dirk Nowitzki

Landry lost 3 teeth literally, and the NBA tv announcers say they found the teeth in Dirk’s arm

this is not a joke…holy crap

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:09 PM MST reply actions  

Holy shit! That is crazy, are we talking Carl Landry from the Rockets?

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:11 PM MST up reply actions  

Yes!! They showed the replay

Landry took the charge with Dirk’s elbow right in his mouth.
Landry ran off the court pointing to his mouth. Dirk went flying to the floor and started grabbing his elbow immediately. There is talk it may be broken.

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:13 PM MST up reply actions  

His elbow? What kind of collision was this? &)

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:14 PM MST up reply actions  

He was driving to the basket

made a move, jumped, smashed Landry in the mouth with the elbow from hell…

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:15 PM MST up reply actions  

Damb, that sucks… Rockets are my second team and I really like Landry.

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:16 PM MST up reply actions  

That sucks..Landry is a great player…that’s why most wear a mouthpiece these days…

by Murph3000 on Dec 18, 2009 8:16 PM MST up reply actions  

WHOA

Looks like Dirk has been watching too much UFC

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 8:13 PM MST up reply actions  

2 words

GAME OVER

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:09 PM MST reply actions  

What a badass move by JR!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:10 PM MST reply actions  

Not going to win much with Melo scoring 11 and CBill not playing.

by Murph3000 on Dec 18, 2009 8:11 PM MST reply actions  

Lawson

It’s really not fair if he gets shut out of the whole 4th quarter

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:12 PM MST reply actions  

Yep, anyone feel like we might lose our identity and cool when CB isn’t leading us?

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:12 PM MST reply actions  

We can't keep making excuses

Nuggets should be playing better on the road against teams like this, period.

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:13 PM MST up reply actions  

Gotta tell ya…Willing to overlook this loss. NOLA isn’t all THAT bad and are very good at home. With this being the first game with CB1 being out, I’d like to think this will take some adjustment….

by Murph3000 on Dec 18, 2009 8:16 PM MST up reply actions  

Did I call it an excuse? It’s more like an indictment of the team in that we can’t function as well without our starting point guard. Take a chill pill, boss!

by aLuffabo on Dec 18, 2009 8:18 PM MST up reply actions  

AMEN

Im tired of all the excuses, we should have won this one, we were leading by 17 dammit!!

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:18 PM MST up reply actions  

Nice to see JR showed up tonight

to bad melo didn’t. Also why is AC in over Lawson that is just stupid

by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 18, 2009 8:12 PM MST reply actions  

plus minus

the box score shows AA + AC = -11
and JR + Lawson = +15

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:16 PM MST reply actions  

fuck chris paul

he is still a little bitch. Its like they forget we owned them in the playoffs last year

by gnarlybroncodude on Dec 18, 2009 8:17 PM MST reply actions  

thats really

Yesterday’s news,
and of course they haven’t forgotten, thats why they need revenge…

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 8:18 PM MST up reply actions  

Can’t tell how much is bad defense and how much is CP3 being on fire

by snafu on Dec 18, 2009 8:17 PM MST reply actions  

I don't like CP3 never had.....overrated..:)

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:18 PM MST reply actions  

GEORGE KARL'S PLAN IS COMPLETE

.500 on the road!!! All about the great success train! I’m telling you Nuggets fans great times are on the horizon. Sign GK to a lifetime extension now

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:18 PM MST reply actions  

+1

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:19 PM MST up reply actions  

D & starters

I don’t think the D was that bad. It was bad for a while in the 3rd Q, but normally if the Nugs hold a team under 100 points they’re gonna win.

I think the starters missed CB getting everyone into the rhythm of the game. The second unit played like it was supposed to, but the starters didn’t.

Not an excuse. It’s just what I think happened.

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:21 PM MST reply actions  

plus minus

starters = all minus except AA (+4)
bench = all plus (and significantly)

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:22 PM MST up reply actions  

The defense

wasn’t bad but there was a 5 minute stretch of laziness in the third quarter which lost it for us. Also a poor effort on the rebounding front against a team we should compete with on the boards

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:24 PM MST up reply actions  

Wow, nice game...

Please either make a trade for a big man or fire GK, please, make it happen

"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."

by sepioes on Dec 18, 2009 8:22 PM MST reply actions  

Grow up

Blaming the coach is the easy thing to do.

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:23 PM MST reply actions  

Really?

There is a laundry list of reasons for the poor performance on the road. If you don;t put bad coaching at the top of that list I have serious doubts you watched the game. It was clear what worked in the first half and what didn’t, it’s like we completely ignored that in the second half making no adjustments whatsoever. GK is not immune to criticism man

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:28 PM MST up reply actions  

I agree that he's not immune,

but the comments here are stupid.

generic hyperbolic statements about GK aren’t reasonable, given the game I watched.

I think a better explanation for the loss is that the starters weren’t in rhythm because CB is out. Sure, GK had to make adjustments and maybe they weren’t all the right ones.

But the Nuggest missed a lot of wide open shots, and that’s why they lost.

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:31 PM MST up reply actions  

Our starting lineup blew it

Combined with the lackadaisical management of the game and refusal to call a timeout while losing the lead, the loss was pretty much a foregone conclusion. But better coaching could have given us a fighting chance. We will be okay when CB gets back but this loss is on GK

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:39 PM MST up reply actions  

Or is it possible

That NOR made adjustments to us after the first half, I didn’t get to watch the game so I can’t say much but seems to me if something was working for us in the first half and we didn’t do it much in the second it would likely be because NOR made their own adjustments to prevent us from doing what was working

by Zachm219 on Dec 18, 2009 8:43 PM MST up reply actions  

Either way

You’re being outcoached right?

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:46 PM MST up reply actions  

you're being completely unrealistic

the nuggets had numerous open looks (especially from the 3) and they didn’t make those baskets. What more is GK supposed to do if they’re getting open looks?

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:26 PM MST up reply actions  

hahaha

I really don’t see how its Karl’s fault that Melo didn’t perform…
the dude is the leading scorer in the league and he’s bound to have an off night.
This isn’t the end of the world, though I think the tape of the game will be reviewed and some knowledge will be gained.

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 8:24 PM MST reply actions  

Do you not understand how sbnation works? What is the purpose of quadruple posting the exact same sentiment? Just stop, please. We get it, you don’t like Karl.

by snafu on Dec 18, 2009 8:30 PM MST up reply actions  

..

Do you not understand how sbnation works? What is the purpose of quadruple posting the exact same sentiment? Just stop, please. We get it, you don’t like Karl.
by snafu

Quoted just to drive the nail down

by RPN on Dec 18, 2009 8:31 PM MST up reply actions  

As bad as this loss seems, I remain optimistic

Remember, the Nuggets had no Chauncey, an extremely subpar night from Melo, and a poor night for Afflalo.
The Hornets had Chris Paul nearly going for a 30-20-10 night, and Peja (Peja!) with 24.
The game was in New Orleans, where the Hornets are good.
Seemingly a bunch of missed free throws (17-23)

THIS IS PROBABLY NEVER HAPPENING AGAIN.
The stars were aligned in the Hornets and CP3’s favor today.

Yeah, this was a game they should’ve won. Yeah, this is just another in a disturbing trend. But ultimately, this game was #1 unlucky and #2 all that other stuff.

by Uh on Dec 18, 2009 8:31 PM MST reply actions   1 recs

NATE & ANDREW

Is there anyway SB Nation could provide a scorecard while the game is in progress?
my work has blocked like every sports site other than this one (thank god) and I’d like there to be a link to a scorecard to see everyone’s stats, especially if you click the “Complete Coverage” link. Or maybe there is one I just missed it?

by InboundingLobPass on Dec 18, 2009 8:32 PM MST reply actions  

Hate to say it

In addition to needing a big man I think the Nugs may also need another 3 point shooter too.

by runningdonut on Dec 18, 2009 8:43 PM MST up reply actions  

nah

Afflalo & JR were a combined 0-9

JR is normally .337
AA is normally .446

I think they just had bad games

by river-z on Dec 18, 2009 8:45 PM MST up reply actions  

Not Worried

NOR is a very good home team, we were down Chauncey, Chris Paul is well Chris Paul, NOR is stilla playoff caliber team

by Zachm219 on Dec 18, 2009 8:46 PM MST reply actions  

hey Zach...saw your post at Purple Row....we all want you to come back

we liked your post!!

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:51 PM MST up reply actions  

whoa sorry for the double post. don't know what that was about

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:53 PM MST up reply actions  

Thanks man

I’ll be back soon enough, I forget about the other blogs sometimes but I’ll make sure to come round more often

by Zachm219 on Dec 18, 2009 8:59 PM MST up reply actions  

"Thanks man"?!?

Cat is about as male as I am, IIRC…

by Chrysicat on Dec 18, 2009 9:09 PM MST up reply actions  

lol, you remember correctly, I am female

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 9:12 PM MST up reply actions  

welcome man!

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 9:11 PM MST up reply actions  

hey Zach...saw your post at Purple Row....we all want you to come back

we liked your post!!

Dear Rockies-Thank you for a wonderful rollercoaster season! Best turnaround in MLB history to become NL Wild Card Champs.

Garrett Atkins-So Long, Farewell, Auf weidersehen, Goodbye!! You were a great Rockie! GOOD LUCK!
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 Dec 18, 2009 8:52 PM MST up reply actions  

Melo Didn't Show Up

Hate to say it, but this was a complete lack of effort on Melo’s part. He was standing on defense and forcing bad shots. It was almost like he wanted his buddy CP3 to win. Melo has won us a lot of games, but I put this loss squarely on our Superstar for a lack of effort.

by ACEIII on Dec 18, 2009 9:14 PM MST reply actions  

Melo can't show up

Right….blame it on Melo for not showing up. GK sealed the deal when he announced two days ago AC would start. Hmmmmm what would my game plan be if I were NO? I don’t know…..Maybe double team Melo and let AC do whatever the hell he wants?

The whole Idea is to spread the court out. If GK would have STARTED JR or Ty, he would have been better off. At least the odds would have been better with people that actually have a shooting percentage.

by philipba on Dec 18, 2009 9:50 PM MST up reply actions  

Melo just had a horrendous night

He was being guarded by Peja Freaking Stojakovic for a good deal of time, and Peja hasn’t played defense since 2002. Melo also let Peja have his own offensively…KMart deserves a lot of the blame for his terrible jumpers and not playing good D on David West when it mattered. And of course, the GK+AC combo.

"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"If the NBA were on channel 5 and a bunch of frogs making love were on channel 4, I'd watch the frogs, even if they were coming in fuzzy." - Bobby Knight
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew

by LACK on Dec 19, 2009 7:33 AM MST up reply actions  

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