Game 33 Preview & Thread: Nuggets at Jazz (7pm MST)
by Nate Timmons on Jan 2, 2010 2:43 PM MST
in Denver Nuggets: Game Previews & Game Threads
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The Nuggets are going to be without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups tonight and trying to win in Utah where the Jazz are a very good 12-4.
The particulars ...
Records:
Denver: 20-12 (13-2 at home, 7-10 on the road)
Utah: 18-14 (12-4 at home, 6-10 on the road)
Injuries:
Denver: Chauncey Billups (groin) and Carmelo Anthony (knee) are both out.
Utah: Kyle Korver (knee) is a game time decision.
The Nuggets are on a three game losing streak and will be shorthanded tonight. George Karl is going to be forced to open up the rotation a little bit with either Joey Graham or Renaldo Balkman filling in for Melo, but not having the high scoring forward is going to prove to be a difficult challenge for Denver.
The Nuggets haven't seen the Jazz since beating Utah to open the season 114-105. Ty Lawson proved to be the difference off the Nuggets bench scoring 17 points in his NBA debut. The Nuggets were without J.R. Smith (suspension) and found a way to win the game, but since then the Nuggets have had a difficult time (to say the least) winning games without a healthy lineup.
The Jazz, like Denver, are a very good team at home. Winning in Utah is always tough and the Nuggets have to find a way to replace a lot of points. Last season the Nuggets seemed to thrive with their backs against the wall, but replicating that sense of urgency hasn't really been discovered yet this year. Who is going to step up for the Nuggets tonight and carry the team? Nene would be a likely candidate and plays well against Mehmet Okur. The Brazilian has to stay out of foul trouble and should be leaned on heavily on the offensive end.
Sometimes it's good to see teams play without their stars to see how they react, but I'm ready to see the Nuggets get healthy and back to their winning ways. While Denver doesn't have health on their side right now, winning can go a long way towards acting like a band-aid.
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
Twitter: Nate_Timmons
Photo courtesy of AP Photos Colin Braley
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everything depends on smith
earl will start in place of melo. the 3 guard offense will get major minutes. this game will show one of two things. it will demonstrate why smith should start or why he comes off the bench.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
unfair scenario
this isn’t the lineup in which most thought that JR should start
i kinda think this game will help nene/jr smith
i wouldnt be surprised if nene got 30-10 on okur and JR gets like 35 pts
but i said this when melo was out last year too :/
hope they step up…
and deron williams probably is out…..
Nene=Haha
Why do we still have this guy on the team…what the hell does he do that a number of players at a cheaper rate can do? Trade him immediately!
I remember
Someone posting once that the Nuggets will rise up against GK and his coaching style.
I just wonder is this that scenario playing out?
afflalo and Ty lawson
It’s their time to shine
by runningdonut on Jan 2, 2010 7:07 PM MST via mobile reply actions
GK screws JR again
If this is a sign of anything, JR will never start for GK
Just a side note, The iverson to denver trade forever screwed JR
by The U.N. Fab Five on Jan 2, 2010 7:14 PM MST reply actions
get JR to play 35+ minutes
and doesnt matter if he starts… also WTF is miles doing w/ so many pts already!>!>!!?!?!?
good move lawson...
when we only have 2 pgs why play them at the same time?
answer: infatuation w AC
even JR can run the point for 10 min
why would gk take out Lawson when
he is playing great. that is just stupid
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 7:42 PM MST reply actions
When are we going to let Lawson big minutes?
I really don’t see any excuse for not doing it anymore. Unless he’s injured
Question??
does GK get a pass for losses when he has injured players?
No one, players or coach, gets a "pass for losses". Ever.
Injuries might be a factor in losses though.
But as for a pass? Nope. These guys aren’t getting paid millions to say, “Well, we weren’t at totally, completely 100% you know”. If they lose it is their fault.
And if GK makes dumb decisions during this game, you know he’d make those dumb decisions if Billups/Melo were in. Bad moves are bad moves, injuries or not.
by Uh on Jan 2, 2010 7:52 PM MST up reply actions
Stan K is always justified in firing GK. Always.
*unless it is ten minutes before tipoff of Game 7 of the NBA finals, at the Q in Cleveland, with the Nuggets trying to win their first ever NBA championship
by Uh on Jan 2, 2010 8:00 PM MST up reply actions
the minute Deron comes in the
the minute Lawson should be inserted back into the game
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 7:48 PM MST reply actions
he has to be the worst shooter on our team
even as bad as petro
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 7:51 PM MST up reply actions
god AC sucks
he can not do anything good
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 7:54 PM MST reply actions
amen to that
thank god we traded for lawson. imagine us without him right about now…
Yes
We need a win, and we’ve had 4 days off to figure out how to stop beating ourselves with the same mistakes. I don;t care if they beat us, but we just need to play respectable bball again. And win
Surprising Balkman has gotten no minutes
why extend a guy and not play him. Makes no sense
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:09 PM MST reply actions
especially when it hurts his tradeability.
We could’ve traded him at least. Maybe to a team that would be looking to clear cap space with an expiring contract. They’re very appealing especially with this summer’s FA market.
Solid half
Hopefully the Nuggets keep playing hard
I was afraid they would lapse and give up a 10+ point run in the second, but they were able to keep up with Utah
Nene, AA, and Lawson looking especially good
Graham’s been alright as a Melo fill-in
JR could stand to ACTUALLY MAKE SOME OF THOSE 3’S but he’s got some assists so that’s a plus
Nene is playing well
but he needs to get more rebounds. 2 in a half by your starting Center is not acceptable
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:18 PM MST reply actions
If the Nugs want to win tonight...
they need to keep forcing turnovers. That’s what’s keeping us in the game.
Good to see AAA playing well tonight
A night like tonight where he plays well and big minutes will help his confidence going forward big time
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:30 PM MST reply actions
If we win this
it would be a huge confidence boost to our role players that will really help us going forward
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:32 PM MST reply actions
This has to be
one of the worst, sloppiest games I’ve ever watched.
my only issue with Nene is his
rebounds
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:38 PM MST up reply actions
Good effort JR!
second time I’ve seen him have a good effort for a rebound.
Melo won't pass the ball to AC either
That should tell GK something if his teammates would rather chuck it than pass it to him
Wish Nene would play like this every night
He should be a 20 and 10 guy on a nightly basis. They need to feed him the ball more because when we do we win
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:46 PM MST reply actions
Marlowe is a POS also giving AC kudo's
Ty would have tried the layup even if it meant getting fouled
that is the only good thing carter can do is foul people
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:50 PM MST reply actions
AC should
make more good fouls
since thats all he can do well
by InboundingLobPass on Jan 2, 2010 8:51 PM MST reply actions
JR really needs to work on his free throws
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:52 PM MST reply actions
Why does carter shoot him
I wish Chauncey would knock him out when he goes to the bench
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:54 PM MST reply actions
Price thinks hes as fast as Lawesome
But he Ain’t! LOL
by InboundingLobPass on Jan 2, 2010 8:55 PM MST reply actions
Williams thinks he can dunk like JR
but he can’t!
I think Evans was the best player from the draft
and Jennings is a toss up
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 8:58 PM MST up reply actions
Agreed
but don’t you think Lawson would have bigger numbers if he was in their situations?
I think he would have similiar numbers.
I think Evans is a complete mismatch at PG and SG. Thats why I would take him. I think evans is averaging like 20 points 5 rebounds and 5 assist a game. The last player to do that was Lebron. I have watched a few kings games this year and the kid can ball. I think Jennings is a better shooter then Lawson but Lawson is true PG who can also score. I love Blake Griffen also and he is going to make the Clippers much better when he comes back
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:03 PM MST up reply actions
I will think Evans is the best
until Blake Griffen comes back and plays
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:00 PM MST up reply actions
Price steals and its
TAKEN AWAY BY LAWESOM3!!
by InboundingLobPass on Jan 2, 2010 9:00 PM MST reply actions
Carter has 0 pts
Why the fuck isn’t AA in is so dumb
Birdman just needs to clobber Williams there
I cant stand those softie fouls at the rim while he swats at the air
why can't the nuggets play like this every night
it would be so nice
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:05 PM MST reply actions
I gonna get pounded for saying this but you asked
No one is worrying about being a scoring leader
couldn't agree more
it’s amazing how that works
Personally I think it has more to do with Nene shouldering a heavier load
and Lawson being awesome
The extra ball movement is great, and hopefully it will continue when Melo returns
by Uh on Jan 2, 2010 9:15 PM MST up reply actions
Exactly
I think we need to feed Nene much more. When we do good things happen. Lawson is really good and needs as many minutes as possible
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:16 PM MST up reply actions
You know the Nuggets are going to win..
when AC makes a shot..
The stars are aligned
they are playing like a championship team right now...
now just plug in billups and melo… this is why nuggets fans get so frustrated…. so much potential keep it up guys……
also. wow
AC went pretty fast right there, set up by ty
nene with 21, lawson w like 19 and 6 i think, JR with like 16 i think
ima happy nuggz fan :D
hahaha chris anderson taunting the crowd
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:11 PM MST reply actions
AA should be in right now anyways
he played really well tonight and is not an offensive liability like AC
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:14 PM MST up reply actions
If AA was in we
would probably be up by 20. They can not leave him open like the do AC
by gnarlybroncodude on Jan 2, 2010 9:17 PM MST up reply actions
Didn't do good either
2 points on 1-4 shooting, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 T.O., and 1 steal
It is like this
George Karl is a busy man. From the standing on the sidelines (not moving) to the sitting down on the sidelines (not moving) to the plotting revenge against Mo Evans on the sidelines (not moving), GK has many in-game activities to focus on.
So, when it is late in the game and he needs to choose between playing Anthony Carter and Arron Afflalo, it is obvious he has other things to devote his time to. He must hurry. He does not know who this Arron Afflalo is. He has a vague idea that Anthony Carter is his experienced veteran off the bench. To him, there is no contest.
He turns to his assistants and tells them AC will be coming in. His assistants quickly cry out “no don’t do tha—” when George Karl cuts them off. He is a busy man, and he is confident in his coaching abilities.
Aside from being confident and busy, George Karl is a smart man. He knows two Team USA Olympic Gold Medalists are far better than one loud duck.
by Uh on Jan 2, 2010 9:28 PM MST up reply actions
Ty is gonna break his
Career Scoring record!
by InboundingLobPass on Jan 2, 2010 9:19 PM MST reply actions
Its settled
Melo and Chauncy need to sit the rest of the season so we can get into the Finals….. lol
by InboundingLobPass on Jan 2, 2010 9:26 PM MST reply actions
just great overall game...
great team defense, great fastbreaks… ty lawson with 23 and 9, nene with 21,6,5, JR adds in16…. AA adn Kmart also had good games… just wow, great to get a win on the road against a division rival without our 2 best players
Yes it does. If Ty has 23 9 3 and 3 while completely out playing an all star and leading the team to victory without the main bread winners, it is the best win of the year.
Stop getting worked up over the outcome of something you can't control.
~Anonymous
by billybobjoe22 on Jan 2, 2010 9:33 PM MST up reply actions
WOW!
amazing win, I thought we’d lose by 20 to 30 without Melo and Chauncey. Who knows, this may be a blessing in disguise. GK may actually warm up to playing some more guys if they are productive during the time our stars are out. I hope Melo is a go tomorrow.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
I was hoping more for less minutes for AC, more for guys like Graham
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
Another sweet part is that Phoenix lost by 25 at HOME against the GRIZZLIES! Really hope the Mavs and the Blazers lose so we can get a leg up.
Stop getting worked up over the outcome of something you can't control.
~Anonymous
by billybobjoe22 on Jan 2, 2010 9:39 PM MST up reply actions
There have been some head scratching results lately
even the Lakers needing a buzzer beater by Kobe to beat the Kings at home was surprising.
March 14, 2010: The great one returns!
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