Allen Iverson's ghost haunts the Nuggets again... (Nuggets/76ers recap)
by Andrew Feinstein on Jan 3, 2010 11:37 PM MST
in Game Recaps
28 comments
While he had very little to do with the 76ers ultimate victory over the Nuggets, former Nugget Allen Iverson looked better than advertised as his Philadelphia squad added to the Nuggets ever-growing list of losses to sub-.500 teams.
For some reason this disappointing ending didn't hurt as much as those we've seen in preceding losses to bad teams because the Nuggets - with the exception of a furious rally down the stretch (more on that shortly) - had no business being in position to win this game down the stretch. Had their 76er opponents just made a few free throws, the Nuggets Arron Afflalo would never have been in a position to tie the game with a three-pointer.
Just a night removed from a stellar, surprising victory at Utah - a game arguably the Nuggets had no business winning - the Nuggets lost a game they had no business losing. The 76ers have been on the road for more than week and had lost seven of their last 10 games. But rather than tire the 76ers out with a defensive effort reminiscent of last night's game against the Jazz, the Nuggets engaged in a shootout to the tune of a 60-59 Denver halftime "lead." And we fans know all too well, the Nuggets only win shootouts when Carmelo Anthony is on the floor. Tonight, Melo wasn't even (most curiously) on the bench in a suit.
Interestingly, the 76ers took control of this game while Iverson was on the bench during a 16-0 run over the third and fourth quarters. At one point, the lowly 76ers were up 16 and all looked lost until Nuggets head coach George Karl (who I just praised in the game preview for tonight) finally realized that a lineup of Afflalo, J.R. Smith, Nene, Kenyon Martin and Ty Lawson gives the Nuggets the best chance to win. Well, duh. My seat mate Justin and I were wondering from the second quarter onward where the hell that lineup was all night.
But as we've seen with the Nuggets in these losses against sub-.500 teams lately, it's often too little, too late. The team gives an uninspiring, weak defensive effort in the first half. Gets themselves into a hole in the second half and then puts it together late in the fourth quarter. Atrocious free throw shooting by Philadelphia almost saved us tonight, but frankly - just like the Broncos don't deserve to go to the playoffs, the Nuggets didn't deserve to win this game.
Views from the Not-So-Cheap Seats...
...the Pepsi Center crowd gave Iverson - who was announced first for Philadelphia - a boisterous, welcoming cheer.
...Iverson hugged most of his former Nugget teammates plus Chauncey Billups before tipoff but only waved at Karl, who graciously waved back.
...during a timeout in the second quarter, an Iverson retrospective video was played on the Pepsi Center scoreboard and the crowd gave Iverson another ovation. This was a nice touch and the powers-that-be at Pepsi Center should be doing more retro video pieces like this. (I'll get into this more when I write my column on how the Nuggets can/need to improve the fan experience at home games.)
...Maybe it's just me, but I thought Iverson looked great in person to the point that I can't believe he had no takers this past summer (sans Memphis). He had no problem weaving his way into the teeth of the Nuggets defense and getting good looks.
...Melo was inexplicably not with his teammates on the bench for the entire game, but his girlfriend LaLa was there. Does this make sense?
...Chris Andersen's sprained ankle was nasty. I suspect he'll be out for at least a week - meaning no Birdman for the next two home games against the Warriors (Tuesday) and the Cavaliers (Friday).
...a lot of fans (not me) pulled the Broncos/Nuggets double-header. And for the third time in four weeks, both teams lost on Sunday.
...Rocky made his over-the-head, half court shot on his first try.
Stiff of the Night
-George Karl: I have to give this one to Karl. The Nuggets were on the second of a back-to-back, were clearly exhausted, were without Melo and Billups and soon without Birdman and yet the Nuggets head coach still refused to put Renaldo Balkman in the game for some much needed energy and rebounding. Karl also waited too long to insert the Nuggets best possible lineup of Afflalo, J.R., Nene, K-Mart and Lawson.
Non-Stiffs of the Night
-(76ers) Elton Brand and Allen Iverson: Brand-ed as a Stiff by me before the game, Brand had no problem backing his way into the Nuggets defense en route to a very efficient 7-11 shooting night. And Iverson - even though he wasn't on the floor as the 76ers built up their biggest lead - played hard, tough, efficiently and unselfishly. It's always fun to watch A.I. play.
-(Nuggets) Nene and Ty Lawson: For the second game in a row, Nene showed up in the second half and ended up with 24 points and a monstrous 15 rebounds. And Lawson continued to show why he'll likely be the steal of the draft: the rook has just back-to-back 23 points/nine assists game.
Opposition's Take: Liberty Ballers
Photo courtesy of AP Photos: David Zalubowski
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interesting stats
1st quarter nuggets had 13 rebounds AND 13 assists. 2nd quarter 6 rebounds and 4 assists. both teams had 29 free throw attempts. philly hit 23 while denver made 17. only the 5 starters shot free throws for denver. nuggets won the rebound battle 44 to 35. denver had 20 turn overs to philly’s 14. very winnable game. free throws and turn overs cost them in a close game.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Karl is such a great coach
I mean, forget the sickening underachieving teams of the past few years, last year alone totally made up for all of our shortcomings during Karl’s 5 year tenure, including the 5 consecutive series losses in the first round of the playoffs. The man just knows how to win when the chips are down, bottom line. He can grind out wins like a pure basketball genius. Whew, so glad this guy is on our side because if he was on the other side, I just don’t know if I could live with him stealing games like this without his top 2 players. It kind of reminds me of last year when Pop visited the Pepsi Center and sat his top 3 players (including the best PF of all time) and still almost snagged a win. It’s that type of coaching genius we are dealing with with this man. Why management hasn’t thrown an incredible lucrative extension in his face by now it just beyond me.
On a more serious and sensible note…
It was great to see AI tearing it up again. Anybody who thinks this man is a “Canswer” obviously doesn’t realize which sport/league they are watching. This is the NBA, a league built around these types of selfish players (ie: Kobe, Lebron, Melo, etc.) yet they single out one guy and blame him for simply having one bad year with a team that has absolutely no direction (Pistons) and is even worse this year than they were last year with him. LOL. I have a question for these stupid people. How is it that the one guy you criticize for being a selfish player has more career assists than Kobe, yet HE is the “selfish one”? Riddle me that bitches.
tired of the karl haters
karl makes coaching mistakes, no doubt about that. but all coaches do and its still a players league.
we have to give karl and his staff credit for managing that roster…
a younger coach would not be respected by our players and do you think coaches like popovich or jackson would even consider coaching melo, kmart, jr?
by MZG on Jan 4, 2010 5:10 AM MST up reply actions
I'm tired of Karl supporters
You walk around thinking his shit don’t stink. When deep down you know his dumb decisions are repetitive and stupid.
Why is Balkman sitting on the bench with a contract extension? WHY Mr George Karl Supporter? One word STUPIDITY!
Why would you sit Ty and Nene most of the third quarter when he was the one getting it done with out a single turn over. WHY
You must be a blind man just listening to the games on the radio, If you know the Nuggets and there personnel you wouldn’t make a Brilliant Statement.
George Karl STINKS and it’s obvious that he has something else on his mind" CONTRACT EXTENSION"
The only extension he should get is a TAX extension.
Fire this overrated non coaching ego tripping idiot.
you have to understand that the nuggets success is based on raw talent, not work ethic or will. chauncey changed that a little bit as the team plays more controlled when he’s on the floor.
george karl alway says he likes freedom and creativity on the court and that is only because of the roster he has. melo is unbelievable talented but he is not a leader on and off the court like kobe bryant for example. when it ain’t working for him he’s bitchin on the refs. so is kmart, nene and jr. that is a tough squad to coach.
kobe braynt doesn’t allow his teammates to complain, he is the only one doin it, because he know he CAN do it. phil jackson doesnt’t need to call a lot of plays or take timeouts because his PLAYERS play the right way most of the time.
when the nuggets are winning they execute karls gameplans. but if they fall behind they throw everthing out of the window and everybody (read: jr, melo) try to do it all by playin one-on-five. there are very long stretches in losing games where nene doesn’t touch the ball on the block at all.
do you really think karl likes kmarts long jumpers, nenes flip-shots or JR dribblin behind his back in traffic? phil jackson doesn’t like stuff like that either, but he has not to worry about that, because his players have a different attitude and are controlled by kobe bryant.
by MZG on Jan 4, 2010 8:49 AM MST up reply actions
Full of It
You George Karl supporter need to support this.
He is a has been!!. The Playoff record speaks for it’s self.
If George Karl can’t get control of the team or players that is all the more reason for the idiot to be fired.
If they are winning they are execute Karl’s game plan but when they fall behind they throw everything out the window. WTF is the GD coach for Mr Brilliant?
When the coach is the one who’s responsible for his team to get behind because of dumb ass rotations or because of his arrogance not to give pt to a player that is BRILLIANCY illustrated at it’s best Mr Brilliant.
One more thing Mr. GK supporter. Type in firegeorgekarl.com in your browser and see where it leads you.
Your tired of Karl haters, I'm tired of your arguments
You have none. You come up with stupid crap to try and justify the man’s irrational decisions that are costing us games time after time, yet none of your arguments have anything to do with the game-costing decisions Karl keeps making. Engage in an actual debate, please. I would love to hear you try and justify why a team as talented as we are has now lost 6 of the last 8 gages we played when we have a rookie PG getting better numbers than our starting PG. Or why don’t you “supporters” tell me the tactical reasoning behind sitting your starters for over 8 minutes straight in the 3rd and 4th quarters of a very close game just to watch the other team go on a run to put them up by 15 points? Or please tell my why you wouldn’t expand your lineup and play the best player on your bench (Balkman) that never sees any time when you have injuries that are plaguing the team? If your so supportive of Karl, then back that sh*t up.
by GoldenNugget on Jan 4, 2010 12:07 PM MST up reply actions
Identity Crisis
I just don’t get it, 1 step forward and 2 steps back yet again. The team defense, either the scheme or the execution or both, is fundamentally broken. And this has been going on since before the injuries to Chauncey and Melo, it’s just been more visible lately. Look at the Utah game. Are we really expecting to force 20 turnovers every game and convert them to easy points at the other end? No, when you play that reckless you will usually just give up a lot of points and foul, compromising your best individual defenders. Afflalo was in foul trouble tonight and it really ended up biting us.
Say what you will about injuries bottom line is this team did not take care of business. Blame should be shared and the Utah win is now useless because I expected us to split these regardless of who played. Reality is we have lost 4 of 5 and 6 of the last 8. Lost twice in a row at home for the first time since 2007. Nuggets mysteriously win the rebounding battle, turn Iguodala into a non-factor and still find a way to lose. Losing to sub .500 teams is a habit and now we are trying to do it in style. I know that we can’t truly evaluate this team until healthy but I’m starting to feel that the pressure of success and high expectations have broken their will to win. I’m not saying we have to win every game I have lowered my expectations ten fold at least since the season started. Discipline and pride I would just like to believe this team has it.
Great coaches find a way to lose
just look at the way Karl led the 63 win Sonics to defeat over the 8th seeded Nuggets in 94. The first time ever a 1 seed lost to an 8 seed. Now that takes skill.
*waves from on top of the NW Division*
How is the view from half a game back? =)
Sorry guys, had to get that out of the way, I don’t anticipate us staying up here forever. Although if you would be kind enough to drop a few more games, it would be appreciated.
"We Believe" - Rudy Fernandez
If I squint hard enough, I can almost make out a permanently busted 7 foot tall1st overall pick
He’s giving Denver the thumbs up.
Swats.
Ty and Nene
Are learning the rely on each other in the paint.
I think some of the other players will have to learn to Rely On Ty
more in the future. I saw Graham catch the ball with his mouth on
one play after Law3some shot his way at the very end of the play…
I REALLY can’t believe we still didn’t see any Balkman in this game.
I mean hell, even if Balkman totally suckass HARD…. I’d rather watch
him suck than be forced to watch Allen play. Allen is basically a shell of man.
I can’t remember seeing him make one significant play the whole time he was in.
This was a home game and given that the fans like Balkman, Karl should have
used that to spark some energy in the third…
However insignificant Allen was in his nine minutes though JR lost this game for us. Basically.
He’s the guy who has the skills to step in and fill in the place of Melo and Billups, and after he realizes his 3pt shot isn’t dropping he should have just started passing the ball around instead of making attempt after missed attempt.
JR was 0-4 from beyond the arc and 4-12 all night. He also had SIX turnovers….
by InboundingLobPass on Jan 4, 2010 2:55 AM MST reply actions
Sad but True
However he can get to the hoop and create a shoot.
Combination
If you combine AC’s brains with JR’s skills, you would have a very good player.
Unfortunately, that is not the case.
the only thing that really matters is
its another loss. tired of all the sugar coating, what ifs and we should of’s its another lose and when its all said and done thats all that really matters. as far as ai goes never liked the guy even when he was a nugget and that little retrospective video (granted i did not see it) probley should have been left out probley just motivated him to come here and kick our ass. bullshit i not going to kiss his ass he’s part of the opposing team remember that.
Completely Agree
I agree on all points. Particularly bad was Karl sticking with Allen who just was absolutely terrible. Its no shocking surprise that the 76’ers run started and ended with Allen entering and leaving the game.
The most impressive thing about Lawson is how much better his game could get. He looked hesitant to me early on, passing on a few open looks and dishing for an assist rather than trying to make the lay up. He also attempted a Billups-patented transition jumper (which missed) but it was fun to see his mentor’s influence on his game there.
by George Karl Marx on Jan 4, 2010 8:35 AM MST reply actions
Interesting
I think we’re learning a lot about the Nuggets team, without their 2 best players:
1. Karl hasn’t proven that he’s worth the extension he’s looking for.
2. JR Smith may never blossom into the solid, consistent shooting guard we hoped for.
3. When Billups calls it quits, the Nuggets won’t miss a beat with Ty Lawson. That kid is Sensational!
by CSprings_Tommy on Jan 4, 2010 9:06 AM MST reply actions 2 recs
Compounded Problem
We’re back to the lack of depth on the bench costing us. I’ve mentioned this before and read the responses stating that Karl should play the bench more so the starters would be more rested and all would be well in Nuggets land.
After seeing Joey “the Ghost” Graham for two nights in a row and the space waste that is Malik Allen, do you still believe that more PT for these two is the solution? I’d much rather see Balkman hustle it up. (It is inexplicable to me that he saw no time in either of these games. There is something personal going on with him and Karl without question.)
Yes, JR should have been pulled for his horrible decisions last night. But there was no one left to put in the game.
So what is it? More PT for the bench or acceptance that we have an 8 player roster?
Either way, it is and will continue to be the achilles heel of this team.
Next stop, trade deadline.
Here's my deal with Karl/Balkman
I get the point, Karl is an egotistical, grudge-holding, past-living coach that once you get on his bad side, your pretty much screwed. And while I definitely don’t understand that type of personality, what I REALLY don’t understand is how strongly you have to hate someone that you wouldn’t play them even if it gave you a better chance at winning the game. Like Herm Edwards once said…
“You play to win the game!”
by GoldenNugget on Jan 4, 2010 12:17 PM MST up reply actions
Joey Graham Cracka
Hasn’t been that terrible, but he doesn’t get very involved either. I’m thinking he may not be the best fit to play along Kenyon Martin who has vastly improved his rebounding. Joey can contribute, he hasn’t been horrible and there is room for him and Balkman. Both players should get an audition.
Where is the love for Kmart?
Kmart and Nene were the stars of this game. Lawson and Afflalo supported well but the reason the Nugs lost is they pulled Kmart and inserted Malik Allen. I don’t know if anyone was watching but Kmart was dominant in this game. Figures Andrew would “stiff” Kmart in his Non-Stiffs of the Night section.
Agreed 100 on GK blowing this one. My thinking isn’t the fact that he didn’t insert the lineup Andrew mentioned but the fact that the Nugs were up 1 and GK inserted Carter and Allen in the game at the same time and then rode the two of them until it was a 16 point deficit before finally pulling them. Anthony Carter and Malik Allen cannot be in the game at the same time period. Hopefully GK learned his lesson with those two.
Anyone notice during the Sixers run how it was dominated by turnovers, fouls, and missed shots by AC and Allen? Fucking terrible because it looked from the stands like the Nugs were gonna give a beating to the Sixers up until that point.
When Larry Brown was the coach here, players used to complain that if you made one little mistake you’d get yanked fromt he game. It was like playing on eggshells. With GK it’s the other way ’round. You get yanked when you are playing well.
"Woohoo Denver, Yeah... All right Denver justify my love!" ...Homer Simpson
It's time to start thinking about packaging JR and a reserve for a big
How about J.R.s awful performance last night?
8 points, 6 turnovers, 5 fouls on 4-12 shooting in 35 minutes. That is atrociously bad and par for the course for JR this season.
I’m sick of his inconsistency and his stupid antics whenever he gets called for a reach. He has an incredible talent for the game and as much athleticism as a young Kobe but in 5 years in the league, he hasn’t matured – at all. He still turns the ball over too frequently, still doesn’t listen to Karl, still fouls at a high rate. His PER is only 13.7.
Package JR and Balkman (since it’s disgustingly obvious, at this point, that Karl will never give him the PT he deserves) for DeAndre Jordan and filler.
Swats.
Really?
You bail on a player that quickly? Let alone one that has been developing and has the natural talent that Smith has? I know he is down this half of the season, but there are still another 50 games for him to pick it back up…. let alone the next 10 years he has left in him!
I am the first that would have celebratory drinks if we could get DeAndre (I felt sick when we passed on him in the draft), but at the expense of one of the best “instant offense” guys in the league? Dunno so much…. also, why do you think the Clips would want JR? They do have Eric Gordon starting and doing a great job and some ok role players at that positon off the bench in Butler, Rush, Novak… Of course if we managed a Balkman/Carter/1st Round pick for DeAndre Jordan/Ricky Davis, I would not complain in the least.
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