Lucky number 13 for Melo (Nuggets/Raptors recap)
by Nate Timmons on Mar 26, 2010 9:32 PM MDT
in Denver Nuggets: Game Recaps
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If the ending to tonight's game didn't make you leap out of your chair...consult a physician, you might be dead. Melo's 13th game winner of his career couldn't have come at a better time. The Nuggets struggled a great deal in the second-half of tonight's game, but Melo's shot allowed me to put a band-aid on the bullet-wound that has become the Nuggets.
After losing three-straight games the Nuggets needed to do whatever was necessary to pull out a win tonight. On the last play of the game, Denver did exactly that. With just 16 second remaining and Denver down 96-95, J.R. Smith inbounded the ball to Chauncey Billups who found Carmelo Anthony on the right elbow ... Melo didn't waste any time and loaded up a shot with 9 seconds left that like most of the shots in the second half for the boys in powder blue, rattled off the rim. Game should have been over, but ...
Anthony Carter got a hand on the ball in a crowd, then Nene tipped the ball off the glass, J.R. Smith volleyballed the ball in traffic towards the sideline, Nene raced over and threw the ball to Billups (who was being double-teamed) on the three-point line and Billups found Melo near the foul line who threw up a desperation fadeaway in Jarrett Jack and Antonine Wright's faces that found its mark as time expired ... Nuggets win 97-96.
The shot of Wright on the floor in disbelief summed up the night for the Raptors. Toronto struggled to start the game scoring only 19 points in the opening quarter, but they went on to score 32 in the second and 29 in the third before being shut down in the fourth by Denver's active defense and chalking up only 15 points.
The Raptors are not known for their defense (27th ranked D in the NBA) and they really were not stiffling the Nuggets, but Denver rather just seemed to be shooting at a shrunken rim as they hit just 3-21 field goals in the third quarter and opened the fourth 0-5 from the floor.
Credit Denver's defense in the fourth quarter for allowing them a chance to win the game and credit Melo's icy cool veins with the game on the line for tonight's win.
In the second quarter the Raptors were enjoying a 19-6 run and a 40-36 lead as Adrian Dantley turned to a lineup of Billups, Arron Afflalo, J.R. Smith, Melo and Nene ... this group quickly went on a 9-0 run and retook control of the game going into the locker room up 56-52.
We've seen a lot of bad third quarters and second quarters and some awful fourth quarters this season by the Nuggets, but the third quarter of tonight's game was no doubt one of the worst I've ever seen. Denver couldn't hit layups, wide open jumpers or free throws. The period reminded me of what can be found in the toilet the morning after you spend all night drinking whiskey and all of fourth meal eating tacos from Malik Allen nickname's namesake (Taco Bell).
Watching Denver battle back from 12 down in the fourth quarter and somehow pull out the win tonight was nothing short of something special. The Nuggets somehow need to pull out another win on this road trip either Sunday in Orlando or Monday in Dallas, but heading to Florida with this incredible win under their belt sure is nicer than the alternative.
Additional nuggets:
- Anthony Carter saw 18 minutes tonight to Ty Lawson's 3 minutes. Lawson was what made Denver a special team with another gear before he went down with his shoulder injury. If Lawson isn't able to see more time before the playoffs begin Denver will lose their 6th gear and that special ingredient that he gave them. That is not a good thing.
- Arron Afflalo came off the bench after Melo's game winner with a huge smile on his face and was one of the first guys heading to give Melo's props for his shot. Pretty big for a guy who wasn't on the floor in crunch time in favor of A.C. That's a good teammate and somebody I want to see get key minutes ... I guess it's nice to know that Afflalo is going to be with the team no matter his playing time.
- Johan Petro only saw 13 minutes tonight and should have played more. Dantley pulled Petro with just under eight minutes to go in the third quarter and Petro didn't see the floor again the rest of the night. I still want to see Petro play his way into a rhythm and that is still not happening. Against a big team like the Raptors, Petro's size was working in his favor and it was a questionable move to put the smaller Joey Graham in for him.
- Melo's 25 points, to lead the team, tonight seemed to come very easily ... as usual. I was impressed with Melo's offensive game and he once again came through for his squad for win 48.
- It was nice to see Sonny Weems score 14 points in his start tonight. After being thrown away by the Nuggets it's nice to see Weems resurrect his career in Toronto.
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
Twitter: Nate_Timmons
Photo courtesy of: AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese
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couple thoughts
I know people can tend to overreact during the game because they can get caught up in the emotions of things, but I was just disgusted by the anti-Chauncey comments. Pull Chauncey and put in AC? Seriously? Don’t EVER ignore a body of work that an individual has put in over his career, just because he has struggled the past 7-8 games. The reason his shots haven’t been falling is because he has been working overtime to keep this team steady. And he shows you his mental toughness to keep shooting, despite all the misses, and he makes the huge 3 at the end of the game.
Let’s not become Lakers fans guys. Don’t forget all C-Bills has done for this franchise, and throw it all away because he failed to entertain our pretentious asses for a few games. Nene misses a layup, and all i see is “fuck you nene”. JR plays great basketball, had one bad turnover and he is an idiot?
And even the biggest AC hater cannot deny the impact he had on this game. His constant presence on defense, and his effort on that last play (the initial tip of the rebound) were both huge. Proving that AD maybe knows what he is doing when he doesn’t play Lawson immediately after Ty missed a solid month of games+practices.
The season isn’t over. Neither is this road trip. So don’t give up on either of those.
by jb22 on Mar 26, 2010 10:04 PM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Haha true true
I didn’t come into the thread(thanks to Madness watching) until very late but the comments were rather funny. But during a competition like that people think irrationally, I am no exception. After emotions have calmed down I’m sure many posters would find what they wrote extremely dumb. Many times have I felt this experience(not just posting but also attending or playing sports).
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
I'll admit to being one of the posters you were referring to
I believe one of my comments went, “Fuck you Nene and fuck you JR, and for that matter, fuck the rest of you, too.” Or something to that effect. I harbor no actual hostilities toward any of our players. In fact, I like them all, and I defend them adamantly under almost all circumstances. That said, I’ve shouted obscenities at all of them while watching games. I don’t stay mad at them, of course, because this is my team, and this team specifically, is the best we’ve ever had. I know and appreciate that, and just because I lose my shit when they make bad plays, doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten it. And let’s face it, those guys were driving us all nuts tonight. Thank God for Melo.
by airforcefoo on Mar 26, 2010 11:26 PM MDT up reply actions
Wow, people were saying that?
I’ve said a lot of dumb shit in my time as a Stiff, but I have NEVER and will never petition for A freakin’ C to replace Chauncey at any point in the game, period. That’s just insane.
"Jive turkey is a little over the line my man!"
"I'm kinda grumpy today, dude. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I was having those dreams again. Ya know, how it's just me in a castle and I gotta fight, like, a thousand wizards and the only way to beat them is to punch them as hard as I can in their faces. Then, when I'm done, all their little wizard wives came out and wanted me to have sex with them - which is kinda weird."
by GoldenNugget on Mar 27, 2010 12:11 AM MDT up reply actions
Stiffs Membership
Should be revoked for anyone who ever advocated pulling Chauncey in order to get A.C. in the game, ever. Nate, Andrew, please identify these people and remove their rights to post.
Ridiculous. I’ve got an idea. Let’s bench Melo so that we can finally get some minutes for Balkman…..Amazing.
Exactly
Why not yell at Chauncey to stop chuckin’ up terrible shots? It makes a ton more sense than petitioning for the Nugs 3rd PG.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
He tossed those same shots in last year's playoffs against the Hornets...
They’re not stupid when they go in right?
Sure
When they go in there’s no criticism, but when he’s cold it looks bad. It’s just the nature of the game. I was simply stating a legitimate reason to criticise Chauncey. I’d never go to the length of wanting AC in there instead of him though.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
It's a GDT
Anything flies during the gameday thread! People are emotional, in-the-moment, and spouting out the first thing that comes to mind. That’s what makes the threads fun to participate in and read. Now if people were making the comments you are describing outside of the GDT in a calm environment with plenty of time to reflect, then I would understand your gripe and completely agree with you.
Every blog on SB-Nation is just like ours when it comes to over-reactions and massive swings between despair and wild celebration in favor of players during GDTs. If you are looking for thoughtful conversation with actual analysis, I strongly encourage you to stay away from the mid-game discussions.
by snafu on Mar 27, 2010 12:53 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd!
This is 100% right.
We’re watching our team come back from double digits in the fourth quarter and they get this close, and CB chucks up a random 3 that doesn’t make it…what do you think we’ll say?
“Well, Chauncey is a career 39% 3 point shooter, and 40% on the year, so we’ll chalk that one up to bad luck.”
Obviously not. It’s a game thread, it will obviously be pretty crazy in a game like yesterday’s. No one needs to be saying things like “Nate, Andrew, please identify these people and remove their rights to post.” We’re Nuggets fans, we can get caught up in the moment.
by Uh on Mar 27, 2010 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Thank you
It was ridiculous to see. The “I will not call you a leader anymore” (paraphrase) remark threw me off. People lose their sense of perspective during the course of a frustrating stretch. Players are bigger than just a few games, folks! (and we all know this in these sober moments of victory, but some forget while suffering the perils of defeat)
guilty
i admit i was caught up in the moment, but its been building up for awhile. for someone that we call our leader and captain i expect much much more. this whole slump the nuggets have been in, hes been preaching about how were not hustling, playing defense, rebounding, etc. has he bothered to look in the mirror?
i understand hes older, been logging a ton of minutes and now shouldering somewhat of a player/coach role, but he needs to set a better example of playing defense, hustling for loose balls and blocking out. i have this vision of the bucks game for some reason and cant get it out of my head. nene was blocking out his man and the ball bounce right in front of chauncey. instead of going to get the ball he just stood there and one of the bucks hustles and got the offensive rebound. i know its only 1 play, but it basically summarizes our season.
maybe im expecting too much from CB1, i apologize for the rant.
by 808inDenver on Mar 27, 2010 10:17 AM MDT up reply actions
It's frustrating
when Billups isn’t playing as well as we are used to seeing, but it’s worth remembering a few things. Billups is averaging a career high in scoring this season. He plays 34 minutes per game, third behind Melo and Kmart, and has played more minutes total than anyone other than Nene. With KMart out, he’s being asked to carry more of the load. Last night is an example – the starters left with a pretty good lead in the first half when A.C. and the backups came in. The lead quickly evaporated, then the starters returned and got the lead back up before halftime. This kind of thing happens a lot and puts a lot of stress on the starters – not only do they have to outplay the other team when they are on the court, they often have to overcome a deficit caused by the second unit. If you leave the game up 7 and re-enter down 2 or 4, you have to outscore the other team by 15 just to win by 4. The nuggets are really good, but are the starters, sans Kmart, 15 pionts better than most of the other teams in the league? The reason A.C., Bird, and the other bench guys can hustle like crazy is because they play a lot less minutes, and in the case of A.C. have played a lot fewer games. Let me in there for 5 minutes a half and I guarantee I’ll have the most energy of any player on the court. I’ll also be the least effective player on the court.
by CancerSucks on Mar 27, 2010 10:33 AM MDT up reply actions
yeah i know
im probably expecting too much since hes logging career minutes and stats. like i said i know hes logging a ton of minutes and shouldering a big load. but i just think seeing your captain hustle a bit more would fire your team up faster than whatever speeches you give in the locker room.
its a long season. and i really think burning chauncey out to possibly get the 2nd seed is not worth it. we need to work ty into the lineup more so that we can give chauncey more rest. i still remember that tear chauncey went on after returning from his ankle injury. the rest did him well.
by 808inDenver on Mar 27, 2010 10:56 AM MDT up reply actions
plus cb1 said it himself before the game.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2010/03/26/melo-on-tonights-game-a-must-win/
A lot of it is leading by example. If I’m out there busting my butt, and Melo is too, nobody else can come out with less effort than that.
by 808inDenver on Mar 27, 2010 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions
Agreed with everything said here, I'm never going to lose faith in Chauncey, he has been to huge this year.
Also, is anyone else infuriated that Melo’s game winner was NOWHERE to be seen on the front page of ESPN? Come On! If it was Kobe or Lebron they would be drooling all over the place and then writing seven articles about how each one of them is god’s gift to the earth.
Surprisingly enough
It was the #1 Top Play on Sportscenter. So at least there’s that.
by ParkHillNative on Mar 27, 2010 12:04 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
"The period reminded me of what can be found in the toilet the morning after you spend all night drinking whiskey and all of fourth meal eating tacos from Malik Allen nickname's namesake (Taco Bell)."
HAHAHAAH. LMAO. Jameson+ Taco Bell= rough time for the digestive tract.
On a more Nuggets note, hell yeah Melo, thank you for doing everything you can do pull or season back from the brink. Your jersey proudly hangs on my wall with Joe Sakic, Troy Tulowitzki and Kyle Orton.
303
You have the greatest Avs player ever, one of the incredibly talented young stars of the Rockies
and then the extremely average present reality of the Denver Broncos.
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
errr...
NECK beard. Sorry, it’s one of those nights where you spend all night drinking whiskey and eating TB tacos…
by Artimus Mangilord on Mar 27, 2010 12:38 AM MDT up reply actions
I support the Broncos and root for Orton when he is playing
but I sure wouldn’t buy his jersey. Mainly because I don’t think he will be a Bronco much longer. You are a brave man.
Proud member of Thuggetz nation.
I will never buy another Broncos jersey
but I will sell. Anyone want a Jake Plummer or Jay Cutler jersey?
Good idea
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Someone should get a custom Broncos Jersey with the name Carter and the number 80
Since AC is the Rod Smith of the Nuggets
I support the Broncos, too, but
I don’t think KO cracks my top 100 favorites of my 21 year lifetime. I’m not dissing the guy, but alongside Joe Sakic? Never. Ever.
by airforcefoo on Mar 26, 2010 11:11 PM MDT up reply actions
darrell hackney is the anthony carter of the broncos
huge mistake for bronco’s boy coach jock mcdrama to cut hackney. i cannot wait for mike shanahan to bring him to the redskins to become the super bowl winning quarterback.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Sooooo glad I didn't watch this one!
I purposefully did not watch this game. I cannot handle the stress! My GF had a medical emergency (fine now – so to speak) and I had to get out of work early to make sure she was ok. I live up in Seattle and yet have yet to miss most every game this season (keepin’ it real denizens of Nuggs nation!). I just could not bring myself to watch this one. Boy am I glad.
Had I watched this game, I would not even be here to comment. Instant heart attack. Just reading about it and seeing the highlights makes my heart rate go up.
Go motherfucking NUGGETS!!!!! Do this for us.
ugly win and lucky too
denver shot 41% from the field, 26% from 3 point land and 67% free throws. nuggets did not deserve to win the game. the way the fickle finger of fate has constanly been poking this team in both eyes with kmart’s injury and coach karl’s cancer it sure is nice to get a gift from the basketball gods. no doubt some comments are way over the top. the majority of the negative comments were spot on and well deserved. during coach dantley’s post game comments the biggest thing in his mind the team did not quit. they played bad and did a bunch of dumb stuff but did not quit. the implications of the win are huge in more ways than one. nuggets are a game ahead of utah, they took back the 2nd seed in the western conference from dallas, the 3 game losing streak is over and hopefully the the worst is behind them. the best play of the game had to be anthony carter’s patented jump shot pass to a wide open nene in the paint for an easy basket. the ghost of coach jim valvano must be haunting dereck whittenburg and lorenzo charles.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
and one more thing
denver was outrebounded by 20. eat your heart out raptors.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Yeah but we can't win like that which is what you said
Nene had 20 points, 9 boards, 6 dimes though
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Well, the Nuggets don't give the ball to him enough
For that to happen
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
It's also on Nene
He’s not “selfish” enough for lack of a better word. How many times have you seen him pass up layups and other good shots and give the ball to someone else? He’s either worried about being selfish and angering his teammates, or he has some Rasheed Wallace in him and likes bumping along under the radar without any real pressure on him to do more.
He reminds me a lot of myself in junior high and high school. Playing one on one or two on two in a pickup game I would be very agressive, post up a lot, and had a few shots I would rely on. When I got into an organized setting I was much more passive and did not want to take those shots because I didn’t want to be a ball hog or selfish. Playing defense and passing the ball as a forward worked okay when I was the 7th or 8th guy, but when I got older and was a starter it didn’t work for the team and the coach was on me to shoot more.
by CancerSucks on Mar 27, 2010 11:27 AM MDT up reply actions
He's our best option in terms of what happens when he puts up a shot...
Personally, I think he should be using more of the team’s possessions.
"nuggets did not deserve to win the game"
Melo’s game winner was sick, but nohoops summed it up well. ugly ugly ugly win, but it’s a win. Hopefully we’ve turned a corner.
by Artimus Mangilord on Mar 27, 2010 12:40 AM MDT up reply actions
its great to see
the nuggets finally wake up and show heart and attitude. Their effort in the 4th, specifically on the defensive end, is what won this game. It was nice to see the grit that we have been missing for the last few weeks in which everyone buckled down and refused to lose that game. Hopefully it is a sign of the things to come. Especially with the crucial last two games of the trip coming up.
Jim Tracy is My Homeboy
Wow
That’s some real heart there, pulling out a win like that, no matter how ugly. I’m heartened to see they’re not giving up, even with everything they’re up against.
by ParkHillNative on Mar 27, 2010 12:07 AM MDT via mobile reply actions
Unbelievable
I was switching back and fourth between the Nugs and March Madness but once the Nugs fell down by 10 in the 4th I just stuck to Madness. Luckily I switched back with about 3 minutes to go and boy am I glad I did. The last play was incredible and ironically seemed to fit in just right with March Madness. Melo definitely gets props for that one but so does Nene for saving that ball in the first place. Incredible game for the most part but damn I can just sense that we really need K-Mart and George right now. Hopefully they get better soon so we can beat some ass in the playoffs.
"Jive turkey is a little over the line my man!"
"I'm kinda grumpy today, dude. I didn't get a lot of sleep last night. I was having those dreams again. Ya know, how it's just me in a castle and I gotta fight, like, a thousand wizards and the only way to beat them is to punch them as hard as I can in their faces. Then, when I'm done, all their little wizard wives came out and wanted me to have sex with them - which is kinda weird."
LOL!
GN calling for Karl to return! With the teams recent struggles, I’ve been trying to decide if the team is missing Karl as well. Evidence, perhaps, that Karl really was doing a good job. The problem is, I haven’t really seen A.D. doing anything that I don’t think Karl would have done. If anything, he is sticking a little too closely to the Karl playbook and not putting enough of himself into it. I don’t think the problem is missing Karl’s coaching as much as A.D. trying to imitate Karl and failing rather than being himself.
by CancerSucks on Mar 27, 2010 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions
Karl might have better "button pushing" instincts
for each player at different times. Karl’s been around so long, there’s probably lots of little things that AD is only now appreciating.
I'd say that this game was the most emtional I've been watching a Nuggets game
since last years playoffs. There was a sense of desperation and it really played out. Melo…..Love you man…thank you for saving our asses 13 times.
I think one of the main “problems” the previous three games has been Chauncey’s horrid shooting…just dreadful. I hope that fade away 3 he hit toward the end helps him break out of this slump he’s in. JR played great at times tonight and THANK GOD AC cranked up the defense in the 4th and provided our Nugz with that little extra spark to push us over the cliff
WEEKLY OPTIMISM BABY!! Got some more material.
"Groovy" Ash from Evil Dead 2
"No one came from miles around / and said man your music is really hot" No One Came...Deep Purple
Same thing for me
We don’t need the Weekly Optimism today…
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Weekly Optimism
Another reason for your weekly optimism: Prior to this three game losing streak, the Nuggets had the longest streak in the league without losing three in a row. So while the losing streak sucked, every other team in the league has also suffered through one at least as long more recently than the Nuggets until this week.
by CancerSucks on Mar 27, 2010 12:35 PM MDT up reply actions
Good point.
Utah’s loss to Indiana last night was inexplicable. And Dallas is….well….Dallas. They can’t get out of their own way.
Weekly Optimism…..I hope this win breaks the negative mentality the Nuggets have been in recenly
"Groovy" Ash from Evil Dead 2
"No one came from miles around / and said man your music is really hot" No One Came...Deep Purple
Don't talk about the Nuggets' firstround opponents
I’m working on one like that
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
wasn't antoine wright
the same guy melo hit a game winner on last years playoff series against dallas? HAHA!
Yes
Wright tried to foul Melo, but refs didn’t call it for some reason and Melo had to shoot. He sunk an off-balance 3.
Fadeway from the elbow this time
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
My favorite part were Josh Howard/Mark Cuban's reactions
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Why does Malik play at all?
Why can’t we give those minutes to Petro and go small with AAA? I am sure he is a decent guy and all, but he should be sitting on the Nets bench, right?
Gotta give it up for AC
His D late in the game kept them in it, despite their inability to immediately capitalize (how many consecutive layups did JR flub?).
And the whole team, while seeming pretty run down, did not have the ‘deafeated droop’ of the shoulders, but played through it for the ugly victory. Their 4th quarter defense negated so much of the other stuff not going our way, particularly the horrid shooting percentage and rebound deficit.
Orlando will be tough, but if the Nugs can channel their inner KMart and collectively play tenacious D for at least a couple quartiers…and hopefully shoot a better percentage…it’s still gonna be difficult but who knows. And the Dallas game looms, more significant than ever. Hopefully, this gritty victory will provide the emotional boost they need to win a few more sans Kenyon.
Weird...
anywho, the pessimistic side of me came out in this game, though I did not post it in the thread. The Nuggets were awful in the third quarter, it was hard to watch, even as we began the stretch run there were some questionable decisions (Chauncey’s deep 3 brick with what like under 2 minutes to go) but then suddenly it turned. Chauncey somehow nails that three and all I think is “Mr. Big Shot” Raptors come back, Bosh gets fouled (terrible call), and somehow he misses the first free throw. Still Nuggets down by one and I’m thinking remember how we couldn’t close out the Knicks…or the Rockets, here we go again. Melo shoots, he misses…game over..but then somehow he gets the ball back and he buries it! What an amazing finish, most exciting by far this season. 2 things made it feel great, first, Denver played a poor game tonight, while the defense was stout, the offense was just off but somehow, some way they found a way to win. Second, and more importantly, Denver needed this win. A 4-1 road trip? would have been awesome, 3-2 good, 2-3 you survived, anything less hurts. Nate is right, because Denver could not beat NY they are put in the position where they need to get one of the games in the upcoming b2b. The Dallas game now becomes huge, honestly I hope for a blowout in Orlando either way. Rest up the guys. Hell, pull a Popovich and sit Melo, Chauncey and Bird, we need the win against Dallas so much more
Why live life on the edge, when you can jump off?
?
In hindsight, we shouldn’t have went down by double digits in the 4th Q in the first place
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
The Nugs are going to be lucky to be the 4th seed
the way they’ve been playing. The team seems rudderless without Karl and K-Mart, and the Nugs ability to have the dog buttiest of dog butt quarters is unmatched by any of the teams going to the playoffs.
Runs
Someone on the team has to figure out a way to stop runs by the opposing team. At one point the nuggets were on an 0-11 streak shooting in the third. A.D., taking after G.K., finally calls timeout way too late. They had the entire timeout to plan out a play. Something guaranteed to get a good shot. Nearly impossible for the defense to keep you from getting at least a very high percentage shot when the team has a timeout to plan. Nuggets get – a turnover. This has been a problem for a long time now, not just with A.D. They are terrible coming out of timeouts. Comeon, someone step up and learn how to manage a game.
Didn't watch the game
but from the sounds of it, it was a very ugly performance. Hopefully, stealing this game will translate in one or two more wins on this road trip.
''I'm really not a Facebook or Twitter guy. I'm a prime rib and baked potato guy.'' - Sweet Lou
The third quarter was "HOLY @#$@, THE NUGGETS CAN'T MAKE A SINGLE SHOT"
3-21
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Wasn't in the game thread last night.
But it was quite funny to read it.
summary
1) I dunno if we’re gonna beat the Raptors…
2) Of course we will
3) WOO_HOO we are awesome, we are winning, Melo and Chauncey are teh bezt
4) 3rd qtr WTF, who’s this playing in place of Chauncey, trade him immediately, Chauncey is the WORST. PLAYER.EVER
5) JR Knucklehead is the dumbest player in history and can’t handle a ball, bench him immediately and trade him
6) JR Swish is the MOST awesome player and the savior of the game
7) Melo is so selfish, don’t give him the ball
8) Chauncey is the best player EVER. you rock mr. big shot
9) OMG we are running out of time get the ball to Melo
10) OMG Melo you suck how could miss that!!!
11) MELOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! for Mayor!!!! OMG
game over.
Awesome win btw!!
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
Todd Helton - Thanks +17
"I don’t know one guy who can stop Melo on a consistent basis."-Chris Paul
PS Let's win the NL West in 2010, shall we?
+1
12) I need another beer.
I’ve got to think a lot of the in game reaction is alcohol related. It’s Beer Goggles for basketball!
by CancerSucks on Mar 27, 2010 11:35 AM MDT up reply actions
But don't beer goggles generally make everything seem better?
I think this was tequila rage. :)
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
Todd Helton - Thanks +17
"I don’t know one guy who can stop Melo on a consistent basis."-Chris Paul
PS Let's win the NL West in 2010, shall we?
I think that was a definite bi-polar game thread
I didn’t join in till the end but….you are right. Up-down-sideways-lots of cussing-yelling-celebration
"Groovy" Ash from Evil Dead 2
"No one came from miles around / and said man your music is really hot" No One Came...Deep Purple
And I'm not throwing stones,
I might have been just as goofy, but I hope not ;)
Troy Tulowitzki - Best SS in the MLB - 2010 MVP
Brad Hawpe - Will prove the doubters wrong
Todd Helton - Thanks +17
"I don’t know one guy who can stop Melo on a consistent basis."-Chris Paul
PS Let's win the NL West in 2010, shall we?
You ever been in a game thread?
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Have you ever felt passionate about anything in your life?
by Artimus Mangilord on Mar 27, 2010 12:39 PM MDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd Artimus
Chantech, do you ever feel emotions while watching a basketball game???
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
Yeah so wow
I watched the whole game through (no easy task considering the really really awful third quarter, turnovers, bad defense, ill-advised jump shots, etc.), so the final play of the game was just awesome. Unbelievable. I freaked out after the first Melo miss, but once he hit the second one, well
Anyway, like everyone before me has said, the game was ugly to watch, and it often seemed as though the whole team was tired…maybe because it’s late in the season, old injuries are coming up, who knows. At any rate these next two are going to be extremely difficult to win. Hopefully the team can ride the momentum and steal a win or two in Orlando and Dallas.
Also, to the people who are calling the game thread posters “ridiculous,” “disgusting,” “inconsistent,” “extremely dumb,” “irrational,” and “pretentious”: IT IS GAME THREAD
Though I do agree wholeheartedly with “irrational.”
Tougher man than me . . .
I turned off in the third quarter, went to the kids talent show (K-5th graders) and thought . . man, this is a lot better than that game.
‘Course I did check my b-berry at intermission and couldn’t believe the Nugs came back to win that game and to top off, Utah gave away one to Indiana.
As of right now?
Raef Lafrentz busted his left knee three seasons ago, and has trouble running. At least Malik can kinda run. If we sign Lafrentz, all he’d do is wave around towels and chuck threes on the offensive end. I’m sure he can still hit them, but he can’t run back on defense, which means we’d play 4 vs. 8 on defense and 4.5 vs 8 on offense. With Malik it is 4 vs 8 on offense and 5 vs 8 on defense.
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
I dunno . . .
You sure Malik is more mobile than a guy on crutches, much less a guy two years removed from crutches?
That knee injury, combined with numerous ankle injuries, make him very immobile by NBA standards
Lafrentz used to play for the Blazers, and last season was the last year on his contract. However, he wasn’t played, not only to get insurance money but because they said that he had trouble running for more than like 2 or 3 seconds. Also, his 3-point percentage, which was at 37%-38% in his prime, was in the 20s at the end of his career. So he can’t even shoot those 3s any better than Malik.
I’D HAVE DEJUAN BLAIR OVER EVERYBODY!
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
This Felt Like A Season Saving Win
Not sure why, but this win sure felt like a season-saving win. Props to CB1 for nailing the big 3, to AC for keeping the ball alive, and for Melo hitting the shot. It feels like the lack of a complimentary big man who can score in the post is gaping hole in the line-up right now. Nene gets tired and just isn’t Moses Malone in the post, in that he doesn’t seem to have the energy to be a 20 shots a game kind of guy. Hopefully this summer, the Nuggs find a way to get a second big man that can score in the post. But, with this game winner, this season still has hope….
antoine wright must hate melo... thats two Game Winners in his face...
i feel like AD is a good coach overall, but i think he needs help with his rotations…
like Billups should be kept at low minutes and ty should get all the rest of the pg minutes…
AA and JR should split the minutes at the SG and back up SF….
Melo is good with the 35+ minutes… with JR/AA backing him up for stints
Nene should switch b/w PF and C for around 32 minutes total… with Graham and Bird getting the others
Petro should get at least 20 minutes at C, Nene fill out some minutes and bird too
Did you see Wright right after the shot went down?
He was on the floor, double facepalmed
"Left hand, right hand, it doesn't matter. I'm amphibious." - Charles Shackleford
"He’s a stiff." - The Legendary Doug Moe
"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors." - Weldon Drew
"I really didn't want it, but now that I've won it, it's nice. It's an honor. It's nice to know people don't think you're a total idiot. ... It must have been a poor year for coaches." - Doug Moe...talking about winning 1987-88 Coach of the Year award.
"Keep your head up and don't let anything get to you." - Dante Bichette Jr.
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