Tonight is the night. If another poor effort is put forth by my Nuggets, it is the end. The Jazz have shown great resolve in the face of adversity, while the Nuggets have turned to ripping out each other’s throats. Not only does Denver miss George Karl, they miss whatever it was that brought them together last season after the acquisition of Chauncey Billups.
I haven’t put up anything on the blog for a while. I have been extremely depressed about my team and could feel a major let down ever since the blowout against the Spurs compounded by the blowout by Phoenix. There is a camaraderie lacking within the ranks of the Nuggets. Players like Afflalo, Smith, Nene, and Andersen have been absent and lacked focus in these playoffs, leaving the hard work to Carmelo, Chauncey, and Kenyon.
I especially feel bad for Carmelo. He has played his heart out in every single game and until last game not putting the blame for the losses on anyone in particular. I suppose he still hasn’t done that, but when he called out his team, I’m sure the offenders knew who they were. Beyond my concern for Carmelo’s hard play going unrewarded is my apprehension about his status as a future Nugget. In case anyone has forgotten, the Nuggets were an NBA punch line until Anthony was drafted in 2003. Being on a small market team, Carmelo hasn’t garnered the same attention or endorsement dollars other young stars like Lebron and Dwyane Wade have. If he decides to opt out of the last year of his contract and go to a team like the Knicks, where he has family ties mind you, the Denver franchise would most likely revert to the lower castes of NBA society.
Our other leader and star, Chauncey Billups, has put a certain amount of effort forth, but his lack of court leadership has been apparent. Last season, in his first playoff game with the Nuggets, he nailed 8 of 9 three pointers as if to say, “never fear, Chauncey’s here.” No such performances have arisen in this series. I blame mismanagement of his minutes in the latter half of the season. When he was rested toward the beginning of the season, due in part to a groin strain keeping him out of the line up, his numbers were great. But as the season wore on and he had to take up major minutes due to an injury to Ty Lawson, one could notice his production declining. Long gone are the step in threes and drives to the basket resulting in foul shots. Chauncey is not getting other guys into the game either.
Most of the blame thus far for this series rests with Nene, J.R. Smith, and Arron Afflalo. Arron has put out effort, but has missed almost every three pointer. J.R. Smith has not found any kind of rhythm and thus has suffered as well on the defensive end. Still, it is Nene who has let everyone down the most. The worst big game center in the league, he has bailed himself out time and again. It is very frustrating to see him pass out of the post when he has an open shot or the opportunity to put fouls on Boozer. During the regular season it was his ability to do so and get points and rebounds in the paint which gave the Nuggets a 3-1 series lead. Without his performance, the Nuggets are doomed.
I hope Nene, can grow a pair and understand if there is a Jesus in the sky, the only way he will achieve salvation is to take it to the rack and throw it down in Boozer’s Blue Devil grill. I’m hoping the Nuggets can at least save face and get a win at home tonight. If they don’t it’s not only the end of the season, but maybe the beginning of the end for the franchise.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Fan of Carmelo Anthony in Rhode Island
While the last two games are extremely disheartening and frustrating for Nuggets fans, there is still hope. Indeed, the Nuggets can regain home-court advantage in their first round playoff match-up with the Utah Jazz if they can win on the road on Sunday.
One problem is that the Nuggets don’t exactly have a knack for winning on the road this season, finishing 19-22 in opposing arenas during the regular season. They are the only Western Conference playoff team that finished below .500 on the road, a stat that doesn’t fare well in any arena, much less in EnergySolutions Arena, a venue that the Jazz won 32 out of 41 games this season and one that the Nuggets have struggled to bring their ‘A’ game.
But that is not the only problem. Another ‘big’ problem is the Nuggets’ inability to defend Jazz big men. It would be one thing if Denver executed a similar defensive strategy as last year’s second-round opponent in Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets played off of Nowitzki and had an interesting and effective strategy to not double-team him in order to focus on keeping the rest of the Dallas players from beating them. If the Nuggets find a way to let Deron Williams be the only big time offensive threat, then they would be sitting in a much better spot. Unfortunately, the Nuggets are making Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and even Kyrylo Fesenko look like the most formidable front-line in NBA history.
The Nuggets third biggest problem so far in the playoffs, and truthfully throughout much of the year, has been their failure to rebound the ball tenacity and purpose. Although the Jazz only outrebounded the Nuggets by one in Friday night’s contest, they still gave up too many opportunities on the defensive end of the floor and not created enough extra opportunities on offense. Rebounding has been a problem for Denver all year, and they will have to collectively focus on the importance of boards in terms of making stops and creating possessions in order to get a leg up against the Jazz.
There is still hope. If the Nuggets focus on stops, their offense will come and they will have a much better chance of evening the series on Sunday. It would certainly help if the Nuggets big men could bring an offensive presence to the floor the way the Utah big men have throughout the series.
One problem is that the Nuggets don’t exactly have a knack for winning on the road this season, finishing 19-22 in opposing arenas during the regular season. They are the only Western Conference playoff team that finished below .500 on the road, a stat that doesn’t fare well in any arena, much less in EnergySolutions Arena, a venue that the Jazz won 32 out of 41 games this season and one that the Nuggets have struggled to bring their ‘A’ game.
But that is not the only problem. Another ‘big’ problem is the Nuggets’ inability to defend Jazz big men. It would be one thing if Denver executed a similar defensive strategy as last year’s second-round opponent in Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets played off of Nowitzki and had an interesting and effective strategy to not double-team him in order to focus on keeping the rest of the Dallas players from beating them. If the Nuggets find a way to let Deron Williams be the only big time offensive threat, then they would be sitting in a much better spot. Unfortunately, the Nuggets are making Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and even Kyrylo Fesenko look like the most formidable front-line in NBA history.
The Nuggets third biggest problem so far in the playoffs, and truthfully throughout much of the year, has been their failure to rebound the ball tenacity and purpose. Although the Jazz only outrebounded the Nuggets by one in Friday night’s contest, they still gave up too many opportunities on the defensive end of the floor and not created enough extra opportunities on offense. Rebounding has been a problem for Denver all year, and they will have to collectively focus on the importance of boards in terms of making stops and creating possessions in order to get a leg up against the Jazz.
There is still hope. If the Nuggets focus on stops, their offense will come and they will have a much better chance of evening the series on Sunday. It would certainly help if the Nuggets big men could bring an offensive presence to the floor the way the Utah big men have throughout the series.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Nuggets Need to Step Up Game Heading into Playoffs
I would first like to apologize for my failure to post anything in such a long time. I don’t like making excuses, but I was busy getting dunked on by Coby Karl and filling K-Mart’s car with buttered popcorn.
Anyways, the coolest team in sports history has had some extreme ups and downs lately, but they still remain in the hunt for the #2 seed in the Western Conference. While that is certainly an important goal to strive towards, it would be much more disappointing if the Nuggets did not win the Northwest Division title over the Utah Jazz. I mean really, do they even allow jazz music in Utah? On another note, it would be in Denver’s best interests to try and avoid the fourth seed and a possible second round match-up with the Lakers.
It seemed as though Ty Lawson’s return from his injury would provide a spark for the Nuggets. However, he has received inconsistent and often sparse playing time since his return. Lawson’s energy and speed off the bench was a huge help for the Nuggets earlier in the season, and there is no reason to think he can’t benefit his team with more minutes. While Anthony Carter has cut down on his turnovers from last year, he does not have the speed or the scoring ability that the Nuggets sometimes need. For whatever reason, the Nuggets haven’t shown the offensive potency we’ve come to know and love.
It will be interesting to see which team the Nuggets are matched up against in the first round. The Portland Trailblazers would seem to be the team the Nuggets match-up the best against. The Spurs, Thunder, or Suns could prove more of a problem. No matter whom they face in the first round, home-court advantage will provide the Nuggets with a distinct advantage. Winning on the road has been an issue for Denver all year long, and it will not get any easier in the playoffs. I mean heck, the opposing fans could have thunder sticks. Thunder Sticks!
The Nuggets need to remember to do what has made them successful in the last couple of years: forcing turnovers that lead to fast-break offense, being productive with starters and bench players, and possibly the most important factor for the Nuggets on the offensive end—getting the ball to Carmelo Anthony (especially when he is feeling it). If Denver can execute these aspects of their game, they can beat anybody on the home or on the road.
Anyways, the coolest team in sports history has had some extreme ups and downs lately, but they still remain in the hunt for the #2 seed in the Western Conference. While that is certainly an important goal to strive towards, it would be much more disappointing if the Nuggets did not win the Northwest Division title over the Utah Jazz. I mean really, do they even allow jazz music in Utah? On another note, it would be in Denver’s best interests to try and avoid the fourth seed and a possible second round match-up with the Lakers.
It seemed as though Ty Lawson’s return from his injury would provide a spark for the Nuggets. However, he has received inconsistent and often sparse playing time since his return. Lawson’s energy and speed off the bench was a huge help for the Nuggets earlier in the season, and there is no reason to think he can’t benefit his team with more minutes. While Anthony Carter has cut down on his turnovers from last year, he does not have the speed or the scoring ability that the Nuggets sometimes need. For whatever reason, the Nuggets haven’t shown the offensive potency we’ve come to know and love.
It will be interesting to see which team the Nuggets are matched up against in the first round. The Portland Trailblazers would seem to be the team the Nuggets match-up the best against. The Spurs, Thunder, or Suns could prove more of a problem. No matter whom they face in the first round, home-court advantage will provide the Nuggets with a distinct advantage. Winning on the road has been an issue for Denver all year long, and it will not get any easier in the playoffs. I mean heck, the opposing fans could have thunder sticks. Thunder Sticks!
The Nuggets need to remember to do what has made them successful in the last couple of years: forcing turnovers that lead to fast-break offense, being productive with starters and bench players, and possibly the most important factor for the Nuggets on the offensive end—getting the ball to Carmelo Anthony (especially when he is feeling it). If Denver can execute these aspects of their game, they can beat anybody on the home or on the road.
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