Do or Die: The Possible End of Melo and the Nuggets.

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.