999 and Counting

It could happen tonight. GK may get his thousandth win and the Nuggets would get their second eight game winning streak since last January. At that point in the year, the Nuggets were second in the West and looking like they could make another run at the Western Conference Finals. Then K-Mart’s knee went out and Karl was diagnosed with cancer. Bummer. Anyway, I think it’s time to take up where we left off and get back to one of those top spots in the West. This could also help convince our resident superstar to take another look at his team and imagine winning multiple chamionships right here.

In order to accomplish these dreams the Nuggets must overcome a tendency for selfish play on the road and more injuries to their top energy guy, the Birdman. As he was just getting the wind beneath his wings he was cut down from below and broke his tail feather. I feel this is actually more disappointing than some are making it out to be. Chris Andersen was helping the Nuggets to have fun out there again and was providing valuable time off the bench. Without him, the slumping Harrington will need to step it up and give the Nuggets some great defense and inside scoring.

Al Harrington truly is the key to a great Nuggets season. He was the team’s biggest pick up in the summer and when he gets it going he adds a dimension Denver hasn’t seen before. Karl said in an interview a month ago, he felt having a shooting power forward is an asset a lot of other championship teams have (think Lamar Odom, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan… sort of). With Harrington’s ability to space the floor and go inside, the Nuggets are harder to predict. Couple that with Melo’s scoring, Nene’s renewed vigor, a focused J.R. Smith, and a much improved Arron Afflalo and you have a very dangerous squad.

So here’s to the Nuggets and hopefully a thousandth win for George Karl. It would be a nice early Christmas gift for GK and one well deserved. After fighting and winning yet another battle with cancer, it is the least his team could do to go out in Charlotte and hustle their butts off. GO GET 1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!