A road-weary Nuggets squad eeked out a tougher-than-expected victory over the NBA's worst team in Washington, DC tonight.
Maybe the Nuggets were thinking ahead to Saturday night's huge game in New York against Carmelo Anthony. Maybe the lockout schedule and minor injuries to Nene and Rudy Fernandez are finally catching up with them. Regardless of the reasons, the Nuggets looked sluggish in the second half against the lowly Washington Wizards tonight and their sluggishness almost did them in with an upset road loss.
Fortunately, in spite of their poor overall energy Ty Lawson, Al Harrington and Danilo Gallinari came out to play and the Wizards - not atypical of a team with just two wins - just seem destined to lose night after night. This was evident by the Nuggets' final offensive play of the game. Up only two with about 10 seconds to play, the Nuggets had the ball - meaning the Wizards had to foul immediately. But instead of pouncing and fouling a Nugget player after the in-bounds play, the Wizards allowed Harrington to be wide open under the basket for a game-sealing dunk.
Game over.
Maybe the Nuggets wore themselves out after a blistering first quarter that was a highlight reel of sorts. Both the Nuggets and Wizards served up an assortment of thunderous dunks, alley-oops, blocks and three-point bombs en route to a 37-27 first quarter score. On the Wizards side of the ball, shooting guard Nick Young couldn't be stopped (he made 7 of 11 first quarter shots for 17 points), but he'd put in just 8 more points for the rest of the game. Not to be outdone, Lawson too had a great first quarter, missing just a few of his shot attempts and leading the Nuggets in scoring, rebounding and assists in the quarter.
As the Nuggets abandoned their running game in the second half (again, due to fatigue I'm sure), the Wizards were able to scrap and scrape their way into a competitive contest. But Lawson, Harrington and Gallinari would have none of it and you got the sense watching the game that the Nuggets knew they were going to win no matter what. That's the difference between an 11-5 team and a 2-13 team.
A few observations...
...Nene sat out as a precautionary measure and, surprisingly, Chris Andersen seemed to pick up a lot of Nene's would-be fourth quarter minutes.
...Timofey Mozgov had some nice dunks early and yet head coach George Karl clearly isn't comfortable with the Big Moz getting big minutes in the second half of games right now. Why?
...Nick Young's first quarter dunk on Kosta Koufos was the highlight of the game yet Altitude failed to show it on replay. Koufos was so shocked by being posterized that he managed to make just 1 of his 5 shot attempts (I kid).
...I had no idea Rudy Fernandez would play. And while Fernandez looked good out there his strained Achilles is clearly an issue and I don't think the Nuggets should push it. A strain can become a snapped Achilles and then we're really screwed if Fernandez ruptures it.
...once John Wall figures out how to really play in the NBA, he could be a monster. He may be as fast as Lawson and yet he has several inches on him. But to show how deficient Wall is right now, he finished one rebound short of a triple-double and still had a +/- of -16 for the game (due mostly to his horrid 4-17 shooting night and 4 turnovers).
...the Nuggets finally made some three-pointers, making 10 of their 21 attempts. This kept them in the game the entire night.
...Birdman's box score looks pretty good but I think his body language sucks right now. Bird just doesn't look happy to be out there and seems to have lost several steps energy-wise.
...speaking of bad body language, Andre Miller - a game removed from being the Nuggets hero - seemed to be plodding out there and he had too many fouls and a technical, too.
...it seemed like Corey Brewer, Bird and Miller were on the floor for a long time when the Nuggets could have used some scoring.
...the Nuggets had a lot of turnovers - 17 - compared to the Wizards who only turned the ball over 10 times. For a while there I forgot which team had a winning record and which team is the NBA's near worst when it comes to turnovers.
...Big Al's big three-pointer at the 1:14 mark in the fourth quarter had me convinced the Nuggets were going to win this game no matter what.
Non-Stiff of the Game
Al Harrington: The could-be Sixth Man Award winner had a season high 29 points on 10-16 shooting to go along with 7 rebounds and 5 big three-pointers made, including the ostensible game-sealer at the 1:14 mark. As I wrote about in Monday's Golden Nuggets column, you can't say enough about how valuable Harrington has been for the Nuggets this season.
Stiff of the Game
Andray Blatche: The doughy Blatche missed all 7 of his shot attempts, grabbed 6 rebounds (4 of which literally landed in his lap) and committed 5 personal fouls in 26 useless minutes.
Parting Shot
Even though the Knicks are in free fall right now, the Nuggets will need much better energy on Saturday night to get a victory at Madison Square Garden. Carmelo Anthony may be selfish and one-dimensional, but he's going to do whatever it takes to beat his old team. It's going to be a great game to watch and I'm looking forward to doing it with my fellow Stiffs at Jake's Food & Spirits for our first STIFFS NIGHT OUT of 2012.
Go Nuggets!
0 recs | 247 comments
First
Nuggets undefeated in games I do not watch. Thank you for the recap.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 20, 2012
You're hereby 86'd for the rest of the season.
TakeFive - January 20, 2012
Melo might play defense tomorrow....
… to prove Karl wrong, before doggin it on defense the rest of the season.
margabelle - January 20, 2012
He'll
bring it tomorrow for sure
NewEraNugg - January 20, 2012
He will be ready but I don't think it will be enough!
Nuggets win by 10!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
if there's one game to get energized for at the end of an east coast swing with b2b's it's against the knicks
nice way to end before a few days off and a trip to Sactown
river-z - January 20, 2012
Makes very good sense
Should be a good one.
TakeFive - January 20, 2012
I know its a popularity contest
but Metta World Peace over Gallo?! Over Al Harrington? AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
HA
HA
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
Thank you Big Al.
He basically won the game tonight. Made some crushing 3s. I think the Nuggets might have been looking to tomorrow a little bit.
Nuggets D was sluggish especially in the 1st half. But you have to give the Wiz credit. They played sharp. McGee was a monster for them. If not for foul trouble GK might have been forced to play 2K or Moz in the 4th. Birdman could not handle him at all.
With the Knicks losing tonight it is going to their last stand tomorrow (or close to it). Either gonna get their best game or we’ll see an implosion. Nuggets just need to play solid and see which happens.
djyoung71 - January 20, 2012
I'm thinking the Wiz start getting more wins
Glad we got ours
TakeFive - January 20, 2012
Let's amnesty him!
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 20, 2012
Al Harrington really helps us win this year
He’s a revelation.
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
No Rudy tomorrow
the Achilles is acting up again
CombatChuk - January 20, 2012
Great and it's a game we can watch since it's on NBA TV
Will still watch it though because it would be awesome to beat the Knicks and show Carmelo Anthony he’s not needed! I don’t know what I’d do if LaMarcus Aldridge pulled that … I don’t think he would but still.
somanluna1 - January 20, 2012
Don't think he should have played tonight.
Oh well.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Birdman never looks as effective as he is (at times)
He was doing a lot of little things tonight, not fast, but stayed active.
TakeFive - January 20, 2012
PLEASE HELP ME FELLOW STIFFS
I’m confused, befuddled, depressed, I mean How are we going to win close games with no star. How, oh how will we do it? I mean, if we..huh? What! We did?
Never mind.
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
I think its obvious by now
You go to the guy who was carrying you all night. With the 76ers, Miller had the hot hand and closed it out. Tonight? Harrington had the hot hand and shot the dagger.
I think you just feed it to who has been hot, simple as that.
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
but dont all stars' baskets count for more points than just the average good players' bucket?
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
Isnt it better to get 4 buckets by one guy
than 5 buckets by 3 guys?
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
But superstars don't get tacos.
Agaliarept - January 20, 2012
you got a point there
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
x
InboundingLobPass - January 20, 2012
I found it funny that Lawson was our leading rebounder
9 rebounds? Way to go Lawson! Even though I’d hope that its not a normal occurrence, our bigs need to be pulling 7-10 rebounds a game.
Harrington’s +/- stats are deceivingly low since he was on the court with Bird most of the game.
CloudBurst - January 21, 2012
I wanna see some MANIMAL tomorrow!
I’m sure he wants to play some NBA ball in the Garden!
Make it happen George!
Also I happened to click over to the ESPN “conversation” of the recent Knicks game and saw numerous posts about how the Nuggs would eat them alive tomorrow…. can’t say I disagree.
Let do it! CAN YOU FEEL IT!!!!
InboundingLobPass - January 20, 2012
I wrote a post over at Posting and Toasting
And they went into frenzy mode, haha. Well, mostly one guy trying to troll me.
Missing Lynx - January 20, 2012
i read that
Most understood and appreciated your post. There was one or two who got poopy diapers about it
swmrkev - January 20, 2012 via mobile
you're being nice swmrkev
I know a lot of NY fans, live in NY, I will not say anything about the current NY basketball fans because I have nothing good to say.
This city used to have THE smartest basketball you can ever imagine. Thiose days are as gone as the hoop skirt and mood ring.
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
THE smartest basketball fans (of course)
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
Great Recap
Great win by the Nuggs on the road against a confident Wizards team. Really like how the Nuggs keep fighting when they get behind. My favorite play was AAA’s strong finish against McGee. Nice to see AAA getting his legs back. Ty put up an amazing quiet strong performance. All “Buckets” Harrington is really earning his name. Instant Offense off the bench right now. Gallo was effective and it was good to see Rudy back. Let’s go get a win at MSG tomorrow!!
ACEIII - January 20, 2012
I was at the game
Poorly played, poorly officiated, but the Nugs will take it I’m sure. To answer your question about why GK wouldn’t play Mozgov down the stretch, the answer is defense. At least tonight, he was way slow on rotations and for the most part McGee beat him up in the post. Moz did play well on the offensive end though, gotta give him that.
BrandonHawpe - January 20, 2012
Haha Knicks fan were chanting.
“Lets GO NUGGETS!”
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
what??
moonchild808 - January 20, 2012
floper's gotta flop
Joe Manley - January 20, 2012
That's great
Anything involving doggies acting like soccer players is a win.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
That's classic
By pure coincidence that Dog’s name is… Ginobli
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
Al...
someone tell him i apologize…
spokenwar - January 20, 2012
ROLL CALL!
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
look at me tearin it up!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
you had 23 posts
not good enough for the top.
Sorry Kido.
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
Considering I was at the optometerist for the first 3 quarters.
I’ll take it.
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
well why dont you look a little closer at the ROLL CALL
maybe you’re actually in there somewhere
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
GONNA IGNORE ME NOW, CB??????
SHIT JUST GOT REAL!
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
You were like, the de facto first place
Well done.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Phil attempts a lot of comments. He’s not very efficient though.
Just kidding!
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
Oh man
I can handle being the Faried of DS…but the Melo? You are one mean guy!
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
How'd the night go?
(yean and catching SD is quite frankly impossible)
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
It was good catching up
But mostly I’m glad the Nuggets won. Serious, I think you guys know how much it would have bugged me if Denver lost to the Wizards. Really looking forward to that Knicks game tomorrow. I didn’t think I’d be as interested as I am.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
I'll see you there
hopefully we can introduce ourselves
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Who cares about the game!
What happened on your date?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
Not really a date.
Just two old friends meeting for dinner.
sigh
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Annnnnd??
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
And we talked
and she asked about my dogs. She misses them. And then I took her home and hurried back so I could find out about the score.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
So no shotgun wedding?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
Ha ha
No.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
So how are the dogs doing?
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Great.
Next blowout, I’ll post some pictures or something. Got some good ones over the summer hiking up Mt. Princeton.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
When Manimal enters you can show a pic of the dogs next to Kenneth
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
steppin my game up!
JBnuggs - January 20, 2012 via mobile
Dre...more in Clark Kent mode tonite
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
he was looking for a phonebooth
but couldn’t find one…
InboundingLobPass - January 20, 2012
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
CloudBurst
I believe, after tonight, you have an article to be eating, no?
Missing Lynx - January 20, 2012
Uh....
I can’t tonight, I need to buy more print cartridges…
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
Remember:
If you are going to be eating this, soy-based ink. Heck, there might be something even better than that, like beet ink or something. And definitely give the paper some time to soak in water or sauce, as the moisture will help break down those fibers and make it pass easier.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
the recap on posting and toasting is hilarious
I recommend.
Rainbow skyline - January 20, 2012
I do not recommend reading whilst drinking
Because that was some funny funny stuff
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
The drinking doesn't make it ever better?
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
No I meant I almost
spit all over my laptop from laughing so hard.
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
wow
Minnesota has 4 white starters
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
whitest team in the league?
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Gone are the days
of Larry Bird’s Pacers.
Agaliarept - January 20, 2012
OH DAMN! Kings up 88-86 on the spurs! 5 seconds left spurs ball
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
come on kings
no knuckleheadedness
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
KINGS WIN!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
YES!
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
KINGS WIN!!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
YES!
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
KINGS WIN!!!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
YES!
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
KINGS WIN!!!!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
YES!
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
KINGS WIN!!!!!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
YES!
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
I've recced all of those BTW
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
Now:
If “panic” turns into “panicked”, shouldn’t “rec” turn into “recked”?
Personally, I like “rec’d” myself, though sometimes I use “wrecked” to be cheeky.
I will accept Thursty’s recommendation as official Denver Stiffs style.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Fine. Rec'd
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
although rec'd could be misinterpreted for received..but whatever you like
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
I'm just making suggestions
As I said, I think Thursty has earned the right to be the final arbiter.
(I almost wrote: “… earned the write …”)
Ugh.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
So wait a minute.
The guy that you don’t like mentioning typos and grammatical errors gets the final say on memes?
Irony FTW!
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
What?
I have a lot of respect for Thursty.
But, it is true, I don’t like the concept of “Thursty’ing” people who make typos in inconsequential blog comments.
Serious. He’s a fan and a lover of the language. He’s my kind of guy, even if we have some disagreements here and there.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Ah but I think it's become a trademark of the blog
people aren’t too serious about grammatical mistakes and it has been somewhat become appreciated when corrected. We must become the most well written bball blog!
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
wait wait wait.
not panic.
not panicked.
but PANKNICK!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
icwydt
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
tyvmykhid
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
Two carets for that.
^^
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
rec
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
you missed one ;)
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
I think the Kings won!
NC Gold - January 20, 2012
Really?! Don't play with me man!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
Who?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
By the way, does anyone know who won the Kings Spurs game?
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
no clue
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Who?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
Sac.
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
blake griffin is destroying love
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
How Awful!
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
no he's not
not at this point in time
Actually Milicik is eating Blakes lunch
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
i posted that early in the game.
ya. darko is playing his ass off 8 years too late
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
I had him on my championship Fantasy team last year
Dude is solid for blocks and steals and sprinkles in a decent amount of rebounds and points.
He’s not a bad basketball player. Just not one who was worth the No. 2 pick in a deep draft class. Oh well.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
your right but unless Moz develops
Darko could sure help us
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
Oh
I’d be thrilled to have Darko with the Nuggets.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
for sure
sgiustra - January 20, 2012
Let me know if you find out, thanks...
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
OH MY GOD!
“I want to thank everyone who supports the #FreeFaried & #UnleashTheManimal trend I see lately on twitter.. It really helps to see y’all care”
-Manimal!
HE SAW OUR CAMPAIGN!
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
not like there's tons of faries out there lol
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
*farieds
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Makes you wonder how many Players and Coaches
Can’t resist Denver Stiffs
Nuggburg - January 20, 2012
Factor for the Knicks game?
CloudBurst - January 20, 2012
lol i bet he was never hurt
i bet gk is just prbly planning to let nene run wild on the knicks
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Milicic beasting?
Russscot - January 20, 2012
rubio looks bad too
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Just got home
Of course, couldn’t find any news of the Nuggets game on the radio during my drive back. Glad to see Denver got the win, even if it wasn’t pretty.
I’m very excited about the Knicks game tomorrow. Sad I wasn’t able to watch the game tonight.
I’m glad the Denver bench got some extended burn, as any and all rest for the starters going into a hyped game is good.
Fortunately for the Nuggets, it isn’t that far from Washington DC to NYC and they aren’t losing an hour traveling east. So some of the terribleness of the back-to-back is at least somewhat mitigated.
Oh: And New York played tonight as well. No excuses tomorrow. Denver better go all out.
See you all at Jake’s.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Guys did the Kings beat the Spurs?
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
i dunno let's ask united nations nuggets
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
no idea...lemme check.
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
Who?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
WHY?
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Why not?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
WHO?
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
What?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
Lil Jon?
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Where?
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
In bankruptcy
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Boom
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
No
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
x
InboundingLobPass - January 21, 2012 via mobile
Rudy's tweet
“I try to play today but the achilles still bother me soo i dont think play tomorrow. Sad and frustrated.. Good night”
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
awwww
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
my reaction as well
United Nugget Nations - January 20, 2012
It is especially endearing
When you hear it in your head in that adorable Spanish accent.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2012/01/20/carmelo-anthony-talks-friday-about-another-knicks-loss-playing-nuggets/5920/
HAHA melo saying he has nothing to prove? i can guarantee he is going to try for 50 points itll be an intense game i cant effin wait
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
http://yfrog.com/odrofcsj
lmao
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
Nuggets can't get out of DC yet due to weather
from Rudy’s Twitter
http://yfrog.com/kfol7laj
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
rudy5fernandez Rudy Fernandez
still in washington…. 1h in the plane uuaaa yfrog.com/kfol7laj
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
crap
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Dulles is such a shitty airport
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Maybe they should take the train
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
And on to you know where.
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
Rubio Scores!
this is a fun game to watch
Russscot - January 20, 2012
big al on twitter... uh oh
James Dolan got alot of Paper. We still in DC trying to get to NYC. They sabotaged our plane so we may have to stay here tonight. SMH. LMAO
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
I doubt Dolan could do such an astute thing
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Uh am i seeing milicic playing like a boss.... he looks pretty damn good
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
ya lol
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
He only does it to Knicks fans.
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
OT: what do you think the reaction to chauncey's first trip to the can will be?
Squito - January 20, 2012
standing O from the crowd
dunno how the game will go
Russscot - January 20, 2012
I'd be cheering him
Dude loves Denver with all his heart…
CombatChuk - January 20, 2012
Nothing but love from the crowd
then hopefully nothing but bricks from CB
Phil H. - January 20, 2012
Billups goes for 85
and the rest of the clips go for 10.
Nuggs go for 110.
This would make me happy.
love4nuggets - January 21, 2012
Standing O
for sure
NewEraNugg - January 20, 2012
Better than Carmelas next year!
CB1 is a class act and let’s hope the Nuggets organization brings him aboard!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
heckuva game by Milicic
Russscot - January 20, 2012
thought he sucked?
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
he does...normally
but he brought it tonight
Russscot - January 20, 2012
RUBIO!
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
first make from the field of the night!
Russscot - January 20, 2012
i know! hes pretty clutch i guess... hes pretty good
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
certainly can pass
Russscot - January 20, 2012
and solid D on Chauncey
Russscot - January 20, 2012
if rubio makes this game winning shot....
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
LOVE!!!!
Russscot - January 20, 2012
Unbelievable
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
HOLY CRAP
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
1st fg of the nite nonetheless
moonchild808 - January 20, 2012
hes 1-11
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
wow what a great game... KEVIN LOVE HOLY HELL
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
How did they leave him that open??!
SDcat09 - January 20, 2012
Awesome screen by the guards.
Shoemaker - January 20, 2012
he was being guarded by a center,
and they set a double screen that Jordan couldn’t get through
Russscot - January 20, 2012
Thanks, Kevin!
2nd in the West!
Shoemaker - January 20, 2012
lol haha ya thanks kevin
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
omg! kevin love!
hahahaha
moonchild808 - January 20, 2012
1 thing is for sure, in a eyar or 2 the t-wolves gonna be real good
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
I'm surprised by how lost Derrick Williams looks on an NBA court.
Shoemaker - January 20, 2012
Kevin L.
Making me proud!!
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
Great NBA day
Nugs win, NYK loses, Spurs lose, Lakers lose, Clippers lose. If only Portland lost it would have been perfect, but this is still good.
JR15 - January 20, 2012 via mobile
Great week for the NBA... every game i watched on nat'l tv this week has gone down to the wire
5baker5 - January 20, 2012
Guess who?
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
we got 5 starters?
i’ll give him that we got 3 starters. too bad we also lost 2 starters, so..a net of 1? delusional
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
Math wasn’t his strong suit in Syracuse.
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
Mean!
Melo is trying to say something nice and diplomatic and team-oriented.
And bitter stiffs are twisting his comments into jabs at his intelligence. I dunno.
Fly Agaric - January 20, 2012
Too much?
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
Come on Kevin.
SDcat09 - January 21, 2012
Word. It's rather silly now
SDcat09 - January 21, 2012
mello is trying to speak to the media
about …. something… he should really try to avoid that.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 21, 2012
that wasn't nice and diplomatic
it was an excuse.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 21, 2012
When you are a selfish player
And you reframe the conversation saying “it is about the team”, that’s a polite way of recognizing some things.
And even if it was an excuse, it was a low blow to go after his intelligence and math skills.
Fly Agaric - January 21, 2012
He's also not so subtly reminding everyone how much he...
… thinks he’s worth.
margabelle - January 21, 2012
I laughed.
KevinAwesome - January 21, 2012
Gallo and Moz start for us regularly
Felton starts for Portland, Kouf started tonight and Chandler is (presumably) starting in China.
#MeloMath
free7694 - January 20, 2012
So 5 starters, just on three different teams?
Ok, I guess Melo was close! lol
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
I just want
Nuggs to do their talking on the court tomorrow
keep the win streak going
NewEraNugg - January 21, 2012
Melo is in denial
He doesn’t want to admit that the trade either had no impact on Denver or made the team better and also had no impact on NY other than perhaps making the team worse.
The best part of the deal is that when Chandler returns he’ll either add more depth or be a good trade piece and there are still draft picks down the line. It’s obvious that Denver creamed the Knicks in that deal and equally obvious that Melo is one of the most overrated players in the NBA. Even when Denver teams did well with him, he got way more credit than he deserved. There were other very good players on those teams. EXPOSED!
Wayne Crimi - January 21, 2012
I agree with all this
See. It is possible to be critical of Melo without stooping to schoolyard insults.
Cheers, Wayne.
Fly Agaric - January 21, 2012
Melo wanted his
We as Nuggets fan have the right to throw him under the bus! Sometimes the grass is NOT greener, Carmelo!
I hope we kick the crap out of this Knicks team today!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
Nuggets still in DC..
Well at least we know they won’t be partying tonight. Brutal. At least Knicks had to play last night. Could be an ugly game tomorrow.
djyoung71 - January 20, 2012
hopefully they are taking advantage and sleeping
TyLawesome - January 20, 2012
They’re probably having a pillow fight.
Kevin L - January 20, 2012
Gallo is tweeting in Italian...
free7694 - January 21, 2012
hope they're not gambling
InboundingLobPass - January 21, 2012 via mobile
I could only imagine
a professional athlete all banged up from playing basketball attempting to get a little sleep on an airplane. Good luck with that! Even if the seats are bigger and roomier, it’s gonna be rough.
Just give the guys a 5-hour energy before the game.
Fly Agaric - January 21, 2012
On a plane that small? Doubtful
SDcat09 - January 21, 2012
They just now got there... 3 am nyc time... uh oh
5baker5 - January 21, 2012
IM NEW!
as a long time reader ive finally decided to join the sb community. Im from Australia so im ready to talk nuggz with some real Denverites? Hopefully ill be living there soon once im done high school. Anyway, lets get into basketball. I find no logic in a small lineup. The one that displeases me was the one i saw against Portland. We played Lawson, Miller, Fernandez, Afflalo and Harrington. Give me one other team in the last few seasons that has played a four gaurd lineup. The only thing close i can think of was Villanova college ball with Lowry. Also what is everyomes opinions on lawson’s dropping fg percentage since the 9-11 game against the cHEAT
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
Welcome to the Denver stiffs
and I would agree the small line sucks at time! My 2 cents is I don’t think Karl thinks double or Moz can run like the other guys and that is why he goes small.
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
yeah i definatly get the theory, but it the practice i worry about!
and were you concerned about being blocked everytime we ran the break? cos i was.
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
In Karl's defense...
The way Harrington is playing on offense this season, the Nugs have been coming out ahead, more often than not, playing small ball this year. On a couple of occassions small ball has won the game for us.
margabelle - January 21, 2012
Not sure how this was missed
(or if it was):
Agaliarept - January 21, 2012
You guys came out hot
And sunk.
How are you a good/better team if you can’t close?
KevinAwesome - January 21, 2012
or if you are 2-12.
Maybe he’s a comedian?
love4nuggets - January 21, 2012
He has that delusion of grandeur that’s for sure.
Kevin L - January 21, 2012
I saw that on the wizards quotes.
was not sure if he was talking about on the night. he couldnt possibly be crazy enough to think they are overall the better team. I think he would be crazy to say they were better tonight aswell. My bet is he was just tryna instill hope.
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
Reply fail.
But he was pretty upset that he was sat for most of the 3rd quarter. That Wizards team is a mess.
Agaliarept - January 21, 2012
After the win in NYC? Do the Nuggets come back to home
before the Kings game? They have a couple days off?
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
yes
i believe that’s the plan
nugz4rollz - January 21, 2012
wiz need to get rid of blatche and lewis before anyone takes them seriously
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012 via iPhone app
we come back west but sac is on the road
we have four days off
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
the SBnation NYC (Melo quote)
“You can’t compare our team to Denver’s team,” Anthony said. “They got five starters from that trade. Denver’s a hell of a team. They’re one of the deeper teams in the NBA right now. We just want to go out and win (Saturday). It’s not about Denver. It’s much more about us.”
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
Going in it will be about NY. Afterwards it will be about Denver.
Hopefully we get some love after showing everyone that we are the better team and that we won the melo trade. And hopefully people will realise we dont lose to Eastern Conference teams. Unless im wrong we are undefeated against the east?
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
Nah...They will take about the Heat! :(
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 21, 2012
When I was commenting on the Jets' blog before the Broncos game
Their fans saw my signature and lamented Mozgov’s and every other Denver Knick departure. I think they really fell in love with their pre-Melo team, and I expect very loud cheers for Gallo and Moz tonight.
margabelle - January 21, 2012
up the 76ers
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
random brain wave
I just had a thought. i dont know how seriously it should be taken. But does anyone know whats going on with Jason Thompson of the kings? Clearly on the outer after many reports of big potential. Could be worth a look?
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012
UGH - - Nuggets Plane to NY Delayed - - they didn't get into the hotel until 4 am....
Hope Karl goes deep into the bench tonight…
ACEIII - January 21, 2012
Turn the Manimal Loose at MSG!!
ACEIII - January 21, 2012
yes SIRRRRR
gonnella30 - January 21, 2012 via iPhone app
Not Sure Which is Worse..
Being out until 4 am at the Manhattan night clubs until 4 am or sitting on a plane until 4 am. Hope the players decided to sleep on the plane. This will be tough given the emotion of the game and coming off a B2B….
ACEIII - January 21, 2012
Here's the preview for THE ASSOCIATION:
http://www.nba.com/nuggets/video/2012/01/21/20120120_denver_association.nba/index.html
Wow!! Really got me pumped up
Bek$ - January 21, 2012
wow ME TOO
GOOOO NUGGETS!!!!!
rec’d
Make it green
CombatChuk - January 21, 2012
looks awesome
dumb question: is NBA TV a separate pay-for-channel or is it a part of League Pass?
nugz4rollz - January 21, 2012
I have it through comcast without League pass
Russscot - January 21, 2012
Wow. So stoked.
love4nuggets - January 21, 2012
If only I would have posted the link in last night's GT
along with my comment, dammit. I could have be green too :( ;)
SDcat09 - January 21, 2012
You’re green with envy.
Kevin L - January 21, 2012
HEH. I'm reccin' that
SDcat09 - January 21, 2012
Carmelo got what he wanted
Big Apple. Bigger money, including more endorsements in a bigger market. Maybe bigger scoring under D’Antoni. Bigger=better, right? And you get to say the direction of your former team wasn’t clear, as if it’ll be much clearer at your destination.
Except that the New York Knicks aren’t even a train wreck worth watching. The Denver Nuggets have a management team in place that has short-, medium-, and long-range plans for the team. This franchise is likely to have much more success, and much sooner. The Knicks are in turmoil and will have to fire their coach relatively soon—certainly after this season if not during. They have no plan whatsoever, not that it would matter if they did, considering how meddlesome their owner is.
I doubt Carmelo is unaware of any of this. I also doubt he cares very much, because he got what he wanted. My only hope right this minute is that the beautiful version of the Nuggets, the one that’s both electric and somewhat disciplined, shows up to beat the ever-living shit out of the Knicks.
Otherwise, I hope the Knicks get sold and things get back to decent for them. Fat chance with all that money involved.
LongWindedHank - January 21, 2012
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