The ghost of Chauncey Billups has been haunting two franchises all season and now we can add a third to that list - our Denver Nuggets.
Since trading Chauncey Billups to Denver in November of 2008, the Detroit Pistons (the franchise that Billups led to back-to-back NBA Finals, including a championship in 2004) have gone off the rails with no recovery in sight. They've had three head coaches since Billups' departure and have won about 38% of their games.
When the Nuggets sent Billups to the Knicks last February as part of the Carmelo Anthony trade, Billups kept the Knicks afloat, covered for their many weaknesses in the back court and helped guide them into a competitive playoff series against the Celtics. Now? The Knicks amnestied Billups before the season started, overpaid for center Tyson Chandler, have no back court whatsoever and find themselves at 7-13 and going nowhere.
And finally, the ghost of Chauncey Billups exacted some revenge on another of his former teams when the Denver-born Billups returned to Pepsi Center last night and torched our Nuggets for 32 points while generating some tough whistles from the referees that only a heady veteran like Billups can pull off. Regardless of whether or not the calls were fair, the Clippers won the game in the same fashion that the Nuggets won many games when Billups was here.
To be clear, I had no problem with the Nuggets trading Billups last season as part of the Melo deal (or ordeal). I love Billups as much as any Nuggets fan, but Billups was needed to get the full package of players back from the Knicks that has made the Nuggets the darlings of the NBA this season. Moreover, paying an aging point guard $13.1 million this season wouldn't have made sense and it would have put the Nuggets in the "bad guy" role of possibly having to amnesty the most popular Nugget since LaPhonso Ellis played here. And finally, had Billups' true replacement - the speedy Ty Lawson, not the plodding Andre Miller - played last night, I suspect the outcome would be quite different.
But that doesn't change the fact that Billups is, has been and will continue to be a winner. And even though many Nuggets fans are seeing a conference finals appearance from the Nuggets this season (something that has only happened three times in franchise history, the third being with Billups leading the way), we should be mindful that Billups' Clippers are just 1.5 games behind us in the overall conference standings.
Watching the game last night, I had an eerie premonition that we'll be seeing Billups and the Clippers in the playoffs. Those things just seem to happen in the NBA. The question is: next time we face the Clippers, will the ghost of Chauncey Billups haunt the Nuggets again?
On to the links...
For Chauncey Billups, It's All Good Again
Our friend Dave Krieger is now doing radio and writing for KOA.
Woody Paige: Chauncey Billups still acts like a winner - The Denver Post
Now that Broncos season is over, Woody Paige actually attended a Nuggets game.
A Great Act to Follow - Mile High Sports
Mile High Sports' Doug Ottewill captures the moment last night when Chauncey Billups met Tim Tebow for the first time.
Nuggets' six-game winning streak ended by Clippers - The Denver Post
Chris Dempsey's recap of the Clippers game.
Clippers' Chauncey Billups gets warm welcome against Nuggets - latimes.com
Broderick Turner of the LA Times talks to Billups about his emotional return to Denver.
1 recs | 190 comments
The thing is
Chauncey’s really just a role player these days, and being on a team with 4-5 point guards really doesn’t help any. The Clippers are a good team though, so I’m happy for him.
Agaliarept - January 30, 2012 via mobile
Billups showed why he gets paid millions of dollars to play basketball.
It was a winnable game that we lost. Our defense / turnovers late in the game are to blame. Billups’ patented rise up underneath move to get fouled isn’t called as much anymore so he’s adapted his game to include the flop. Sad to see.
InboundingLobPass - January 30, 2012 via mobile
True story
People thought Chauncey would be mentoring Chris Paul. I think it’s the other way around.
georgekarl - January 30, 2012
Seriously doubt it
And what might “true story” mean in the context of an opinion that’s actually just wild conjecture? Give us a little breakie poo.
LongWindedHank - January 31, 2012
It's an expression that people use
It’s kind of like saying “Yeah, I agree that what you said is true”.
In this particular case, I agree with what he is saying. Chauncey is no longer getting people to fall for his pump fake so he has resorted to flopping. Since this is an opinion it can’t be wrong only something you disagree with. So give me a breakie poo whydontcha.
georgekarl - January 31, 2012
No need for panic
Yup last night was a bitter game. Losing at home is never good. Nuggets had chances to put the Clips away and it didn’t happen. Some of it was due to the Clips (yes Chauncey) making big shots. And some it was the Nuggets. The Nuggets need to experience these grind it out games, so this group of guys can get better in the clutch.
Last night was encouraging, down three and Nene makes two big dunks to get the lead back. But CP3 is the best (and most annoying) at getting the most out of late game possessions. All the Nuggets can do is learn from it and move on.
Buckle up everyone. This schedule turns brutal for the next couple of weeks. The western conference is a war. I expect some more tough losses, but there will also be some solid wins. Memphis, Clippers and Lakers will be on the back end of B2Bs, so hopefully the Nuggets can take advantage.
Oh and Ty get well. You were missed last night.
djyoung71 - January 30, 2012
Well good for Chauncey to get that out of the way
next time he can go 4-17 with 6 TOs. If there is a team where having Ty out hurts the most it’s probably the guard heavy Clippers. No need to panic, meanwhile Nene almost made me wet myself with his Beast mode last night.
Phil H. - January 30, 2012
Hah..
Thursday will be the Clips 4th game in 5 nights, so Chauncey might not even get up 17 shots.
djyoung71 - January 30, 2012
I love Chauncey, I love what he did for our franchise
I wish him all the best. From a basketball decision perspective, we had to do what we had to do. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions.
chantech - January 30, 2012
Kreiger piece is good
I can’t hate on Chauncey, even after that game.
ParkHillNative - January 30, 2012
He was sitting in the press seats right next to me at the game last night writing that piece.
The U.N. Fab Five - January 30, 2012 via mobile
a denver post commenter said the nuggets are 3-32 with Ron Garretson reffing
Garretson is the guy Nick Van Exel shoved onto the scorers table. Can anyone confirm that stat?
Rainbow skyline - January 30, 2012
Who cares about confirming it, sounds about right to me
that man has a vendetta against the Nugs,
Phil H. - January 30, 2012
between that and what Donaghy said,
along with similar cases like Crawford vs. Spurs, and whats-his-name vs. Mavs, how is it possible that the NBA continues to bury its head in the sand about referee bias? Does Stern seriously not care that most every fan thinks many games are borderline-rigged?
Rainbow skyline - January 30, 2012
fwiw
Didn’t Donaghy say the refs generally have something against Chauncey?
ParkHillNative - January 30, 2012
can't be...
chauncey gets more protection from the refs than anyone in the league except for a certain 6’11" arachnid currently residing in oklahoma city
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
Iverson is what he said.
love4nuggets - January 30, 2012
Yes, he is!
Andrew Feinstein - January 30, 2012
wow
if that’s true thats nuts
skithebert - January 30, 2012
At some point..
I’ll go in and add ref data to our datasets from previous seasons. It’s something that’s on my todo list but probably won’t get to it until the offseason.
chantech - January 30, 2012
Donaghy was what, 75% vs the spread?
seems like a potential goldmine.
Rainbow skyline - January 30, 2012
It's more important for over / unders
But yeah, some refs definitely call more fouls which benefits teams that get to the line a lot or try to draw contact (Nuggets with Anthony is one example).
chantech - January 30, 2012
Donaghy mentioned Dick Bevetta being one of Sterns biggest bad guys
I always have hate him, but after the Donaghy thing I knew Bevetta was dirty.
The U.N. Fab Five - January 30, 2012 via mobile
There is only one way Bavetta can stay in this league for so long
and that’s by doing whatever papa Stern demands
Phil H. - January 30, 2012
Haha you and I always seem to agree. Here's my list of the top refs that need to be gone, in the order they should disappear.
1. Dick Bevetta (age and corrupt)
2-5. No particular order: Violet Palmer, Ron Garretson, Tony Brothers, Ken Mauer
The U.N. Fab Five - January 30, 2012 via mobile
I mean its sad, but it definitely happens
I was very proud of our Nuggets for beating the refs in Philly though. I won’t forget that game…it was definitely rigged for the 76ers, but Miller wouldn’t let it happen then.
I think the issue is when the game is close the refs will take over. Another reason Gallo probably didn’t get those calls when he obviously should have.
JR15 - January 30, 2012
The funniest thing is Griffin and Jordan were complaining nonstop
When they were getting away with shoves that led to crucial 3 pointers for them.
I am not surprised that with Ron Garretson we have a losing record.
Where is Mark Wunderlich??? He is the only ref I know who helps the Nuggets out. It is like he is the outcast of the group who says don’t have a vendetta against these guys. Don’t get intimidated by the mob bosses who threaten you, just ref the game the way you see it.
JR15 - January 30, 2012
It's clearly not just about a player complaining to the ref all the time
Because Nene does it even when he gets a monster dunk and nobody else was within 15 feet of him. Some guys know when to finesse the refs and some don’t.
georgekarl - January 30, 2012
yeah, Nene must be one of the worst in the league at it
ParkHillNative - January 30, 2012
Miss Palmer is the other one we always get screwed by.
The U.N. Fab Five - January 30, 2012 via mobile
a few thoughts
Billups executed at least one academy award level flop near the end of the game, but the officials ignored other flops duing the game, so it’s not a big issue. Gallo — however — should have gone to the free throw line more than once (he didn’t earn any) in the last five minutes. Getting hammered repeatedly and having the officials ignore it is somewhat inexcusable.
Like you Andrew, I see Ty’s absence as the big handicap. And I reached that opinion in advance.
We see the Cippers twice more in the next few weeks, as I recall. Winning the first matchup is important but the real question is where wie’ll be after we play a number of winning teams in the second quarter of the season.
Colinski - January 30, 2012
bill simmons is stupid
in his latest column he lists the “up and comers” of this year and manages to include John Wall, Tyreke Evans, Ty Lawson, Eric Gordon, DeMarcus Cousins, Andrea Bargnani, and not Gallo. Not only is he the best player on the Nuggets (better than lawson and therefore deserves a spot over these other guys because his team happens to be better and he is it’s best player) but also far more efficient than everyone on this list with the possible exception of (surprisingly) Bargnani, and that too should be irrelevant because despite his improved efficiency Bargnani is still just as soft and terrible of a defender as ever whereas Gallo is drastically improved in that department. This leads me to conclude (and probably correctly I might add) that Simmons and Co. over at ESPN have not actually seen a single Nuggets game all year. I can see how shocked you all are
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
So now we're complaining when a Nugget gets positive reviews in the press.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
and he even specifically says
he nearly included Gallo.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
nearly
is not nearly enough. and thank you I noticed still doesn’t matter. If you take the potential game winning three and it rattles in and out, the ref is not going to count it because it “nearly went it.”
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
This happening
would be stunning. We will find out a lot about their chances over the next 17 games. Could be tough.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
the future looks bright for our team
but until I see Karl prove he can coach in the playoffs I’m going to keep expecting lots of wins in the regular season followed by 1st round exits. The ONLY time we got out of the 1st round under Karl was when CB1 was coaching us.
JBnuggs - January 30, 2012
I'm hoping
that another first round flame out would end Karl’s tenure here. Not hoping for the flame out, but if one occurs.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
I'm sure he'll be back next year regardless
but if we are 1 and done next season he’s got to go
JBnuggs - January 30, 2012
2 games this year have given us a glimpse of GK's playoff rotations
The Knicks game, and the Clippers game.
These are the players that he trusts and the ones he will lean on…subject to injuries. 7 or 8 man rotations will be common and consist of Dre, Ty, AAA, Rudy, Al, Gallo, Nene and Moz (beginning of halves). I wouldn’t expect to see Bird, K2, Stone or anyone else. Missing anyone?
Pusherman - January 30, 2012
Brewer
might see a few minutes
JBnuggs - January 30, 2012
If we have a high seed its possible
Yup if we come out looking pretty after February then I think conf finals is not out of the question. Too early to tell right now.
Remember other teams will have tough schedules too and the Clippers still have to play a lot of games later.
I have faith that once GK has a lead in the REGULAR SEASON he finishes strong.
Remember no more explosive personalities on this young team that is getting to know each other/ yet playing relatively elite ball at the same time.
JR15 - January 30, 2012
Interesting Fact
Every Nuggets player with minutes this year is averaging 10+ points per 36 minutes, fwiw.
Kleiza's Corner - January 30, 2012
Watching Kleiza the other night was weird
Wasn’t his hair a different color before?
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
not as much sunlight in Toronto
JBnuggs - January 30, 2012
J.R. continuing to represent the U.S. well in China
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
Well to be fair
It isn’t JR, but the women around JR. I have been said to be a calm guy but the women I have been with have been crazy.
Does that make me guilty by association?
JR15 - January 30, 2012
I think the people you choose to associate with
certainly reflects upon you. The fact that J.R. hasn’t told them to stop or he’s sending them back to the states also reflects upon him.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
How do you know he hasn't asked them to stop?
Easy to tell your “friends” to go away. A little different when it’s your family
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
If my wife was coming to my work and starting trouble
I’d tell her to stay home. She would do the same if the situation were reversed. He’s their meal ticket and could stop paying their way at any time. He hasn’t done that.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
How do you know he hasn't done that?
And it’s your wife. You can divorce her. You can’t divorce your family.
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
She's still there
if he had done that, she wouldn’t be there anymore.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
I don't understand what you mean.
He can’t make her leave unless he calls security or something. And maybe he’s afraid of her. She seems even a little more out there than JR.
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
And you missed Morton
Flying on a purple unicorn.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
Alas
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
is this a 2nd fight?
or repost of the 1st one
skithebert - January 30, 2012
another fight
not a repost.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
The clippers only had 1 fg in the final 2 minutes the rest of the points from the line
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Well Paul got the star call to get to the basket
Once Ty gets those calls, I for one will definitely stop complaining!!
JR15 - January 30, 2012
Just wish gallo got some more calls... everytime he drove he was looking to throw it down
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Nuggets still at 3 on ESPN's Power Rankings
and at 4 in Hollingers more scientific approach.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
Yup
Lets stop freaking out and reasses at the end of the week!!
JR15 - January 30, 2012
im hoping for a 3-2 week... need a big win tomorrow at memphis!
they play tonight btw
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Freaking out is what stiffs do best.
We are the tiggers of freaking out.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 30, 2012
reass or reassess ;)
That was too funny to pass up
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
More of both.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Lawson is the engine for this Nuggets team
He is the reason why we have the fastest pace in the league, the reason why we score so many points. Miller can fill the stat sheet better than Lawson, but Lawson is the reason why our team makes teams visiting the Pepsi center exhausted. If Gallo is the fuel that keeps the engine running, Lawson is the horsepower.
Miller is a great backup point guard and he can fill Lawsons shoes whenever he is injured for a few games no dobut, but Lawson is what makes this team GO.
CloudBurst - January 30, 2012
doubt*
CloudBurst - January 30, 2012
This is all so true, andre will get tired before the opposing team so he cant keep up
the pace
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
trouble last nite wasn't andre
he could of shot a bit better, but distributed the ball well and protected the ball very well. you can’t expect him to dominate both paul and chauncy.
that said, there was some bizarre play calling by karl the last few minutes. harrington takes too many uncontrolled shots when his game isn’t on. affalo needs to show up soon. would like to see some screen/roll action with andre and gallo or nene as well
utahcoyote - January 30, 2012
probIem is gaIIo cant shoot or get his own shot, he's got very IittIe 1 on 1 moves, and has meh handIes, his offensive abiIity is simiIar to marion, imo with more fIopping.
karI seems to know who to pIay and who to go to when the game is on the Iine and when he reaIIy reaIIy has to win, see pIayoffs against OKC with jr and a some what with gaIIo. and he did Iast nite by going to nene, as he is pretty much our onIy some what reIiabIe haIf court option.
ofc, nene sucks at getting caIIs, and faIIs for biIIups fIop. idk how aI is going to perform for the season, he probabIy wont be as productive as he was earIier, but shouId stiII be usefuI here and there. miIIer’s been pIaying great, getting the team some Iob pIays which we Iacked when we traded away our pg camby. anyways this team Iacks eIite skiII, we have a bunch of guys who can do various things, but no one guy who can take controI and get doubIe teams to open things up for other guys to be effective. this team reIies on getting easy points, and a high rsk high reward defensive system.
Rys - January 30, 2012
you have never watched danilo gallinari play basketball
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
It's a numbers game
You should check out Hollingers PER stats. For small forwards in the NBA check out the top 5.
1.) LeBron James
2.) Kevin Durant
3.) Carmelo Anthony
4.) Danilo Gallinari
5.) Paul Pierce
You don’t get in the top five of the nba’s most efficient players when you can’t create your own shot.
georgekarl - January 30, 2012
Offensive ability similar to MARION?
lost all credibility
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Have you never watched Gallo at all?
He can handle the ball decently for a 6-10 guy. Can’t shoot? Wow….he scored 37 on 19 shots vs the Knicks and Melo took 11 more shots and scored 9 less.
The U.N. Fab Five - January 30, 2012
whoa, he's a sIasher not a shooter, i watch the games, and he scores a Iot of his points simiIar to what marion did in phx.
he had decent handIes for a big guy, but he’s no odom with pg skiIIs. i have not seen one on one move from him, teII me what is his go to move. he scores points by getting fouIs, and gettin on a roII from 3. besides teII me that when gaIIo avgs more than 20 points a game Iike marion did. gaIIo scores in a bunch of ways Iike marion did, he doesnt have any reIiabIe moves, and is not Iooked to be a go to scorer in the cIutch, and he wouId have to do a Iot work to get there to be that so caIIed star offensive pIayer you guys want him to be.
Rys - January 30, 2012
you saw against the cIips, when his drive wiIdIy to rim move and try to pick up a caII doesnt work.
then he’s kind of useIess out there.
Rys - January 30, 2012
I saw him hit in the face 6 times without a call
and why the fuck does he need a go-to move. He consistently drives by his defender with a variety of moves (crossover, hesitation, and the best behind-the-back dribble of any 6’10" guy you will see) and either finishes, gets fouled, or both. You are basing your entire analysis on the one game you’ve probably seen all season and the reason he wasn’t getting calls (despite being routinely mauled) was that the head official was Ron Garretson who has a known bias against Denver (Nuggets are 3-32 in games Garretson has officiated). Talk to me when you’ve developed your own opinion instead of regurgitating what you heard chris broussard say (who by the way has probably never seen the Nuggets or Gallo play either)
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea i mean why have go to reIiabIe moves when you can just be Iike Iebron and use ur athIeticism to get to the rim.
that’s what it takes to be a cIutch scorer. I have watched nuggets for 10 plus seasons when fortson was their go to guy. if you thnk aII it takes is a mix bag of dribbIing skiIIs to get to the rim and be an offensive star then you shouId re consider. besides he doesnt have the athIetic abiIity to do it when he’s chaIIenged by decent shot bIockers.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Do you consider Greg Monroe, Josh Smith, and Roy Hibbert shot blockers? Because I do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_isYiSZ7Jo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzVO-QoQk74
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esLUCfG3l5c
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
gallo will average 20 a game like marion did
when he takes 18 FG attempts a game like marion did and has steve nash feeding him the ball. Gallo right now averages 18 pts on 12 FG attempts per game, so going by that logic if he took 18 shots a game he would average 27 points, something marion never did
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
he aIso gets to the Iine a Iot, which takes away from the FGA.
watchin the game he’s gettin his share and probabIy more than than marion’s share of offensive oppurtunities in phx.
Rys - January 30, 2012
bullshit
he gets to the line with efficiency not just quantity. Last year he averaged .36 FT attempts per possession which was second in the entire league only to tyson chandler and chandler’s numbers were inflated because the only time he touched the ball was any easy feed from a pg for an open layup or dunk dunk it made sense that he would get fouled all the time. Also he shot 60% from the line last year so teams employed hack-a-shaq against him instead of giving up an easy dunk
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea so you are kind of making my point that a Iot of his FGAs resuIts in fts which do go to his FGA stats.
Rys - January 30, 2012
If you get fouled on a shooting attempt
and it doesn’t go in, IT DOES NOT COUNT AS A FG ATTEMPT. HOW CAN YOU WATCH BASKETBALL FOR SUPPOSEDLY 10 YEARS AND NOT KNOW THIS
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
ugh yea that is my point... you said that gaIIo is gonna avg 20 pts when he gets 18 fga Iike marion, and i said weII a Iot gaIIos fga resuIts in fts, are you gettin it?
Rys - January 30, 2012
No he said if he averaged 18 fta, hed average 27 ppg
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
well if marion got that numbr of offensive oppurtunities he couId avg 28 ppg am i cooI?
Rys - January 30, 2012
no
marion got way more offensive opportunities and produced much less efficiently. oh yeah and that was when he was in his prime and playing with steve nash, while Gallo is only 23 and playing with Ty who is good but no steve nash in his heyday
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
and marion never got to the line?
gallo gets efficeient results on not many possesions. look at his fucking .607 true shooting percentage, which combines his efficiency from the field, 3, and the line. also STEVE FUCKING NASH FEEDING HIM THE BALL
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
gaIIo avgs 7 fta marion avgs 3.6 fta.
aIos more oppurtunities does not resuIt in more scorin, gaIIo is bein efficient by picking his spots. when you try to go to him Iate and make him score, the resuIts have not been there.
Rys - January 30, 2012
actually no
he had 9 points in the 2nd OT against the Knicks most recently and I could name countless other examples but just check this one out (go to 2:30 in the video and note the time and score):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_hebGbtCsI
also the reason you didn’t see produce late in the game against the clips (once again the only game you’ve seen all year) is because GK DIDN’T GIVE HIM THE FUCKING BALL and instead drew up 2 plays for ice-cold al harrington
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea he scored against NYK, and how many of those points came at the Iine.
teII me when has gaIIo made a one on one move and made a shot from the outside. one of those pIays wasnt for aI, the pIay was facked up and the baII got to aI, and he bIew the Iay up.
Rys - January 30, 2012
exactly
he got to the line like a champ and hit 90% of them…why the fuck does he have to do it exactly how you want him to? you want more clutch shit?
(go to 1:30) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3aBu5nwlog
(go to 5:07) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY52-1aa3x8
(go to 3:00)http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=QAWKzJcWuXM
(go to 1:33) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw-H4VUzlBo
In all these take note of the time left and score and watch until the end of the video
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
ok those are from when he was in NY.
so obviousIy you are a gaIIo fan, but as a nuggets foIIower, i have my opinion of him, and i wouId take a guy Iike j. crawford on offense for my go to guy than gaIIo.
Rys - January 30, 2012
I was at the knicks game on the 21st
when he was with… wait for it…. the Denver Nuggets and he single-handedly kept them alive and they eventually pulled it out
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
gallo actually averages 6 FTA
and instead of getting to the line with those possessions he chose instead to take field goal attempts and make 46% of them, coincidentally the same percentage as Gallo shoots from the field
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
he meaning marion
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea the 7 is from NYK.
Rys - January 30, 2012
no its not
I watched him in New York for 2 1/2 years. do you know how pathetic it is that you either have these opinions with no stats to back them up or that you know that that’s not true and you just tried to pull a fast one on me. the most he ever averaged for NY was also 6
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
look at his fucking stats before you start quoting them at me:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
k, im in response to muItipIe ppl the 7 was from Iast season when he was on the nuggets.
aIso get off gaIIos d1ck, i have my opinion, gaIIos an abov avg pIayer with potentiaI, i dont see as much offensive potentiaI in him as you do.
Rys - January 30, 2012
people are entitled to have there opinions
EXCEPT when they don’t actually know anything about the subject they somehow have an opinion. if you wanna talk shit, know your shit
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
so because i say gaIIos a streak shooter, and Iacks one on one moves, i cant have an opinion huh...
Rys - January 30, 2012
no, you can't have an opinion because
the basis of this opinion of yours in exactly 1 game in which Gallo was getting hacked like a tree branch and not getting the calls thanks to Ron Garretson. You don’t know any of his stats, never saw him play in NY, and as has been established below you haven’t watched any Nuggets games this season except for the last one. Its not what your opinion is its that you have nothing to back it up
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
ok, i dont foIIow him cIoseIy, but as a nuggets foIIower in the pIayoffs Iast season he didnt show up.
some of that has to do with karI, and a Iot of this season has been against bad teams, which this team has won against easiIy. where was he in portIand, why didnt he make an easy Iayup at Ia, why didnt he step up and score when we couId have used some offense against the j1zz.
i watch his moves, and it doesnt make feeI Iike he couId be a top scorer in this Ieague.
Rys - January 30, 2012
actually he shot higher percentages
and played terrific D when they put him on Durant. The fault lies with GK and the offense because his FG attempts dropped from 12 per game to 8 in the playoffs. Oh yeah and 17 in the second half to salvage the series in game 4 when THEY FINALLY GAVE HIM THE FUCKING BALL isn’t bad either. oh yeah and how did your boy JR do in that series? game winning airball anyone?
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
he grew up a point guard
and almost entered the ‘07 draft as a point guard. If you’ve never seen him make a one-on-one move then you’ve never seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnO6pIb27H8
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
i have seen a Iot scrubs bIow by Iebron, what is your point?
the move itseIf is meh, what makes it stand out is that he’s 6 ‘10 with some buIk so it’s hard to get back to chaIIenge it when he gets by you.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Rys, your comming off as a troll not a fan
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
yea because i dont agree.
marion when he was in phx was an eIite pIayer top 20 you could say. i dont see why you guys get insuIted when i compared the 2, when gaIIo so far has not accompIished much.
Rys - January 30, 2012
the comparison to marion is not offensive (wrong though it may be)
its the fact that you said: “probIem is gaIIo cant shoot or get his own shot, he’s got very IittIe 1 on 1 moves, and has meh handIes, his offensive abiIity is simiIar to marion, imo with more fIopping.”
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
Iet me cIear then, gaIIo is not a consistent shooter, if he gets on a roII he can make them.
he does have meh handIes, it’s his size that makes him effective when he goes to the rim. and yea marion may not Iook pretty when he scores, but he’s effective, and at Ieast marion has post moves.
Rys - January 30, 2012
marion is more of a SF/PF and therefoe should have more of a post game
whereas he could never take anyone off the dribble at any point in his career like Gallo can. Gallo has terrific handles for a 6’10" guy and above average handles for any player period:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0idVvdt3ZU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GubAdifTg&feature=related
blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RyVdbyv4Y8o
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea, you dont watch too many games, marion cant take anyone off the dribbIe?
get off gaIIos d1ck, and reaIize he’II be Iucky to be a top 20 pIayer in the nba.
Rys - January 30, 2012
I've seen marion play since '02 on a consistent basis and he dribbles like a baby deer
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea but he can sIash to the rim very effectiveIy.
Rys - January 30, 2012
THATS NOT THE SAME AS TAKING SOME ONE OFF THE DRIBBLE
heres what you just said: “yea, you dont watch too many games, marion cant take anyone off the dribbIe?”
notice the word “dribble” and the word slash nowhere to be seen
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
he does the same things you say gaIIo does.
get to the rim, if it’s not there make a pivot and shoot a jump shot or a hook shot. aIthough i have not seen gaIIo adjust much when going to the rim, he either gets fouIed, or Iooks ridicuIous fIopping wiIdy and the baII gets away from him.
Rys - January 30, 2012
gallo doesn't take hook shots
and actually has a decent post game. once again you saw 1 game
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
ok now you are just making stuff up.
get off gaIIos d1ck. i didnt say he sucks, just that he’s not very poIished offensiveIy and Iacks one on one moves.
it’s sad how defensive you are about gaIIo, idc anymore. you are right gaIIo is goin to chaIIenge kd and Iebron for mvps and Iead this team to titIes.
Rys - January 30, 2012
quote me on where I said that
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
are you from yurope and is that why you dont note sarcazm.
Rys - January 30, 2012
no and no
your sarcasm was a pathetic attempt to change the subject. You don’t know shit about this guy and you go around talking shit about him like you’ve been watching him play since he was a fucking toddler. I know about him, I’ve watched him in Milan, New York, and Denver and I actually know what I’m talking about and have used videos and stats to back it up
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
Because you obviously haven't watched many nuggets games
You pretty much said lebron was a scrub… i have never seen a scrub blow by lebron
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
lol are you srs? maybe your the one that's been watching too much espn.
Rys - January 30, 2012
? You do realize lebron stopped the MVP of the league
in crunch time last year ECF im no lebron fan but you can’t act like he gets schooled by scrubs
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
lol yea you watch too much espn.
that mvp was such a bad pick.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Better than having lebron or kobe winning it every year
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
ok... stiII a bad pick tho, Iebron does put up the stats tho.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Rose also puts up the stats though.. thats why experts pick
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
no he got mvp because of his team.
Rys - January 30, 2012
exactly
he’s 6’10" with some bulk, a sweet stroke from 3 and a knack for getting to the line
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
yea and no go to moves, and doesnt perform weII in the cIutch.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Oh yea
He needs a cross over two step for those long 2 point fade aways like your boy J.R Smith right? Dirk has no “go to” moves, whatever the hell that means exactly. He herks and jerks to the rim, and either lays it up or stops, pivots and does a 10 foot fadeaway shot.
His stroke is WAY better than Marion, he can shoot the three pointer, the jump shot, and he can get to the rim. That is versatile scoring.
CloudBurst - January 30, 2012
You just made me laugh
thinking about Marion’s horrific shooting form! Haha
love4nuggets - January 30, 2012
yea it's bad im not saying it's not.
Rys - January 30, 2012
marions shot is not pretty Iike gaIIos but it works for him.
if you dont agree that he’s a streak shooter, then you dont watch games.
you point out jr and dirk, and yea they have those moves and they work for them. you make it seem Iike they dont practice any of those things, and dont have any controI in what they are doing on those moves. when they are very comfortabIe in taking those shots, because they know they can them.
skita has a pretty nice strok too, he can shoot the 3. affIaIo can shoot the 3, get to the rim he’s versatiIe why isnt he out there. brewer can shoot the 3 get to the rim why isnt he out there, chandIer can shoot and get to the rim, why not him.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Because
Afflalo is not a good dribbler. Gallo is 6’10 and is a good dribbler to the basket. He is as tall as a center but can drive really well. So he has the ability to not be blocked, he can pivot like Dirk and take that jump shot. He is athletically gifted to have that tall frame, shooting touch and athletic ability. He is also a good dribbler. That is why he is touted as a go-to man, because of his versatile and unique physicality. He is also more of a pass first forward when he drives and is less prone to throw up a bad shot like J.R Smith might.
CloudBurst - January 30, 2012
oh so now we can agree affIaIos not a decent dribbIer.
he can drive to the rim Iike kd can, but doesnt have the offensive skiII set to adjust if it doesnt work.
Rys - January 30, 2012
CHANDLER ISN'T ON THE TEAM
YOU OBVIOUSLY DONT WATCH THE NUGGETS
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
dang you showed me there.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Yup, for someone who supposedly "watches"
The nuggets you really know alot about them…Afflalo? he can’t drive nearly as well as gallo… not to mention he has struggled all season so why would i want the ball in his hands?Brewer? hes so erratic with the ball.. he hasn’t drove ONCE this year.. and chandler? i thought he was in china? guess not
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
wow way to take things too IiteraI.
guess we shouIdnt have put so much money in to affIaIo huh.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Was never for the 43 mill contract
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
yea but a Iot of ppl made it seem Iike it was imparetive we re upped affIaIo.
and he was goin to be a great buiIding bIock for the team, now they want to repIace him with fernandez.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Yes he is a building block
Hes just having a rough start obviously.. he just wasnt worth 43 mil
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
you shouId take note that when someone mentions skita in a post that maybe they arent being that srs.
Rys - January 30, 2012
Before you come onto a sports blog and try to compare a rising star to a scrub… It’s best to actually know what your talking about rather than just post random things that make you look like a complete idiot… marion compared to gallo? outta your mind
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
+1
you don’t have any stats, you haven’t seen Gallo play more than one game, and you haven’t watched the Nuggets this year
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
and what are your stats.
from what i have seen of gaIIo, it does not make me feeI Iike he can be a top scorer in the Ieague.
Rys - January 30, 2012
look at his efficiency stats
and realize the only reason he doesn’t put up 30 a game is that he only shoots about 1/2 as much as those 30 a game scorers
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
lol yea that's the onIy reason he's not puttin up 30 ppg, you are deIusionaI. see ya.
Rys - January 30, 2012
and you know this... how?
watch him play more than once and look at his efficiency stats again. Until he starts taking 23 shots a game you have know way of knowing that
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
once again
you saw him play ONCE
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
you are cIueIess.
you are right, i shouIdnt compare marion to gaIIo, marions accompIished much more and showed much more potentiaI earIy.
Rys - January 30, 2012
marion didn't have nearly career-ending back surgery
in his rookie year
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
In other news, LAC killing OKC
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Er, lets look up stats
Marion was drafted when he was 21 years old, Gallo when he was 18 I believe, so you can’t get a real accurate side-by side comparison.
When Marion was 23 he posted up 17.3 points, 81% free throw percentage, 48% FG, 10.7 RPG. He only attempted 1 3 pointer a game though at 25% during his second year.
Gallo is posting 17.9 a game, 5.3 rebounds, 88% Free throw percentage and attempts 4.5 3 pointers a game. Gallo also has 2.8 assists a game to Marions 2.0 when he was 23 years old.
Marion also played 2 minutes more a game than Gallo.
They both scored a similar amount when they were/are 23 years old but Gallo scores differently than Marion did.
CloudBurst - January 30, 2012
Marion actually averaged 19 and 10
as a 23-year old (the 17.3 was as a 22 year old) but it doesn’t mean shit because he took 17 FGA’s a game
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
Gallo has much more upside though
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
yup
can’t forget either that marion had the benefit of playing with STEVE FUCKING NASH IN HIS PRIME
LaimbeersGuardianAngel - January 30, 2012
idk about that, i watched marion come up, and put up some huge games.
which you wouIdnt figure he be abIe to do, because ppl regard him a particuIar way.
gaIIo’s taIIer, but doesnt have marions athIeticism, and defensive capabiIity, and aIso making pIays around the rim.
Rys - January 31, 2012
Key thing here is gallo is
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
whoops
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
ESPEN having a PG list.
Lawson ain’t there. Of course.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
LAC beating up on the thunder
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
As long as we beat them on prime time, that’s fine.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Idk if we can
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Well.. if they stay hot from 3
No is going to beat them… but…. as they say live by the 3….
Die by the 3. Use them all up against the Thunder….
djyoung71 - January 30, 2012
sorta like us earlier in the year
5baker5 - January 30, 2012
Hey. If anyone was watching SportsCenter tonight
they showed Griffin dunking over Perkins, and I swear the announcer said that Griffin just “Mozgov’d” Perkins. I rewound it like 10 times.
Did anyone else hear or see that?
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
Yeup the did say he was Mozgov'd..
I don’t understand this reference…Can you guys help me out?
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
x
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Oh....
I have a question. How is that not a foul on Griffin? Seriously.
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
Because Mozgov was a Kia last year.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Plus Moz tried to foul him first.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Heh. But I am asking.
a serious question. Many of the dunks they showed Griffin doing in their montage showed him grabbing players around the head or shoulders. Why isn’t that a foul?
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
Because they tried to foul him first.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
I don't know if you are being snarky or serious
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
I mean it's either a charge or a blocking foul right?
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
It was like with Vince.
You try to foul him in the air, he makes a poster out of you. It’s fair game.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
I'm sorry. But I'm not understanding
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
Moz tried to foul but Griffin was already in the air to throw down. So no foul there. When two players are in the air and one jumps higher than you. No foul, it’s fair game.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Just like when it was Vince and Dominique dunking.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Oh I see. Thanks for clarifying
SDcat09 - January 30, 2012
Although in Mozgov's case.
He’s 7’1 so he couldn’t jump.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
Both.
Kevin L - January 30, 2012
the Mozgov dunk by Griffin doesn't hold a candle to Vincanity in the Olympics though
That might be best all time for me.
InboundingLobPass - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Hands down.
Kevin L - January 31, 2012
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