These two franchises have been battling since their ABA days; tonight's game resembled those contests of old as the quick pace, high score (121-117 Spurs), and shorter players dominated. Heck, even Corey Brewer resembles the players of the wild ABA 1970's era. But things turned out ugly once again for the Nuggets down in old San Antonio ...
The first note of consequence in this contest: the Nuggets were down after the first quarter 37-25. That 12-point Spurs lead was just too much to overcome over the next three quarters. An early hole in the NBA often requires that things go nearly perfectly at the end in order to pull off a crazy comeback.
The Spurs saw their once 20-point lead dwindle all the way down to just 2-points (106-104) with 6:03 left in the game; and it appeared that Denver was finally over the hump (7-10 points) and in a position to come all the way back.
But here is how the Nuggets' next seven possessions played out:
- Rudy Fernandez misses a jumper from the left elbow.
- Ty Lawson misses a 20-foot jumper.
- Andre Miller misses a bunny from the baseline.
- Al Harrington draws a foul, but only goes 1-2 from the foul line (110-105, Spurs).
- Danilo Gallinari misses a three-pointer. Arron Afflalo called for a charge near the paint on the baseline.
- Gallo misses a jumper. Miller steals the offensive board from T.J. Ford, hits the layup (112-107, Spurs).
- Lawson on a breakaway and Richard Jefferson blocks the shot with a lot of contact ... no call. Jefferson buries a dagger three-pointer on the other end and it's 115-107, Spurs.
Had Lawson been able to hit the layup or get the foul call, Denver could have been looking at 112-109 or 108. And had Denver done better than 0-6 on the above possession from the field with an offensive foul and 1-2 from the foul line and we're looking at a whole different game. Growing pains ... when will they end?
From that point, the two teams traded buckets and the Nuggets closed the game on a Gallo three with just 7.6 seconds left to make it a 119-116 game, but the absolute miracle didn't happen as the comeback was also stalled out earlier.
The Negatives:
I don't like to put on my Captain Negative hat too much, but some things need to be pointed out ...
- Kosta Koufos checked out of the game at the 5:13 mark of the first quarter - never to return. K2 played just 7 minutes, but collected 3 rebounds (1 offensive) and kept DeJuan Blair's short self in check. The score when he left: 18-12, Spurs.
- Chris Anderson checked in at the 3:56 mark of the first quarter for Timofey Mozgov. Dirty-Bird played the next five minutes (into the second quarter) and was taken out - never to return.
- Timofey Mozgov played just 18 minutes during the first and third quarters only. He started the game 2-2 from the field with a couple nice bunnies - he finished 2-2 for 4 points and 2 rebounds.
- George Karl decided after seeing Koufos and Birdman that his team needed to try to out-score the Spurs by going small and playing fast. Karl did open up minutes for Corey Brewer in the bigs' place instead of say, Rudy Fernandez, but not even Brewer's hot-hand was really rewarded. Sometimes Karl will ride a hot-streak too long, but tonight he only dished out 12 minutes to Brewer, who clearly affected the energy for the Nuggets in a positive way.
- Blair ate up the Nuggets while Al Harrington played center and Gallo tried to play power forward. The Nuggets truly missed Nene in this one and Koufos' size and know-how, as well. Blair grabbed 7 offensive rebounds and had 10 points - he looked like a non-factor with Koufos in and an all-star against Gallo.
- Shooters confidence: late in the game with things still in doubt, the Nuggets pace slowed down and guys, like Gallo, were passing up open looks. Chris Webber was a great player in the League, but he hated having the ball in his hands with the game on the line ... I don't want to see Gallo venture down that path. Some of the young Nuggets need to start stepping up in the clutch.
- Officiating - dog shit, as usual. The Nuggets were just 17-26 from the charity stripe (9 points left off the board), but they should have been well above 30 attempts on the night. Sucks that Lawson has to wait until his jersey sales rise to get a freaking call.
Positives:
- Corey Brewer! In the first half Brewer played 6 minutes and put up the following: 2-2 (1-2 free throws) from the field for 5 points, 3 rebounds (1 offensive), 2 steals, and 1 turnover. He was the only Nuggets player to record a positive +/- with a +12. Brewer finished the night with 11 points on 5-6 shooting, 5 rebounds (2 offensive), 2 steals and that same +12 in just 12 minutes.
Brewer has that old school look, but Karl should have weaseled a few more minutes in for the wily Brewer. I was hoping that we'd see Kenneth Faried at some point for some energy, defense, and rebounding, but we got Brewer instead and he didn't disappoint. How about a lineup of Lawson, Brewer, Faried, Gallo, and Harrington? That would have been fun to see - could have been bad, but I'd like to see it.
- As much as the first quarter killed the Nuggets chances, the team could have easily packed it in and settled for a road split after winning in New Orleans Jan. 6th. But Denver didn't settle, they came back from 20 down to get within 2-points and make a game of things. Actual wins count over pointing out positives in a loss, but this Denver team has fought in every game this season.
- Gallo. A season high 31 points on 10-16 shooting (3-4 from deep, 8-10 free throws), 5 rebounds (2 offensive), 2 assists, and 2 steals. As good as Gallo looked, I could have even see more shots from him. He was more selective tonight, but when he's feeling it ... let it rip! He passed up a few open looks late in the game, and missed an easy runner, but he's continuing to grow into a dependable all around player for this team.
- Lawson abused the Spurs all night. They played a blurb during the game about Lawson's uncle rallying for his nephew to make the All Star game, but Lawson's play is speaking louder than his uncle ever could. Lawson's 20 points and 10 assists were more than impressive. His aggressive play should get him to the foul line more than just 3 attempts. It's crap that jersey sales continue to mean more than play on the floor.
- Denver's three-point shooting ... 8-16 or 50% - finally!
Tough loss for the Nuggets and a game where if the team makes any number of plays, they get the win. We'll have to wait to see if Denver can finally avenge those 2005 and 2007 playoff losses to the Spurs. These are the ups-and-downs of a young team, but it'd be nice to see some wins in these closely battled contests. Until then, the San Antonio horror show continues for the Nuggets.
Nate_Timmons on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Nate_Timmons
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
FIRST
just cause
TyLawesome - January 7, 2012
Frustration abounds
I’m sure I will feel the same when I replay the game in a few minutes.
Jeffrey Morton - January 7, 2012
Don’t, your house will not survive.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
slow starts are killin
Nuggets had a nice effort, but another slow start killed ’em. Nuggets loses have come at tough places. Gonna have to learn how to win these games.
The NBA is a cruel game sometimes. And the Spurs made every big shot when they needed it. Get healthy at home Nuggets.
djyoung71 - January 7, 2012
We need to stop these slow starts though…..
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
giving up 30+ in the first quarter makes for tough going!
Jaybark7 - January 8, 2012
Not only was Brewer the only Nugget with a positive +/- rating
He had the highest +/- for the game.
j-mac31 - January 7, 2012
I made the huge mistake of actually reading through the spurs game thread.
nothing but compliments for g.k. and his (imo) piss poor rotation choices, clammoring for calls (as IF the refs favored the nuggets over the spurs in any game since duncan arrived) complaining about no calls on the nuggets, and get this, coming down on the league for going overboard in negating the flopping. unbelievable.
don’t get me wrong, that first quarter is the reason the nuggets lost, and g.k. again being too stubborn to allow our 7 footers to play (especially kosta given how he’s been playing)
the 4 guards and a pf thing has GOT to stop! he was complaining that his bigs weren’t giving him anything. pretty hard to tell fromt he 5 minutes he gave kosta and i dunno, 10 minutes he game timo. rudy in no way warranted being on the floor instead of brewer who was i huge factor in his very limited minutes.
stubborn stubborn stubborn! g.k. just doesn’t knowhow to evaluate bigs i’m affraid.
hmmm we can’t get a rebound. i know. i’ll take kosta and brewer out and put in dre and rudy. ya that’ll work.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
The midget line up was actually working….
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
on offense problem is,
that we had no prayer of getting any offensive, and many defensive rebounds so they killed us on second chance points. that is a direct reflection of the mini lineup. not playing brewer in the end instead of aaa who could not hold onto the ball every time he drove, was inexcusable as well. i think g.k. is a great basketball theory guy, and a great all around coach, but he has got to come to grips with the fact that you can NOT play small ball against good teams.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
To be honest
We lost our lead with the 7 footers in, you do have to give GK credit for getting us back in the game.
JR15 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Thank you.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
as nate pointed out, when kosta went out,
it was 18-12 spurs and then they IMMEDIATELY started dominating out tiny lineup to push the lead up to 20 so that is obviously not true.
if it WERE true, then why on earth didn’t kosta get any more run and get benched in the second half? did karl assume from kosta’s few minutes played that he couldn’t have played better next time he was in?
it was inexcusable to go small in this game for any length in time. if it worked so well, imagine if kosta was in there instead of rudy and we could actually get some glass work done?
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
The Spurs didn't really miss that much
And I don’t know if it would have changed the outcome that much.
Rudy brought us within 2, kinda hard to complain about going small today, easier to complain about the fix though, that was pretty damn obvious.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
it is glaringly obvious that small ball didn't work today! did you not watch the first half?
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
I watched when small ball got us within 2 in the second half
JR15 - January 7, 2012
the second half was not nearly as small as in the first
when it was al at center and no one over 6’6. (i.e. when the spurs took a six point lead and balooned it to 20 in 4 minutes)
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
I could be wrong
But isn’t Al 6’9"? Brewer is the same height as well.
Army of Nugs - January 7, 2012
i believe so
and i advocated having brewer in instead of aaa at the end.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
I am usually not a Karl sympathist when it comes to rotations
But I admit small ball works against some teams and it does work against the Spurs. Put Nene at C instead of Al and we win this game.
I like big ball against certain teams like the Lakers and was mad when Karl went small, but it wasn’t a game changer today.
Given the circumstances, still good lineup by Karl.
I mean DeJuan Blair looks like a short fat guy with all those trees, but he gets the ball with effort, not height.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
nene is 6'11 260!!!!!!!!!!!
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
More like 6'9"
Gallo is actually taller than Nene
Army of Nugs - January 7, 2012
not true but you are on a roll. why stop now?
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
Dude
you hang on to your ESPN height. Next game, take a look. Nene stands about 6’9". Birdman is listed at 6’11" and comes to just about the top of Nene’s braids. Get some glasses and get off ESPN
Army of Nugs - January 7, 2012
Also
Go find some highlights of Dwight Howard next to Nene. Dwight is 6’11" and is 2 inches taller than Nene.
Army of Nugs - January 7, 2012
howard, like garnet
is a legit 7’ and does not like to be called 7’ for whatever reason.
anyway, semantics aside, do you think nene is a stronger rebounder/better at boxing out than say rudy fernandez?
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
ok man
I am done arguing about height with some adolescent. and yes, Nene is a better rebounder than Rudy, but guess what, he wasn’t available to play tonight.
Army of Nugs - January 7, 2012
Let’s keep the name calling (adolescent) off the site. Thanks.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
Poopy head….
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
well that's good because you are missing the point
that we can’t get boards with 4 guards and a sf in the game.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
Army of nugs doesn't like to be wrong i guess
5baker5 - January 8, 2012
No 7 footers on the Spurs though
I do think we needed someone with energy like Faried, could have been a game changer
JR15 - January 7, 2012
cause that duncan guy is short right?
anyway, point is, i don’t think it can be argued that rudy fernandez and andre miller are better rebounders than kosta.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
Brewer pretty much did what I was hoping a Faried sighting could do tonight.
I would have liked to of seen Faried as well. Brewer for more than 12 mintues too, ride the hot hand.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
I thought Kosta did a great job neutralizing Blair when he was in the game.
Would have loved to of seen a massive body boxing out Blair all night rather than Gallo getting bullied down low by DeJuan. Could have been a game changer too.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
I agree. More K2 to stop giving them 2nd and 3rd chances
Jaybark7 - January 8, 2012
if you don't see that we clearly were giving up too many second chance points
and not creating enough of them for ourselves, and that this would have been drastically different with a bull like kosta in therer, then i know not what to say.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
10 of their 18 second chance
came with Mozgov and Kosta in the game
Army of Nugs - January 7, 2012
that is not true.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
Believe it was
That fat bastard Blair just sneaks in like a fat kid to get his cake. He somehow stands still and doesn’t jump, but the ball falls in his hand or he hits the arm, er I mean strips it away (as the refs see it) from the bigs who do get the rebound.
Btw I feel like Faried can be this kind of pest for other teams except he isn’t fat and can really jump high. I wish Faried got some burn.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
see below
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
They didn’t have 10 second chance points in the first 7 minutes. Spurs had 8 second chance points in the entire first quarter. Having one 7-footer out there definitely helps though. Spurs attacked the rim without fear for much of the game as Gallo and Big Al are not shot blockers.
I’m with KB on this one … needed some bigs out there tonight.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
If Kosta was in, doesn't mean he was going to get boards
The Spurs didn’t have many second chance points in the second half, most were in the first half.
Also some of their second chance points were aided by Blair flops for lose ball fouls. If Kosta did it he would still get a foul call.
Blame the zebras on this one, that was what was obvious today.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
no it doesn't mean he would have gotten boards
but i like my chances experimenting with it given how he’’s played for 4 games in a row, and g.k. was acting like kosta was the reason we lost after the game.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
Kosta had 3 boards in 7 minutes ... one offensive.
Blair couldn’t sniff an offensive board with K2’s height.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
or were you on the game thread?
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
After blowing off some steam
This team played amazing. Off a b2b without one of our best players to come back the way we did was reassuring. Also the 3 ball is back :)!!!!!
We also played 5 on 8 the whole time, I don’t know why Nate didnt mention the 5 vs 8 tidbit, but the game would have been completely different had the RJ foul actually been called what it was. Kinda funy because when the Spurs won in the Pepsi center RJ was riding Melo the whole time before the Manu flop. When did RJ get MVP status from the refs? Is it cuz he wears a Spurs jersey.
JR15 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I am happy the 3 ball is falling
And once Faried, KK, and Brewer get more minutes when Nene returns we will be even better.
Also btw, I think Ty and Gallo can develop into an even better dynamic than Westbrick and Durant.
Both Gallo and Ty get their teammates involved while the former pair are better at ball stopping.
JR15 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
Anyone noticed that after Rooder finally hit a 3 the others were also getting the bucket?
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
um guys...
utah is 5-3. They back? already?
TyLawesome - January 7, 2012
Fools gold
Soft schedule right now for them. They will be the Houston of last year, good to spoil the fun for some teams, but still a lottery team.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
This loss didn't hurt that bad for some reason
Sommin bout it being on the tail end of back to back
Against a VERY RESTED Spurs team with a cupcake schedule so far
No Nene
Still 6-3
Got a nice Homestand Vs Hornets, Nets, Heat, Jazz. Out of all those teams I am only worried about the heat. we can very well be 9-4 (maybe 9-3) and at the top of the western conference by the end of next week.
(OKC, Spurs, both have brutal schedules) Portland has a 3 game homestand than hits the road for like 7 straight, and Utah is as real as pornstar tits.
United Nugget Nations - January 7, 2012
We still remembered who guaranteed……
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
Not sure how rested San Antonio was … that was their 4th game in 5 nights.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
They had a day off I think.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
Whoops, 3rd game in 4 nights. Had yesterday off, but coming off a back to back.
Nate Timmons - January 7, 2012
I thought so too.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
true maybe i exaggerated the VERY RESTED
it just seems that in this condensed schedule a day off is a lot. And they rested their starters the whole 4th quarter Vs the Mavs in their last game.
United Nugget Nations - January 7, 2012
harrington is a beast right now, and deserves every minute he gets...
but he wouldnt qualify as a center on most college teams, let alone an nba team with two seven footers.
as usual this team finds success (this evening excluded) in spite of karl, not because of him.
and bitching about refs is a losers excuse. so call me a loser… lawson was robbed.
denver up.
calvin brodus - January 7, 2012
you guys can't believe this bs
ESPN actually shows Jefferson fouling Ty in the highlights, and call it a block. HERE
TyLawesome - January 7, 2012
Spurs won't get call over the Lakers or OKC
So they should be w dangerous playoff team, but not a contender
JR15 - January 7, 2012
Nuggets on pace to 44-22...
as they forgot to play Defense in Texas! Spurs win 121-117. Nuggets
forgot to get on the plane from New Orleans to San Antonio. When
Danny Green (Who?) gets a career high 24 pts, you know Karl’s Nuggets
just didn’t want to stop the F ing Spurs—I REALLY HATE THE SPURS!!!
121— The Spurs haven’t scored that much since the 60s…As ESPN
Monday Football Mike Ditka would Say “COME ON MAN”!!!!
24 — Daniel Green’s career High Points… I didnt know who this guy
was before tonight
50% — Team 3 pt percentage. That is the best for this season.
31 — Gallo’s point total
Nuggets couldn’t stop a 80 year lady with a walker tonight. They drop
to 6-3 (2-3) on the road and prove that they still have a lot of work
to do if they plan on being the #1 seed come playoff time. When you
give up a career high in points to a no name, Karl and the boys need
to figure out a way to win when they need to.
You can’t give up 121 pts and win. This is not the Paul Westphal
Nuggets. Nuggets D has looked good in the first 8 games, tonight they
FAILED!!!!
Nuggets return home to face the J Smooth & The Hornets on Monday!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 7, 2012
Nuggets scored too though
So it’s nice to see we can still get points on the board in a road game even when our defense is bad.
The D should be our mantra though, but to be honest SA made a ton of contested jumpers which would be bad shots, but they were hot. I am mostly talking about the second half when our D should have been better. The effort was there, but SA made contested shots so you have to take your hat off to that. I don’t think they can sustain that the whole season though. I still think they need Manu as the b2bs start piling.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
It’s either way, it went right, it went right.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
Hey Kevin, what made you use the Nyan Cat as your pic?
ap3604 - January 7, 2012
Just like everything that motivates me everyday: impulse.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
We still lost!
I agree that the Nuggets played better in the 2nd half but it wasn’t enough! Just because the San Antonio shot the lights doesn’t fix the problem on D. If a team is playing good D they make “Hot shooters” miss—Again you can’t have NO names having career highs!
Moving forward, I don’t think the Spurs will score that much when they play the Nuggets again. So hopefully they learn from this experience and kick the @#$% out of the Hornets on Monday.
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 7, 2012
paul westhead that is
unless you are michelle beadle.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
Whatever!!!!
Thanks for the correction!!!!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 7, 2012
you're welcome
two very different people.
Patrick KB. Nugget - January 7, 2012
I want to blame google but I know better
It’s all my fault!!!! Now I have to google Michelle Beadle!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 7, 2012
wikipedia Michelle Beadle
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Beadle
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
Westphal was the old Suns coach and current?????
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
Kings coach.
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
got fired as Kings coach
All Day Jay - January 8, 2012
Your are correct
We was coaching when the Nuggets when this year! Thanks for the help!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
you mean Paul Westhead?
I guess Westphal would be appropriate too.
Alaskan4Fat - January 8, 2012
whoops, someone beat me too that...
Alaskan4Fat - January 8, 2012
It's all good.
My bad!!!!!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
Paul Westhead... Not Paul Westphal
All Day Jay - January 8, 2012
Your a dollar short and a day late
but thanks for playing. :)
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
as soon as I scrolled down, I saw that everyone else caught it too!
All Day Jay - January 8, 2012
I started this mess...Its all good!
SD_Nugget_Fan - January 8, 2012
No Manu either.
This game was handed to the nuggets on a silver platter but once again they find a way to lose. This was the game that they needed to really show the media and me that there legit. Enough with the slow starts and win some damn road games. I’m sorry this is a helluva basketball team and I just don’t get the reason why we lose games.
tknuckle - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Umm we didn't have Nene and were on a b2b
And the Spurs definitely did not hand this game to us. So I don’t know what you are fuming about.
JR15 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Looking at our 3 loses
They were all 4th quarter games where we could have won.
The Portland game and LA game we lost b/c Gallo couldn’t close…he has improved greatly on that in one week IMO.
In today’s game it was a combo of refs, and digging to deep of a hole. Nene would have been helpful today, but this team shows a ton of heart.
Btw Pop is amazing, Danny green was sitting far on the bench with the Cavaliers, aka a scrub who just did whatever the “King” wanted him to do. Only Pop can make a scrub like Green, Bonner, or even RJ effective. I wish he coached the Nugz, we would be that much better.
JR15 - January 7, 2012
Didn’t get blown out yet.
Kevin L - January 7, 2012
If Pop coached the Nuggs, we'd have a championship.
We wouldn’t have lost to the Lakers on bad inbounds plays, and would’ve rolled through the Finals.
All Day Jay - January 8, 2012
If Pop had coached the Nuggs
He’d be in prison after murdering and dumping the bodies of Melo, JR, and the other boneheads.
Japheth:the.other.kind.of.asian. - January 8, 2012
Nah, he's too smart to get caught
Artimus Mangilord - January 9, 2012
Looking at the calendar
I see us winning the next five games (D Wade has never won in Denver and if everyone is healthy I’m Demver I don’t see it happening this year).
And if everything goes well I see our only loss in Philly while we win out the rest of the month.
We will have a very tough b2b2b to start Feb, but I can see us beating LAC and maybe LAL if our bigs step up.
I don’t think we can win in Portland.
JR15 - January 8, 2012
Did we beat Miami last year at mile high?
Kevin L - January 8, 2012
Blew em out by 28
Should be closer, but LBJ and D Wade have had problems with the Nuggets.
JR15 - January 8, 2012
And that was pre trade, right?
Kevin L - January 8, 2012
Yup believe so
Melo was getting booed that game lol
JR15 - January 8, 2012
The Heat were on the 2nd of a b2b, may have even been on the west coast the night before. One of those fun wins that you can’t really put a whole lot of stock into.
ParkHillNative - January 8, 2012
They were also missing LBJ
But we played off a b2b without one of our best players and instead of getting blown out like it was looking it would be, we fought back and made it a 4th quarter game which us what you want on the road.
JR15 - January 8, 2012
bron didnt play in the game.
Twisted his ankle the night before in Golden State
United Nugget Nations - January 8, 2012
Losses Suck
But we showed real heart coming back from 20. Ty Gallo Brew
Ty was fouled by Jefferson. Zebras stink.
You gotta love the Energy Corey Brewer is bringing
Its up to the coaches to make sure there’s a Butt on Blair. That guy will ruin you with his offensive boards if you let him.
Nuggburg - January 8, 2012
First time posting here, have intermittently checked in over the last year though.
So sorry if this has already been covered, but why doesn’t Karl use the depth of the team more? To me this seems like the Nuggets greatest advantage, particularly in this abbreviated season. Especially in the front court. I guess what I’m actually asking is why in the world doesn’t Faried play more? Isn’t one of the keys to improvement playing?
cardinalswsbound - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app
he has at times, but he's always been the kind of coach to use a short bench.
He played 12 players in Milwaukee, but tonight wasn’t feeling like the big guys were productive.
All Day Jay - January 8, 2012
and Faried is really raw, and George Karl has an aversion to giving minutes to rookies!
All Day Jay - January 8, 2012
Welcome to the posting side of Denver Stiffs!
Nate Timmons - January 9, 2012
Well, poo.
SDcat09 - January 8, 2012
we played hard (for 2 1/2 quarters) and barely lost
They were without Manu who does a lot for yhem most nights.
We were playing a b2b.
It is what it is.
InboundingLobPass - January 8, 2012 via mobile
2nd chance points
Giving up second chance points killed us tonight. Karl definitely deserves some blame for this. His only reaction to adversity is to go small. Getting killed on the boards? Go small. Out executed in the half court game? Go small. We were close in this game because we were finally shooting well. Karl routinely gets out schemed and out coached by Pop. It happened again. We were getting stops but couldnt get the rebounds. You cant run if you dont grab the boards. After the Spurs got their fourth offensive rebound in about 4 minutes that led to another hoop, I couldnt believe he didnt put Kofous back in. Or try Faried. During the comeback that was inspired by Gallo and Ty, a perfect lineup would have been Ty, AAA,Gallo Faried and Kosta. Insert Brewer or Al for Faried if you want, but do something to help on the boards. Please. Its about reading the game. Karl didnt bring us back with the small lineup…Gallo and Ty were on fire.
All that said, losing at San Antonio on the second night of a b2b isnt the end of the world and this team looks great going forward. If our coach doesnt screw it up.
gonugs - January 8, 2012
Aside from the 1st Quarter, Mostly Positives From This One
San Antonio is one of, if not the, toughest places to play in the League and the Nuggs had more than a decent chance to win (If a few more calls went their way). I thought Karl was wise to go small and match up with SA’s shooters a little better. Gallo at 6’10 should be able able to guard 6’7 Blair. The young Nuggs need more intensity to start games on the road, but coming off a game in NO the night before, this was a great effort against a tough team.
Ty – amazing play with a strong double double against a set of tough PG’s (Parker and Ford).
AAA- seems to be getting his stroke back. Wish he would stop the dribble around when he catches the ball.
Gallo – Best game as a Nugget?? The Spurs announcers were drooling over him. Best player on the floor last night.
Moz – Still learning. Has a ways to go, but minutes invested in Moz are well-spent if Karl would only think about the big picture.
KK – Deserved more minutes. I liked the small lineup, but I would have kept either Moz or KK (not both) on the floor for most of the game.
Dre – typical Dre game. The glue.
Rudy – nice floor game, but 29 minutes?? I like Rudy around 20 minutes.
Al – another soild game. He definitely is one of the better 6th men in the League right now.
Brew – coming out party. Really liked his defensive intensity. Deserved more of Rudy’s minutes.
Bird – quickly moving to 12 man in my opinion.
ACEIII - January 8, 2012
U Guys are an angry bunch
Settle down. Your team is top 4 in the west, just unfortunately for you, behind the mighty Spurs (again). :)
Bruceleebowen - January 8, 2012
We're angry (at least I am) because of Karl's one faceted (go smaller!) approach.
It makes no sense at all, given what is at his disposal, and how eager and effective KK is playing. He simply was much more effective on Blair than Gallo, and the Nugs were getting killed by Spurs second chance points. If you have a 7’ glass cleaner (or a slightly smaller rook who specializes in rebounding), who both need the experience anyway, to make them sit while the opponent is decimating us with an undersized ‘center’ is mind boggling.
And Karl should learn to call a time out once in a while.
And Ty having only three trips to the line is a travesty, so a little ref hate is justified.
Still, it’s good for the young Nug team to face such tests, and they never gave up. And they could learn a thing or two from the Spurs.
Ski Bum - January 8, 2012
Please keep in mind that my Spurs hatred is the most honorable, sports oriented hatred (read I completely respect the Spurs, particularly the coaching and professional culture they exemplify). They’re a good example for what the Nugs are trying to achieve, so I hope the guys take some positives from this loss.
I still think the Nugs are better than the Spurs, just a less well oiled machine (coaching deficit).
Ski Bum - January 8, 2012
Ok bruce, dont act like we dont get mad after loses like this one too. while they complain too much about the refs, they have a right to be upset.
GoSpursGo32 - January 8, 2012
Bruce Bowen was a dirty player
His big thing was intentionally trying to cause ankle injuries to opponents by slipping his foot under them when they jumped.
That’s why we “complain too much about the refs,” because they’ve always let that kind of bullshit slide with the Spurs.
ParkHillNative - January 9, 2012
Tough game to watch
very frustrated with Gallo on the glass…I’m really starting to think this kid has limitless potential, and on a night when the shot was finally falling the guy couldn’t get some very key rebounds. Frustrating, and clearly a big area for improvement.
I’m not one to harp too much on the crooked zebras but the treatment of Lawson was shameful. Oh well, can’t watch the NBA if you can’t deal with horrible officiating.
Reason we lost: Danny Green and Richard Jefferson. Two guys that shouldn’t beat anyone definitely were the keys to the game tonight. I think it started with not having Nene, as he is the anchor of the defense and everyone scrambles without him, which left tons and tons of wide open shots. But what can you do when those two random guys (a near-amnesty guy and an end-of-bench scrub) can’t miss? Tough loss, but not a bad one.
Teekalong - January 8, 2012
Wrong
Without Gallo we wouldn’t of even have a chance of winning last night with his hot scoring. The guys potential is limited in rebounding? Sure, but he isn’t a center, he isn’t a power forward his rebounding is about right for a small forward despite being 6’10 if Gallo didn’t get hot last night we would of lost in double digits easily.
CloudBurst - January 8, 2012
+1
Or 100 or 100,102,832.
You get the point.
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Must not have made my point clear
I love gallo and think his talent is as close to unlimited as non-leBron players can be. I absolutely agree that he was great on offense. I was only lamenting that his rebounding needs work. He lacks discipline and focus.
Teekalong - January 8, 2012 via mobile
We have our own Dejuan Blair
His name is Kenneth Faried and like Blair he will be a bulldog for rebounds. I think Faried Kosta and Yes, Birdman could have helped us on the boards and Defense down the stretch. And that leaves Gallo free to score and look good.
Nuggburg - January 8, 2012
Yes
But when you are down by 20, you don’t need rebounds. You need points in a hurry.
Small ball can do this.
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Where's cloudburst with the roll call
I thought I made it and to know
The U.N. Fab Five - January 8, 2012
We need to trade the Bird
While people still think he is good. Faried should take his minutes anyway.
As Jeff says, Moz is a project, but he can only get better with minutes. Ujiri saw something in Moz, and I can see it too, I don’t need the stats to tell me that he was playing ok, but still has a big learning curve.
JR15 - January 8, 2012
Spurs fan here
This was a fun game. Tough loss on your side.
I see a lot of people bashing Karl for going small, and as a Spurs fan I can relate since most of us hate small ball. In this case, though I think going small was what got you back in the game. Sure, DeJuan got offensive boards, but the Lawson-Afflalo-Fernandez-Brewer-Gallo lineup was a match up nightmare for the Spurs. You guys know your team better than me, so I might be wrong.
As for the Jefferson block, it wasn’t a block, it was a foul. That much is clear. The refs were allowing a lot of contact throughout, but that’s a call they should have made. It led to a big momentum swing, so I can see why you guys are angry.
Anyway just wanted to say you guys have a great team. Gallo is a potential star and Lawson is a top 10 PG IMO. I’m looking forward to the next time we meet.
Edg5 - January 8, 2012
is there a specific reason Bonner didn't play much?
skithebert - January 8, 2012
Um, because he sucks? :). No, I just think that with the weird lineups Karl was throwing out there playing Bonner didn’t make sense. He couldn’t guard Gallinari or any of the other wings and. Also, he’s not a good offensive rebounder and that’s the only thing the Nuggets were conceding by playing small. The Spurs have a game tonight against OKC, but I don’t think Pop was saving him for it, though.
Edg5 - January 8, 2012
Classy Spurs fan
I don’t know how you could ever be mad a Pop though. That guy knows all about basketball, so if he goes small maybe we shouldn’t be criticizing GK soo much.
I am glad the 3 ball is back, we are goin to e hella dangerous folks.
JR15 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
How effective small ball is depends on the players. The past two seasons Pop was playing Jefferson at the 4 on he just wasn’t good there. The other problem was that George Hill o Manu had to guard SFs and they just didn’t have the body for it. Now that we have Kawhi Leonard, I don’t mind if Pop goes small because Kawhi can play PF in a pinch.
I think GK really surprised the Spurs by going small and that’s what got the Nuggets back in the game. Gallo finding his stroke from behind the arc also helped, of course.
Edg5 - January 8, 2012
Very nice to see a thoughtful fan of another team here
And someone with a balanced view of the game who’s not an over-the-top homer. So thanks. Great game, even though the Nuggets stank it up early on. I’m no longer Karl’s biggest fan, but his coaching worked pretty well last night—nearly got us a road win out of a very deep hole against a team that’s seen it all.
LongWindedHank - January 8, 2012
nobody should be surprised GK goes small
we’ve seen it all too much
skithebert - January 8, 2012
Small vs. Big
Is such a stupid, tiring argument. It works for some things: speed and sucks for other things: rebounding.
Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don’t. Last night the Nuggets were playing on the road for the second consecutive night against a solid, veteran team. If any of you expected to breeze in and win in San Antonio, you are crazy.
I called the loss yesterday. But I was expecting more ofa defensive game. The Spurs surprised me with a lot of offense and athleticism and killed Denver with second-chance points.
You guys should take heart that despite the poor start, the Nuggets stayed in the game against a good team until the end, instead of getting all crabby at each other. This is sports, you know, the bread and circuses that keep us distracted so we don’t riot against the one percent or something like that.
Last point: Just because Nene is listed at 6’11" doesn’t mean he is 6’11". He’s closer to 6’9" and most people who follow the Nuggets know this. Basketball players lie about their height all the time. Michael Jordan isn’t 6’6", and neither is Charles Barkley, who I’ve met twice and is maybe two inches taller than me at the most, and I’m not even 6’3" — more like 6’2" and a half.
Jimmer Freddette is listed at 6’2" and he was significantly shorter than Miller, who is 6’2" or 6’3".
Last point to my last point: Kenneth Farried isn’t 6’8", either. But being undersized means nothing when it comes to playing above the rim and collecting rebounds. See DeJuan Blair. See Chuck Hayes. See Charles Barkley.
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Well Dejuan doesn't jump
But he is at the right place at the right time.
Don’t y’all wish we had him instead of Bird? Those were the options at the time.
Also I think today was a defensive fluke game, I can see our D pick up for the next week.
JR15 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
I was bummed about not getting Blair
But we got Farried, who, I think, has a much higher ceiling. He’s taller (not much! see above!), more athletic and doesn’t have Blair’s injury issues.
There is NOTHING to worry about with the Nuggets and Karl and his stupid rotations. You people are crazy if you really think the Nuggets can go undefeated the rest of the way. There are going to be losses, and when the come against good teams like the Spurs, who’ve been exceeding expectations, on the road after playing the night before, it is not a Big Deal.
So calm down, Stiffs.
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
What I hate is how going small is the one and only trick GK has in his bag
we do it every single game, whether it makes sense or not, the only question is how small we go. Going small sometimes makes sense, and it worked last night. But sometimes it makes no sense and GK is doing it anyway.
Rainbow skyline - January 8, 2012
I don't disagree
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Thanks for this corrective post, Fly
George isn’t the devil, and he ain’t the savior, either. He’s working hard to figure things out on the fly with a different group and not much preparation in advance of the season. He infuriates me some of the time, but he’s a basketball coach, and I’m not.
And yeah, we’re gonna lose some games. This loss doesn’t sting much. In fact, it looks to be a big plus as losses go. They made in-game changes and roared back from a 20-point deficit. They ran plays to close a big gap with less than a minute left, and came close to doing it. Running such drills in practice doesn’t come close to replicating doing it in a live game. Encouraging all around.
LongWindedHank - January 8, 2012
Roll call by request!
CloudBurst - January 8, 2012
No wonder Denver lost
SDcat was AWOL.
Magical thinking FTW!
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
she had a hot date, remember?
CloudBurst - January 8, 2012
Yea I made the list
Now I just have to find a way to the top. The next 4 games I don’t have a chance, I’m going to every game for the next week.
The U.N. Fab Five - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app
Yeah!
We beat SDcat! and top 3 were barely separated!
Army of Nugs - January 8, 2012
/smh
You didn’t beat me. I was absent for half the game…….
SDcat09 - January 8, 2012
And?
Nah, half of my comments were cursing at the refs. Not my best moments
Army of Nugs - January 8, 2012
alot of positives to take from this loss
If RJ was called for that foul Nuggets are right in it with momentum on their side. Spurs handle injury better than anyone else, Manu isn’t as big of a loss as it appears. Lawson, Gallo and Harrington are looking great. So are Kosta, Brewer and even Rudy has had back to back good games. Nene will be back, and I think this team will be hard to stop. The west is open for the taking.
Monkfish - January 8, 2012
Just saw Eric Maynor is out for the season
JBnuggs - January 8, 2012
that sucks for OKC
Army of Nugs - January 8, 2012
good for us
does this mean reggie jackson gets some minutes?
be interested to watch him play. colorado springs guy
skithebert - January 8, 2012
Anyone watching the spurs/thunder game?
Thunder on there 3 game of a back to back to back and look fresh as daisies while kicking the shit out of the spurs. I just don’t see anyone including the heat for that matter beating OKC. 10 games in an that team is scary.
tknuckle - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Spurs are old
They can’t make a run like us when they are on a b2b without one of their best players.
Won’t take much from this game. Lot of wide open shots for the Thunder.
JR15 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
But they hit those shots consistently
I’m still waiting for Denver to hit all their jumpers consistently especially from beyond the arc. Pound it inside every play and only kick out for uncontested jumpers.
tknuckle - January 8, 2012 via mobile
OKC doesn't pound anything inside
What about that loss to Portland…do we say OKC sucks??
I am just saying you cant take anything from this game.
The Spurs play like the Wizards on a b2b, thats the problem with being old.
And we are starting to hit from beyond the arc. I think they will show it to you this week. They need that breakout game to see the ball fall in the hole to get the confidence back up.
JR15 - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Teams on the third game of a b2b2b
Are 5-0. Soon to be 6-0.
Who’d a thunk?
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Reggie Jackson sure looked good in this game
I like Eric Maynor. He’s been a rock at back-up PG for OKC, especially when Westbrook gets out of control. I thought their second team would take a pretty big hit without him. But Reggie Jackson looked ready to rock and roll against the Spurs tonight. More evidence that Presti knows what he’s doing, I guess.
Fortunately for us, we have one fine GM, too.
LongWindedHank - January 8, 2012
I am truly convinced now that Tim Tebow is The Second Coming.
Kevin L - January 8, 2012
What an ending
Nobody picked Denver to win that game. For all the times people shit on the West in the NFL, at least they get things done in the playoffs, eh?
WaveOcean - January 8, 2012
Both myself and Ross Martin of the Colorado Sports Guys picked Denver, ON AIR last week to win!
BAM!
Nate Timmons - January 9, 2012
OMG!
Such a great game. Tebow passed so well.
Even his bad passes you could tell he was putting them in spots where only his receiver had a chance to get there.
But seriously, DeMarius fucking Thomas people!!! Love that guy!
Can’t wait to lose at Foxboro next week! Unbelievable!
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Yeup. Tim looked really good today.
Passing on 1st down! What a concept!
SDcat09 - January 8, 2012
he pulled that out of his ass
I stared at the TV and didnt say a word for about 2 minutes. probably didnt blink either
Army of Nugs - January 8, 2012
Who says you can't beat the Patriots?
WaveOcean - January 8, 2012
Not me
I was clearly being sarcasticle.
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
If they do, Hell has frozen over.
Kevin L - January 8, 2012
Lot's of shady spots
Just saying.
Hell is way more different than people think, having been there and all.
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
I always thought it was more circular than shady
SDcat09 - January 8, 2012
I don't know
I’ve been uninspired by New England’s postseason success the last two years.
WaveOcean - January 9, 2012
or lack thereof
WaveOcean - January 9, 2012
NE nearly lost to Washington
not unbeatable. Tebow will have to play better, but their defense is bad.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - January 9, 2012
The Second Coming of what?
SDcat09 - January 8, 2012
Big Bird
WaveOcean - January 8, 2012
Poor Oscar..never gets any love
SDcat09 - January 8, 2012
Snuffalufugus!!!
Fly Agaric - January 8, 2012
Kosta Koufos?
Can’t understand guys your strong belief in Koufos. The man has been playing in Utah which has not have decent centers in ages. (They called Okur center only because he is overweight and runs slowly) And he did not seem to show anything impressive against the likes as Fesenko and Jaron Collins. Well it is his fourth year and he is young and maybe he is going to shine. But the amount of minutes he gets maybe says us George Karl does not really believes in this.
Moskovite - January 8, 2012
hmm did you see him play two games ago?
InboundingLobPass - January 9, 2012 via mobile
or 3 games ago?
Army of Nugs - January 9, 2012
There is a bit more then 3 games in the season
Obviously he had several good games in a row in his career several times before. Does it prove he can do it in every game? In Utah no one was convinced.
Moskovite - January 9, 2012
Fesenko?
Artimus Mangilord - January 9, 2012
Birdman
With JR and Kmart gone who is going to hold down the crazy position? I say Keep the Birdman. I like his Game, but we should keep him on tats alone.
Nuggburg - January 8, 2012
He needs
To shave his current beard and put his hair in a mohawk again
Army of Nugs - January 8, 2012
Can Bird do the dirty bird dance like Ahmad Bradshaw?
JR15 - January 9, 2012
J. Stone tweet
CloudBurst - January 8, 2012
Thats good
Because he is a good heads up player
Army of Nugs - January 9, 2012
he seems eager to learn.
Good to see.
InboundingLobPass - January 9, 2012 via mobile
thanks
to all the commentary, always fun to read, with the emphasis on FUN besides the tasteless name-calling earlier in this thread by Everyone-Knows-Who. It was good to see the Spurs fans chime in as well. They seem like nice people.
My take on the Spurs game: Surprised, that the Nuggets came back. And they did beat the spread.
Blair: Was a monster. Credit to him. Always liked his game.
Lackadaisical: Defense, for the first time this year. This will happen.
With apologies for gambling talk, here are some trends, which indicate which teams are better than outside observers believe they are, and some that are overrated:
Best team in league AgainstTheSpread: Denver Nuggets, 8-1.
PHI: 5-1-1; INDY, 6-2, MINN, 6-2 ATS also merit note.
NBA Dogs: Your former star, Melo-led Knicks – 2-6 ATS. DET – 2-6; and tonight’s opponent, 3-5 ATS.
So…all intel is telling you to lay the 13 tonight, but the air is indeed getting thin up here. The outside opinion catches up about a week later, in my experience, and the lines snap back in a hurry, so soon we’ll be overrated. How long to play this trend on Denver? Had to gulp and play it light in the SA game and unbelievably, and for the first time I can recently remember, DEN beat spread on back-to-back road game. Just saying this team is BETTER than I thought, and everyone else too. Just my view. BTW, did anyone notice that Ricky Rubio was plus-29 last night? Yeah, I know, lots of credit to KLove, who is incredible. But…
DEN is so fun to watch, Small Ball and all. The Hochman piece in the Post illustrates why I like this team better than all the others. The passing, defending, hustle. Make the Beautiful Game beautiful. Have another drink on me, Cloud.
Plea for Intelligence - January 9, 2012
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