Remember in my game preview when I said that the Warriors were one of the few bad NBA teams actually capable of beating any team on any given night? Tonight's 109-101 Warriors victory over our Nuggets proved why.
Torched.
Smoked.
[Enter your blazing hot verb here.]
Capable of catching fire with their assortment of streaky shooters, the Warriors did just that on Thursday night by connecting on 52% of their three-point attempts and 51.9% of their field goals. Trying to match them shot-for-shot, the Nuggets - who haven't been able to shoot straight en route to five straight losses and six losses in seven games - managed to connect on just 37.5% of their three pointers and just 43.5% of their field goals. And the three point numbers are somewhat misleading as rookies Jordan Hamilton and Julyan Stone each made 50% of their threes when the game was no longer in doubt.
Every game during the Nuggets' five game losing streak comes with a valid excuse. Against the Lakers, the Nuggets were playing a back-to-back (the Lakers weren't) and the Nuggets lost center Timofey Mozgov to a nasty ankle sprain early. Against the Trail Blazers, the Nuggets were playing the third game of a back-to-back-to-back on the road and were simply exhausted. Against the Rockets, the Nuggets lost Danilo Gallinari to an ankle sprain and were already without Nene Hilario, Arron Afflalo, Corey Brewer and Mozgov. Against the Mavericks, the injury-depleted Nuggets (especially with Gallo and Moz out) couldn't hang with the taller team from Dallas. And tonight against the Warriors, the Nuggets were playing their seventh game in 10 days plus the Warriors were simply red hot ... they could have beaten anyone shooting that well.
All those excuses are valid.
Perhaps.
But taken as a whole, you are what your record says you are and the Nuggets are dropping games at an alarming rate. Of even greater concern, many of these losses are happening at Pepsi Center, where the Nuggets have shockingly become a .500 team.
I don't know how it looked on television, but from the stands the Nuggets seemed to lack purpose tonight (maybe it was the back-to-back whereas the Warriors were rested and ready to game up). Too many fumbled layups. Too many missed free throws. Virtually no blocked shots. Too many errant jump shots. All signs of a fatigued team, to be sure.
And it gets no easier from here. Other than drawing the Suns on Tuesday (never an easy match up for Denver), every team the Nuggets play throughout February is .500 or better. Making predictions at home, you probably had the Warriors game penciled in for one of the Nuggets should-be victories of February.
With the Nuggets playing as is, there's no such thing as a should-be victory anymore.
The view from the not-so-cheap seats ...
... with Nene starting at center, the Nuggets reverted back to small ball to open the game. Nuggets head coach George Karl went with his "energy guys" of Kenneth Faried and Rudy Fernandez, too, probably hoping to catch the Warriors off guard and build up a nice first quarter lead. Karl's energy guys basically played the Warriors to standstill and never moved the Nuggets up the chess board tonight. And on the flip side, this left Karl without any energy guys coming off the bench.
... Stephen Curry might be a rich man's Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf. Similar games, but Curry has a better overall sense of the game.
... it was fun watching Faried battle the Warriors' David Lee for rebounds. Faried is just bursting with energy out there and may have had his best game as a Nugget thus far.
... the Nuggets made Warriors backup center Ekpe Udoh look like Hakeem Olajuwon. Not only did Udoh have five blocks, but he altered many more.
... Arron Afflalo is looking better out there. The Nuggets need him to step up and make jump shots. Desperately.
... Nene was aggressive in the first half, making all five of his shots. Then he disappeared in the second half. Nuggets Nation is collectively shocked to read this.
... Warriors' rookie Klay Thompson - son of Lakers broadcaster and former Laker Mychal Thompson - was phenomenal, making 8 of his 11 field goal attempts including 3 three-pointers.
... the Warriors' front line of Lee, Andris Biedrins and Dorrell Wright is actually taller in person than they appear to be on TV.
... the Warriors are supposedly coached by Mark Jackson, but it sure looked like Don Nelson is still running the show in Golden State given the way they rush up shots.
... Karl went with his "trust" guys for most of the fourth quarter - Fernandez, Afflalo, Nene, Lawson, Andre Miller, Al Harrington - and they just didn't have the gas to compete with Golden State's energy.
NON-STIFF OF THE GAME
Stephen Curry: Curry killed the Nuggets - and Lawson in particular with multiple killer crossovers bringing back memories of Tim Hardaway. Curry finished with 36 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists ... and 2 blocks!
STIFF OF THE GAME
Rudy Fernandez: Fernandez just couldn't get it going tonight. 4-13 shooting. 4 turnovers. And a +/- of -17.
PARTING SHOT
There are only four bad teams in the Western Conference, and the Nuggets just got trounced by one of them ... at home, no less.
0 recs | 437 comments
We all knew February would be brutal
Don’t think anyone figured it would be a massacre.
Fly Agaric - February 9, 2012
First
very very hard to watch this team during this stretch. This is where the coach needs to pull them aside and tell them all to pull their heads of out their asses, but I truly believe the players need to give this speech to their coach.
Army of Nugs - February 9, 2012
HaHa
I lose! Damn you fly!
Army of Nugs - February 9, 2012
Rant forthcoming
Bigdorph - February 9, 2012
RANT....
This defense looks flat out embarassing awful. Maybe it would be good if we were a middle school team daring teams to shoot…but at this level? What are we doing with the pick and roll? We switched it last night and early tonight, didn’t work, we doubled it, they found easy shots with the open man. Park Al on the bench he cant play D…What are the coaches doing?…No timeouts no play calls until the last minute of the game..then Karl wants to call plays….WHY CAN"T WE GET THE BALL TO NENE IN THE POST.!!! Dude needs to demand the ball I get it, but can’t the coaches design PLAYS…what the hell are they there for? Nene missed ONE SHOT…get him the ball. TY LAWSON…if you are to be a leader you need to find a way to lead. If you are to be our point gaurd you need to direct the offense. It sure as hell aint coming from GK….where is Andre, his plays have been abscent of late….Why not start K2? We have totally jacked with the starting lineup making Nene play PF…small ball doesn’ work on the D end. We are pressing on offense because we are feeling the pressure of not being able to stop anyone from shooting outside practice jumpers….PANIC BUTTON….PRESS!!!
Bigdorph - February 9, 2012
I loved your rant. It totally reminded me of this for some reason
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzCnrpfUaAk
georgekarl - February 9, 2012
here you go
Rainbow skyline - February 9, 2012
Thanks! If I press this does this automatically query a play call or a defensive set that doesn't leave someone wide open?
Bigdorph - February 9, 2012
I was there as well tonight.
My favorite (not) Karl quote from this last week was “we’re not running set plays just go play basketball.” tonight showed this exact thing. This team has the personal to pick and roll opponents to death. But as Karl says “we don’t run set plays”. Fine don’t run set plays but Ty and AAA could run this with ANY of our bigs. I know the JR ship has sailed in Denver but correct me if I’m wrong. When JR wasnt bombing from deep, he and NENE would murder teams running Pick n’ Roll. He even tweeted about it a few weeks ago. This “Random Offense thing” is crap. Injuries ok whatever but more of this is getting to be coaching. Ok I’m done for now. Night guys.
The U.N. Fab Five - February 9, 2012 via mobile
There's going to be a lot
of ranting and raving in the next couple of days.
This is my reply:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0GW0Vnr9Yc&feature=player_embedded
Stay cool, Stiffs. There is a lot of basketball left to be played.
Fly Agaric - February 9, 2012
can that lady be Karl and each of us take turns....
sounds gross but you get my drift.
Bigdorph - February 9, 2012
No
That lady is everyone losing their shit over this losing streak.
It’s pretty bad. But some of you all need to get a hold of yourselves. The wheels aren’t off the bus.
I think the mission now is to finish the month of February above .500
Also: I’m not saying that GK doesn’t deserve a little slapping around; he does.
Fly Agaric - February 9, 2012
Over the years how many times have you said this?
Even after the wheels fall off the bus you still deny the fact.
samdman - February 10, 2012
Never?
Don’t know what you are talking about. I just don’t want everyone being all grumpy.
This is hardly the first losing streak in sports history. And there are still a lot of positives for this Nuggets team, even if we are recognizing that they aren’t winning a championship this year.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Never?
You ask a question never? WTFIT?
You ought not go there because I’ve had several discussions per say with you and your rose colored glasses.
There is talent on this team as well as all the teams GK has had here in Denver.
This is probably the best team GK has had since he’s been here. There’s no drama, there’s no sticky ball and there is team unity. And he stills doesn’t know how to make it work. All he knows is push, push, push, push. That small ball shit is old. Teams are well aware what style of ball the Nuggets play. There no set plays. The Nuggets can’t play a half court game. That’s on the Coach where he doesn’t have his team prepared to play another type of game.
I would like to see Bzdelik back. These are the same circumstance in which he lost his job
samdman - February 10, 2012
All good points
We have had several discussions.
You are crazy if you think I am denying this team has problems. There are injury issues and there are coaching issues.
And I was one of the first Stiffs to point out Denver’s inability to defend perimeter shooting this season and also one of the first to be critical of this team’s inconsistency. So, I think you are a little off base and are trying to leverage my plea for calm and sanity into some sort of larger argument.
I’m not blind to the problems this team is facing, though I admit that I probably disagree with you and several others who think a bad stretch of games means Denver should either can its coach or trade whichever player is underperforming at the time.
I believe in taking a longview, and as such, I always caution others against knee-jerk emotional shitstorming.
Always look forward to lively and heated conversations on the matter.
Cheers.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
That's hilarious, never seen that!
Nate Timmons - February 10, 2012
you are correct sir!..wow he tweeted that...
Look at all the good teams that when in the playoffs…What do they have in common? They call plays and take advantage of mismatches. Who took advantage of the Warriors weak interior D by posting Nene every play…Not anyone on our bench.
Bigdorph - February 9, 2012
it's harder to root for the kings when they keep showing those dbag maloofs
Rainbow skyline - February 9, 2012
just close your eyes when they're on
Russscot - February 9, 2012
This is NOT fun.......
Kevin L - February 9, 2012
This sucks.
Terrible half court defense?
Gotten away from team ball?
Injuries?
Fatigue?
I don’t think any of those come close to the answer. This is a major crisis of confidence issue. Basketball is such a momentum sport. This is snowballing on guys like Ty, AAA, Big Al, Nene. A lot of youth on this team and maybe no ice-cold hard-nosed leader. Maybe Gallo someday. Looking for somebody to step up. For all the pros and cons about Melo, one thing he could always do was take the team on his back when they needed a win. Except in the playoffs.
Alaskan4Fat - February 9, 2012
I agree
regarding the momentum part. Denver looks snake-bit right now, big time. They have lost their mojo. I think you can point to a lot of excuses, and it seems Karl is doing that, but I think that Denver and Karl are not doing themselves any favors by doing that.
Karl himself said after last nights game that we saw when the young guys came in late how much more energy their was, so fatigue is definitely a factor right now. Well Karl, freakin coach to that factor then!!!! Why not play your young guys more, especially when their is an obvious lack fo energy on the team!! I don’t want to pile on Karl, as it is not all his fault, but he is not coaching well right now.
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
+100000000000000000000
He’s clueless
samdman - February 10, 2012
so fucking sick of g.k.'s rotations,
it seems like if a player starts to play really well that is a certain way to be replaced by one of karls big three, al andre and rudy, and at a position hat is not natural to them no less. there is no excuse for it.
Patrick KB. Nugget - February 9, 2012
Yes.
The out of position stuff is ludicrous. it works in stretches, but you cannot win consistently with small ball lineups.
I truly believe, and I hate to say this as I like Dre, but with Karl as the coach, we must trade Dre and force GK to play Stone. That way, he will not play the two PG lineup and if he does it will be with a guy that has size and can play D.
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
Dre is doing Karl's job
a lot like CB did. Karl has been in the right place @ the right time with players who have pride.
Karl can’t motivate a worm to dig a hole
samdman - February 10, 2012
keeps getting worse
Tell you what it looked like to me (and I apologize if you already read some of these thoughts in my comment on RMC):
- Warriors were just absolutely determined to get back on defense in transition. Seemed like every time the Nugs were trying to run a fast break, oh wait — there’s 2 or 3 defenders back there, no easy layup.
- Warriors were, unsurprisingly, packing the paint on defense in the half court.
- Nugs rotation on defense was leaving their 3-point shooters ridiculously wide open.
How many more times this season are we going to say “Well, gosh, those guys were shooting unbelievably well tonight! Nothing the Nugs could do about it, the other team was just on fire!”? We keep saying that, over and over. It’s not a coincidence. The Nuggets’ defensive scheme is not good, and it’s leaving shooters way too open, and that’s why they’re getting torched.
I think there’s just a basic blueprint now on how to beat our guys, and the Warriors followed it tonight, and it worked.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
Right you are...so what is the application of this..we need to adjust.
I know it is hard since we don’t have practice time, but why the hell are we doubling so much and switching the pick and roll. Was Mosgov the master hedger and is that why our defense sucks now? Offensively it is simply a function of the “random offense” employed by Karl. It works as long as we can get to the paint, but when teams pack it in all we know how to do is pass it around the perimeter…Ever heard of a pick and roll? Maybe the reason we suck on defense guarding the pick and roll is because we don’t run it on offense. I am no more than a rec league coach but it seems to me if Ty’s defender is 3 ft behind him daring him to shoot it should be easy for a fellow teammate to pick the defender so Ty can run past him, Remember how good Ty and Nene used to be at that. Is there something wrong with running plays? Isn’t that why we have a coach and arent just playing pick up basketball? Isn’t half court execution how you win in the league.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
good questions, all
I have not a single answer.
I’m actually beginning to worry that the 14-5 start was a fluke.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
Yes, I think Denver was playing above their talent level for sure.
But they are playing below their talent level now. I think the answer lies somewhere in between.
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
in between..
so mean you somewhere around a 15-12 team? Hmm… sounds pretty depressing for a team soon to be maxed out on the salary cap for the next 4 years…
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I don't think it has anything to do with our talent level.
We’re not even playing with our true talent level so it’s hard to make that conclusion. Even so, as the season wears on, coaches make adjustments based. Other teams have adjusted to us and we haven’t done a thing to adjust to scout out other teams or adjust ourselves from what others have scouted on us. That is direct reflection of the coaching staff.
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
well...
I guess we can just agree to disagree then, because I believe there to be a gaping hole on this team when it comes to shot creators and shot makers.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
No I do agree with that
We still need a shot-maker.
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
You know...old school basketball players
would have knocked Curry on his butt a few times, especially after he started showboating. When a guy is that hot, especially a finesse player like Curry, you knock him on his butt repeatedly…that would cool him off. We don’t have that guy – KMart, Ron Artest, kind of guy on our team that will do that. Where is Dahntay Jones when we need him! (Did I just type that??)
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
I don't think it has to do with players being soft or the liek
If someone knocked him on his butt, he would been given a T, ejected and probably fined and maybe a suspension.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
There is a way of doing it
without getting a fine…constant physical pressure for one. And when he is shooting, send a message by running right through him. they will just call a foul.
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
KMart
KMart could knock people around without getting in a fight or a T. When he fouled a player (ALWAYS making sure the player did NOT make the shot), the opposing player understood it was a hoops play. But then that player knew KMart was willing to make that hard necessary foul – which got that player thinking. KMart could foul the crap out of KG, and they’d slap each other on the butt. Nene would foul KG, and it’d be the edge of fisticuffs.
I’ll say it – I miss KMart.
Namklak - February 10, 2012
oh for sure, I miss him too
Glad to be rid of his contract, and don’t miss all the time he spent injured. But when he was healthy, he really gave this team something special.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
So
A message has been sent and then if he continues someone else knock him on his ass.
samdman - February 10, 2012
Can we bring back firegeorgekarl.com?
You may think I’m over reacting, but Karl will never bring us to the promise land. If he can’t bring us to the ultimate goal, which is a championship (lets be realistic, I would be happy with a finals appearance) then what are we doing? His rotations are idiotic, and the fact that he doesn’t run set plays is just plain dumb. I hate his whole argument that players need to let the game flow to them, and he just wants things to happen. It’s Lazy coaching!!! TY and Nene aren’t getting the message, so call plays and make them do what you want! Then there’s no excuse. oh, and one more thing, I HATE SMALL BALL!!!!
We also need to get some more clutch players around here. Can’t discount that enough.
smoil - February 10, 2012
Fire Karl Now! Agreed!!!!!!
not_karl - February 10, 2012
Coaches are hired to be fired.
The players are in a funk – this happens to many teams. Change needs to happen – fire the players or fire the coach. Karl’s approach, while some of it has uses at 5280, has grown stagnant. I know this is hindsight, but I said it at the time, I’m sorry Scott Brooks got away.
This may not happen until the end of the season, but I believe next season our nugs will have a new coach.
Namklak - February 10, 2012
My fault
…I met Andrew tonight at halftime (sat behind him during the game) and peppered him with questions for the entire 2nd half. So if he missed something, you can blame me. But I think he got the gist of it in his post. Looked like a very tired squad to me.
jbhorns17 - February 10, 2012
We were down 18 with 6 min left
in the fourth when Karl went with ty, dre, aaa, rudy and nene. What a joke. aaa was being posted up by someone around 6’10. Credit aaron for fighting down there but what a joke. That lineup lasted about 3 trips down the court before he went to the rookies aaa and kk who then went on a tear.
gonugs - February 10, 2012 via Android app
On the upside, it looks like Afflalo has some of that fire back. This could be beneficial in the long run people, lets not panic quite yet. Would you rather this slump be happening late in the season or during the playoffs? Lets be grateful we have to correct our shortcomings and mistakes.
GHill33 - February 10, 2012
grateful we have time
GHill33 - February 10, 2012
Agree on AAA
At least he showed some fight out there
gonugs - February 10, 2012 via Android app
during the playoffs, you say?
At this rate the Nuggets are not going to make the playoffs. A HUGE turnaround has to happen before I start thinking about playoffs again.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
unfortunately
the Nasty is coming out… This team is pathetic right now. No will, no drive, no leadership, just going through the motions and collecting paychecks. I guess this shows exactly how important Gallo is to this team and the money he deserves. However, the rest of this team… wow. Im dissapointed. They had me fooled. Call me the pessimistic of pessimistics but wow this team is sorry right now… a lottery team right now. Injuries are injuries, the elite teams find a way to win, the pretenders falter… this team fooled me, unfortuantely. I love my Nuggets and will til i die but man i have never been this dissapointed in the performance on the court. Absolutely disgusting. Fix it. Someone step up. Someone earn their paycheck and someone get us a fucking win.
NastyNessy71 - February 10, 2012
teams have adjusted to us.
earIy in the season it seemed Iike a Iot of teams didnt get their Iegs and made a Iot of siIIy TOs. now teams are actuaIIy pIayin us diIigentIy, and it’s not been as easy.
Iooks Iike chandIer is goin to be re upped, probabIy for more money than affIaIo, im not reaIIy comfortabIe with a team of gaIIo, ty, nene, chandIer affIaIo, who’s goin to take this team to the next IvI. gaIIo may get to an aII star caIibur pIayer, chandIers pretty much what he’s shown in NY, affIaIo may get back to Iast season’s affIaIo, ty idk a coupIe more assists and a coupIe of more points. l dont see any of these guys havin much in the way of potentiaI, some wouId say gaIIo, but im not seein the offensive skiIIs he can do some nice things for a guy his size, but not much more, he’II be a nice pIayer, but as a 1st option, no, his shot makin abiIity isnt there.
anyways reaIize that this team is goin to have 8miI in affIaIo, another 8 or more in chandIer, and probabIy another 8miI for ty, then you put in nene and gaIIo. and that’s 50miI for these guys for a team thats ceiIing is probabIy goin to be 1st round and out, yea i dont want to see that, dont want to see 50miI on roIe pIayers, it’s goin to get this team no where.the front office shouId Iet this season go through, then work on what the wanna do.
Rys - February 10, 2012
+1
not_karl - February 10, 2012
That is a concern for sure
But…playing the opposite side, Gallo has a very good chance of becoming an All-Star player. Ty also has that ability. Chandler is only 24 years old and could be a very borderline type All-Star as well, though I don’t believe he ever will be.
Nene and AAA are definitely role guys – no doubt.
The other thing to consider in this salary scenario is that none of these guys have such bad contracts that they cannot be traded. There are a lot of teams that would love to have a guy like Nene or AAA or Chandler, etc. I don’t see Denver being interested in trading Ty or Gallo, but all others are for sure.
We also have some big men in Mozzie and K2 that are signed for a few more years at very reasonable contracts that will shore up our big man rotation.
I don’t think it is all gloom and doom. This team still has a lot of flexibility.
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
yes
First of all, I agree with Rys, teams have adjusted to the Nuggets and suddenly all those turnovers and easy fastbreak baskets are not there, and now it’s extremely hard for them to score.
But yeah, NugzJunkie is right, all these contracts we’re talking about are pretty tradeable assets if that ends up needing to be done.
Plus there’s still hope that Chandler won’t necessarily get $8M a year or more. He’s not in that strong a position, as I understand it. I am hoping Masai can leverage him into taking something that’s maybe 2-3 years at $6-7M per year.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
My only fear with Chandler
is that he decides to sign just for this season and re-enter free agency in the summer. By the time he gets here, there might not be much season left.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
that would be a bad scenario
I think signing him to a contract like Afflalo’s would be even worse.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
agreed. At some point the Nuggets will have to choose between Afflalo, Chandler and dare I say, Brewer?
all three deserve more than 15 minutes a game in my opinion.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I agree we have a ceiling
but I blame that more on GK than anyone. Gallo definitely has a much greater upside than people realize. He is doing most of his damage by driving and getting to the the foul line when his shot is struggling (which has been often), but coaches in the past have stated that Gallo is the best shooter they’ve ever seen. There’s gotta be some hyperbole in that statement, but he is definitely a better shooter than what he’s shown this year. The biggest obstacle from his upside was his aggressiveness, which he has absolutely overcome this season. With superstar minutes and superstar touches, Gallo could rack up multiple all-star appearances.
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
he's shown fIashes here and there, ppI post yt cIips of him doin a cross ovr on Iebron and procIaim how's he goin to be a star.
but i have seen pIenty of avg pIayers make those moves, the thing is when the defense is focused on him as a top pIayer can he conssitentIy do what he wants on offense, i have not seen any worId cIass moves from him that wouId make him un guardabIe.
Iets see him avg more than 20 ppg before caIIing him a Iock to be an aII star. if you foIIowed meIo at aII, see how hard it was for him to be an aII star despite puttin up superior stats to gaIIo so far.
Rys - February 10, 2012
yeah but melo got snubbed
for the likes of Andrei Kirilenko. I was shocked to see that Bosh has like 6 or 7 all star appearances.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
weII kireIenko did put up some great stats there, and his team won games when ppI didnt expect them to.
Rys - February 10, 2012
Are you saying it's difficult for Denver players to get into All-Star games?
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
We're likely not winning it all this year
Might as well trade Ty Gallo Moz and Faried. We could extending Bird, AL, and Miller and maybe sign some other really fucking old guys in the off season too. Look8ng forward to Karl’s bad rotations for the next two seasons…
InboundingLobPass - February 10, 2012 via mobile
trade them for
garnett and nash, karls dream line up:
pg: nash
sg miller
sf Al
pf garnett
c. bird man
not_karl - February 10, 2012
^^^^^^^^^
Karl’s bad rotations are a big part of the problem. I’ve never seen a starting lineup that’s so negative in +/- play so many minutes in my life. It’s as if Karl doesn’t understand lineups at all.
chantech - February 10, 2012
yeah, these last couple of games
They show the starting lineup just before tipoff and I’m like “No, come on, who’s actually starting tonight?!?”
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
At this point, I see two options
1) As others have said, Moneyball the lineup and give him no alternative but to play properly.
2) Replace the coach with one who will play the lineups Masai clearly envisioned when he built the team.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
i am not sure why karl fell in love with 3 or 4 guard
line-ups to close games but its NOT WORKING anymore. Please teach some offensive set plays Karl! It is unforgivable to not have some design plays, tactics at this level of basketball. My question what are they doing in practices…if they aren’t learning offensive plays and sets and relying on “random offense” Cuz they are clearly not practicing free throws either. Please coach. Karl, just coach. This team needs guidance and set plays and direction. It’s time, for George to move on.
not_karl - February 10, 2012
when you play 10 games in 7 days
The games ARE the practices…
InboundingLobPass - February 10, 2012 via mobile
So that Karl can get out of his own way...
I think we need to trade Dre.
Seriously. If Karl had only Stone to back up Ty, Karl wouldn’t play that 2 PG lineup like he does. It throws everything else off. Then you have SG’s playing SF, which isn’t good. Now I will say that Karl did say when Brewer is back he will be playing Gallo’s position (which is better than AAA or Rudy doing it), but still…guys are playing out of position right now because of the 2 PG lineup.
Karl feels it necessary to have Al, Ty, Dre, Nene, and Rudy or AAA in the game in the 4th quarter. The problem is that those are unconventional lineups and we lack size and defense.
NugzJunkie - February 10, 2012
The problem isn't the 2 guard lineups
It’s fine playing Dre at shooting guard and Lawson at point. The frigging problem is when he plays the dreaded 3 guard lineup so many minutes.
There is something seriously wrong with how this team plays defense. I never thought I’d say this but Wilson Chandler can’t get back fast enough (although I’m not sure how much it’ll help). This team has no coherent plan for how to defend the PnR – sometimes switch, sometimes not. Our guards sag and give up 100 billion wide open 3’s. When we sag we don’t defend the paint well (which you’d expect).
If you want to know what this team is right now it’s a poorly coached, poor man’s Miami Heat.
chantech - February 10, 2012
The book is out on the Nuggets
On defense, get back to stop the break, then sag into the lane and dare them to shoot jumpers.
On offense, play your big lineup against the three guard lineup. Pick and roll until you get either Ty Lawson guarding a center in the post or a trap that you pass out of until you get a wide open shot.
Let me pick 8 players from the losing teams in this league, none of them having ever been and all-star, and I’d beat this team 9 out of 10 times.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
it's staggering to see
how badly things have gotten all of a sudden, and how Karl seems to have no idea at all what to do about it. This guy has over 1,000 wins and is apparently well respected around the league. And he’s doing such a terrible job right now. It boggles the mind.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
but the weird thing is this...
no one is hating on Karl. The guys on TNT last night or hoopshype a couple of days ago (i can’t remember which -sorry) were talking about how he’s doing really great with the talent he has and is stretching said talent as far as it can go.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
yeah, well, the national analysts
they’re just spouting conventional wisdom, and conventional wisdom says “George Karl is a great coach with over 1,000 wins.” They’re not paying that much attention to the Nuggets, really.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
All you need is League Pass and half a brain
to realize that all the “analysis” provided by the national pundits is just for show. They are simply providing part of the entertainment content. It need not have any resemblance to reality. They rarely have much actual information about what’s going on with a team’s personnel and dynamics. The Nuggets have been an object lesson in this since even before the season began, when the pundits were sounding the alarm over “half their team playing in China,” as if the front office was just emerging from off-season hibernation.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
well thanks for saying that so succinctly without insulting anyone...
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Yikes, was I insulting?
Didn’t mean to be. Guess the Nuggets have me pretty cranky. Sorry.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
i thought you were implying I had half a brain?
(i don’t have League Pass :( )
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Was just trying to emphasise your very point
that the nat’l pundits don’t have much going on. Again, really sorry. If you re-read my post and squint just right, maybe you can see what I was doing.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
i do in fact get it now
my bad and my apologies.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
though this doesn't help the whole contesting my half-a-brain theory
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
There's a joke here about half-a-brain and theory
but I can’t quite come up with it. Plus, it would just be more fuel for the cranky fire.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
Still think I'm WAY too cranky
And my apologies.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
try some valium
Helps with muscle spasms and crankiness.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Had a little Ativan last night
No way you could know this, but I’m the very last person who needs drug advice. And that’s a good thing!
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
I like it when you post random nuggets of knowledge,
Just saying.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
There will be NO randomness
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Can you give an example?
And thanks—if you’re not being sarcastic!
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
I think it was you
Who had the interesting AIDS / HIV tidbits.
You were reluctant to share. But you got to drop those bombs, man. I may be a humorless asshole, but I sure love interesting things.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
it was me as well. i am interesting.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
And me.
We are like the bad kids in detention
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Well
You just post a lot. You are bound to come across an interesting bit every now and then.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
you'll pay for this comment Fly!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Got it, thanks
Yeah, I’m an OT lover. And maybe I know a thing or two. Gotta get to work right this minute. Let’s hope our Nuggets weather this storm, Stiffs. See y’all around!
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
Doubt you're a humorless asshole!
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
what are you a stoner hippie?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
This is why there should be a ban on jokes and sarcasm
This exchange, right here.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
But then
what would SDcat post? Without jokes and sarcasm, she might only get 5000 posts a day.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I think your half a brain may be on to something
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
But people hash it out and it's all good
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
You can't be missing Fly's sarcasm
in his call for a ban on jokes and sarcasm.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
No I really didn't miss it
It started last night. I was there from the beginning.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
In the beginning, there was SDcat09
And it was good.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
Yes. Yes it was.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Speaking of missing something
Did you see Santorum after the gay marriage ruling the other day? He was pissed. The quote was “They said that there was no rational basis for banning gay marriage, that if you are against gay marriage you are an irrational bigot.” Well, d’uh. He’s just now figuring that out?
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
But the hashing out
Figuring out what was meant as a joke and massaging of hurt feelings, it all ends up taking a lot of space. These explanations go on forever.
I mean, I’d rather talk about fun, random off-topic stuff and, of course! basketball and the Nuggets then have to sit through another explanation as to why a quip was a joke and not a mean-spirited insult.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Well if everyone would just stop being mean
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Yes
Being mean sucks. But sometimes people are joking and people think they are mean.
I cry myself to sleep some nights. Most nights.
I just want to be accepted. And have a decent job. And, you know, not be such a failure in the eyes of my mum.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
I don't think he's doing anything any differently than he has in the past
It is just that this team isn’t experienced enough to overcome him, as the teams of the past were. I saw a stat on Altitude that the 6 game win streak, opponents winning % was about 38%, while during the current skid they have been playing teams with close to 60% winning. Against bad teams, they can mostly overcome him.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
+1000000000000000000
when does Karl Sucks come back?
samdman - February 10, 2012
+1000
Thank you for zeroing in on the real problem and conversely on the offensive end we do not run the pick and roll which can be another reason as to why we can’t defend it. Historically when this team has switched up the pick and roll and sagged our defense has been poor. When we have squeezed up or hedged, we have played well.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
Looks like the 2011 Colorado Rockies
Rose to #1 in the power rankings in April and then started to play really badly the rest of the year.
Mr. Rockie - February 10, 2012
Good point
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Gee I said it felt like the 2011 Rockies
a few days ago, and every one wanted to hang me out to dry.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
yeah well
isn’t that just because of all the knee-jerk baseball haters though?
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
I see you looking at me
I free admit my prejudice against baseball. Call me an Antibaseite all you want.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
that's because it wasn't true back then!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
You mean a whole 4 days ago?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Most definitely
the times have changed. what was false then might be true now and vice versa. If every day was the same what would be the point of living!? there would be no change! Do you want a static world sdcat!? A STATIC WORLD!?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I was just ahead of the curve, man.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
oh.
my bad.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I missed your comment
And I never look to hang anyone, anytime, ever.
Unless I’m joking about it. But then no one will know it is a joke, and I’ll have to explain it was a joke and they will say they were just joking about being offended.
So. No more joking.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
agreed. Joking is for hipster pranksters.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
+1 for hipster pranksters
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
you're kind.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Or people who like to have fun
Fuck that.
We’re in the middle of a losing streak and people want to make jokes and defuse the tension? No. The only things allowed are screaming, crying, fighting and a whole lot of finger-pointing.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
what did you just say about my mother?!? >:(
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
LOUD NOISES!
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Don't you dare call me a hipster prankster.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
I don't even know what a hipster is,
so I wouldn’t understand the insult.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I don't exactly know what a hipster is
but from what I gather, I know that I do not like them. If you see someone wearing yellow pants, they are most likely a hipster (I think)
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Or a walking banana
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
you're on point with these jokes today.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
BAN!
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
I try to stay tropical
er…..topical…
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
like an ointment!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Indeed...Tropical
If only we could trade the Flint Michigan Tropicals a washer for Monix. We could use his coaching.
remyrems - February 10, 2012
interesting
I just plus-oned hipster pranksters… NugNugz makes a declaration on hipster pranksters… and really none of us even know what a hipster pranskter is? Seems like a hipster prankster is very similar to the Nuggets recent slide… NO ONE REALLY HAS A CLUE WTH IS GOIN ON!
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I just don't like people with a sense of humor
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
that's funny
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
What about those with a sense of humour?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
you mean british people!?
ugh
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Their teeth...
Just horrible.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
John Barrowman would like a word
and David Tennant too :D
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
for real
now i know why they’re all obsessed with vampires
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Steph Curry's teeth are looking pretty British these days
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
Metric spelling FTW!
I love me some British culture….
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
yeah do you love it when they can't say words that end in -a
so they say melisser instead of melissa, etc
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
People in certain parts of the US
say “warsh” instead of “wash”.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
i know my family is one of them
Appalachian!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
oril instead of oil
boril instead of boil
But at least we don’t say melisser (I wish i could think of other examples.)
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Why do you hate the British?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
such horrible teeth
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
haha i don't
I love the Streets – one of my fav. musicians.
and one of my fav. authors is a brit – Alex Garland.
But I do think that there is a privileging of their accent in U.S. culture, reinforced by the amount of British hosts/judges on U.S. tv shows which I think is absurd
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I could listen to Benedict Cumberbatch read
the phone book.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
they also pay lots of money for their clothes
but their clothes look like they have been run over by a car.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
+1 exactly - a site rates them #1, and down they go. Sort of like the ESPN cover jinx...
Namklak - February 10, 2012
Here's to hoping new uniforms bring out a new team on Saturday.
I’m not going to count on it, though. At least they’ll look good while they’re losing, right?
NuggetsFan99 - February 10, 2012
wait, what?
new uniforms? I didn’t know about this.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
aba throwbacks
step your game up man!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
oh right, throwbacks
sorry, thought you meant entirely new uniforms from here on out!
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
you and me wish my main mein.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Perhaps, like the Giants
..they fail now only to peak in the playoffs.
No, seriously, I would rather have trouble now than in April and May.
Pusherman - February 10, 2012
In this truncated season, you can't afford 5 game losing streaks.
Especially with how tight things are in the West. This year, trouble in February could mean you’re sitting at home at the end of April. If you’re sitting around .500 at midseason, it’s going to be tough to improve that record substantially with how hectic this schedule is & the lower amount of games.
I’m sure the Nuggets will pick it up, but if the Nuggets finish with a mid-low seed in the Playoffs, this stretch they’re currently on will be one we’ll look back on and say, “if only we hadn’t dropped those 3 games at home”.
NuggetsFan99 - February 10, 2012
Really?
Because the Giants lost 4 in a row this year and 5 of 6 in November and December…in a 16 game season!!!! Then they got healthy and went on a run in the playoffs.
I’m trying to be optimistic…a poor streak in Feb, even in a short season, is not great but it is also not the end of the world. If they get healthy and right the ship, who knows what can happen?
Regardless, I’m going to Vegas next week and putting down some cash on the Nuggets!
Pusherman - February 10, 2012
Good call
I think if Denver can even go 3-5, their next 8 they will have a good chance to go on a run in March. Will be getting back Gallinari likely by that time, and Chandler soon to follow. Some of what ails the Nuggets is fatigue as well.
nugzin2040 - February 10, 2012
The Giants finished with a .569 win percentage, winning their Division.
That win percentage in the NBA would be lucky to get the Nuggets into the Playoffs. And the NFL season is so drawn out that there’s time to get healthy.
Teams are averaging 4-5 games a week in the NBA. There’s not much time to, “get healthy”. The games aren’t going to stop coming, nor are the losses if a team is depleted or uninspired.
There’s no time for guys like Nenê or AAA to sit out single games with ticky-tac injuries, because as I alluded to before, the bottom 2-3 Playoff seeds in the West could be decided by a single game.
NuggetsFan99 - February 10, 2012
Wilson Chandler's team wins again
110-101
46 points for Chandler, 17-30 from the floor.
This site has a 1 minute clip on the game: http://nba247365.com/
nugzin2040 - February 10, 2012
Isn't chandler a 3? Don't we already have too many 3s?
Of course, having one (besides Gallo and sometimes Big Al) that can consistently hit a jump shot would be nice)
Namklak - February 10, 2012
Karl probably sees Chandler as a 4, who can play some minutes at the 5.
On a more serious note, I think the team is in serious need of a back-up 3, especially one who’s as athletic and talented as Wilson.
Without Gallinari out there, the wing position is looking brutal.
NuggetsFan99 - February 10, 2012
Booooo
Doesn’t that pretty much lock up the 8th spot for his team?
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I missed the beginning of the game
and was pretty out of it because of a combination of fatigue, pain, and Valium. Watched the second half of the second quarter, and all of the third quarter. Pretty sure the third quarter opened with a 13-2 run before Karl finally called a timeout, and that they got outscored by 17 in the quarter. Got outscored by 17 in a quarter, and the coach called one timeout. Luckily, the valium made it so I wasn’t upset. Per doctors orders, I turned it off, took another pill, and went to bed.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
:(
Get well soon, dude.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
Luckily, I think I have dodged surgery
Preliminary is sprained MCL and Patellar Chondromalacia. The Patellar problem was caused by having my knee wedged into the back of the seat in front of me on an airplane. For those of you who recline your seats on airlines, don’t be surprised if the guy behind you gets up and starts kicking you in the knee the next time you do it. That’ll be me.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
you must be tall
I am 6’1", and hate it when the person in front of me reclines. And it seems like it always happens. I always get stuck behind someone who wants their seat all the way back for the entire fucking flight.
What a drag. Hope it’s true that you don’t need surgery and that you’ll be through the worst of this very soon.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
My uncle built a steel bar
that he used to take on the plane and wedge it into the back of the seat in front of him so they couldn’t recline. He is 6-5 and has leg circulation problems. He could have made a lot of money off that thing, but now you can’t carry that type of thing onto a plane.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
But doesn't than impinge on the rights of the passenger to recline?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
There is no right to recline
just as there is no right to smoke. Reclining and smoking to me are no different than spitting in someone’s face. An airplane is a communal space and everyone needs to be considerate of the needs of those around them, and how their actions impact others.
When you recline, you are reducing the already substantially cramped space I have for my seat, usually reducing the space between the seats to less than the length from the back of my legs to the front of my knee.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
as someone who is 6'4 I can vouch for this
when people in front of you recline it absolutely wears on your legs over the duration of a flight. and if you’re trying to get work done by using that pull out table, forget it! I find this especially true with Delta. i do however, think that Southwest is a bit more spacious but that could just be perspective.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Well, get your tickets in the emergency exist aisle :P
Did you ask the person in front to not recline because of your condition? If so, and they refused to not recline then you have a fair beef.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
many airlines have wisened up to this
and started charging extra $ for those emergency exit aisle seats.
I have had mixed success asking people not to recline. Airports and airplanes seem to bring out the worst in many of us.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
It isn't that people are that bad
But that airlines are out to milk every single dollar out of us that they can.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Most of the airlines now restrict those seats
to people who fly constantly. Asking the guy in front of you not to recline is a recipe for problems. At best he understands, but someone like that wouldn’t need to be asked not to recline. The next best is that he grumpily agrees not to recline and mumbles under his breath about the asshole behind him and there is tension the entire flight. Then you have the option of the guy who was already in a bad mood because traveling sucks and he decides he has had enough insults to his dignity today and needs to defend his manhood.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
to the latter two
to the second guy just tell him to shut the fuck up
to the third guy – you are obviously a tall man, stand up to him.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I had someone slam their seat back once
I politely made a point and that person went ballistic.
Flight attendant showed up, he called me terrible names, some of which are true, but, that’s neither here nor there.
In the end I got moved to First Class where I had decent leg room.
I didn’t even care about his leaning back in the first place. I just accept it. I just didn’t like how he could have hurt me. That shit aint cool, yo.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
why do you think the flight attendant defended the other person?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
She didn't
She listened to his complaints, then she asked my side, I calmly explained things and since he was grumpy and steaming, she thought it best to separate us.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Soon we may all need a Rx of Valium. Or Xanax or belladonna or...
Namklak - February 10, 2012
Karl or Masai
I love how everyone wants to fire Karl, but no one puts any of the blame on Masai. Stiffs, wake up! Firing GK doesn’t fix the fact that this team appears to be handcuffed for the next 4 years. The team lacks scorers and shooters and ultimately the financial flexibility to change that, and that my friends, falls on Masai. A different coach isn’t going to change our players shooting percentages. And although I think Masai has made some mistakes recently, I’m not advocating firing Masai, that’s silly, just like it’s silly to advocate firing Karl at this early point (especially after a 14-5 start). I’m willing to be a little patient and let Masai tinker with this roster hopefully soon, before some of these contracts become unmovable. In turn I think the Stiffs should be patient and see what GK can do with a more balanced roster, once Masai pulls the trigger.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I'm curious. If we were winning
with the same personnel, would you be complaining about Masai ? I doubt it. Because winning makes everything okay.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
missed the point
all I’m saying is, same goes for GK…
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I really didn't miss the point.
I was making my own point in relation to your comment.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Really?
Because it sounded to me like you posed a rhetorical question, and then proceeded to answer it… but hey it’s rhetorical because we all know the answer, and it’s the same answer when you ask the question about GK. That’s all I was sayin’, nothing more.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
Actually it wasn't rhetorical at all
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
huh?
So you were actually asking me a question, and then you answered? I’m so confused…
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
Have you never asked a question
and then posited your opinion as to what the questionee’s answer might be? I don’t believe that nullifies nor makes rhetorical the original question.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
lol zing!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
whew...
I thought for a moment there, you were getting ready to answer the new question you were posing to me! haha, I’m just messin’ with ya Cat. Oh and to answer your question, yes… or… is it no? Is it? Huh? Is it?
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I have no idea. LOL
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
although..
since you ask, yes, I would still be complaining about the AAA deal.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
But we are not winning.
georgekarl - February 10, 2012
Handcuffed?
This team is the farthest thing from handcuffed possible. The team was handcuffed when they had Kmart, Camby, Nene, and Melo. That team was stuck trading Camby for nothing because all their other contracts aside from Melo were bad contracts. There isn’t a single untradeable guy on this team right now, they could trade any or all of them at any time. Tons of freedom.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
correction
Re-reading my post, I may have miscommunicated my thoughts a little. What I meant to say is that if we keep losing and players like AAA and Big Al continue to falter, their contracts will be hard to move, and then we become “handcuffed.” I don’t think as many teams want AAA at $7.5 as you may think (I go back to the fact that only contenders were interested in him at the MLE)…. and although we could always amnesty Big Al should he revert to 2011 Big Al, that takes away our ability to amnesty Bird, which at this point, is a virtual lock. So we are not “handcuffed” yet, but I’m afraid if the tankjob continues, we may be.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
Big Al's contract wasn't Masai fyi
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I realize that...
but Masai still has to account for it, no?
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
yes I suppose he does
but I don’t think he should be fired for that as you originally intimated.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
or sorry
not fired, just blamed.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
The last 2 years of Al's contract are not gauranteed
…also the cap is around 60 mill, but the luxury tax is 70 mil. We can go above the salary cap to sign our own players. The cap will probably increase about 2.5 percent each year. Plenty of room to sign Ty and Wilson and Mosgov later, while Bird, Al , Andre get off the books. We need to be thinking about Rudy, he could be trade bait as he is in his last year.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
Thank you
and I’d like for anyone to go through the free agent classes coming out the next couple years and name me a single, realistic, impactful guy worth savig up for.
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
what would you have wanted Masai to do differently
just out of curiosity? I think he’s been fantastic. We have tons of talent, but i guess turning ray felton and a 2nd round pick into Andre Miller, Jordan Hamilton, Corey Brewer and Rudy Fernandez was bad.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
not gonna do it...
I’m not going to go Masai-bashing! I love a lot of the things he has done, for starters, The Gallo trade, the Gallo signing, the Rudy/Cory heist… there are things I did not like either though, bringing in Andre (halfcourt PG) for Ray (running PG). There’s no rule that says you have to trade a guy if he wants to be a starter… Ray was a better fit and both are gone at the end of this season anyways. Also I have never been a big AAA guy, and I thought he bid against himself and overpaid for such an unproven player. The point I’m making is, there are things that GK does that MOST of us hate, 2 PG lineups (neither of which can shoot), and small ball sucks, but we were all just fine with it while we were winning. I say be patient w/GK just as we should with Masai. Both have made mistakes, but both also were partly responsible for the 14-5 start… Here’s to hoping Masai can pull a miracle and get Will on the cheap for atleast 3 years.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
i understand better
thank you. You’re a cherished commodity here at denverstiffs.com
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I still can't really understand your position
Seems like Ujiri has crafted a roster of shooters and runners, and he salvaged it from a major disaster, as in the superstar demanding to be traded.
Also seems like many Stiffs’ complaints focus on Karl’s bizarre utilization of that roster, as in his inability to maximize what’s been provided him. There’s no rule that says you have to play two point guards at once, especially when one isn’t much of a threat to shoot from outside. Yet in a more traditional rotation, Miller would be running the second unit, and a lower game might be just the ticket.
Al Harrington is struggling? Maybe, but he’s often the only player who can create something. His health and renewed strength means he can do more than sit out there and bomb away. Have you missed all the times he’s taken his defender to the basket? Lovely spin moves? He’s PERFECT for a second unit.
Except that we don’t have one. This season’s bizarre narrative is on George Karl. Losses are fine; they’re to be expected with this new roster filled with younguns. It’s how we’re losing that pains us. See chantech’s and TID’s and others’ description above. They’re watching the game as well as can be done.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
a *slower game
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
Doesn't Karl have a big rivalry with Mark Jackson (Warriors coach)?
I bet that chapped Karl’s hide to lose to him in their first match-up vs. each other.
Nate Timmons - February 10, 2012
Well...
Karl needs to take a page out of Pop’s playbook for the Feb19th-Feb 23rd stretch. Rest your starters for a game. Regardless of outcome. Play for the season and not for the game. I truly believe that this is all the recourse of killing his starters and key bench players in the east coast b2b2b and on. He started wearing players down and not trusting his other players at all leading to a 12 deep team to play 8-9 semi close games.
For example – http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=320127007
Vs Toronto a few weeks back how can you have 3 healthy DNPs. The team is lethargic at best lately. The game against GS looked closer once young blood got in there. I understand the concept of giving your team the best chance to win. But you have to do that factoring in a rate of decay on play if you don’t take that chance.
Anderson and Faried are both energy guys that rebound. You can find 10 minutes in a game for these players as opposed to Nene averaging 35+ minutes a game lately as the only rebounder and paint defender. Sagging defense, slow rotations, poor rebounding, jump shots. All tell me the team is running on fumes. Playing small and playing guys out of position doesn’t fix any of these issues.
remyrems - February 10, 2012
I agree
The team is burned out. Heck, I’m a little burned out from watching them every night…and I’m on the couch.
Pusherman - February 10, 2012
wow
…poor players, and these unfit working conditions they are forced to grind out under the whip-cracking Karl.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
I don't think one game's condition is unfair
But take a view of overall minutes and how the schedule sets up. You have to be more broad with minute distribution. You can’t treat each game as it’s own demon and damn the consequences.
Personal take is just that sometimes if you play the worse player here or there to get rest for the better player it can give you a better overall result. To start the season the blowouts let us ‘trust’ the backups. Then we played several close games and that went all to hell. Wheels were due to come off the bus.
All that said Nugs should still have a bit more energy for a home and home even if it’s back to back games.
remyrems - February 10, 2012
It seems like Karl may be getting it
His hand is forced due to injuries, but maybe, just maybe, he’ll keep using the deep bench he’s been provided as the season goes along. Of course, he’d just tell us he’s trying to develop a tighter rotation out of a new group, and thus cannot play everybody. The tension is understandable.
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
I made that same suggestion yesterday and heard a bunch of crap for it.
You can’t be a fan if you question george karl.
georgekarl - February 10, 2012
Don't say that he's already a Pop wanna be
samdman - February 10, 2012
Yes, teams have figured us out
What they’ve figured out is, continually injure their roster, extract their best players, and their coaches will all stink and we will beat them.
sgiustra - February 10, 2012
The old saw that injuries are not good excuses means
you dont continually refer to them, you know, like I always do.
But injuries are really the only true excuse you can use because they dont necessarily even out and they could crush your season. Bad calls for example usually evens out.
Add to that the lock out which resulted in losing one piece that would be with us right now and even the absence of Brewer and we have fielded a bottom team for much of the last few weeks.
sgiustra - February 10, 2012
The whole point of this team was supposed to be depth
They are missing Moz and Gallo, and suddenly can’t sniff a win? Gallo hurts, to be sure, but lots of teams win when players have injures. Look at the spurs when the flopper went out.
The problem right now is poor design on both offense and defense, and poor in game adjustments. Excuse me, no in game adjustments.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Karl looked like a victim on the bench
Completely out of it.
Give Nene, AAA, AL and Ty rest
I want to see a starting lineup this weekend of
Julyan Stone, Fernandez, Hamilton, Faried, Koufos
with Dre, Brewer, Bird coming off the bench
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
Yikes!
Careful what you wish for, things can always get worse!
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
We're losing anyways
Might as well rest up the banged up starters
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
the best lineup yesterday was
AAA, Stone, Hamilton, Faried and Koufas. They actually provided hustle and played with spurts of fire and passion (although is was a little to late at that point)
Mancar - February 10, 2012
I feel like Stone and I have similar games
I am a pass first PG as well, though I have been known to have a great mid-range game a la Rip Hamilton in 2004. To his credit, Stone is a better defender than me with three more inches of height.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
They need to get an assistant with head coaching experience on the bench
Bring in Flip Saunders or something, someone that can help Coach Karl make better decisions in game and another voice that aren’t yes men like the current assistant crop. I like Mel Hunt, but he’s not going to challenge Coach Karl even though he seems more involved and paying attention on the bench during games.
Yes, injuries are a factor in the current slump and certain players haven’t stepped up, but I haven’t seen Coach Karl adjust well in game to adversity or momentum shifts that don’t go the Nuggets way the past 2 years as it seems that he is not as mentally sharp or flexible in those situations, and unfortunately prior health issues plus his age are contributors to this no doubt, as going through cancer twice does accelerate the aging process for someone over the age of 60.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
+1
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
I have posted for weeks that we are not that deep
A lot of the stats were dispersed because we played many people and spread shots around.
But that never meant that we were so deep that we could lose as many man power hours as we have.
Our starting center is out. Is he that good? No but he’s 7’ tall and developing and keeps other teams honest. He also keeps KK as a sub instead of important cog. KK is not good enough to be an important team piece.
Our best player is out. So what if gallo doesnt take enough shots to avg > 20 ppg or doesnt relentlessly grab team rebounds. With what we’ve seen from nene & even an inconsistent Ty, does anyone seriously doubt that Gallo is our best player, that his signing for 10 mil was a gift to us?
Maybe Nene and AAA signing will pan out but I doubt that the monies involved will ever be commensurate with what we get.
sgiustra - February 10, 2012
the warriors wish that Curry was as good as Abdul-Rauf.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I guess the best thing about being a longtime Nuggets fan
is that you are able to handle disappointment. Another good thing is that this is not the worst thing to happen, i would worry for the team as they need butts in the seats, and it is hard to do with this brand of basketball. Its hard going to games and seeing a completely lifeless crowd. You get what you inspect not what you expect!
Mancar - February 10, 2012
man, totally
My wife thinks part of the reason I follow the Nuggets is from subconscious need to have an outlet for feelings of disappointment.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
Sports have definitely helped in that department
You can either go around pissed off all the time because a ball didn’t go into a hoop, or you can mature a little and realize what is really important in life.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
what about those of us who know what really is important in life
but still wander about pissed?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
you get me
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
as in, "you understand me"
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
I knew what you meant the first time
because as you point out, I do understand you. Though I wish I could get you as some sort of reward/tradeable asset as well.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
THIS THIS THIS
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Why are those things mutually exclusive?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
oh so do you hate exclusivity?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Huh?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
as in dating exclusively...
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
i kid of course.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I'm totally confused.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
twss
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
i don't know
that totally missed. Maybe just give me an “lol” and we can get past this.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
lol
there you go.
Mancar - February 10, 2012
i appreciate the sentiment
but it just doesn’t carry the same weight coming from you.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
just trying to break the non-existent tension.
Mancar - February 10, 2012
am i to guess that you are some time of hybrid between man and car?
if so I like it.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
LULZ?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
I don't know why they are
but if you walk around pissed all the time because your team lost, it will negatively impact the rest of your life. No one at work wants to hang out with the girl who hates unicorns and is pissed off all the time. A spouse certainly doesn’t want to have to deal with you being pissed off all the time for reasons that they didn’t cause and have no control over. It’s a recipe for ending up bitter and alone.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Well if the guy I'm dating enjoys unicorns that is gonna be deal breaker from the get go.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
lol and good hypothetical situation.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
…and that’s why I asked my wife to marry me before I told her about my obsession with unicorns…
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
This will be included in my prenup.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
The season isnt over...Dallas struggled in the regular season last year
when Dirk got injured and lost 9 of 11. They got healthy got their mojo back and won the title. Sometimes when things go bad they go really bad. After digging themselves out they were better for it after suffering some adversity. Now if we didnt have injuries and Chandler out, I would be worried. I am still worried but I realize that a lot of the issues are a function of coaching, not being able to practice, fatigue, lack of confidence and injuries. All of these things can turn around. Plus there is an opportunity for a trade.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
slowly backing away from the ledge...
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
correct BigD
my only fear is that a terrible Feb will put behind 2 eight balls and the West will be too competitive for us to claw back into relevency.
But I have little doubt that Moz and gallo will heal and contribute, that Chandler will provide much needed spark and depth, Brewer too.
And our decent players will feed off of the presence of Will, Gallo and Moz.
Whether we make the playoffs or not, whether we seed well or not, come 6 weeks from now I would hate to be an opponent facing the Nuggets especially in denver.
Mark my words, we are going to kick some teams asses, teams who beat us when we’re down, teams who actually believe they are better than we are and I want us to show no mercy on these opportunistic bottom feeders.
sgiustra - February 10, 2012
just fear that once everyone is healthy again Coach Karl's substitution patterns won't help
and we could be in a similar injury situation again if not managed better than it has been. Coach Karl needs to use the depth on the roster better, plan ahead on the schedule, realize ahead of time when his guys are tired or if a game is out of hand to rest guys to be ready for the next night, and develop a little more trust in his roster outside of 2-3 guys but also recognize when someone is not playing well enough to keep running out there. Guys like Al and Miller are playing too much when they are already tired (even though Miller won’t admit it) and I hate to say that Miller need to go at the deadline as he’s not helping Ty’s development as a facilitator especially when on the court at the same time. Maybe Masai can pull off some kind of deal to get a young backup PG or 2 that can develop. Would hurt our depth at PG in the short term though, but may be the price to pay long term.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
YOu know, I've come to accept that
Karls substitution patters are going to puzzle. My feeling is that when you could substitute Chandler for Gallo and KK for Moz and Rudy for AAA it will be much better than when you have to substitute Bird for KKK, Stone for Rudy, JHam for Al.
sgiustra - February 10, 2012
Lets hope you are right, we are still the same team that went 14-5 once we get healthy
just shows you how slim the margin of error is.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
Would you do this trade?
Miller, Nene, Brewer
for
P. Gasol,Blake
Gallo,Chandler
Gasol, Al
Mosgov,Koufus
Afflalo,Rudy
Lawson,Blake
We would get a " Go to Guy" down low, more shot blocking…LA needs a pt and a small forward and Nene would fit in with Bynum. Not sold but just pondering.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
How quickly people forget...
In Memphis Pau was the go to guy and proceeded to be a doormat. He was also younger and more dominant. Nene may not be that guy, but at the price I take Nene over Pau.
remyrems - February 10, 2012
no trading with the Lakers or within Western Conference contenders in my opinion
plus Blake is fragile and doubt would last the season considering he’s not playing now
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
lol. I don't know if I am going through this or not but it definetely describes a lot of what we are going through
The five stages of Grief
1. Denial- passing the blame or not accepting what it truly is, coupling the blame with other factors
2.Anger- because what we are looking at is not what we hold accountable we lash out.
3.Bargain- we try using other factors as a means to cope with the struggles
4. Pratical/Implicable Deppression- looking for clarification, whereas any glimmer is something to hold onto (aka GK)
5. Acceptance- knowing the inevitable playoff loss and getting it out of the way.
LOL. After being a fan for so long, I just skip to acceptance (why waist time with the first four)
Mancar - February 10, 2012
I'm looking to get tickets to the Pacers game Sat.
Anyone know what the attendance is like for the Pacers? Should I buy nose bleeds and move down?
crreid4444 - February 10, 2012
You live in Indy?
if thats the case keep the nosebleeds, this team will get out coached and with strategery!
Mancar - February 10, 2012
Jeremy at RMC does an outstanding breakdown of the nuggets' current woes.
http://www.roundballminingcompany.com/2012/02/10/nuggets-issues-exposed-by-warriors/#more-3358
Rainbow skyline - February 10, 2012
oh stop sucking up to that guy.
Denver Stiffs baby!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I read that. It was good.
georgekarl - February 10, 2012
I think this shows how important Mozgov is,
granted he didn’t put up eye popping stats but his presence altered games. If you look back to the Laker game his injury was the turning point. Whats more look at NY without Mozgov, his presence gives others the ability to infuse a different game plan. Im not calling him an MVP by any means, but his absence is almost to the point of importance as Gallo’s.
Mancar - February 10, 2012
yes x 1000
Moz’s presence shifts players to where they belong when it comes to position (Nene to PF) and when it comes to rotation (KK to sub)
You also cant teach 7’ And, yes mancar, the downshift started when Moz got hurt against the Lakers and we were up by, I think, 3. We lost that game and most every other game as other absences were added to Moz injury.
I also suggested that our lineup was a bottom 5 lineup and that the schedule was not that hard. Now, with the loss to GSW, in Denver (!), is there much doubt that we are a bottom 5 team?
sgiustra - February 10, 2012
Twas the turning point
Moz has potential on the offensive side of things, and is already realizing his upside on the D side.
I’d also like to point out that I think it is becoming unanimously clear how important Gallo is to our offense. We are a better team when Gall is playing EVEN WHEN Gallo isn’t shooting well. I hope Karl realizes this and puts Gallo in for crunch time even if he’s off. He makes our offense go.
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
just now occured to me
This stretch of games is sure going to be embarrassing to relive when it airs on The Association.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
Great television and drama!
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
actually yeah,
if things have turned around by then, that’s exactly what it’ll be.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
You guys actually like that stuff?
It’s just more “reality tv.”
LongWindedHank - February 10, 2012
I haven't seen the association
as NBA tv isn’t part of my package. The training camp stuff that they do for the NFL is fantastic.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Have you seen it?
It’s much more documentary than any of that Kardashian type reality TV.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
too bad Kim isn't on it though
just sayin!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
(and let the bashing begin)
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
You know you are excited that Snooki is bi!
I tried to watch that show once. After about 5 minutes, my wife and I looked at each other, and changed the channel.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I have never ever watched that show
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Well, you are ahead of me by 5 minutes
on the “time wasted on crappy shows” meter.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
There is nothing in it that I remotely found slightly
intriguing even if for every wrong reason. I have watched some of the Kardashian stuff, and I found “Kendra” amusing.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
I prefer watching the show "The Soup"
Gives me the hilarity of all reality shows with hilarious commentary in just a brief 30 minute show
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
I love the Soup. Joel McHale is the bomb
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
He's pretty funny
His skinny tie always bother me
THEY’RE OUT OF STYLE!
lol
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
when did skinny ties go out of style
It’s all I’ve been seeing the last year and a half
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
the 60s
I blame Hipsters
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
I still don't know what a hipster is
but they are apparently to blame for all of societal ills. Wait, are hipsters the cloned blonde women on fox news?
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
move out here to oregon
and you will see what a hipster is
Kevin #3 - February 10, 2012
I went to eugene for a wedding
I remember tie dye and farmers markets, but to me that was Hippy, not hipster.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
eugene is the hippy capital of the world
portland on the other hand is where the hipster was invented.
Kevin #3 - February 10, 2012
Meet my bandmates
You will know what a hipster is.
Ironic mullet, goofy glasses, etc.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
so they wear a mullet
because they know it’s stupid?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Here's the best explanation I could find from www.urbandictionary.com
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
Ah
So that’s who is paying $500 for a 30 year old pair of levi’s that you can buy new for $25.00
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Holy monster block quote!
I dunno.
There is a lot that I identify with: independent thinking, DIY attitude, and especially the music.
I’m a nerd about music, and hipsters love the same sort of shit.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
good stuff
so i just found out I’m a hipster
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
but I don't look like one
because I’m aesthetically beautiful to mainstream america (and Mexico from what I gathered during my year living there)
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I love skinny ties
Mind, I’d never be caught dead wearing a suit. But were it to happen, skinny tie all the way.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
I will admit to reading
the grantland reality TV scorecard. That is pretty funny. The only reality I watch is survivor. I have no choice in the matter. The format has gotten a little stale.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I still watch Amazing Race sporadically
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
TOP CHEF!
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
nor have i
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
reply to KFH, "You guys actually like that stuff?"
I’ve just watched the one episode, the first one about the Nuggets. It was good enough to keep my attention for 30 minutes. They’re following the Nuggets around and showing them in practice and stuff. Nothing earth-shaking, but seems interesting enough for Nugs fans.
ParkHillNative - February 10, 2012
one last Knick..
So how can Masai talk Dolan into giving us Lin for ’Dre?
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
i actually like that idea
and I bet Masai could get them to throw in Fields or Shumpert too….Dolan is an idiot after all, especially with Parisiah Thomas advising him.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
here's something that shouId put things into perspective with this team.
did anyone watch the NYK before the meIo trade, that team that was around .500 in the east. weII you know what, that’s our roster right there, just repIace a soft nene with a mvp Iike STAT, and Iawson with feIton who was pIayin at a very high IvI avg 20 ppg 8 assists. yea that team, what wouId your expectations have been for that NYK team, you wouId have probabIy said yea they have some nice things goin there, but do i see them goin much higher not reaIIy, they’II be ok but they have to get something more in there to get to the next IvI.
yea moz couId improve and we have a superior bench, but does that make the difference and put this team through to compete for the titIe, no, it does not.
we got nice compIimentary pieces that we shouId be Iookin to trade up in the draft for, or gettin an eIite pIayer when avaiIabIe. yea you guys aII point and Iaugh at meIo and say haha superstars dont win games, but it’s hard to put a team around meIo because of the way he pIays, if NYK got deron then you wouIdnt reaIIy be abIe to say that, or howard, or any other superstar probabIy, meIo’s got that kobe thing where it’s kind of a doubIe edged swrd if you dont pIay him right.
Rys - February 10, 2012
really Rys?
As if it weren’t already depressing enough around here… thanks for the enlightenment, I feel so much better now that I see the similarities between the two teams!
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
They should have been more patient
Gallo is a completely different player than he was for them. And Ty’s ceiling is much higher than Felton’s. Masai structured this team assuming a couple of our players would develop into stars. Ty, though he’s shooting terribly, can absolutely be a great PG, and Gallo has already gotten better and should continue to get better. So yes, I do see much more promise with our squad than with the Knicks.
RoxWS2014 - February 10, 2012
Rys you sound like a Knick fan
that lusted after Melo before the Gallo trade. Now, still you make excuses for trade, for Melo while looking for every opportunity to tear down the Nuggets.
“We want Melo” → Remember that chant before the trade.
We were terrific before rash of injuries. Even Barkley and ESPN talking heads have realized this and offered sympathetic remarks on Nugget woes, all due to injuries.
Yes I watched NYK before the trade. Before the terrible rumors NYK were about 7 games over and rising and had a young, improving team. Ater romors and after the dumbest fans in the USA started chants and radio rants re wanting melo, the NYK tanked.
BTW, before Lin dropped into their lucky laps, the KNicks sucked with their so called superstars.
BTW #2 I guess you didnt much enjoy it when a tired Nugget club went into NY and beat the Knicks and Gallo whipped Melo like an orphan in a Dickens novel.
sgiustra - February 11, 2012
lastly.
Melo SUCKS!
sgiustra - February 11, 2012
Harrison Barnes
here we come
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
isn't his stock falling?
i heard people are no longer seeing him as a franchise player.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Seems like a wing player
that can score, he played well the other night vs Duke. Watching the Nuggs struggle to score the past 2 weeks has been painful, bring in shooting guard that can shoot.
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
Denver already has a shooting guard who can shoot
Wasting away on the bench.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
who?
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
Jordan Hamilton
He was an amazing scorer at Texas. Highly touted in last year’s draft.
Not quite the way Barnes is right now. But you catch my drift.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
TIS TRUE
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Here's the thing.
All these guys are great until NBA level coaches, scouts and players figure out how to defend them. I think that is what has happened to us a large degree.
Now there are some players make their own adjustments or are just freaks and can’t be stopped (i.e. Melo, Kobe, etc). I think Gallo has all the markings to become can become that kind of scorer with some time.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
the dude needs to hit his outside shit consistently
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Give it time....
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
oh I will
I’m just saying he needs to do that.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Gallo's 3pt%
Has been regressing each year in the league.
He’s trending the wrong way!
Granted, most of this comes from his simply getting more minutes and taking more shots. Still, I had to point this out.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Nitpicking hipster prankster
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
I am just one of those three things.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
i hope it's either nitpicking or prankster
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I know lots of hipsters
They aren’t bad people. But I’m not cool enough to sit at their table.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
can you characterize them for sdcat so she can know what one is for sure?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Nitpicker.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
I think it involves skinny jeans and geometric haircuts....
I could be wrong.
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
and sarcastic about being sarcastic maybe
and over the ear headphones – although I got some beats by dre headphones for x-mas and they ARE nice.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
You know, I remember
the day when we couldn’t wait to throw the over the ear headphones. Retro my ass..
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
throw them where?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
At the nitpicking hipster pranksters?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
haha
i’m not a huge fan of over the ear headphones still. and sometimes i feel like I’m acting all stuck-up and richie rich having them (believe me I’m not) but I do very much enjoy music and so the sound quality on those beats by dre headphones is just a delight for me.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I just think it's funny that they have made such
a comeback….
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
yeah it is funny
but I think there are things more alarming that are making comebacks i.e. snapback hats (i’m not a fan of seeing 25 year olds wearing snapbacks, 10 year olds yes) and the leg of the jeans tucked into hi-tops (yuck on both parts there)
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
they have maybe made a comeback for other reasons
the ear buds, especially the ones specifically for ipod’s or other mp3’s are contributing to accelerating hearing loss in many people…if you say “huh?” after reading this, you are probably one of those and don’t even know it ;)
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
yeah i noticed that going on a little bit with mine
i also find that ear buds fall out of ears way too easily.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
those things are amplified directly into your ear canal
at least the over ear one provide some level of inner ear protection.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
i find this nugget of information
extremely informative thank you.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Senns > Beats
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
who makes this senns?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/headphones
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
cool i will take back my x-mas gift
…
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
these are nice though
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I wouldn't complain
I’m just a snob about some things.
I know lots of other snobs who say Beats are all right. I mean, Dr. Dre can’t be wrong, right? He’s a mothafuckin’ doctor.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
well sennheiser isn't the catchiest of names
i guess they need an african-american (preferably one that raps) to make that shit cool.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Yellow pants wearing nitprankster?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
yeah yuppie scumbag!
(just kidding and no offense Andrew)
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I like to tease Andrew sometimes, too
But you know what? At the two Stiffs events I attended, he was warm, welcoming and worked his ass off to be a good host.
The first one, he was the only person who even acknowledged me. He may be a yuppie scumbag who drops names and how awesome his seats are, but he’s a nice guy.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
woah woah
i didn’t mean to imply he’s a scumbag, but the image i have of him is as a yuppie.
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
I'm sure he can handle it
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
I don't think yuppies can be scumbags......
Scuppies?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
good points
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
Right, forgot about him
thought we’d see him last night
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
What I'm
saying is team ball is great and all, but it’s become apparent that this team needs someone to step up scoring wise when the game is on the line in the 4th……in other words you do need a star in the NBA.
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
But that's
Old Era Nuggets.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
icwydt
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
No
not necessarily. You can have guys that aren’t afraid or don’t pucker when the pressure is highest & play D
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
Really who's that?
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
fernandez.
Rys - February 10, 2012
from what
I see he can’t shoot very well at all. He hucks alot of shoots up, but not alot go in
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
Who?
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
ANDRE MILLER!?
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
haha...
too bad Fly doesn’t like humor, cause that was marvelous.
UKnowULovedVanQwik - February 10, 2012
But I think he likes humour
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
Who cares what I think?
I’m just an asshole trying to keep the peace.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Are you ......Switzerland..?
/ducks and runs
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
As a Nugget fan the better
part of the past decade I’ve been spoiled. It was naive of me to think Nuggs wouldn’t run into tough times after completely changing the team. First 5 game losing streak since 03. It may get worse before it get better.
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
spoiled by what?
all first round playoff exits except for one extended run? 80’s Nuggets teams were better than that…
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
From 1990-91 to 2002-2003
Denver’s record was 363-671. Compared to that, the last 8 seasons have spoiled fans.
nugzin2040 - February 10, 2012
this
this & this
first 5 game losing streak since 03, seems pretty good to me
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
sorry, i would never consider myself spoiled as a longtime Nuggets until the get to the Finals at least one
i’m tired of seeing teams that came in to the NBA AFTER (or with) the Nuggets get to the Finals more than once AND winning a championship as well (Dallas & Miami)
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
they get....at least once
sorry for typos
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
I hear you
NBA finals are the envy of every Nugg fan. Just saying losing 5 in a row is a shock to the system
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
absoultely
there is still supposed to be too much talent on this team regardless of injury and Coach Karl is supposed to be too good of a coach for this to happen, especially losing 5 in a row at home when you are supposed to be a running team. very frustrating, and maybe the team and coach is showing its true colors under adversity, which is scary to think.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
absolutely...fail..fingers working faster than mind again
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
I didn't
really start watching the Nuggs until Deke’s Nuggs beat the Sonics
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
OT:
But the yellow lab in your avatar looks awesome rocking the Nuggets blue.
I’m a sucker for puppy dogs.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
That's
Zoey, my 5 soon to be 6 year old lab. She’s my baby
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
I don't know why
But reading this got me all choked up. I love dogs. Way more than people. For sure.
I’m definitely the 30something male equivalent of the crazy cat lady. But with dogs.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
same here
i have a 5 year old lab/boxer who my fiance and i spoil to death. love her to death
Kevin #3 - February 10, 2012
I've got
2. The lab & a rescue puppy I got a couple years later, they’re both my babies. Though I found out couple weeks ago that my Wife is expecting so they’ll have to be big sisters now……see how it goes w/ dog people, I consider them human.
NewEraNugg - February 10, 2012
Unless you are going to be doing the serious dog shows
Rescue dogs are the way to go. No need to shell out $500 or $1000 for a pure bred puppy when you can get the same one from that breeds rescue website for free.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
All three of my dogs are rescues
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
rescues are healthier too
since theyre usually mutts.
Kevin #3 - February 10, 2012
People who aren't from Denver
always look at me funny when I say I got my dog at the Dumb Friends League.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
lol
or transplant here are like “What the hell is the Dumb Friends League?” and i tell them if you don’t know you better ask somebody..lol
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
does it count as a rescue if its a puppy from someone who's old dog can't stand the new pup
and she’s worried about the puppy’s safety? that’s what I’m contemplating now…10-12 week old SharPei – Yellow Lab mix, any opinion on the breed?
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
I know nothing of SharPeis
But labs have a well deserved reputation as being friendly and loyal and loving.
But good lord can they be destructive as puppies.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
definition of a rescue
Springers (my preferred pet) are often given up because people can’t handle their energy. Hello, what part about the name “springer” led you to believe they are calm and relaxed?
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
labs are always good
sharpeis are fairly protective of families but really loyal. would probably be a great pup as long as you get it socialized
Kevin #3 - February 10, 2012
grew up with a Chow that wasn't mean
but loyal, protective (must be a Chinese thing ;) and extremely stubborn
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
And most mean dogs
and breeds get a bad rap. Usually the people they find themselves with. Some bad dogs end up with good people, though.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
Breeds certainly have tendencies
Chows certainly tend to be protective of the family against outsiders.
My mom is a vet. In her opinion, the two worst were German Shepherds and Pitt Bulls. Shepherds were worse because they won’t necessary give you any warning before chewing your face off. The biggest problems come in if you have more than two dogs. That is asking for big trouble.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I have three!
!!!
And they are all super nice, affectionate and love people.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
There is a danger of a pack mentality
taking over when you have three. Not saying it always happens, but it is there. When you here about a group of dogs breaking out of their yard, invading another yard, and killing or maiming the dogs and children there, this is what has happened.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
Well
That and a total lack of supervision. I’m the pack leader. My dogs don’t spend much time outside unsupervised.
But I am familiar with the dynamic you are talking about. Three is definitely a handful.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
i think the problem with any specific dog breed
is nurture over nature. some breeds are have a disposition to be more aggressive but this can be fixed through good training when they are puppies. ive seen a lot of pit bulls that are sweet as can be. in fact i think a majority of them are. they just get a bad rap because of all the assholes who breed them for fighting.
Kevin #3 - February 10, 2012
This
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
the nature part is too dangerous
I have a springer. springers, in general, are the nicest animals you could ever be around. Loves kids, as she knows they taste like ice cream. Hosted a birthday party for our niece and her friends, toddler age. One of the gifts was a xylophone, with a plastic bone for striking the keys. My dog saw that bone, and knows that bones are for her. I caught her just as she was lunging for it. Can’t leave dogs alone with kids.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I don't think kids should be left alone
With dogs, empty yard, whatever.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
that is the key
also amazing how parents don’t do their research before getting dogs to be around their kids. sad how many dalmatian pups ended up at the pound after parents thought they were so smart buying them after the kids watched 101 dalmatians.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
My uncle had Dalmations
It always felt like they were thisclose to biting me. I told him that, and he said that’s what he liked about them.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
if it was just me I could handle and not worry
but I have almost 6yr old boy, and I’m worried because he’s coming from a household with two boys about the same age who have been ignoring him because they are more comfortable with their old dog that they have known since their birth
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
But this new dog is still a puppy, no?
Plenty of time to get him used to the new family and new routine.
Plus, every puppy wants to be paired with a 6-year-old boy for walks and expending energy in the yard.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
true that
my son doesn’t like non-puppy little dogs, likes the big labs and shepherds, but we don;t have room for one
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
The nice thing about puppies
Is they manage to grow bigger.
I hope it works out with your family and the dog.
Fly Agaric - February 10, 2012
hopefully by time he grows i can get a bigger house
will be too hard to sell my current one for what I owe on it though :(
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
I bought a house last October
I just ended up renting my other house out, got lucky on tenants, they’re happy and pay on time.
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
yeah, i could get almost my mortgage payment for rent
but no cash down for a another house sadly
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
Look up the HARP program
Will let you refinance to the current interest rates, even if you don’t live in the house, and even if you have negative equity. You have to look up to see if Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guaranteed your loan, and there is a good chance they did.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
i've refinanced on an ARM now at 3.35%
until 2016, and it can’t go up more than 1% a year to a max to the 6.5% of what my original loan was, have to check what other options are out there.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
funny...my little boy had no problem with my cousin's shepherd
they were chasing each other around and the dog was really gentle with my son even though he hadn’ been around little kids like that before.
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
And on SharPei
I think you have to watch for eye problems with the folds around the eyes. Less of a problem with a mix.
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
yeah, his folds are higher on the forehead and not a scrunched up face
more of a lab face but looks like will be more of a sharpei size, small paws
jd80229 - February 10, 2012
http://www.nba.com/video/channels/tnt_overtime/2012/02/09/20120209_inside1.nba/
NugNugz - February 10, 2012
Silver Lining..
Just checked the schedule after these miserably tough games before the all-star break our schedule breaks for us. I counted what I would consider 5 tough games before the break. After that only 7 in 30 games. I think we can go 21-9 in those games; lets get to 19-17 at the all star break..by winning at home against Minn,Phx, Memphis on the road and Port at home. We finish 40-26 which will be around the 6th spot and will have us playing Dallas, then winner of SA Memphis, then winner of OKC-Port, LAC-LAL…All these teams are close and some decent teams are going to be left out of the plaoffs…Hou, Minn, Utah but not us…..It only matters come playoff time, I just want to avoid a 2nd round matchup agianst OKC. So give me the 2 seed,3seed,6 or 7 seed.
Bigdorph - February 10, 2012
Yeah
If they can even go 3-5.. get to the break at 18-17, should get better for them after that. Hopefully Gallo will be about ready to go by the break, and Chandler a week or two later likely (seems like his team is looking good for the playoffs).
nugzin2040 - February 10, 2012
ZOMG Gallo is livestreaming! OMG
I just I can’t …what….
/flails
http://twitcam.livestream.com/8krhc
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
It's that time of year again!
The girl scouts are in front of my store with their table. Tagalongs here I come!
ThrowItDownBigManThrowItDown - February 10, 2012
I already have my Thin Mints and Trefoils
SDcat09 - February 10, 2012
I'm a Dulche de Lechi kind of guy
Love those things.
georgekarl - February 10, 2012
Dulce de leche
Creamy, milky caramel from Argentina…
Thursty’ed
CombatChuk - February 10, 2012
Whatever
georgekarl - February 10, 2012
WHERE IS MORTON
Jeff are you out there?
samdman - February 10, 2012
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