Simple question.

These random trade proposals as if we are all GM's are making my eyes bleed. I maintain if we were GM's here at Denver Stiffs the Nuggets would suck-diddily-uck and Rocky would once again be the only reason to go to Pepsi Center.Of course we can't do any worse than Bernie Bickerstaff did....but that's another story.

So I'm going to ask a series of questions in hopes of clarifying what we as individual fans would like to see the Nuggets do. I will give my answers after each question. I'm not asking people to be practical....I want you to answer, as a fan, what you'd like to see happen.

Continue reading this post »

Here are this weeks lingering questions regarding the "MeloDrama" and the speculation about the Nuggets rebuilding. Join me in this journey through incompetent journalism and wild, baseless speculation done by our supposed friends in the legitimate media,

Continue reading this post »

As Nuggets fans we have been inundated with rumor after rumor after rumor. Will Carmelo go? Will he stay? Is he still trying to force management to improve the roster? Is he just biding his time till free agency?

One thing I do know for sure is.....almost every rumor that's been started regarding Melo has been conceived, formulated and spit out by east coast media who....for whatever reason, have a vested interest in seeing Melo out there. More specifically the Knicks. Come with me as we delve into the mysteries of East Coast rumor mongering at it's finest.

Disclaimer: I'm not asking people to make the same assumptions I have made. I've spoken to several people I know around the business (my "friend who works in the Nuggets FO was let go along with most everyone else) and, more to the point, I'm getting sick and tired of these baseless rumors coming from the East coast.

Continue reading this post »

While we as Nuggets fans obsess over completely irrational trade proposals for Carmelo, let me delve in to why....the Nuggets have reason to believe they will be damn good next year WITH Carmelo.

Continue reading this post »

If the Yahoo Sports article on Carmelo Anthony is accurate, and if I were advising Josh Kroenke, Bret Bearup and Masi Ujiri I would one thing only.

Cap space is better than draft pics in this case. Letting Carmelo walk at the end of the season benefits the Nuggets in a great many ways.

 

Now....there are some of you who will scoff at this notion, however, there is value in not giving in to the likes of Worldwide Wes and CAA. You prove a point that you're not going to be pushed around by thugs (I say this based on their reported behavior).....seriously. Why be forced into a bad trade for iffy talent and "potential". Particularly if losing Melo means George Karl walks at the end of the year. Do the fans of Denver want to go through THIS again? No....If Melo walks you free up 18 million in additional cap space.

Melo: 18 million

Kmart: 16 million

JR: 6 million

I'm no math major....but methinks that adds up to 40 million. Also, lets keep in mind Chauncey would most likely restructure his deal to stay in Denver. That's additional space made. And Nene's contract is up the following season. He can either restructure or retire or get moved.

Lets also take this in to consideration. What's the point of acquiring "draft picks" (in which the Nuggets have a bad history anyway) if there will be a lockout next year? Think about it. What's the point? If there's a hard cap the Nuggets will be sitting pretty on the other end, in better cap shape than anyone else, ready to take advantage when teams shed payroll to get under the cap.

I understand that people think we should get younger and rebuild. Fine....but if you have the cap space for proven players why not explore it? Why is it a gamble when we will be rebuilding anyway? No team is going to gut their roster for us, and quite frankly I wouldn't if I was looking to trade for Melo. Teams know they have the Nuggets over a barrel and they intend to exploit it.

I know it's not a popular position, but I think the cap flexibility and the uncertainty of the lockout (even if there isn't one the Nuggets STILL have plenty of cap space) makes letting Melo walk (plus taking a stand against being pushed around by Worldwide Wes) just as attractive.

My two cents

 

I posted this in Andrew's Yoko/LaLa article....but I think this bares repeating in it's own fanpost

 

Here's a link to the Denver Post article on Melo's comments at Camp Melo yesterday written by Chris Dempsy:

 

here

 

Now here is Benjamin Hochman's blog post on the DP website...(written as a "follow up" to Dempsy's article)

 

here

 

Pretty Bleak eh? Melo has one foot out the door and is making goo goo eyes at New York because of his publicity seeking wife right?

Take a look at this

 

here

 

Wow....same press conference...but there's a whole bunch of quotes that didn't appear in the Post. You be the judge....I think someone at the post has an agenda.

(note....this was originally posted two weeks ago. Since scheduling conflicts have come up we have now pushed back the Karaoke evening to Wednesday the 25th....hopefully everyone can attend)

 

When: Wednesday August 25th 9:30 pm to whenever....karaoke starts at 10:00pm


Where: Reivers Bar and Grill on  1085 S. Gaylord St. Denver CO 80209 (just two blocks west of University off on Mississippi)

How: By all means of transport....up to and including hovercar's and whatever large mammal capable of supporting a human body on it's back

 

Come one come all. Bring a friend....bring a loved one. You know that midget you've had your eye on since High School? Bring them too! This is not an "official" Purple Row event, this is just a bunch of us Rowbots getting together for merriment and vocalizations on various songs.

Reivers is a great place and it's just classy enough for you to say "man.....that's classy"....location is a bit on the small side but it's the best karaoke in Denver. Hands down. Best sound and best selection of songs. Say for instance if you want to sing a Smiths song because the Rockies recent losing streak has you feeling blue....IT'S THERE!

Remember. Erasure is the key!!

As some of you recall....near the end of June before free agency, but after the bungled draft I advocated that the Nuggets clean the slate in the front office and start anew.

here

All that was said in that column applies even now. However TIMING can be fickle. And the timing of the moves the Nuggets made yesterday leaves me seriously questioning the team's immediate future

Continue reading this post »

When: Wednesday August 11th 8:30pm to whenever....karaoke starts at 10:00pm


Where: Reivers Bar and Grill on  1085 S. Gaylord St. Denver CO 80209 (just two blocks west of University off on Mississippi)

How: By all means of transport....up to and including hovercar's and whatever large mammal capable of supporting a human body on it's back

 

Come one come all. Bring a friend....bring a loved one. You know that midget you've had your eye on since High School? Bring them too! This is not an "official" Purple Row event, this is just a bunch of us Rowbots getting together for merriment and vocalizations on various songs.

Reivers is a great place and it's just classy enough for you to say "man.....that's classy"....location is a bit on the small side but it's the best karaoke in Denver. Hands down. Best sound and best selection of songs. Say for instance if you want to sing a Smiths song because the Rockies recent losing streak has you feeling blue....IT'S THERE!

Remember. Erasure is the key!!

With a new collective bargaining agreement after the 2010-2011 season (lockout pending) I believe it's time, as stiffs, we explore what the NBA has been missing for years. A legitimate minor league system.

Continue reading this post »

Mr. Kroenke,

I've never had the pleasure of meeting you, so let me introduce myself. My name is Jeff. I am 32 years old. I have been a lifelong Nuggets fan, a sometimes season ticket holder, and an all-season watcher (including the dreadful 11-win season of 1997).  I work as an agent for artists and I'm also an ad executive at a top advertising agency in Denver

Most open letters such as this are usually filled with a litany of complaints, gripes and dissatisfaction. I'm afraid that my letter will infringe upon those territories.  However, I promise that is not the overall point of my correspondence. I merely seek to ask the overriding question that I and several other fans such as me (the people who frequently post on the best basketball blog on the NBA, Denver Stiffs) want to know: What is the plan?

Continue reading this post »

What? A front office shakeup at this time you say? You're out of your bleedin' mind jpage! Bollocks to you and your optimism you quack! Be gone with your music and your ravishing good looks and your quick wit.....where was I going with this?

Continue reading this post »

The Nuggets are trying to bring back forward Linas Kleiza, who played last season in Greece.

Denver, which owns Kleiza's NBA rights, has extended a qualifying offer to Kleiza. Terms of the offer were not released.

Kleiza, a 6-foot-8, 245-pound forward, left the Nuggets a year ago to play for Olympiakos, for whom he signed a two-year, $12.2 million contract. He averaged 17.1 points per game this past season.

In four seasons with the Nuggets, Kleiza averaged 8.3 points per game and 3.5 rebounds.

This was from the Denver Post.

This is good and bad. One of the problems we had last year was consistent bench scoring. While LK wasn't exactly "consistent" (because of various factors including having and extension withdrawn) and was a headcase his last year, but he did score and provided at least another "threat" and was a great backup to Melo.

Not sure if he will accept this offer if the Nuggets lowball. What does everyone think?

After reading Andrews post about Lebron/Melo/Bosh I had to respond, fanpost style, on what the real issue is for the Nuggets.

PART 1: His name is Maybner "Nene" Hilario.

I've watched the last two weeks as everything from the Nuggets failure to get to the finals to the sorry state of morals in the American cinema get blamed on Carmelo Anthony by some people who frequently post on here. That's fine. I'm actually of a fan of the diversity of opinion on Denver Stiffs (unlike some other local sports blogs *cough*) and it's helped me clarify my own view of the Denver Nuggets and how they should go forward.

Travis Heath of Hoopsworld had an excellent column last week regarding what the Nuggets can do

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16162

In it he talks about the various odds and ends of the Nuggets off season including the Front Office situation as well as the need to get a big man and the many complications the Nuggets face because of their salary cap situation. When on with Sandy Clough last week Heath said one thing that stuck with me, "When has Carmelo Anthony ever played with a dominating post player?" The answer is, never. While dominating big men are few and far between nowadays....the "faith" in having Nene is what we as fans have been sold on by the organization. Not the other way around.

Chris Dempsy was also on with Clough earlier this week (I'm frequently quoting Sandy's show because he's the only sports talk host in Denver who is willing to go in depth about the Nuggets) and Dempsy said that a lesson we must learn from Lebron's recent horrid performances is that maybe people are who they are. We, as Nuggets fans, have been sold a bill of goods by the organization that Nene has only touched but a small percentage of his potential. That he is too quick, too athletic, too skilled for your average center. As Dempsy said....Nene, at his best, is only a 16 and 7 guy. If the Nuggets are to go anywhere....they need a 20 and 10 guy.

Remember earlier this year when the Nuggets players were quoted in that Denver Post article saying Nene needs to "dominate" Carmelo Anthony was prominently quoted saying the same thing. That Nene is too passive. How many times have we seen Nene receive a PERFECT pass two feet from the basket, only to completely turn his back to the basket and pass to the 3 point line? How many times have we seen Nene get boxed out to the point of oblivion while on defense? When will this change? If ever?

While we bitch, moan, complain about Melo...he has by and large been a victim of the high expectations we place on him and he on himself. Meanwhile, Nene has coasted along and has been constantly pumped up by the Front Office as some potential unstoppable force. After 8 seasons I think we all realize that the time to put up or shut up was last year. Now it's time to move on.

 

PART 2: The Evil that is Cancer

The Nugget's had systemic issues resulting from George Karl's cancer that we, as fans, can only appreciate in the slightest bit. I had the pleasure of meeting Chauncey Billups briefly after the Nuggets Game 5 this year. I asked him if he missed George, and Chauncey said "Man......more than anyone will ever know. We miss him alot" and that spoke HUGE volumes to me. While we as fans complain about the Nuggets not "rising to the occasion" we must take in to consideration that as a long time coach of one team, George is essentially team "dad". When you lose your guiding light, even if you disagree with him, you are constantly reminded every time you step on the court that he is gone. Every time you do an interview. Every time you look at that interim coach who, while he's trying his best, much like a step-father he will never be your true dad. We can lecture, and pontificate about how the Nuggets should have done this, or that, while George has been out.....but you need to ask yourself...what would "I" do in this situation? At this point, quite frankly, I'm proud the Nuggets were even able to win 53 games. One day someone will write the story about the end of this last season for the Nuggets, and maybe, just maybe we will all gain a greater appreciation for what they went through.

 

PART 3: The Bench that wasn't there

In High School I read alot of HP Lovecraft. In his stories there was always some "horror" from some dark and stygian place that was always indescribable....but the very sight of which will cause a man to go insane. That is how I view the Nugget's bench this season.

While we laud the performance of Ty Lawson this year....it occurred to me that he played much better with the starting unit than he did the bench. I think that's a great sign for Ty eventually taking over, but for the next two years while Chauncey is here....we need better bench cohesion. I have no complaints about Ty and I'm encouraged every time I see him play.

JR....he had maybe 10 good games this year. And it's sad. I'm not going any further than saying his attitude at the end of the series with the Jazz was despicable. It's corrosive to team chemistry. I think he will be dealt somewhere.

Chris "Birdman" Andersen was the second biggest disappointment to me after Nene. While Andersen was "injured" most of the year....when he was semi healthy he didnt play very well and watching him get shoved around like a rag doll while attempting to "box out" on a free throw was sad to say the least. He looked less motivated this year, and his actions at the end of game 4 left a seriously bad taste in my mouth. Also, while I got a sick pleasure out of him knocking the snot out of Derron Williams at the end of Game 6....it was a cheap shot. Chris needs to live up to his contract and play ever game like it's his last, like in 08-09. Otherwise his contract will look like an albatross for a long time.

The rest of the bench performed adequately in spot duty. Petro was both good and horrible. Joey Graham was great when he wasn't fouling. Balkman.....nevermind. Malik "Tacos" Allen was proof that at 193 years old you can still chuck up ill advised jumpers and have the strength to drag an entire team down with you. Amazing

In 08 09 our bench was a BIG energy asset....this year they were a liability. If the Nuggets are to improve at all next year....the bench is a HUGE must upgrade.

PART 4: Conclusion

THere are those who wish to fill our team with "plucky" "can do" players who "try hard" and have lots of "gumption" and very little talent. That's all well and good. When it comes down to it, the Nuggets must take advantage of the talent they have and amplify it with the RIGHT complimentary players who have both talent and heart. We can sit here and complain again and again about Carmelo....but the fact remains that he is the best player on the team....and having him makes us better. So if Melo walks out that door for whatever reason, I want us as fans to look at the situation that he leaves and know that the Nuggets, as an organization, did it's best to capitalize on the time he was here. Andrew made the erroneous ( in my opinion) conclusion that the Nuggets have "done their best to surround Melo with a team that can contend". While for one year that was true, the rest of the time has been filled with gimmicks (Iverson trade) and selling the fans on a wasted talent (Nene) This offseason is a critical one. Rather than whining about the "distraction" of Melo's free agency, how about the Front Office just put up or shut up.

If the organization shows that it's commited to putting together an excellent team....then the chances of the team advancing are greater....and the greater the chance is Melo will stay where he is. Those who wish that we could trade Melo for a bunch of "talentless try hards" (as I call them) will have to be greatly disappointed. And that will be fine with me.

Lets get started with a random video.....so random you may question my sanity

 

Dinosaur Rap (via llovethewkuk)

 

/cough......anyway

 

I'd like to rant about Denver Stiffs. You know, I was thinking after the disappointing end to this season that...well...it's great to have a place where we can all come and contribute to our mutual love of the Denver Nuggets. I've had tons of fun writing "Weekly Optimism" posts (because we need it...) and I plan on continuing it next season. I've enjoyed Nates bad movie references (Fast and Furious....one of the worst movies ever)....I've enjoyed reading Andrew's cynical take on the Nuggets (even though it often leaves us on opposite ends of the spectrum)

As far as the people who post. What can I say? I love ya all (no....I didn't participate in the activities in the above video...SHUT UP!) All of you have made my basketball watching experience that much better. My fellow Stiffs are a great bunch and we should plan several more get togethers....maybe one at a more family friendly place so our boy LACK can come.

I'd also like to thank Chauncey (whom I met on Wednesday. Great guy) Melo (Number 1 quitter in my heart. Stay a Nugget forever please) George Karl (get well soon) JR (even though you will soon be gone) Nene (god I wish you had a killer instinct) Kmart (hot buttered pop corn? I think not) AAA (yeah boy! Lets get you re signed) Birdman (get better and for gods sake when you are injured HEAL BEFORE YOU COME BACK TO PLAY) Petro (you showed me alot Frenchy) TY (what can I say...the future is in good hands) Malik Allen (TACOS!!) Balkman (You're there somewhere right?) Joey Graham (what an effort in that last game....loved it)

It's been a wild year. Let's make the next one even better! GOOOOOOOOOOO!!! NUGGETS!!!

One last random video...RANDOM!! lol

 

Totally Gay For America (via llovethewkuk)

Hello everyone!! I want everyone here to post a link to a song from Youtube to get people hyped up for this game. I have two I want you guys to listen to.

 

First of....TAKE NO PRISONERS!!!!!!!

Megadeth - Take No Prisoners (via Sepultallica86)

If that doesn't get you going....then you are cold and dead inside. Song number 2.......since we have alot of kids here who enjoy hip hop....here's some beats to kick it old school

 

JUMP AROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

House Of pain - Jump Around Music Video (via rockerouter123)

Post your songs to get you hyped!! GOOOOOOOOOOOO NUGGETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No optimism post this week. No one needs a "rah rah" speech about supporting the team....everyone knows we need to rally around the team. Here's a small story about why I'm a Nuggets fan.

 

The first Nuggets game I remember watching was game 4 of the Western Conference Finals in 1985 between the Nuggets and the Lakers. I remember my Dad yelling "F**k!!* when Kareem broke Alex English's hand with his pointy elbow. The Nuggets went on to lose 4-1 in that series that may have been MUCH closer if that injury didn't happen.

Through the 80's I fell in love with the team. I loved Doug Moe's antics....and when he's periodically get tossed from the game. English was my favorite player of all time (maybe still is) but he didn't play much D. Fat Leaver was a great point guard who rebounded with the best big men in the league. Later on I used to imitate Michael Adam's unusual three point shot (like the one he hit to beat the Lakers during the 1988 season IN LA....sweet win)

More than that, I was just a fan of NBA basketball. As I progressed into my teenage years the Nuggets got progressively worse till they were basically unwatchable (starting with the purchase of the team by Peter Bynoe and Bertrum Lee)  and other than that magical run in the 1994 playoffs....it was a bleak decade of the 90's for the Nuggets. As I entered High School my dreams of playing in the NBA one day were dashed. Among other things I was too short (5' 7"), and too gay to even think about entering into the sport (keep in mind I graduated in 1996 from High School....even then culture was different) so i entered into the music and art business and the rest is history.

I have often wondered what if. What if I was taller....what if the culture of sports was more accepting? Who knows....all that ever occurred to me was loving the Nuggets. When they drafted Carmelo Anthony in 2003 things changed dramatically for the Nuggets. Those who are not long time fans will have a hard time appreciating the suffering that the 90's were for Nuggets fans. Even 2002 we were atrocious....but as Andrew has pointed out it was only through the coaching of Jeff Bzdelik that we were able to even reach 17 wins.

7 years later the Nuggets are always in the playoffs. To think that Denver only made two playoff appearances from 1991 to 2002 (1994 and 1995) is stunning. I think maybe.....just maybe....we forget as the Nuggets struggle without their coach in the first round of the 2010 playoffs that things can be alot worse. We expect so much more from these Nuggets teams than we did in the 90's. It makes me laugh. It's the way it should be for a team that has these high expectations.

Lets keep in mind, however, that Carmelo Anthony saved this city from being the Clippers of the Rocky Mountains. We may hate his lack of D....his sometimes lazy play and his inclination to be a ball hog at times....but I will forever be indebted to him for pulling this franchise out of the grave (almost single handedly)  and I shudder to think of where we would be without him, or where we could be if he leaves. The prospect of 11 and 12 win seasons is not a pretty one when you live through it....and I don't want the fans to ever see that again.

As always....GO NUGGETS!! I'll be pulling for you from courtside seats tomorrow night. Don't disappoint!

/end rant

Let us start off with some music....get us pumped for the next 3 days. Denver's own....

 

flobots - The Rhythm Method (Move) - Fight With Tools (via SpoiledBru)

 

Ah yes....the day after blues eh? Feeling down? Feeling like everything is lost? Screw that!!

Honestly....look at yesterday's game. Did the better team win? NO! Did Utah have to play out of it's damn mind to squeak out the win? Yes.

Lets put aside the officials for a moment. The Nuggets outplayed Utah the entire second half. The Defense in the second half was great at times. In fact, the comeback in the third quarter is why I'm CONVINCED that Utah may not win another game in this series.

 

Here are some reasons:

1. The Nuggets can win in Utah: The home court isn't as intimidating in Utah as it was. When the Nuggets won there with their two best players out it proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Nuggets can not only win, but win impressively in Utah. Not worried.

2. Playing over your head works for only one game: You expend alot of mental and physical energy playing over your head. As Jason Kozmiki said on his twitter...the Jazz shot an amazing percentage. Milsap hit several very tough shots. Boozer was left wide open at times....that won't happen again. Korver hit some timely shots, but was guarded pretty well. Everything had to fall into place (including officiating) for Utah to win last night. Jerry Sloan knows this. The Jazz won by 3 FRIGGIN POINTS....and had to struggle and claw and be absolutely PERFECT to get that win.

3. Bill Spooner and Kenny Mauer won't be officiating the next game: Listen....the game was horribly called for both teams....but there was a definite tilt toward not being able to even breath on Deron Williams, and Bill Spooner's blown non-call (stepping out of bounds by Miles) on Melo that really tilted the game toward Utah. I'm not one of those people who sit back and say "that's not WHY they lost"....it's a definite reason why they lost. It's ok to say it. There were other factors but come on people....if you can't connect the dot's between Spooners missed call (with 25 seconds left and the Nuggets down by 1) then there's really no hope for you. Embrace it people. I just rewatched the game....the Nugget's didn't play "deserve to lose" ball....and if you look at it with an objective eye you will see it.

4. Melo: Melo play bad defense at times in this game. No denying. However, considering he was getting mugged...and apparently his shoulder has a giant bulls eye on it causing officials to spontaneously blow a whistle even when it casually brushes an opponents jersey....he still was scoring with relative ease and Utah really has no answer for him. Even with the Matt "limited talent....so I mug people" Hapering defense Melo still had over 30 points.

5. Chauncey will play better: Not that he was playing terrible in the first place....but the poor decision making at the end was very costly. Regardless of confusion CB should have known to let TY take the ball up. That being said....their best clutch shooter was fouled out, and their options were very limited. Still....Chauncey should know better...and WILL know better in Utah.

6. The Doubters have returned: Yup....the hate brigade is coming out of the woodwork. Turn on the TV or listen to the radio today and hear what they are saying...I think every Nuggets fan should listen...watch and get PISSED OFF. There is nothing wrong with that. I hate how our immediate reaction is to strip off our shirts, walk out to the street, and start cutting ourselves and whipping our backs like we are part of Opus Dei (or so I've been told) and make excuses for poor officiating or the way the Nuggets are perceived.....It's OKAY to be resentful at media types who scoff at the Nuggets....it's OKAY to get angry at officials....it's OKAY to get angry for any reason....just channel that into focus and excitement for the next playoff game.

 

Listen people....I'm FUCKING excited for the next game....We are going in there...and we are going to kick ass and take names in front of the whitest crowd the Nuggets will ever play in front of.

WHOS WITH ME!!!!????

I was quite frustrated after the last game against the Spurs....really. Then I realized there are several things to be encouraged about...so without further ado....

 

Megadeth -- Hangar 18 (via BigBox)

 

Alienssssssssssssssss.....Pure Cheese....cool song though.

Reasons to be optimistic going forward:

1.Kenyon is back: Let us not underestimate the HUGE importance of this fact. He came back. Did not suffer pain. And played relatively well in the Spurs game. It was essential we get Kmart playing before the playoffs to get his legs back. This will serve us well going into the 1st round.

2. An angry Nuggets Team is a motivated Nuggets team: On Saturday night you saw a Nuggets team that reached the boiling point with the lack of foul calls and the BS ones called on them. I have a "friend" who is in the organization. I spoke with him briefly yesterday and he told me that the Nuggets have filed complaints about Tony Brothers going back two years. All he said was "it's up to the league to do something about it, but we aren't holding our breath"....that tells you all you need to know about how the League views the Nuggets. So you know what....SCREW EM. I want Melo to keep charging into the lane (as he still has been doing)...I want the Nuggets to do EVERYTHING they did last year to draw fouls. Put the onus on the League.

3. F**k the Spurs: I'm glad the Spurs will be playing the Lakers or the Mavs in the first round. Yes, they "may" beat up on those teams....they may not. I think the Nuggets can beat them....in fact if you talk to the Nuggets they take positives away from that game....quotes from the Denver Post

"We're disappointed we lost. But after watching the film, surprisingly, we played pretty good," Dantley said. "We didn't make shots, but we played good defense. We just didn't score enough points.

"We just have to come back and win."

The Nuggets' home finale doubles as a must-win if they have designs on winning the Northwest Division. They are tied with Utah, and each team has two remaining games. Utah, which hasn't played since Friday, closes the season on a road/home back-to-back on Tuesday and Wednesday. Denver won the season series against the Jazz 3-1.

As far as the No. 2 playoff seed is concerned, Dallas can eliminate the Nuggets from contention by winning tonight at the Los Angeles Clippers. A Mavericks win would mean the Nuggets could do no better than tie them, and Dallas holds the tiebreaker by virtue of winning the season series.

But first things first. The Nuggets need to regroup after being routed by the Spurs.

"We have to keep our heads up," forward Kenyon Martin said. "We're professionals. Things happen. It's sports. We just have to bounce back. All we have to do is go out and win."

I watched the tape of the game again....and quite frankly up until the officiating became ridiculous (midway through the third quarter) The Nuggets were playing good D....but they couldn't get calls. Then things just rapidly fell apart.

4. Coby Karl: Lets face it. This signing is to keep George Karl's spirits up. And quite frankly it's a stroke of brilliance by the front office. With Coby around not only will George Karl's spirits be lifted....but he may fight just a bit harder with his son around him. This wasn't a basketball move...it was a LIFE move. And I think it says alot about the organization.

5. The Haters and Doubters have returned: Yes Ladies and Gents....the same people who were circling around the Nuggets like vultures at the start of the Playoffs are once again rearing their ugly heads. You know who they are. I was encouraged by Reggie Miller calling out the officials during TNT's broadcast of the Nuggets/Lakers game on Thursday. It showed me that, at least from a national perspective, there is an awareness of what the Nuggets have been up against. Unfortunately Miller may be the only one....as the media are so far up the Lakers and the Cavs asses they can't see the rest of the league. Also??? What with the Media just glossing over that HORRIBLY officiated game between the Blazers and the Mavs? That was almost as bad as the Nuggets Spurs game.

 

GO NUGGETS!! Last two games we NEED to win. 54-28 aint bad

Wasn't too sure if I should put this in a fan shot or not....but Woody Paige seems to be the only major columnist in Colorado who seems to understand what we ALL on this Blog understand....Dan Hawkins indecision at quarterback is one of the PRIMARY reasons he should have been fired last season.

What's worse is now we have our beloved Buffs being relegated to the Mtn Network for the opening game....so the majority of us won't see it. It's rather depressing

 

Heres the first few paragraphs:

 

 

"Deju vu, CU.

Now, the two quarterbacks are "even," just as they were.

Cody Hawkins was the starting quarterback in 2008. Tyler Hansen took over as the starting quarterback, Hawkins took over again, Hansen came back again. Hawkins was the starting quarterback in 2009. Hansen took over again, Hawkins came back in again, Hansen took over again.

My goodness. WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE MAKE UP HIS MIND!"

 

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_14815911#ixzz0kFTgdPmG

Lets kick it old school to start us off.....hit it!!

 

Onyx - Slam (via OnyxVEVO)

 

It started the Bucks game....

For some reason, Melo has either not been getting calls or he has suddenly changed his game. Having watched every Nuggets game except 1 this season I can tell you from my perspective Carmelo hasn't changed one damn bit. Granted, you can't call all contact a "foul" when you see one, otherwise the game will grind to a screeching halt. However, Melo is used to getting to the line far more than he does.

Which leads me to this.

 

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14797251#ixzz0kFcFX6Xv

 

That was before the Portland game. Nothing has changed. The interesting thing is, in the Portland game Melo was called for more fouls than he drew.  Which is......odd. He drew more fouls on the Clips on Saturday, but only went to the line three times. The difference is on Saturday Melo didn't let it affect him. Maybe that's the key. In the second half he stepped up big time while Chauncey was, again, struggling.

Melo often barks and complains to officials far too much. I understand it's hard to get beat up on every play, but there comes a point where you just have to accept it and play. One Saturday he did that. Taking the team on his back (along with a great effort from the bench) and took control of the game before it became REALLY embarrassing...he had some tremendous passes to Nene, and did well in spite of still being frustrated.

So one hopes that this continues. Unlike some of the rest of you....I just want Carmelo to remember he's a FORWARD. Which means he needs to collect more rebounds. I'm not interested in turning him into a point guard. Lebron, Wade, Kobe all seem to dominate the ball. Melo is dependent. He just needs to "control his own destiny" by grabbing rebounds and crashing the boards. He doesn't need to collect 10 assists a game. When he rebounds the offense moves quite smoothly and it opens up the rest of the floor.

This, and along with a slight change in attitude (although he still whines too much) will do more to carry us the two seed than anything else. Melo is BY FAR the best player on this team....now is where he takes them, and the city of Denver, on his back and brings us where we want to be.

Meanwhile....the officiating will take care of itself. That's something Melo can do nothing about....he just needs to keep doing what he does...and let Chauncey take care of the refs.

55-27....2nd seed....that's my prediction. Dallas seems to be falling apart (they have been for three weeks) Phoenix is finally playing some tough teams....and we have the tie breaker over Utah. We control our fate here. The Lakers are either Bored or they REALLY miss Bynum...which I find hard to believe. We just signed a new stiff (Brian Butch) who may be able to stand in for Bird while he heals....hopefully we get Kenyon back.

Coach Karl....you just get better. We've GOT this....

I took last night's loss hard. No more! Cue the music!!

 

Blur Song 2 (via balkhor)

I love Blur!!

 

Anyway. After some serious thought...it occurred to me that I have way overreacted to this loss. The nuggets have a very legit chance to get to 53 or 54 wins. 5 of the next 7 are at home. The Lakers game doesn't scare me because they will have things tied up by that point. OKC is the crap shoot game to get us to 54 wins.

 

Listen....after last night I was feeling like this:

 

Garbage Day! (high quality) (via BrunoMe)

But upon reflection it dawned on me that Dallas will probably drop a few more games to teams that they should beat because, well, they're Dallas. Last night was their Super Bowl against a team on the back end of a back to back and a 5 game....horrific road trip...with Kenyon Martin out. Not a real reflection of the Nuggets capabilities.

 

Reasons for Optimism:

 

1. Joey Graham on Dirk Nowitzki: LACK was 100% right. Graham was the the perfect person to put on Dirk. If we can get Graham more minutes at PF (albeit as small PF) then I have more hope.

2. Ty Lawson: Finally we get to see the Ty Lawson pre-injury. It was great to see. Difference making. Bolting down the court. Dallas had no answer for him.

3. Melo and Chauncey can't play any worse than they did last night. Nuff said

4. 5 of the next 7 at home

5. Possibility of Kenyon coming back for the playoffs

6. George Karl's improved health.

 

Grasping a straws? Maybe. I know some are on a crusade to turn Melo into an oversized point guard who never shoots. That's not the solution. The Nuggets are stuck in what seems to be the most negative mindset I've seen them in....well....since maybe the Lakers series in 08. AD is not a motivator and he seems lost at times. Getting home against a team they've handled pretty well this year (Portland) may well be what the doctor ordered. Otherwise it will be this:

 

A Scene From Troll 2 (via Veovisjohn)

 

When we NEED it to be this!!!

 

Carmelo Anthony with the steal and a monster dunk, Jazz Vz Nuggets 10-28-09. (via CyberJam100)

PUBLIC ENEMY FIGHT THE POWER (via 2catz)

 

"that's my sixth foul!"

My fellow Stiffs.....this moment....this statement...this plea....this clear example of refs being manipulated should be our battle cry coming up.

 

"that's my sixth foul"

Don't let the NBA and David Stern screw our beloved Nuggets. Ladies and Gentlemen the Nuggets were in the process of going on a run to overtake and possibly seal the deal with the New York Knicks last night when this happened

JR Smith perfectly positions himself in front of David Lee who's charging down the lane on a fast break...Nuggets are down by 1....

David Lee runs over JR Smith who's feet are clearly outside the circle. Smith only flinches slightly to his left, but he's in position.

Charging is called on Lee.....who promptly gets up, in front of the Nuggets bench, and says very clearly to Ref Bill Spooner "thats my 6th foul"

Not more than 3 seconds later Bill Spooner reverses the charging call....this in turn allows Lee the freedom to foul Carmelo Anthony not once...not twice...but three times on consecutive possessions without getting his sixth foul.

 

"that's my 6th foul"

My fellow stiffs...I've never subscribed to the notion that David Stern and the NBA were trying to screw the Nuggets...but last night gives me serious pause. Combine that with the 22 sets of back to backs....and you have to wonder. Ultimately the Nuggets fate rests in their own hands.

Carmelo Anthony needs to step up his rebounding more. Forget getting 10 assists a game because you are a forward, not a guard. If you dish the ball for 4 to 5 a game you are fine.

Chauncey please limit the transitions 3 point shots. Two weeks ago you were picking your spots better, not you are forcing things. Please be the one dishing out assists.

JR: You are the wild card. Stop being so wild. You are valuable to this team, and the Nuggets play better when you are under control

Nene.....how should I put this....grow a pair of balls and start dominating. You can do it.

Adrian Dantley Remember what got you 5 out of six wins. Long rotations and quick time outs. Remember that in Boston tonight. We are playing an old team that the Nuggets match up well against.

 

"that's my 6th foul"

Remember...for the rest of the season my fellow stiffs....remember the night David Stern and the refs showed their hand. It's up to us to give them NO joy this season.

Per request....here's some ACDC to get us started

 

AC/DC - Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution (via RocknRollAddicts)

 

I never understood why people were slurping the Mavs so much. They make a trade for Butler and Haywood and suddenly people think they were the team to beat in the west (outside of the Fakers) Then they went on a 13 game winning streak against a majority of patsies and even I was getting nervous. Then....

....the New Jersey Nets came in an showed us that Dallas is still Dallas. While the Nets didn't win the game, they came damn close....IN DALLAS. The very next game they lost to the Knicks at home...and their streak was broken.

Now...Dallas has enough patsies left on their schedule to challenge for the second (and maybe first) seed in the West with the Nuggets, but lets not proclaim them a "scary" team anymore. I've long said that as long as their offense runs primarily through Dirk they will be a "soft" team. Dirk will get his points, but they STILL are not a diverse offensive team. Haywood is a big guy....that's about it. Terry is injured...Kidd is old...Marion is old and should get some counseling from Hair Club for Men

I'm not proclaiming the Nuggets a lock to seal up the second or first seed. All I'm saying is look at the Mavs....think of Kenyon shoving Dirk to the ground....and smile to yourselves....they are still that team

Go Nuggets!

Im going to do this every week because....well....we kind of skew negative here on Denver stiffs....

To get us started....here are two songs from completely opposite genre's of music

Megadeth - Tornado Of Souls (Live 1992) (via minigun664)

Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day (HD) (via ibiabou89)

 

Ok...now that you're all amped...let's count the reasons the Nugz should be encoraged

 

1. French fries:  Petro started last night and...well...he held it down alright. While he didn't set the gym afire he provided rebounding and size in the middle (as Andrew pointed out) and while he's a long way from good...he's not bad and that gave me encouragement going forward while Kenyon is out.

2. JR Assist: Remember last year when JR ran the point when he came in? I forgot that he is capable of dishing out the assists and quite frankly...he runs the point, at times, better than AC....IF he continues like this it's a revelation. I hope that he continues his semi restrained shootings sprees. Fingers crossed

3. Nene the Power Ranger....errr....forward: Even though Nene didn't have a spectacular game, he showed that he is able to "move" more freely as a 4 and it is, indeed, his natural position. Imagine if he was able to move there permanently...he's going to have to step it up big time while Kmart is out.

4. Dallas is peaking too early: Two things should be VERY disturbing to Mavs fans. First off they have timed their streak a weeeeeeeee bit too soon. No one can keep up the pace they are on for 30 games, and the market will correct itself. Two...Jason Terry's injury. They lost their JR Smith off the bench and that, long term. is going to affect them greatly. The Jazz (as has been pointed out in another thread) have cooled off a bit, and are now on a win one, lose one kind of streak. This will start with the Mavs as soon as they lose to an opponent they are supposed to beat.

5. Melo restored his energy: Nuff said. Melo has been efficient and passing the ball really well the last three games. The smile is becoming an assassins tool. When Melo starts smiling....you know you're about to get your ass beat.

 

Come on guys and girls.....we GOT this.

Cuz I gotta say it wuz a good day....

"Don't ask me what I think of you....I might not give the answer that you want me to...."

Oh Well - Fleetwood Mac 1969

 

It's time Nuggets fans. It's time to embrace the hate.

Anyone watching the TNT broadcast on Thursday and the ABC Nuggets/Lakers game on Sunday knows the hate. Melo talked about the disrespect last week. There's an active dislike of our Denver Nuggets by the media...fans of other teams....and yes.....even by supposed fans of the Nuggets as well?

What does this mean? Say it LOUD!!....

Our team is the Nuggets....WE are the Nuggets!!!!

 

Charles Barkley: Go ahead....tell us we aren't going anywhere. Where did YOU go exactly in your corpulent NBA career? I'm thinking....uhhhhh....nowhere! You went to one NBA finals and lost. You won nothing. Go get yourself another 5 buck box

Kenny Smith: You won two championships when Jordan wasn't in the league. So that makes your titles just about as valid as the "participation" ribbon I won in my elementary school two legged race.

Jon Barry: All you have done since you left the Nuggets in 2004 is bitch about them. My theory is Melo invited you to one of his parties but you were turned away at the door for looking like The Monarch from Venture Brothers.

Michael Wilbon: All you do is bash the Nuggets....and when they start winning in the playoffs you will jump on the band wagon...you know what....pardon the interruption...SHUT UP!

Faker fans: Seriously now? One win and you had to scratch and claw AT HOME to do it. Not to mention get the benefit of two bogus foul calls on Melo at the end. Sure...your team is the defending champs. Fine.  That will make it even sweeter when we boot your asses out of the playoffs.Then all your bandwagon jumping, vapid, apathetic, myopic fellow fans will cry all off season about how you were robbed. Sweet music to my ears.

NBA: Guess what....22 back to backs and we are STILL the 2 seed in the West. How do ya like THEM apples?

 

Everyone. I'm sick and tired of we as Denver Nuggets fans trying to turn our team of personalities into the Utah freakin Jazz. You know what the Jazz are? Whitebread. A perfect team for UTAH. Not Denver. It's about time we as fans embrace the hate....embrace our flaws....embrace our TEAM!!

It starts tonight!! It starts in Phoenix. We roll into the playoffs and we don't stop until we win the championship. Settling for anything less is loser talk.

GO NUGGETS!

I think, out of all the columnists who've written about the state of the CU program, Woody has been the most dogged and I think he sums up what we've all been thinking since the day before the Nebraska game.

"According to reports, Hawkins concluded his recruiting over the past weekend in Hawaii. Some coaches on a sizzling, searing seat might have finished their recruiting with a trip to California, Texas or Florida, where there are more than 10 major-college prospects.

Maybe Hawkins believed he already has a great class — and could take an island vacation — although those who rate such things consider the Buffs at the bottom of the Big 12 barrel and barely scratching the top 60 (behind Colorado State).

But we will all find out together Wednesday afternoon when the presumably tanned Hawkins materializes again, finally, for his first 2010 news conference, and Thursday when he addresses Buffs boosters at a downtown Denver luncheon. I don't think he will be uttering the phrases "10 victories" or "burned to the ground" or even "it's Big 12 football, brother.""

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/recommended/ci_14314057#ixzz0ePx2WQzt

Woody is like me....we haven't attended classes at CU, but we are emotionally attached to this school. We want to see CU do well...and it hurts to see it get to this point.
I hope Hawkins pulls a rabbit out of a hat and proves me wrong. I just don't see it happening

The Rockies announced that Jerry Schemmel will replace Jeff Kingery (again) in the radio booth. Jerry's last game with the Nugs will be the 25th of this month. While Jerry has been checked out for two years now...it will be weird listening to Nuggets games without hearing his voice.

 

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14143640

 

Gonna miss Jerry. A class guy and a legitimate hero as well. Hopefully Koz will do a good job replacing him.