...But Not Forgotten

As Dallas’ players keep dropping like flies, the Nuggs keep getting stronger. Despite starting the season with considerable injuries (Atkins, Nene and K. Mart), Denver seems to be on the up and up toward the end of the season. With only 11 games left in the regular season, the timing couldn’t be better. Denver definitely needs all the help that they can get while playing in the most competitive Western Conference in recent memory.

The man known only as Nene might be back in action for the Nuggets Thursday night against the Mavs. Nene, the Brazilian Beast, the 6’11”, 270 pound cancer survivor, would definitely contribute to the end of the season rush as players are getting worn down in this 82 game rat race. He’s only played in 12 games so far this season, all in the opening weeks, but Coach Karl thinks that he’s just about ready to suit up and run. Nene practiced in 5 on 5 drills for the first time in months yesterday.

The rush is on, and the Nuggs need to win the next 11 games no matter what to have a chance at making the playoffs. Some outside help is necessary, but with Golden State on the schedule twice in the remaining weeks, the Nuggets destiny is in their own hands. At least for right now, anyway, so hold on tight and let’s hope they come to play tonight.

J R 4 3

When the average fan thinks about the Nuggets, a few names come to mind. Allen Iverson, the 12 year veteran who has led the NBA in scoring numerous times, is often in the conversation. Carmelo Anthony, the fourth year All Star who has yet to hit his peak in the NBA, is fourth in the NBA in scoring behind Mr. Iverson. And, of course, J.R. Smith?? Who?

That name really shouldn’t be that unfamiliar to you. J.R., AKA the Rainmaker, the One Man Comeback, the Weatherman, went for 25 points last night…. In the fourth quarter! Smith has been absolutely amazing this season off the bench, shooting a staggering 42% beyond the arc and making six or more 3’s in eight games this season, tying an NBA record held by Peja Stojakovic.

Smith went for 27 points in only 21 minutes, which is also pretty significant. The only other player in Nuggets history to put up anything comparable to that feat is Alex English in 1984, when he put up 28 points in 21 minutes. That’s pretty good company to be in.

As for the team as a whole, the Nuggs have won three straight, and things are as crazy as ever in the West. Denver is only a half game out of the last spot in the playoffs, only three games behind division leader Utah, and six games out of the lead in the conference. Good news for the Nuggs, though, as competitors like Dallas and Huston seem to be cooling off and may slip behind Denver down the stretch.

Looking ahead, Denver (43-28) plays:

• The Dirk-less Dallas Mavericks (44-26) on Thursday
• The most important game of the year, Golden State (43-27) on Saturday (ya boy Mase will be in attendance)
• The Big Cactus and the Suns (47-23) on Monday

Above the Rim, Law

Who says that Nuggets players aren’t above the law? Carmelo never was charged with assault for socking Mardy Collins last year, Iverson had 14 charges dropped in 2002 after brandishing a firearm and threatening to kill his cousin and his roommate, and most recently, Kenyan Martian escaped losing his license after going over 100 miles per hour twice in the same month.

K. Mart got caught speeding in 2006 going 101 mph in a 30 mph zone, and was caught speeding again later that year going 103 mph in a 55 mph. According to Colorado law, he should have lost his drivers license after the first offense, but apparently he has the best lawyers known to man, and it was reduced to a simple fine. He definitely should have lost it after the second offense, but again, managed to escape the charges.

Recently, the prosecutor in charge of K. Mart’s cases was suspended for being too easy on him. What a benefit to the job, eh?

As far as ethics are concerned, I would have let him go too, if it means the Nuggs make it to the playoffs. F*** the man.

Don't Lose Hope

Despite playing some quality basketball, the Nuggs (37-26) aren’t playing quite good enough. With another loss last night, following the massacre in Utah, things are looking grim for our boys in blue.

San Antonio probably saw some of Denver’s best defense last night, and it just wasn’t good enough. The hard pill to swallow is that even if the Nuggs creep in the back door of the playoffs, which will probably be the 8th spot at best, they will have to play San Antonio again in the first round. Just like every other year that we make the playoffs.

So what are we to do? Hope, Nuggets fans, hope. Hope that Golden State starts losing, and that Houston doesn’t win another 20 in a row to finish the season. And hope that we can win a majority of our remaining games. Looking ahead this week (it looks like a three game winning streak!):

Memphis (15-47) on Wednesday at home
Toronto (34-28) on Friday at home
Seattle (16-47) on Sunday at home

Another Win, But Times Are Tough

For the first time this season, two players on the same team scored 30 points in a single game. Which two do you ask? Take a wild guess. It was none other than Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, of course, the prolific NBA All Star starters who simply cannot be stopped this season.

The Nuggs showed absolute dominance against the Suns last night, scoring 101 points before the fourth quarter even started. High energy J.R. Smith was also a force to be reckoned with, hitting six of eight three pointers while scoring 20 points himself.

Both A.I. and Melo had double doubles as well, with Iverson racking up 12 assists with his 31 points and Melo snagging 13 boards to go with his 30 points.

What it all boils down to is that Denver is playing the best basketball it has all season. With the league leading Spurs coming to D-Town on Friday and a trip to Utah Saturday, and again in San Antonio on Monday, this could be the toughest stretch the Nuggs have faced all year.

Things are definitely getting exciting in the West, and the Nuggs are only three games behind a guaranteed playoff spot if they can catch the Jazz, and a game out of eighth place in the West behind the Warriors.

Nuggs Keep Slipping

With a loss to the Rockets on Sunday, the Nuggs fall to 35-24 on the season, and a game and a half out of the playoff race. So we either start winning a lot, or hope that Golden State starts losing a lot.

So are the Rockets really that good? Really? Good enough to win 15 straight, and all three games so far without Big China Yao Ming? Or are the Nuggets simply unfocused, injury stricken, and selfish. I choose the latter.

Let it be known, this is nothing more than constructive criticism mixed with some venting of frustration from Denver’s poor play as of late.

Alright, so Denver is the only team with two starting All Stars, the best center in the NBA, and probably some of the best bench players in the league, yet everybody in the sports world believes that Denver will be the team in the West that just misses the post season.

Defense in the issue that everyone references, I mean we do give up 104.6 points per game, but I think that the problem is not playing together as a team. Whenever adversity strikes, like a 10-0 run, the Nuggs are quick to panic instead of stick together. Also, when things are going good, like a 15-0 run, we always let the other team back in with poor team defense. Nobody rotates, nobody doubles the hot shooter, quite frankly, as Stephen A. Smith would put it, it’s pathetic.

There’s still hope, however, because the race is so close in the West anything can happen. Just keep on truckin’, Nuggs, its only going to get tougher this week. Looking ahead:
Phoenix (39-20) on Wednesday
San Antonio (41-17) on Friday
Utah (39-22) on Saturday