As this newly declared “seasonal” blog comes to a close, I will highlight the off season moves that I feel necessary for the Nuggs to continue to be a force in the West. With that said, this should definitely be an interesting off season for the Nuggets. From free agents to coaches to superstars, there is a lot to be considered for the team this summer.
First of all, there is a rumor going around the sports world that Allen Iverson, aka A.I., the Answer, etc, you might have heard of him, might not be a Nugget come next season. The 2008-2009 season is defined as an “opt out” year for A.I.’s $19,012,000 contract, which means that he can leave and go somewhere else if he wants to. And give Kroenke the $20 million in cap space to make other moves.
It also means that he can opt out and resign with the Nuggs, but it would probably be for a little more scratch, probably an extra $1 million some experts speculate. I love the guy, and would hate to see him go, but he might just go for the dough, especially since he has proven to team owners in his years in Philly that he can take a bunch of scrubs to the second round of the playoffs all by himself. A feat he was unable to do with the Nuggets, unfortunately.
That is just one thing to consider for the team during this off season. Other moves to consider:
1. Resign J.R., da rainmaker?
2. Trade K-Mart for cap room?
3. Fire Coach Karl?
Stay tuned for updates, nugg-o-maniac’s.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Clean Sweep
Bring out the brooms, because the boys just got swept. And, in summation, it really wasn’t close at all. Even though the Nuggs were tied in the last two minutes of game four, and looked to be playing the best basketball of the series, the Lakers pulled away to humiliate us in defeat.
It seems like we were down by 20 points the entire series, and that LA was just toying with us, knowing that they could pull away at any given moment. Ultimately, the Nuggets made a good run, won 50 games this season, and got humiliated in the playoffs, getting knocked out for the 7th straight playoff appearance.
Well, there’s always next season.
It seems like we were down by 20 points the entire series, and that LA was just toying with us, knowing that they could pull away at any given moment. Ultimately, the Nuggets made a good run, won 50 games this season, and got humiliated in the playoffs, getting knocked out for the 7th straight playoff appearance.
Well, there’s always next season.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Boys in Da Yard
Playoff basketball or playground basketball? This is the question that the entire Nuggets squad needs to ask themselves. After getting beat by 10 in LA on Sunday, the Nuggs have a two day break to learn how to play D.
Critics of the Nuggs continue to bash the defense, or lack thereof, as this year’s playoffs kick off, calling us the Enver Nuggets (notice that there is no D in Denver, haha).
Personally, I think that we just needed to see how the Lakers run their offense, and that we’ll step up the D next game. All that really needs to happen is a split in the first series of games in LA, and then let those Lakers come to our house, where we only lost 9 games this season.
Three things need to happen for Denver to be successful in this first playoff round:
Keep the points coming
Stop Kobe, make the others beat you
Stay hot off the bench, put in the RAINMAKER!
Critics of the Nuggs continue to bash the defense, or lack thereof, as this year’s playoffs kick off, calling us the Enver Nuggets (notice that there is no D in Denver, haha).
Personally, I think that we just needed to see how the Lakers run their offense, and that we’ll step up the D next game. All that really needs to happen is a split in the first series of games in LA, and then let those Lakers come to our house, where we only lost 9 games this season.
Three things need to happen for Denver to be successful in this first playoff round:
Keep the points coming
Stop Kobe, make the others beat you
Stay hot off the bench, put in the RAINMAKER!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Melo Woes
Just as Carmelo Anthony’s public relations team got him looking like a law abiding citizen, he goes and gets arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence. The community at large was just forgiving the superstar for his previous encounters with the law, and now there is another foul to let slide. What? Having trouble remembering Melo’s last negative publicity? Let me refresh your memory.
Before I get to mud-slingin’, let it be known that I am a huge Carmelo fan, and always will be no matter what he does. With that said, let me remind you of Melo’s 2004 Stop Snitchin’ video, where Carmelo is kickin’ it with his boys on the block and talking about the threats that come to people who serve as police informants. Basically, he got a bad “rap” for looking like a violent thug who would beat up a snitch. He later distanced himself, but it was a sign of things to come. In 2006, Melo felt it necessary to punch fellow NBA player Marty Collins in the face after an altercation during a Nuggets-Knicks game. Apparently, Collins was snitchin’ to the ref’s. Just kidding, but there may be some truth there.
Like to puff the gonja? Well, coming from the mean streets of Baltimore, Melo is no stranger to the green leaf. He was cited in 2004 for marijuana possession at Denver International Airport after security found a little greenery in Melo’s backpack. But, the charge was later dropped after his boy took the heat for it in a signed affidavit. In 2006, another one of Melo’s boys from the hood was pulled over while driving Carmelo’s pimped out Dodge Magnum while in possession of an ounce of marijuana. Melo’s PR team came to the rescue again, recommending that Melo take this opportunity to say that he is no longer associated with his washed up buddies from back in the day.
And then, just earlier this week, Melo got caught driving while a little buzzed, but reports do say that he was coherent and not messed up enough to be places under arrest.
I don’t mean to negate his responsibility as a public figure, like the influence he has on kids and what have you. However, what he has done isn’t too different from what any of us have done in our lifetimes. I have friends who have been cited for possession of marijuana, know people who have gotten into fights at sporting events, know friends who have one too many and gotten behind the wheel, and friends who have say that they don’t like a tattle tale.
I’m not trying to say that what he has done isn’t illegal, or immoral, but I don’t believe that he should be labeled as a bad guy for what he has done. I’m sure that he has many people in his life that couldn’t even make it out of the ghetto, let alone into the NBA. But, he is getting paid millions to do a job which requires that you don’t get into any controversy, and I guess that he has failed in that regard. And he looks bad to kids across most of the country that look at him as a role model.
On the flip side, he still looks like a success symbol to kids in the inner city who are around drugs and violence a lot. Just a thought. I guess you can take a player out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the player.
Before I get to mud-slingin’, let it be known that I am a huge Carmelo fan, and always will be no matter what he does. With that said, let me remind you of Melo’s 2004 Stop Snitchin’ video, where Carmelo is kickin’ it with his boys on the block and talking about the threats that come to people who serve as police informants. Basically, he got a bad “rap” for looking like a violent thug who would beat up a snitch. He later distanced himself, but it was a sign of things to come. In 2006, Melo felt it necessary to punch fellow NBA player Marty Collins in the face after an altercation during a Nuggets-Knicks game. Apparently, Collins was snitchin’ to the ref’s. Just kidding, but there may be some truth there.
Like to puff the gonja? Well, coming from the mean streets of Baltimore, Melo is no stranger to the green leaf. He was cited in 2004 for marijuana possession at Denver International Airport after security found a little greenery in Melo’s backpack. But, the charge was later dropped after his boy took the heat for it in a signed affidavit. In 2006, another one of Melo’s boys from the hood was pulled over while driving Carmelo’s pimped out Dodge Magnum while in possession of an ounce of marijuana. Melo’s PR team came to the rescue again, recommending that Melo take this opportunity to say that he is no longer associated with his washed up buddies from back in the day.
And then, just earlier this week, Melo got caught driving while a little buzzed, but reports do say that he was coherent and not messed up enough to be places under arrest.
I don’t mean to negate his responsibility as a public figure, like the influence he has on kids and what have you. However, what he has done isn’t too different from what any of us have done in our lifetimes. I have friends who have been cited for possession of marijuana, know people who have gotten into fights at sporting events, know friends who have one too many and gotten behind the wheel, and friends who have say that they don’t like a tattle tale.
I’m not trying to say that what he has done isn’t illegal, or immoral, but I don’t believe that he should be labeled as a bad guy for what he has done. I’m sure that he has many people in his life that couldn’t even make it out of the ghetto, let alone into the NBA. But, he is getting paid millions to do a job which requires that you don’t get into any controversy, and I guess that he has failed in that regard. And he looks bad to kids across most of the country that look at him as a role model.
On the flip side, he still looks like a success symbol to kids in the inner city who are around drugs and violence a lot. Just a thought. I guess you can take a player out of the hood, but you can’t take the hood out of the player.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Nuggs Playoff Madness
Destiny has fallen into the hands of the Nuggets. Although it looked bad losing to Utah on Saturday, the Nuggs definitely made up for the loss with a huge win over the Rockets last night. Denver now sits alone in 8th place, leaving the Warriors on the outside looking in.
So, with one more game left to play, will the Nuggets have what it takes to make their way in? Well, all that really has to happen is for the Nuggets to win on Wednesday and their in for sure. But, if we wanted to make things interesting, there are other ways. Golden State still has two games left, one with the Suns tonight and one with the Supersonics on Wednesday. They’ll probably win on Wednesday, so we need the Suns to win tonight.
Dallas is also in the mix, because the Nuggs are only one game behind them. If they lose their last game to New Orleans, and the Nuggs win, both teams would be tied with 50 wins and 32 losses. Denver holds the tiebreaker with Dallas and Golden State, and would then be the seventh seed in the playoffs instead of the eighth. What does that mean? Well, right now it would mean playing the Lakers instead of the Hornets come playoff time.
Personally, I would rather see the Nuggs play the New Orleans Hornets before the Los Angles Lakers because of the advantage we would have in the defensive matchups. Also, the Lakers are no stranger to the playoffs, and New Orleans is definitely new to the scene. But, if New Orleans loses to Dallas, then the Nuggs would remain in 8th place, and the San Antonio Spurs would be in a tie for first with New Orleans, and these teams would have to have a playoff to see who the Nuggets would play. Talk about the craziest year in the NBA ever.
So, with one more game left to play, will the Nuggets have what it takes to make their way in? Well, all that really has to happen is for the Nuggets to win on Wednesday and their in for sure. But, if we wanted to make things interesting, there are other ways. Golden State still has two games left, one with the Suns tonight and one with the Supersonics on Wednesday. They’ll probably win on Wednesday, so we need the Suns to win tonight.
Dallas is also in the mix, because the Nuggs are only one game behind them. If they lose their last game to New Orleans, and the Nuggs win, both teams would be tied with 50 wins and 32 losses. Denver holds the tiebreaker with Dallas and Golden State, and would then be the seventh seed in the playoffs instead of the eighth. What does that mean? Well, right now it would mean playing the Lakers instead of the Hornets come playoff time.
Personally, I would rather see the Nuggs play the New Orleans Hornets before the Los Angles Lakers because of the advantage we would have in the defensive matchups. Also, the Lakers are no stranger to the playoffs, and New Orleans is definitely new to the scene. But, if New Orleans loses to Dallas, then the Nuggs would remain in 8th place, and the San Antonio Spurs would be in a tie for first with New Orleans, and these teams would have to have a playoff to see who the Nuggets would play. Talk about the craziest year in the NBA ever.
Friday, April 11, 2008
CSU Rec Center Expansion
The ASCSU officially endorsed a proposal to spend $32 million on expanding the student recreational center, making it one of the best in the state. However, many students feel that the increased student fees may not be worth it. Mason Halfmann reports.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Chugging Along....
Carmelo Anthony has been hotter than a frying pan as of late. He has carried the Nuggs offensively, scoring an amazing 121 points in the last three games. Do the math. Ok, ill do it for you. That’s over 40 points per game after 77 games in a grinding 82 game season.
The win last night over the LA Clippers was absolutely critical to the Nuggets playoff dreams, but that was the first game of the rest of their playoff lives. Denver stays in the Golden State for a huge matchup with the Warriors on Thursday, one that could decide the 8th place position in the ridiculously competitive Western Conference.
After that battle, it’s off to Utah where the official Northwest Champion Jazz try to rob the Nuggs of playoff glory. Talk about running uphill. After that, you ask? The Nuggs finally come home for the last two games of the season. It starts with a battle with the Rockets, who have locked in a playoff spot for themselves but still look beatable. Then the regular season finishes with a contest with Memphis.
Just a little FYI in case you Nuggets fanatics are interested in attending the final Nuggets game, it’s free food night at Pepsi Center. Yeah, that’s right, free food. All food. Every food. Find me near the food cart. I'll get all my fans some nachos.
The win last night over the LA Clippers was absolutely critical to the Nuggets playoff dreams, but that was the first game of the rest of their playoff lives. Denver stays in the Golden State for a huge matchup with the Warriors on Thursday, one that could decide the 8th place position in the ridiculously competitive Western Conference.
After that battle, it’s off to Utah where the official Northwest Champion Jazz try to rob the Nuggs of playoff glory. Talk about running uphill. After that, you ask? The Nuggs finally come home for the last two games of the season. It starts with a battle with the Rockets, who have locked in a playoff spot for themselves but still look beatable. Then the regular season finishes with a contest with Memphis.
Just a little FYI in case you Nuggets fanatics are interested in attending the final Nuggets game, it’s free food night at Pepsi Center. Yeah, that’s right, free food. All food. Every food. Find me near the food cart. I'll get all my fans some nachos.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Running Uphill.....
So, destiny no longer rests in the Nugg’s hands, and times are tough here in Denver, but there is still hope on the horizon. Losses to beatable teams like Sacramento and Seattle means that the pressure for wins is even greater. But for the Nuggs players, and to all you fans, the idea isn’t to dwell on “what if’s” and “shoulda coulda’s”, nut to docus on the five remaining games.
We shouldn’t even THINK about injuries, either, despite Melo’s sore shoulder and A.I.’s broken finger, oh no. The focus in on the FUTURE, the dream of being in the playoffs this season is so, so, so, so, so close to coming true.
The Nuggs are in fact in a position to go to the playoffs if the season ended today, because even though we have the same record as Golden State we hold the tiebreaker. But, we do play Golden State later on this week in a critical matchup. And, we still have to play powerhouses Utah and Huston before it’s all over.
But let’s not even think about these match ups yet. First and foremost, the Nuggs must defeat the Clippers tonight to have any sort of prayer of taking one of the top eight spots in the West.
As Nuggets fans, we’re in for a show, for better or for worse. As Terrel Owens would put it, ya betta grab ya popcorn.
We shouldn’t even THINK about injuries, either, despite Melo’s sore shoulder and A.I.’s broken finger, oh no. The focus in on the FUTURE, the dream of being in the playoffs this season is so, so, so, so, so close to coming true.
The Nuggs are in fact in a position to go to the playoffs if the season ended today, because even though we have the same record as Golden State we hold the tiebreaker. But, we do play Golden State later on this week in a critical matchup. And, we still have to play powerhouses Utah and Huston before it’s all over.
But let’s not even think about these match ups yet. First and foremost, the Nuggs must defeat the Clippers tonight to have any sort of prayer of taking one of the top eight spots in the West.
As Nuggets fans, we’re in for a show, for better or for worse. As Terrel Owens would put it, ya betta grab ya popcorn.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Crunch Time Analysis
After a sensational victory over the Suns on Tuesday night, and with Dallas defeating the red hot Warriors last night, the Nuggs have moved into 8th place in the Western Conference all by themselves for the first time in over two months. There was a three way tie after the loss at Phoenix on Monday, but as fate would have it, Dallas’ Dirk was back in action to spring the Nuggs into the sole 8th position.
Nene finally played some meaningful minutes, locking down the Big Cactus Shaquille O’Neil on the defensive end. He seemed to be the only man for the job, as Shaq was too much for even Camby’s defense. The 270 pound Brazilian Beast Nene really matched up well with the 330 pound Shaq, and it’s about time for the Nuggs to be at full strength with only seven games left in the regular season.
Of the three teams on the “bubble” as it were, Dallas, Denver and Golden State, Dallas has the toughest schedule remaining as far as opponents winning percentage. Luckily, Denver has the easiest, even though there are still tough matchups left with Golden State, Utah and Huston. Dallas has some tough games left with the Lakers, Phoenix, Utah and New Orleans, and Golden State still needs to play New Orleans, Phoenix and the Nuggs.
Its definitely crunch time, and it’s like the playoffs have begun before the end of the season. The Nuggs have to keep getting production from guys off the bench like J.R. and Nene, and hope that Melo and A.I. keep up their prolific scoring down the stretch.
The Nuggs have three games left at home, and four still to play on the road, where they have been less successful.
Nene finally played some meaningful minutes, locking down the Big Cactus Shaquille O’Neil on the defensive end. He seemed to be the only man for the job, as Shaq was too much for even Camby’s defense. The 270 pound Brazilian Beast Nene really matched up well with the 330 pound Shaq, and it’s about time for the Nuggs to be at full strength with only seven games left in the regular season.
Of the three teams on the “bubble” as it were, Dallas, Denver and Golden State, Dallas has the toughest schedule remaining as far as opponents winning percentage. Luckily, Denver has the easiest, even though there are still tough matchups left with Golden State, Utah and Huston. Dallas has some tough games left with the Lakers, Phoenix, Utah and New Orleans, and Golden State still needs to play New Orleans, Phoenix and the Nuggs.
Its definitely crunch time, and it’s like the playoffs have begun before the end of the season. The Nuggs have to keep getting production from guys off the bench like J.R. and Nene, and hope that Melo and A.I. keep up their prolific scoring down the stretch.
The Nuggs have three games left at home, and four still to play on the road, where they have been less successful.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
