Nuggets Among Leading Vote-Getters in 2007-08

"Denver is the only team in the league this season to have three players rank among the Top-20 in All-NBA points received." - from the Nugget's Home Page.

The whole article is here:

Nuggets Among Leading Vote-Getters in 2007-08

Given that this is no surprise to me, because we do have amazing talent on this team, the only question is if the Management and the Coaching Staff are going to be SMART enough to win more games and get past the 1st Round of the playoffs this year.

Seriously, I'll take half of George Karl's Salary to coach this team and I'll do better than him. ;)

NuggSter

Lakers Own Nuggets, Sweep Season & Series

Well, overall, all things considered, it was an Ok season for the Nuggets. 50 Wins in a Season for the first time in 20 years is not bad for a team who lost 2 of it's supposed Starters for majority of the season.

When it comes to the Nuggets against the Lakers, it is plain embarrassing. We might as well have been the Miami Heat out there, they would have probably at least tried harder. I'm not saying that the players didn't try, I'm saying that I figured out the Lakers Offense but George Karl didn't. Hell it even took 83 games for Karl to notice that we had a mismatch against the Lakers. AI, who had a hot hand in game 3 was benched etc. etc.. Karl was probably too excited that his Son was on a Lakers squad that could go to the Finals. Anyway please see all my other previous posts on what I would have done differently.

I am still confident to this day that: "IF I WERE COACH OF THE DENVER NUGGETS, WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN 60 WINS AND OUT OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS AS WINNERS". There is simply no excuse for a team with this amount of talent to not do well, especially against a team comprised of mostly mediocre players like the Lakers. As I mentioned in my post, all we needed to do was recognize and defend their "FAKE & PASS or DRIVE & PASS until they HIT THE OPEN MAN OFFENSE".

If you would like to see my other suggestions for this Denver Nuggets Team, just look at my previous posts. Sometimes I wonder if the Denver Nuggets have any Analysts or Coaching Staff with Brains, or at least some Basketball IQ. Too bad they don't do any research on the internet because we fans had a lot of ideas for this team, oh well.

And with that, with the END OF THE DENVER NUGGET'S SEASON, I END THIS BLOG, and depending on what moves are made during the Off-Season, I'll decide on whether or not to BLOG about the Nuggets again. If Coach Karl is replaced with someone that has FIRE and an emphasis on D, and most especially can control the likes of AI and Anthony, I'll definitely be back.

Till then, I will tuck my tail between my legs and run away like the EMBARRASSED NuggSter that I am.

To the DENVER NUGGETS PLAYERS:

AI & MELO: I specifically hoped (in my previous posts) that you would not try to do it yourselves and to trust in your talented teammates. AI's assists went down and Melo took TOO MANY JUMPERS with a lack of effort to ATTACK THE RIM OR PASS THE BALL. Melo I think you should be humbled by this experience and defer the leadership of this team to AI, learn from him for a couple of years and then take over when AI says you are ready. With Melo as the leader, and everybody FOLLOWING the LEADER, everyone is taking contested jumpers, not attacking the rim, not hitting the boards, not passing the ball and so on and so forth.

MARCUS: I think everybody hates that you take those long shots that are literally that. With your height and athletic ability you should be dunking the ball.

Everyone Else: I really like this team, I just wish it worked out Defensively for you all. I think it is a mix of a lack of good coaching and leadership that did this team in. Kleiza and JR have shown that they can be All-Stars if they put their minds to it.

IF THE NUGGETS PLAYED AS A TEAM: THEY COULD EASILY BE LIKE AN ALL-STAR TEAM.

At the end of the day, we the fans felt like we wanted it more than they did, and we go home to our normal lives after the losses while they go back to being pimpin' millionaires and who knows, maybe they were tired of the season and wanted to "chill"?

I actually wish we didn't make the Playoffs instead of getting sweeped like this, it is more embarrassing & Nuggets Fans will never hear the end of it from the Laker's Fans.

Let's just hope for the best for next season, maybe we can land defensive minded players like Raja Bell who was with AI in the Finals in 2001 and led the Suns to a Win over the Spurs.. Wishful Thinking...

Embarrassed NuggSter

Nuggets Bend Over for the Lakers

Ok, I know it doesn't seem appropriate for a Nugget's Fan to say it, but hey, what else can you say? We were dominated by these Lakers 3 times this season, and now we give up winnable games another 3 times to set ourselves up for what is possibly the only sweep in the first round of the Playoffs. That is "Bending Over" in my book.

Here are some points to ponder:

* If coach Karl is telling the players to do things that they are NOT doing, shouldn't they be mouthing off to each other and calling each other out?

* Why did it take Coach Karl 83 games before he noticed that we are mismatched with certain teams like the Lakers?

* Does Coach Karl want his son and the Lakers to advance is that why he is not coaching this Talent-Filled team?

* Early in the season, I suggested that the Nuggs especially AI-Melo put some set plays together a la Stockton & Malone but much more potent, but NNOOO.... 1 on 1 or just settling for the jump shot is SSOOO much better.. =P'

* Before the Playoffs started, I suggested that the All-Star Nuggs AI & Melo don't try to do it themselves but what do they do? Yup! Settle for the jumper with no passes, over and over and over and over... well, you get the idea.

* After Game 1, I suggested that way to beat the Lakers is to learn how to defend their FAKE & PASS or DRIVE & PASS until they hit the OPEN MAN Offense. But NNOOOO... let's look stoopid and just let the lesser players make OPEN shots. When I say lesser players I don't mean Kobe, I mean these guys making the OPEN shots that didn't used to make them.

* I put all of these suggestions on Melo's Blog too, obviously who am I for "Professionals" to listen to but, I think I was right, don't you? So either I am being ignored or Melo doesn't read the comments on his own BLOG.

* Don't the Denver Nuggets have Analysts & Coaching Staff? Why have they not figured these things out??

* How can a team with at least 5 players that can score 30 in a game get swept over and over again by a team with only 2 players that can score 30 in a game, albeit one of them can score 81 but hey, not every night.

* Everyone keeps deferring the leadership role to Melo but here's my thing: Melo is young, he is obviously still making a lot of mistakes. Why not defer the Leadership of the team to the veterans like AI and Marcus until such time Melo has matured, learned from the veterans and is ready to take over. Right now I don't see anyone being the true floor leader of this team, if it is Melo, then everyone is following the leader and just settling for jump shots time and again.

I could go on and on with all of my thoughts on these, but it makes no difference, I am just talking to myself to keep my sanity.

Well folks, it could be the end of this season, this opportunity & possibly this team since Management may see the problem as being certain players and not the coaching staff.

I'd love for us to get at least 1 win but I think it is too late for that already.

Prove me wrong.

Embarrassed NuggSter

Nuggets Win 50 for First Time in 20 Years, Now What?

The last Home game against the Grizzlies was not that important anymore after the Nuggets learned that Dallas beat New Orleans so the Bench basically finished off the Grizzles to get to the big 5-0.

Now What??

We face the Lakers who have OWNED us 3 times this year, that is what.

Hopefully our Denver Nuggets are Mad about this because it is going to take all of our guys to smell blood to beat the Lakers.

We haven't been outplayed by Kobe, we have been outplayed by the Lakers. By analyzing the stats of the 3 Losses to the Lakers, here is what I noticed:

* The Lakers outrebounded the Nuggets 2 out of the 3 games, and
* The Lakers had plenty more assists in all 3 games, which means, they are playing as a team, and we are not.

Even with AI scoring 51 in one of the games, it was all for naught because we lost the game, and I hope AI & Melo realize that and don't try to go it alone. They have so much talent on this team, it is a waste not to take advantage of that.

They say that the Lakers have a deep bench, I say we have the best bench. We have 2 guys coming off the bench that could score at will on any given night and we have Najera who can do everything you ask him to.

Here are my recommendations for our Denver Nuggets, whether anybody on the team sees them and does anything with them or not, I just need to say it:

* AI & Melo Need to attack the basket and either get high percentage shots or get the taller Lakers in foul trouble

* We need to make our free throws, if we lose by 3 and missed 13 free throws, it truly a shame,

* AI & Melo Need to get everyone involved, and not try to do it all themselves, like I said, it's about the team not the individual, of course there are going to be times when the stars will do what they do but that is not all the time,

* The starting 5 needs to be adjusted to Match-Up with the Lakers, I say put AI on Point and JR at Shooting Guard to put some height and athletic ability on Kobe,

* 3 Point Shooting is where we have struggled all year, both on Offense and Defense, if practice makes perfect, why aren't we practicing these??

* AI, Melo, K-Mart, & Camby need to have set plays like Pick & Roll, .. with both players being able to finish it would be very potent and something that you can repeatedly rely on,

* Everybody needs to take it to the whole, the Lakers are taller, but we are more athletic, we can get the higher percentage shot or get the foul,

* The Nuggets stand around watching when they see that AI or Melo are going to work on making a shot, instead of running towards the rim to either RECEIVE A PASS or get the OFFENSIVE REBOUND they just stand around watching and start walking in the other direction, this is why we get SEVERELY OUTREBOUNDED some nights, yes, even you Melo, when AI is working on his shot you should be GOING TOWARDS THE RIM, everyone should, unless there is an opposing player hanging back for a fast break,

* PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE - 3s and FREE THROWS for heaven's sake. I mean c'mon, really? Professional players should be making their Free Throws,

* Here is the Key: The DENVER NUGGETS are going to need to want it as much as we the fans do and show us what we KNOW THEY CAN DO. IF EVERYBODY HAD AS MUCH HEART AS AI, WATCH OUT CELTICS.

* Having a healthy Nene would be a great boost and BONUS, we certainly need his size and ability underneath and above the rim!!

Anyway, I have lots of ideas for the Denver Nuggets to keep winning, does it matter? Not Really. Unless Coach Karl identifies these problems and fixes them, we will see out Denver Nuggets exit in the first round again.

If only I could be coach,.. ;)

NuggSter

If I Were Coach of the Denver Nuggets

I by no means am an expert at basketball nor do I claim to be good at it or anything of the sort. I do though understand the game and have a passion and love for the game probably only matched by the likes of MJ or AI.

If I were the coach of the Denver Nuggets, these are the immediate changes that I would make:

1. AI would start as Point Guard. - He is still the most effective assist machine on the team because defenders all expect him to shoot. also the team's record is something like 24-4 when he get's a double-double in Points & Assists.
2. AC as backup Point Guard. - He would get his minutes by giving AI a rest, at least 3 minutes per half, so AI is fresh to finish off the 4th.
3. JR would start as Shooting Guard. - He brings more height, offense AND defense to the perimeter. High risk, high reward. He has been playing smarter lately, he is worth the risk.
4. We can blow any team out of the court with AI and JR in the Back Court. AI and JR are too proud to let the other back court get the better of them, and can you imagine the speed? Woohoo! This doesn't even have to be every game, but at least when playing teams with taller more athletic shooting guards like Kobe or T-Mac.
5. Use Diawara more as the "Bowen" of the team and have him lock down the luck offensive player of the other team.
6. ANY Player that is 0 for 5, will come out of the game to sit down and think about it. ANY PLAYER. It doesn't have to be 5, it could just be too many jump shots. The "Sit Down" rule should be if you miss 3 jumpers, you need to TAKE IT TO THE HOLE.
7. I would have the team practice EXTRA hard on THREE POINTERS & FREE THROWS. If we make these we lessen the chance of any close games that translate to losses.
8. Improve perimeter Defense, see AI and JR above for taller shooting guards above.
9. Have Melo, AI, Camby work on go-to set plays like PICK-&-ROLL a la Stockton & Malone, these could be very potent, but NOOOOOO>>>... I'm just a fan, who's gonna listen to me?
10. Convince AI and Melo that they need to work on other facets of their game and prove doubters that they are not One-Dimensional Players. AI could easily get a dub-dub in Points & Assists every night and Melo could work a little harder and get a dub-dub in Points & Rebounds every night. It's a lot of pressure on them yeah but they are the most consistent players on the court most of the time, and that is why they are called the Dynamic Duo.
11. Talk to Nene and decide on whether he is coming back this season or not. Make it clear to the team as well so they know where they stand and what they need to do with what.
12. Coach Carl has been doing this lately, well, somewhat but, I'd try to give more playing time to JR, LK43, Najera, Diawara & Atkins. See the "Sit Down" rule above for application.

BASICALLY I WOULD HAVE AN OVERALL SMARTER APPROACH TO EACH AND EVERY GAME. IT'S ALL ABOUT MATCH-UPS, RECOGNIZE THEM AND PLAY THEM ACCORDINGLY, LIKE A GAME OF CHESS. If this means that your starting 5 changes once in awhile depending on who we are playing then so be it.

Oh well all I can do with all this is blog about it and use it when I play NBA 2K8 on my playstation. =P'

NuggSter

Anthony and Nuggets Fall to Lakers.

One of the hardest things on a highly emotional fan like myself is taking in the disappointment. If it weren't for Martin's return the Nuggets would have been completely depleted in the front court. The Lakers have now swept the Regular Season Series with the Nuggets, literally using the Nuggets as a broom, winning by an average of about 16. Granted, the Nuggets are without some of their key players but, hey, I've said it before and I'll say it again: THE NUGGETS ALWAYS GET BEAT BY THE 3-POINT LINE, whether it is making them or defending them. Another thing that seems weird is that there is always 1 person on the Lakers squad that absolutely rips the Nuggets a new one. Last time it was that Vujacic guy that came off the bench and scored like 200 in the 4th quarter! This time it was Fisher that was like a sniper killing the Nuggets one by one by making what seemed like 50 3 pointers. =P' I always wait for the next televised Nuggets game (because the networks seem to like the Spurs / Lakers / Cavs and a couple more) so you can imagine how excited I was waiting for it to show on TNT. Then you can also imagine the trauma of getting blown out and swept by one of the teams I appreciate the least.

On a positive note, Nene's tumor has been removed and it was caught very early so Nene should be recovering. Thank You God.

Uh oh,.. here we go with the Negatives, I just hope I am able to stop:

1. As I've said before, the NUGGETS are more often than not beat by the 3 pointer. They need to learn how to make them AND defend them.
2. Who the hell was defending Fisher?? hint: I didn't watch the delayed TNT Telecast.
3. Now the NUGGETS have a reputation for being the team that can give you your Season or Career highs. I can just imagine guys on the bench of other teams excited to play the NUGGETS because they can probably score 30 or 40 for once. =P'
4. Obviously Karl doesn't see any reason to concentrate on the NUGGET'S weakness but hey, he's happy that his son on the Lakers scored 1 point. =P'
5. Nene is still out.
6. Najera is also injured.
7. Now Melo is out on a sprained ankle too.
8. If AI is as passionate as I think he is, he is very frustrated right now.
9. Nothing new here... I might as well stop.

For now, I am just going to hope that this injury bug finally gives the NUGGETS a break and leave us for awhile so we can get our Shtuff together.

Hopefully Karl is smart enough to start with:

G Carter, G Iverson, F Martin, F Kleiza, C Camby

I hope JR and Von Wafer gets a lot more playing time out of this at least too.

I'm not coach though so whatever.

GoooOOo NUGGETS?..

Iverson bails out the Nuggets for a Series Sweep over the Wolves

AI made a couple of plays at the end to finish off the Wolves. The Answer is definitely the Hero of this game for the Nuggets.

Here are the problems though:

1. The Nuggets gave up an early 14 point lead in the first half,


2. The Nuggets allowed 60 points in the first half on about 60% shooting,


3. Of course Nene and Martin are out and noone knows when their comin back,


4. Who knows when Hunter will be able to help,


5. Coach Karl publicly doesn't seem to believe in his own team!

From ESPN:

"I feel like a thief tonight," said Karl, whose team finished 4-0 against Minnesota this season. "We weren't the better team, but we won. I'm happy we don't have to play them again. If we did, we would probably lose."

WTF!!?? How the hell does a coach say that about his own team??! I would understand if Pat Riley said it about the Heat but Karl on the Nuggets??!! Ok maybe that is not what he meant but he could have been more specific don't you think? If he means considering they are short-handed or considering how lousy our play was we would lose if we tried that again, .. then that's how he should have said it.

I d0n't know about you but it is really hard to win when your own coach doesn't believe you can win.

Then, our next stop is at the Lakers, where Karl's son plays, so who is he gonna support? The Nuggets or his son's Lakers?? =P

As for us,... We really could use a road win especially against the Lakers who have manhandled us in previous meetings.

Go NUGGETS!!

#6 Nuggster.

No Heroes for the Nuggets Today.

We've had a lot of close games lately, a little too close for my taste because sometimes it is good for us and on the opposite side of the coin sometimes it is bad, like today.

Basically we got out shot from the 3 point line AND surprisingly from the Free-Throw Line. =P'

There were no heroics from our Nuggets this time in the closing of the game though,.. but hey,.. what can I say, you literally Win some and you Lose some. Today was that some.

If I were coach, I would have my players (the 3 pointers e.g. AI, Melo, AC, Kleiza, JR etc.) MAKE at least 100 3-Pointers every practice as well as Free Throws. When it comes right down to it, they are "Professional" Basketball Players who get paid to do what they Love. Why not be sure to be Professional and be able to do the things expected of you.

Bottom-Line: We lost by 3. The outcome could have been different by a better 3 point Percentage or a couple more Free Throws.

Go NUGGETS!!