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

JR catches FAYAh! to help the Nuggets finish off the hot Grizzlies

JR gave us 27 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast & 1 stl in 21 minutes. What?

C'mon, I've been saying this for the past couple of months:



"Put AI on Point and Start JR at Shooting Guard!" - see details below in "If I Were Coach of the Denver Nuggets".

Ok so we got another win which makes it 3 in a row, again, now historically I would have expected us to lose the next one which would have been against Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks but in an odd twist of fate we are going to get the Mavericks without their leader.

Now I expect that we should be able to blow them out of the Pepsi Center but, I will not get my hopes up, for 2 reasons:

1. Historically, the Nuggets, haven't won more than 3 in a row this season, maybe we get lazy, maybe we just don't want it, maybe we're just tired, whatever the reason is, that's how its been.

2. Watch for the rest of the Mavericks to bring their "A" Game while we start off slow and barely keep up. ( I would love to be wrong on this, seriously )

In a perfect world our All-Star Team Denver Nuggets will win by 30. In the real world, we'll probably barely get the win, if we get it at all.

I'm still just hoping for the best for our favorite Team the Denver Nuggets.

My Message to the Nuggz:

AI - AI you continue to inspire us, your efficiency is under appreciated, although you will always be underrated compared to the likes of CP3 or Nash because of the assists category. Don't worry, CB is just jealous, but like I keep saying, you can easily get a dub-dub every night in pts/ast if you wanted it.

Melo - You are still the Man Melo. I think you are still not as agressive as we want to see you though. Like AI said, with your height and athleticism, if you wanted it, you'd easily get a dub-dub in pts/reb every night. Also I wish you took it to the hole more often, especially when you miss more than 2 jump shots in a row. Help Camby get the ball.

Camby - You sir are a monster, the only thing I don't get is why you choose to take so many low percentage jump shots? At your height and capability you could easily either take a quick fake, then dunk it, or just dunk it on anybody. Sometimes you dissappear, like in Philly, what happened there?

K-Mart - You have been making the difference lately K-mart, keep it up the team really needs you especially without Nene. Help Camby get the ball.

JR - Dang, you could be so good. You are good, but I think coach is still worried about your decision making, but just keep playing smart and bring it every time you get on the court, man you are something else. I seriously think you can be the 3rd All-Star on this team, show us JR.

AC - You've been doing a solid job on both ends of the court, keep workin on those 3 pointers because consistency is what we lack.

CA - I hope you get more minutes and are able to show us what you bring to the team. Keep working on your 3 pointers too cause I haven't seen you make a lot. I know you just need to get your groove back.

Najera - The unsung hero. Your hard work is very much appreciated and remains vital to the team winning games. Your 3 point shooting is very much a bonus too, way to find ways to contribute to the Team!

Hunter - Sorry you haven't been getting the minutes but hey, I believe you have the capability to do so much with your height and athleticism. Just keep working on your game and I hope you'll get more minutes.

Diawara - I think you can be a stopper. I think you could be a clean "Bowen" type player, you can also hit the 3. I hope you get more minutes too.

TG - Sorry don't know much about you yet. Hope you get a chance to show yourself.

Nene - I hope everything is fine and you are getting healthier and better everyday. Come back as soon as you can Ok? Your team misses you and we the fans miss you too! I honestly believe we would be at the TOP of the WEST right now if you weren't out!

NuggSter

AI hurt, Melo struggled, Nuggets still blow out Grizzlies

I didn't post anything on the loss in San Antonio because it was disappointing and positive at the same time. It was a game that went back and forth, neither team played exceptionally well and it came down to San Antonio's experience as it all fell apart for the Nuggets in the last 2 minutes of the game. All I could really say about the Nugget's stats are that there weren't a lot of assists so I imagine there was a lot of 1 on 1 action as opposed to team basketball. Good thing the rest of the Nuggets were more than enough to handle the Memphis Grizzlies who I think are dee-dee-dees for trading Gasol. ;)

With this win the Nuggets officially got their best 64-Game start in 20 years. So let's for a moment appreciate that they have improved significantly since AI arrived in Denver. Let's also appreciate that the WEST is crazy this year. Everybody improved, and there are a lot of improved teams in the west. Even with their best start in 20 years, the Nuggets are STILL on the outside looking in,... WHAT??

To put it into perspective, in the East, AI's old team the Sixers are still 3 games below .500 and they would still make the playoffs if they were to play today! That is how lopsided the EAST and WEST are this year. Frankly I don't think it is fair that the Sixers would make the Playoffs and the Nuggets wouldn't. I think the playoffs should have the top 16 teams, period.

Anyway, this win was a given, a supposed to win, but didn't mean too much because again, the Warriors and the Jazz won too so we didn't gain any ground.

Let's not get our hopes up but the Nuggets NEED to win ALL OF THEIR UPCOMING GAMES especially the ones that are supposed to be easy to have a chance. Otherwise they will be spectators come playoff time too.

I don't think a team with that much talend and pride would want that to happen so we should see some better effort, I hope.

NuggSter

AI's Double-Double is Nuggets Winning Formula

I've said this over and over on different forums, even Melo's Yardbarker Page. Basically with this win on the Road (finally) against the Grizzlies, the Nuggets now improved to 19-1 when AI has a Dub-Dub in Points and Assists. The only loss if I am not mistaken is his very first game with the Nuggets.

My suggestion to my favorite player AI is to go after the Dub-Dub because I'm no genius but with that stat of 19-1 it is a virtually guaranteed win, so why not?

It translates into about 3 assists per quarter, and with all the attention he gets, it should be easy, provided that the recipient of the pass makes the open shot. It will turn him into more than just a scorer, and more than a 1-dimensional player and most importantly, the Nuggets will keep winning! Win-Win situation don't you think?

Winning Formula: AI > 10 pts + AI > 10 ast = WIN

Simple right? Not really, AI needs to first find this blog, then AI needs to challenge himself to do this for the team. He has proven to the world that he can score, now he needs to prove that he can make his team better and win. Think about it, THE FORMULA WORKED EVEN WITHOUT MELO, NENE AND ON THE ROAD EVEN.

If I know him and his desire to win like I think I do, this is what he wants, and he is capable of doing it.

If you in any way can get him to read this, please do, for the Nugget's sake.

Go NUGGETS!!

NuggSter