How the Nuggets should defend the Lakers

Here are my (Non-Expert) thoughts on how the Nuggets should defend the Lakers:

While analyzing most of the Laker highlights I noticed 1 thing that stood out like a sore thumb, all 5 Players are doing what Ginobili is so good at doing:

* Fake + Pass
* This continues until they hit the open man,..

Basically what is happening is the player with the ball makes a fake to get their defender off balance or in the air while other defenders off the ball are either watching the shooter or looking at the basket (basically distracted) while their man gets open and receives the pass from the shooter and WALAH! Open shot.

So the key to defending this would be for all 5 players on defense to always stay in between the ball and their man until such time that the ball is already up above the rim. I would suggest that the defensive player falls back just a little bit so the pass is made then SURPRISE! Steal!!

I hope the Nuggets figure this out because this is how the Lakers are getting so much more assists, then, I hope they are willing to apply this to their next games.

That way, there is NO WAY that the NUGGETS will LOSE AGAIN.

Again though, I am just a fan, so all I can do is Hope and Pray for my Favorite Team to get the Lakers back for all season.

NuggSter

Denver Nuggets meet expectations, Lose in L.A.

Well, did I call that or what? Ok, we weren't that bad at the 3 point line but everything else that I called to be a problem came true:

* 14 Missed Free Throws - We lost by 14.
* The Lakers got 13 more assists.
* We were mismatched, - how many times have you seen Anthony Carter being pushed in by someone taller like Radmanovic? - Stoopid Coaching move, or lack thereof.
* No Nene yet..
* We got owned by Gasol, first the Olympics, now the playoffs.. dang!
* All this after getting swept throughout the season, that's pretty much all the fire we're gonna get from the guys I guess..

on the positive side, our stars did their job, and so did our 6th, 7th & 8th guys.

We will continue to lose if all of these continue, PERIOD.

Great, now that the games are all televised I have to watch them lose. =P'

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

Nuggets Beat Streaking Rockets and Make Playoffs!

Awesome, Player of the Week AI lead the way!

Well, it has been a roller coaster ride for the Denver Nuggets and their fans. At least there is a happy ending, for now.

Allen Iverson, my second favorite player in the world after Michael Jordan (Sorry AI) really came through as one if not the leader of this team. AI did everything for this game, with 33 points, 7 Assists, and get this: 7 Rebounds, and wait, it gets better, 1 HUGE Block!

See Here:


That, my friends is why I like my Man AI, he wasn't born with all the advantages in the world like Shaq, or Lebron but his Heart makes up for it.

Things have been coming together for the Nuggets lately, well, most of the time. Everyone is entitled to have an off game and I believe Melo had 1 or 2 during these last couple of games, then, the DUI incident which is Stoopid, with a capital F. Sorry Melo but what if the Warriors Won? And what if you weren't able to play? Or worse, what if you got hurt, or you hurt someone? Don't you think that was stoopid especially knowing that you can afford to get a driver??

I'm in Guam dude but if you fly me over there I'll freakin drive you around no problem. Shiznit.

Anyway, what next for our Denver Nuggets? Playoffs Baby!!!!! Hey how we got here wasn't pretty but we are here, and we need to Play Like there is No Tomorrow! We are bottom seed, so basically we will be playing the top team in the West. This of course is unless the Hornets beat Dallas and Denver beats the Grizzlies, then we'd be 7th!

Either way, we will most probably get either the Lakers of the Hornets, both of which have beaten our Denver Nuggets most of the time this Season. If I were coach, I'd be studying why these teams have been beating us already..

I'm not coach though so for now, I'll just have to hope and pray that our Denver Nuggets get past the first round this time.

We will need EVERYBODY to step it up and help our Floor Leaders AI, Melo & Camby! C'mon K-Mart, JR, Najera, LK43, Nene!, you too Chucky, Steven and the new guy!

I absolutely Love it when JR, Linas and Najera comes in and boosts the team! That is great, our Bench will be the difference this year!

NuggSter

Nuggets Finally Win One Gimme in LA

So our Denver Nuggets finally take care of business and Win one Supposed-To-Win, so what? Golden State won too which means that we are still tied for 8th.

There are a lot of good things to mention about the game but, the bottom-line is if the team doesn not consistently take care of business then we will be rooting for some other team come playoff time.

The reality of the matter is that after tomorrow's game against the Warriors the Nugget's have the tougher opponents for their last couple of games of the season.

I have a CHALLENGE for the DENVER NUGGETS: Don't let the WARRIORS score more than 100. Can it be done? YES. Do I think the NUGGETS can do it? No. I'd love to be wrong though.

NuggSter

K-Mart's Blue Light Special Leads Denver Nuggets to 5th Straight

Man, what a roller coaster ride.. Just when you think that our favorite team had already given up they decide to show up and show signs of life.

Again, I refuse to get my hopes up as much as possible because we still have a lot of tough games left to play beginning with 2 against the surging Suns.

I think this would be the biggest streak we've had this season of 5 straight including 3 on the road.

The Bottom-Line is that our Denver Nuggets are finally showing us what they are capable of. They are doing what we expected them to do all season, and for some reason they always seem to perform better with their backs against the wall.

What's been most impressive as of late has been the play of K-Mart and the Nugget's bench. This team is finally showing it's depth, whether it is because coach Karl is just now realizing what he has on the bench is the reason, or if it is the bench themselves that don't want to be watching the playoffs from home, it doesn't matter.
All that matters is that our team is going to get through this adversity and come out on top, and in the playoffs.

About K-Mart, I've always been wondering about when he was going to be more aggressive. Whenever he dunks the ball it is very fast and he has his elbows above the rim which would make it hard for anyone to contest and he has a pretty decent jumper as well.

This shows that we have at least:

5 Players that can score at least 30,
4 Players that can score at least 35,
3 Players that can score at least 40,
2 Players that can score at least 45, and
1 Player that can score at least 50.

Now that is some pretty impressive Offense, although it is the other side of the equation that we are yet to see any type of consistency on which is the Defensive end.

Our Denver Nuggets are responsible for putting themselves in this position, so it is only proper that they come out and take care of business. If they won a lot of games that they were supposed to, we would probably be in the top 4 or 5 of the west.

For now, let's hope that our Denver Nuggets Continue on their winning ways.

Honestly I think if AI didn't get his broken finger hit that early and had made his shots this last game would have been a blowout. Oh well, like I said, we have a lot of options of offense.

Let's hope Shaq doesn't bully Camby in these next 2 games too much, he's got a couple of hundred pounds on him.

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

Nuggets continue inconsistency, Lose to streaking Rockets

Well, like I said, expect the worst. If there is one thing that we can count on, it is the consistent inconsistencies of our Denver Nuggets.

It was televised, but I am glad I didn't watch it. Overall it was a bad shooting night especially for the All-Stars that are supposed to be leading this team. Without being able to watch the game, I assume that they too a lot of jumpers. =P'

Another thing that struck me is that Camby only got 8 rebounds. Seriously, this is not the way to get it together and go on a run.

The Houston Rockets are playing good ball, they are where we want our Denver Nuggets to be. Oh, well... I could keep putting my thoughts on this blog, camby's blog, melo's blog, but it seems as though it's not being read by those who can do something about it.

Next up, the seemingly struggling Phoenix Suns. No matter though, it's up to the Nuggets when they decide on working hard and getting a win.

If this pattern continues, I soon won't have anything to blog about because we won't even be making the playoffs this year. Oh yeah, almost forgot, now even the Sixers beat the Clippers by 26, whereas we were barely able to hold them off. =P'

Frustrated fan,

NuggSter

All Stars AI and Melo Lead Nuggets to Ugly Win over Clippers

Things are not looking good for our Denver Nuggets. In a game that they should have won easily, they looked slow and off target, especially from the 3 point line. They gave up individual career highs again and almost lost to a severely depleted Clippers team that is one of the worst offensive teams in the league.

Like I have said before, the Denver Nuggets are the buffet line of career and team highs for their opponents.. =P'

This is a first time in awhile that I have been able to watch them on TV and let's just say AI was the only one who truly impressed me, and Melo at specially at the very end of the game. Camby was quietly getting his double double on but that was pretty much it.

I WAS MORE EMOTIONAL THAN MOST OF THE PLAYERS, ESPECIALLY MORE THAN COACH KARL. I'LL NEVER UNDERSTAND THAT. I'D BE SCREAMING AT THEM ONCE THE LESSER TEAM STARTS TO COME BACK. BUT NO,.. IT WAS UP TO AI AND MELO TO DECIDE THAT THEY WANTED TO WIN THE GAME AT THE VERY END. WHEN THEY GET THE LEAD THEY SHOULD NEVER WANT TO RELINQUISH IT. AI, MELO and MARCUS SHOULD BE SCREAMING AT WHOEVER IS NOT DOING THEIR JOB DEFENSIVELY EVEN IF IT IS ONE OF THEM, ESPECIALLY SINCE KARL ISN'T.

This week we play the best teams and we will truly see if the rest of the Nuggets want it as bad as AI does, simple as that.

I say put AI on point, and start JR Smith as shooting guard. This would be my starting 5:

SF Melo / PF K-Mart / C MC / PG AI / SG JR

This will do a couple of things:

1. Increase our height around the perimeter,


2. Be able to match the height of taller shooting guards,


3. Improve perimeter D with better height and athleticism,


4. Give AI an opportunity to get over 10 Assists with his points, {22-3? with those stats}


5. Keeps opponents guessing, everyone knows that AC wants to pass and doesn't like to score, so ultimately it would improve our offense even MORE.

Not to mention that a fast break with AI and JR would be much more potent than AI and AC because all of the players would already know that AI will be taking the shot. The only disclaimer is that the 10-10 rule would need to apply to JR too. He will need to take it to the hole 10 times and get 10 free throws before he takes a three, unless he is really open, .. or he's got the HOT HAND.

Bottom-Line: We as fans can only do or say too much. With this tough week coming up with all the top teams that we will be playing, all we can do is hope for the best but expect the worst, unfortunately. If their last game was any indication of their heart and desire to win, I'll have to be pessimistic. We hardly beat the Clippers and the Pistons beat them by 30 today.

If we don't keep winning, we won't even make the playoffs, and AI's old team the Sixers will, how sad is that? =P'

Hopeful Nugget Fan,

NuggSter

After Beating the Team with the Best Record, the Nuggets Lose to a team with one of the worst.

Thank You to the Denver Nuggets for proving my point (below) on my earlier post.

Thank God the game wasn't televised on ESPN or TNT so I couldn't watch it because I would be soooooo friggin' p@@#$$d. We got beaten by a team with almost an opposite record of ours. Wow. After the win over the Celtics, I thought we were going to end the season with a Bang, little did I know we had a dud, as illustrated to in this cartoon. =P'

Anybody who watched is welcome to share what they saw tonight.

My only question is WTF happened?? I mean c'mon really?

Oh well, on that note, let's just hope that we still make the Playoffs. The funny thing is, if AI was still with the Sixers in the East, they probably would have a better chance at making the playoffs right now. =P'

Go NUGGETS!

Frustrated Fan,

NuggSter.