My Submission To The GM Fix-It Writing Contest

New GM For Nuggets Known As The Nugg Doctor
*All salary information taken from hoopshype.com.

(Fort Collins-CO) As the new General Manager for the Denver Nuggets, I will be banking on three things remaining constant and shuffling areas that are overdue in terms of attention to facilitate this franchise winning the NBA championship. Anthony being signed as our franchise player, Karl returning as coach, and the return of Nene are the pillars this team will be built on for next season. The shuffle will entail the trading of Andre Miller, Reggie Evans, DerMarr Johnson, and Kenyon Martin. If this franchise is to rise to championship levels it will take determination and pure team concept. With the changes I detail here, I believe that the Nuggets are capable of becoming the NBA champions as early as next season.

First article of business is to trade Andre Miller for Jason Terry from Dallas. Andre is a rock solid point guard who distributes the ball phenomenally, but doesn’t possess the three-point range the Nuggets need. Jason Terry shoots over 40% from behind the arch, scores more, but dishes fewer assists. This is a statistical trade off in the areas that the Nuggets are in dire need of because the same amount of points are potentially going to be scored. Andre Miller made 8.1 million for last season while Jason Terry made 7.5. This trade should be straight across the board because it addresses needs for both teams involved. The Mavericks need a steady point guard and the Nuggets need a three-point shooter. The Nuggets will be losing a stat line of 13.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 4.3 rebounds a night, but in return will be adding 17.1 points, 3.8 assists, and two rebounds per contest. Statistically similar, give and take some numbers, but their styles couldn’t be more different; we need that change in style!

Moving on, and addressing the big hairy clog the Nuggets have at forward, I will trade Reggie Evans and DerMarr Johnson. The aforementioned had a combined salary of 1.9 million for last season and both are free agents this next year. I will submit a trade for young forward Jared Jeffries of the Washington Wizards. Jeffries is a guy who can guard anyone but the point on defense, (think Tayshaun Prince, but younger), and is blossoming into a solid all-around performer. He is long, athletic, and coachable. He can play any of the three frontcourt spots. Jeffries brings in stats of 6.4 points, five rebounds, and two assists. It would take 2.7 million to acquire Jeffries and the Nuggets can afford the check in this situation. You’ll see why after I finish cleaning house.

Finally, and what the majority of Nuggets fans world-wide have been waiting to hear for quite some time, is how I will deal Kenyon Martin. Kenyon Martin has roughly 70 million dollars tied up on the Nuggets books. Keep in mind that Martin isn’t going to attract huge contributors because of his lack luster demeanor and numbers, but we still need to obtain someone of value who can contribute to what this team is lacking. I believe that the acquisition of Golden State power forward Troy Murphy is a perfect fit for the Denver Nuggets. Murphy has 58 million on his remaining contract with the Warriors. The Warriors already have Baron Davis and Jason Richardson filling up their scoring column and could use the defensive minded Martin. The Nuggets could use the finesse and shooting that Murphy’s game brings to the floor. In addition, let it not be forgotten that Murphy is 6’11” and averaged ten rebounds last season to compliment his 14 points per night.

If all of this can be orchestrated the Nuggets would have the starting five of the offensive minded Jason Terry at point guard, the defensive minded Greg Buckner at shooting guard, Marcus Camby at center, Carmelo Anthony at small forward, and Troy Murphy at the four. Coming off our bench would be Earl Boykins at point, Rueben Patterson at shooting guard, Jared Jeffries at small forward while Julius Hodge continues to improve, Nene slowly working his way back into rotation with Eduardo Najera at power forward, and Francisco Elson relieving Marcus Camby at center. This puts the Nuggets a solid ten deep as a team. Obviously, with the personnel the Nuggets would have with my new shuffle there is a plethora of line-ups George Karl could put out on the floor. This type of flexibility and change in personnel is just what the Nuggets need to become serious contenders for the NBA world championship.

With two brand new shooters around the three-point arch in Murphy and Terry, I believe that Nuggets will cease to be last in the NBA in three-point shooting next year. This also creates passing outlets for Carmelo Anthony when he is flashed with double-teams. Murphy and Jeffries will also fill the rebounding void left by the departure of Reggie Evans and Kenyon Martin while adding two coachable players for George Karl to develop. The Denver Nuggets were ranked 24 of 30 in total team salary last year with 54.3 million dollars being paid to players. The Nuggets can afford to pay the small increase in overall salary to have players like Jeffries and Terry, while potentially giving Kenyon Martin some sort of severance compensation with his shipment to Golden State. This diagram for team success is worth every obstacle, concerning financial and in terms of team chemistry, the Nuggets will have to endure to become the NBA champions. With myself, The Nugg Doctor, as the GM of this great franchise I will accept nothing less.

The Saga Continues

(FortCollins-CO) The saga continues surrounding Kenyon Martin. The latest and greatest, if you can call it that, is that the New Jersey Nets could be interested in reuniting with Kenyon Martin. Details are sketchy right now, but wouldn't it be something to land a guy like Richard Jefferson or, even better, Vince Carter! To pull off a deal with the Nets for someone like the aforementioned would be a sheer genius move.

Here's an even more tasty treat to think about...

What about a deal that would somehow land Jason Kidd and one of the other big guns the Nets have to offer for K-Mart and Andre Miller? Wouldn't that just be what Nuggets fans have been dreaming of since Bernie Bickerstaff ran this program into a dismal state back in the 90's? Bring on the rumors because for a minute there, I thought I heard some crickets chirping.

Third Tier Honors For Carmelo

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was named to the All-NBA third team for his performance in the 2005-06 season. 'Melo averaged 26.5 points per game and was very consistent as his supporting cast was continually in shuffle. Carmelo was eighth in the league in scoring, right behind Dirk Nowitzki. Hightlights from this year's efforts are abundant, but a couple really stick out in my mind. First, probably the biggest facial the league saw this year on Theo Ratliff. Secondly, the last second bomb he dropped on the Minnesota Timberwolves from the corner for the game winner. Congratulations Carmelo, keep up the good work.

Historical Glimpses: Nathaniel “Big Nate” Thurmond

(FortCollins-CO) So this edition of Historical Glimpses has been almost 45 years in the making and rightfully deserved. The player honored is one of the most under appreciated, overlooked, most often forgotten, and rarely mentioned legends of the NBA and I can’t figure out why. He was only one of the best defensive centers of all-time and played in what many aficionados would consider the first golden age of basketball. Well, if I hadn’t already given you the title of this article, which I regret because I should of ran a contest to see who would of pulled his name out of a hat, I bet that very few would have mentioned the name Nate Thurmond. One of my personal favorites, regardless of era, and the only other player other than the late, and great, Wilt Chamberlain to average the 20/20.

Nate Thurmond is known as, “The Pride of Bowling Green University,” because of his college career there. At BGU, Thurmond averaged 17.8 points and 17 boards in a three year varsity career, remember freshman were not allowed to play varsity during this era, that made him All-American his senior year. A prequel to successes yet to come because Thurmond could very well have been the perfect combination of Chamberlain’s offensive prowess and Russell’s defensive majesty.

When his time at Bowling Green was up, he was drafted third overall by the San Francisco Warriors in 1963. The Warriors already had Wilt Chamberlain at the center position, but that didn’t stop Nate from putting up All-Rookie team numbers of seven points and ten rebounds in limited minutes. The Warriors knew what they had in development and subsequently traded Wilt that next year. Good thing too, because Nate was ready to solidify himself as an NBA giant with a breakout second year where he averaged 16.5 points and 18.1 rebounds.

Nate would stick with the Warriors for an astounding eleven years, which included a relocation and name change when the San Francisco Warriors became the Golden State Warriors. In that span of time Thurmond quietly became one of the most feared defenders, solid offensive contributors, and quintessential big men of the era. He didn’t do it with flash and brash, but what he did do was always leave his opponents with a sense of respect for his game. This respect was surely the product of the way that Nate made you earn everything, all the time. Russell, Chamberlain, and Jabbar have all been put on record as saying that Thurmond was the hardest man to score on during their careers.

And one more thing for all you hoop heads out there. Nate Thurmond is the only other player other than Wilt Chamberlain to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds in a single season. Pull that out of your repertoire next time you want to have a buddy buy your dinner on a bet! Need desert too? Just ask, how many rebounds Nate grabbed on his best night on the boards? The answer is a staggering 42!

After his years with the Warriors you might have thought Nate’s career would slowly fizzle out before his retirement and you would be wrong. He was traded to the Chicago Bulls and he would treat the NBA to another mind-boggling feat. In the debut game of his debut with Chi-Town, Nate would show the world the first recorded quadruple-double in an NBA game! He scored 22 points, squeezed 14 rebounds, dropped 13 dimes, and swatted 12 shots. Who got game? Big Nate got game! He couldn’t keep that type of play up, and as expected, took on a very roll-oriented position as his career started to slow, but Chicago wasn’t his last stop in the NBA. Thurmond made his final stop in his home state of Ohio with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Numbers that year are not awe-inspiring, but a career that certainly was, was coming to an end. At his career’s finale, Nate Thurmond has averages of 15 points per game, 2.7 assists, and 15 rebounds.

So the final chapter on Big Nate reads a little bit like this: Nate Thurmond was All-NBA Rookie team in 1964, NBA All-Defensive first team in 1969 and ’71, NBA All-Defensive second team in 1972, ’73, ’74, Golden State Warriors All-Time leading rebounder with 12,771 boards, NBA All-Star seven times (1965, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’70, ’73, ’74), his number 42 is retired by two teams (Cleveland and Golden State), he was honored as one of the greatest 50 players at 50 of NBA history, and was enshrined to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1984. Whew, that was a mouth full!

The 6’11” Nate Thurmond is one of my personal favorites. He had style un-mimicable and game resumes to match. This is my way of making sure that the young hoop fans out there get a real slice of throwback in hopes that ballers like Nate Thurmond are appreciated for their “Giant” legend.

Historical Glimpses: Dave Bing

(FortCollins-CO) When in discussion of great guards from the late 60’s through the 1970’s many names come to mind that symbolize greatness. Sure there is some great monikers that strike in the forefront of everyone’s mind like “The Big O” and the self-proclaimed “Basketball Gypsy”, but too much, and too often does a player who didn’t need the high profile and flashy nick name gets forgotten. That player is Dave Bing. Bing was a product of the same neighborhood that produced basketball legend Elgin Baylor and was instilled with a sense of community and excellence that has continued to shine after his illustrious career in basketball.

Dave Bing growing up initially didn’t take to basketball naturally. His real passion through his early years was baseball. It wasn’t until a high school baseball coach urged him to play basketball that history would be able to appreciate Bing on the hardwood.

As a collegiate athlete at Syracuse University Bing was phenomenal. In three varsity seasons he would quietly average 24.6 points per game and be honored as an All-American his senior year. History would dictate that the Detroit Pistons would hold the second pick in the 1966 NBA draft and they would pick Bing immediately after Cazzie Russell from the University of Michigan. Cazzie would turn out to be a solid pro for years to come, but he was nowhere near the jewel that was Dave Bing. Bing would win Rookie of the Year by averaging 20 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He would follow that up by leading the league in scoring at 27.1 points per game. That same year he beat out Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Earl Monroe, and Hal Greer for the scoring title and it was the first time a guard had lead the league in scoring since the days of Max Zolofsky in 1948.

Bing would play nine years with the Detroit Pistons in total. Followed by a two-year stint with Washington and a one-year ride with the Boston Celtics. In that twelve-year career Bing would unsuspectingly solidify himself as one of the all-time great guards. His career numbers are impressive at 20.3 points, six rebounds, and almost four assists. His basketball career accolades are staggering. Bing was All-NBA twice, (1968 and ’71, All-NBA second team in 1974, seven time All-Star (1968, ’69, ’71, ’73, ’74, ’75, ’76), and NBA All-Star game MVP in 1976. Furthermore, a Detroit Piston will never wear the number 21 ever again, and Bing was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1989.

A hefty career full of highlights, but many would argue that it is what Bing has accomplished after a life in basketball that is even more a testament to what kind of person and businessman is Dave Bing. During the off-seasons in the NBA Bing worked in the Chrysler bank and studied finance and deal making. It wasn’t too long before Bing figured he was ready start his own company, and it was with the same professionalism he brought to the NBA that has made his business just as successful as his days on the hardwood.

In 1980, Bing opened up appropriately named Bing Steel in Detroit. In ten years Bing had built one of the largest African-American owned businesses in the entire country and was creating revenue in excess of 61 million dollars a year.

Bing is also quite the humanitarian. During budget crisis in Detroit Bing once organized a campaign that raised over $300,000 before taxpayers approved an increase that enabled public schools to continue sporting activities. As for the $300,000, Bing graciously still donated the money! It was stories like this one that truly makes Dave Bing a special basketball player, teammate, businessman, and person. He used a beautiful jump shot and lightning speed to dominate basketball games, but Dave Bing was destined for success regardless of arena.

Marcus Honored On All NBA Defensive Second Team

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets center Marcus Camby has been selected to the All-NBA Defensive Second team. Camby was a legitimate candidate for Defensive Player of the Year in many voters' eyes due to leading the NBA in block shots at 3.3 per game and posting career highs in rebounding and steals. Marcus was snaring boards at a rate of 11.9 and swiping 1.4 steals per game. Marcus Camby also averaged 12.8 points per outing and if it weren't for injuries he might have been even better. The Nuggets are going to be heavily reliant on Camby next year to produce like numbers, if their quest for second round playoff action is ever going to come to fruition.

New Draft Chief For Nuggets

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets have recently announced that they will be handing over draft day duties to Mark Warkentien. Warkentien is currently the Nuggets Director of Player Personnel. He will be assisted in draft day duties by assistant General Managers Jeff Weltman and David Fredman. Unfortunately for the Nuggets, they do not have a first round pick. The Nuggets have still not announced a permanent replacement for recently departed General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe.

The Rumor Mill Continues To Spin

(FortCollins-CO) According to hints and rumors posted on http://www.nuggetshoops.com/, the Denver Nuggets are possibly working on a deal with the Portland Trailblazers that would send Zach Randolph to Denver in a swap for Kenyon Martin. Randolph averaged 18 PPG and 8 RPG last season on a very lack luster Trailblazer unit.

All the buzz on the aforementioned website is pretty negative in evaluation concerning Randolph. Jeers ranging from, “He’s fat,” to the questioning of his character due to off the court problems are abundant, but I believe in giving athletes second chances in new surroundings before throwing them to the lions. I am sure we can all remember when Vince Carter’s character was in question when he was disgruntled with Toronto’s organization. Now look at his revamped career with the Nets, ahh what a difference a change in scenery makes.

The only thing not in question right now is if Kenyon Martin should be traded. He for one is probably the most in need of a change in environment. I have been very vocal in my distaste of the Nugget power forward, but also wish him a rejuvenated start wherever he may land this off-season.

Is Zach Randolph what the Nuggets really need to acquire this off-season? Maybe not, but as the rumor mill continues to spin, it needs to be reported.

Even if Randolph were to end up a Nugget he would be in a battle for the potentially starting nod from George Karl, (If he is even back), with the return of Nene next season.

How about some rumors on some big time shooting guards? There has got to be someone who is the perfect fit for Denver out there somewhere.

Welcome Coast-To-Coast-Tickets

(FortCollins-CO) I am happy to welcome CoastToCoastTickets as the headline sponsor of The Nugg Doctor. My readers will now have the ability to get tickets to sold out events right here in Colorado and abroad by clicking the advertisement directly below the website description. Thanks again to CoastToCoastTickets and my readership.

Denver and Kiki Parting Ways

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets have decided to end their relationship with General Manager Kiki Vandeweghe. In a quote taken from www.espn.com, Stan Kroenke stated, "After meeting with Kiki today, we agreed that his contract will not be extended. We appreciate his time spent with the Nuggets and wish him good luck as he seeks out his next challenge."

There is no clear indication who will be stepping in to replace Kiki, but there sure is no shortage of things to do in the Nugget clubhouse. One thing that the Nuggets do have in their favor, or against them if you choose to think about it that way, is that they are in no rush to replace Kiki seeing how they do not have a first round draft pick in the forthcoming draft.

The Kiki era is over, and thankfully so. This was a stretch of Nugget history that saw the drafting of Nikoloz Tskitishvili, quite possibly one of the biggest bust in recent history, the signing of Kenyon Martin to a 90 million dollar deal that traded away numerous first round draft picks, and three straight years of being bounced from the first round of the playoffs. Kiki was one hell of a player, no doubt about that, but as a manager he left a lot to be desired.

Best of luck wherever the NBA winds drift your sails, Kiki. A lot of good memories made, but there is plethora of things to do in your departing wake and I'm looking forward to some new concepts being introduced.

The Rumor Mill

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets rumor mill could be one of the most buzz worthy in the entire league. The buzz currently is surrounding a potential deal with the Philadelphia 76ers that would include shipment of their aging superstar Allen Iverson. In reciprocal fashion, The Nuggets would give up Andre Miller and Kenyon Martin. I absolutely love the possibilities of this trade and I'm going to tell you why.

First and foremost, Kenyon Martin has an estimated 70 million dollars on the Nuggets books over the next few years. He is obviously not happy in Denver and either is Nuggets management. He is the hottest trade commodity the Nuggets have and the most in need of departure.

Next, Andre Miller's contract with the Nuggets is now up. He isn't what the Nuggets need at point guard because of his non-existent jump shot. I like Andre Miller, he is a good passer, strong floor general, and reliable night-in and night-out. He just isn't fitting into what the Nuggets need as of present time. He would be a strong addition to any east coast, grind 'em out, style of play team.

Allen Iverson has an estimated 60 million dollars in salary left with the 76ers. With Andre Miller potentially making the move to the east coast, the 76ers would be able to free up enough salary to pay 'Dre while Kenyon Martin fills their financial void that Iverson is currently occupying.

This trade would take some finesse, but is more than possible!

I think that Allen Iverson is at a point in his career where he is ready to be on a legitimate contender and if that means not making the high profile salary he has grown used to than so be it. It has been a struggle for him since their last Finals appearance and I think he is ready to forget about ego and try to put some rings on those fingers. With Iverson, the Nuggets can sign Carmelo to max money and keep some of the perimeter double teaming to a minimum. This loosens up Anthony to be a technician from 17 feet and gives the Nuggets some offensive help on the three point arch. Not to mention that Allen Iverson is an elite player on almost every other facet of the game as well.

It is nice to dream isn't it?

What's Next On The Nugg Doctor

(FortCollins-CO) The Nugg Doctor will be continuing to publish the ,"Historical Glimpses," articles during the off season. I will also be diligently working on opening a site much like, "The Nugg Doctor," for every NBA team by the start of pre-season basketball in November. In addition to broadening my coverage NBA wide, I will also be starting websites for every NFL team by the start of the 2006-2007 season. Thanks for the continuous readership and I hope to keep all my loyal readers entertained during the off season with, "Historical Glimpses". As always, special requests are always reviewed concerning forgotten legends of the NBA/ABA.

The Nugg Doctor

I Hope It Was Worth It

(FortCollins-CO) Reggie Evans has been fined by the NBA $10,000 and slapped with a flagarant foul for the 'Hows your wedding tackle' on Clipper center Chris Kaman. Kaman, who pushed Reggie Evans down to the floor after the aforementioned, has not commented. The whole incident unfolded right under the basket while both players were in combat for rebounding position. What made Reggie want to grab more than just a piece is still not known.

The End is Near For Nuggets

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets played pitiful, lackadaisical, uninspired, deplorable, and unacceptable in a game that should have been the most intense, urgent, imperative, and vital of the entire season. This loss basically marks the bitter end of the 2005-2006 season as surely the Clippers are going to be able to win one more game of the remaining three. Seeing how they have two of the aforementioned at home in LA. The score may say 100-86, but trust me, it was a lot more ugly than 14 points.

The Denver Nuggets were toyed with like a brand new tennis ball being launched for the family Labrador in the back yard. Every time that the ball would be launched into the backyard, the Clippers would bring it back with just a little bit more drool on it. Eventually, the Nuggets fell behind by ten and never had what it took to get the lead down to single digits again. In the closing quarter of the game, the lead ballooned to more than twenty points and the Nuggets were left out in the yard, drool soaked, felt torn, and punctured just waiting for the lawn mower to inflict the final blow. That blow is coming, the tennis ball that is this franchise is going to be shredded by the lawn mower that is this off-season, and who is going to be returning next year is the question Nuggets fans are beginning to think about.

Why the pessimism? Because, 153 times out of 160 that a team has fallen behind 3-1 in a series, that team has gone on to lose. Need another grim statistic that is killing the Nuggets? Carmelo Anthony has performed a David Copperfield-esque disappearing act in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets superstar is a mere 3-17 in all the shots he has taken during the fourth quarter of this series. Carmelo fouled out of this game after scoring 17 points on 5 of 17 shooting, turning the ball over four times, and grabbing eight boards.

My only question about this game had to do with personnel coming off the bench. Why did Reggie Evans and Rueben Patterson only play 19 minutes collectively? Eduardo Najera and Francisco Elson weren’t playing that great. What made George Karl give these guys 40 minutes of combined playing time in a game where he should have been looking for a spark from literally anyone?

Ahhhhhh, it doesn’t matter at this point anyway. The noose is around Denver’s neck and the only thing left to do is kick the box out from under our feet. With all the distraction revolving around the Kenyon Martin fiasco, the he said she said going on in the local press, and rumors circulating about Kiki’s days in Denver being numbered. I’m surprised that the Nuggets even squeaked out one.

The Denver Nuggets are yet to score over a hundred points in this series, yet to run the Clippers ragged with the fast break, and now yet another second round appearance is going elude Denver since the unforgettable scene where Dikembe Mutombo lay on the court clutching the ball in elation from the game seven victory over the Karl led Supersonics back in 1994. When the Nuggets eventually meet their demise, we fans will begin to reminisce about Carmelo’s game winners, the most grotesque face-pummeling dunk he had on Theo Ratliff, and all the good times we had along the way. Wipe a tear from my eye, I know it’s getting sappy on The Nugg Doctor, but this season’s campaign is all but over.

New Trade Rumors Circulating Around K-Mart

FortCollins-CO) Let the bidding begin for Kenyon Martin. Do I hear any bidders? Ah ha, New York, and what are you willing to give us for Mr. Martin? Well if there is any legitimacy to a rumor circulating on http://www.nuggetshoops.com/, the Knicks could be interested, again, in making a deal for two of their expiring contracts, (Potentially Jalen Rose and Maurice Taylor or possibly Channing Frye), for the remaining four years and 54 million dollars left on Kenyon Martin’s contract. Larry Brown is also rumored to be pressuring Isiah Thomas to land aging defensive giant Alonzo Mourning.

I think that the Nuggets need to be patient when dealing Kenyon Martin this off-season. Jumping the gun and taking the first trade that gets presented would be foolish. The Nuggets need to figure out what they are going to do with Nene and critically evaluate their needs for a shooting guard. In regards to the two expiring contracts and pair of players that would be potentially traded to New York for Kenyon Martin, I only like the deal with Frye. Jalen Rose is far over the hill and Maurice Taylor would have a hard time finding minutes with Reggie Evans and Nene next year. The most appetizing morsel of either of these potential deals would be Frye. He is definitely blossoming into a big time center and reminds me of a very young Marcus Camby. Gotta think about the future…

It Wasn’t Pretty, But Mission Accomplished

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets saddled up and handled business tonight regardless of how sloppy this game was. Denver missed 13 free throws, turned the ball over 15 times, and missed all eleven three point shot attempts taken. Fortunately, they hounded the Los Angeles Clippers and caused 23 turnovers that fruited 27 points. Also critical to the win was the Nuggets effort on the offensive glass. Denver out rebounded the Clippers on the offensive end 13 to five, and 39 to 37 in the game’s entirety. This game lacked artistic flare, but the Nuggets were able to persevere and win, 94-87, in a game that might have just saved their season.

Carmelo Anthony wasn’t spectacular shooting the ball tonight, a mere 6-17, but found his way to the free throw line and made good on 12 of 18 from the charity stripe. The majority of his made jumpers came from the right side of the floor and were off quick moves before the double team arrived. ‘Melo was also brilliant in other areas besides scoring. He had arguably his most complete playoff game of his young career, despite not shooting a high percentage, by recording seven rebounds and four assists. The Nuggets other biggest assets on offense were Earl Boykins and Andre Miller. Earl came off the bench and contributed 27 solid minutes with only one turnover, pitched in 13 points, and five assists. Miller was also efficient. The Nuggets point guard scored 14 points, snared three rebounds, and passed out seven assists while only coughing it up twice. The Nuggets finally got out and ran the floor, even though they didn’t quite hit the century mark, and the pace of this game was favorable.

All of these are good things for Nuggets fans, but there was one performance that I felt really pushed the Nuggets over the hump. That performance was from Rueben Patterson. Rueben didn’t light up the box score in points or play spectacular defense, but what Rueben did do was find three offensive rebounds in critical points in the game where the Nuggets were looking like they were slipping into a funk. These three offensive rebounds may not seem like much, but they were at crucial junctures in this game and made a monumental difference.

The Nuggets were also wise to continually attack the bucket, which put both Elton Brand and Chris “The Neanderthal” Kaman in serious foul trouble. Brand would foul out of the game late in the fourth quarter, and Kaman would finish the game with two points and five fouls. The figurative schmorgisborg of second chance points that these two fed on in game one and two was just not there tonight. Largely in part to Marcus Camby recording 13 rebounds and scoring twelve points in a solid double-double performance that included drawing a critical charge in the wee minutes of the game.

The order is still tall for the Nuggets. I still believe that their only chance to win this series still wavers on a game four victory. If they can knot this series at deuces, it is literally up for grabs. The Mile High City is going to be rockin’ on Saturday night and the Nuggets need to restore faith in the Denver faithful. Tonight’s effort and resolve was a good start. The Nuggets need to trim back to rough edges, execute more efficiently, shoot a better percentage from the free throw line, and keep attacking the basket to win game four. A lot to ask, I know, but you could be right back in this one Nuggies! Take care of business and square this series up a two a piece!

Dont Let the Door Hit You Where the Good Lord Split You!

(FortCollins-CO) The latest fiasco in the never-ever ending saga that is Keyon Martin will probably keep him out of the rest of this season. The Nuggets have suspended him indefinately for what they call conduct detrimental to the team. The team is being very hush hush and says they will keep the matter within the clubhouse. More pleased, I could not be! Its been a long time coming.

UPDATE: Stephen A. Smith of ESPN has reported that the reason for Kenyon Martin's suspension is the direct repremand of a temper tantrum filled with profanities aimed at coach George Karl during halftime of the loss to the Clippers on Monday night. How long he will sit is still yet to be determined.

UPDATE 4-26-06: Kenyon Martin publicaly apologizes with this statement, “First and foremost, I want to apologize to my teammates and coaching staff for my actions on Monday night. There is nothing more important to me than being a good teammate and giving 110% effort each and every day. Nothing will ever change that. I sincerely regret if this situation has been a distraction for the team, Mr. Kroenke and the Denver Nuggets organization. I take the responsibility of representing the Denver Nuggets very seriously and I truly hope that Nuggets fans understand that. I support the team fully and can’t wait to rejoin them on the court as soon as possible. Right now, the focus should be on the playoffs and getting a Game 3 victory.”

Can we believe this guy?

George Karl is quoted saying this in the Denver Post, "He just doesn't practice very often,he just wants to play in the games. That, philosophically, just doesn't make any sense to me. I (still) think he has a big-time heart and I think he's a big-time competitor."

George Karl has no reason to lie about a man's work ethic. He is an old school guy out of North Carolina with 18 years coaching experience. He is well respected around the league. This whole situation is completely out of control and regardless of fault, or player statements, the Nuggets had no choice but to suspend Kenyon Martin.

UPDATE 4-28-06: Kenyon Martin is going to file a grievance with the NBA. I assume that he is going to try and say that the Nuggets team doctor misdiagnosed the progress of his knee. So he would come back and play prematurely. Funny how this grievance wasn't filed before the suspension. Gee, I wonder why?

Well, I have a few grievances to get off my chest too. Kenyon, you don't get to play when you want, curse out your teammates, throw a temper tantrum because you don't play the minutes you 'think' you deserve, rarely practice, second guess your coach, put up sorry numbers, and pout at the end of the bench when you play poorly!

Get real! You're not worth even half your enormous salary and you're a distraction for this team. Plus the Nuggets do not need you to win. One more thing... As far as I am concerned, you've been a cancer on this team since you got here.

Denver Sputters Again, Make it Six Straight Losses

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets are in critical condition right now after another embarrassing loss to the Clippers 98-87. In a game that I expected at least an intense effort and a close contest the Nuggets played as if there was nothing at stake. Well here is something that the Nuggets should be aware of. Their post-season aspirations of advancing to the second round are now almost mathematically unattainable. The team that jumps out to a two to zero series lead has gone on to win the series 176 times out of 186, or roughly 95% of the time.

The scary thing about tonight’s loss was the total lack of intensity and sense of urgency in the Nugget game plan. The Nuggets were complacent as the Clippers dominated them in the first quarter. The Nuggets only scored 13 points in the first twelve minutes and allowed the Clippers to score 32 points on almost anything they wanted offensively. You could make a strong case that this game was over before it ever really got started. The second quarter was much more of the same. The Nuggets never got any type of fast break offense started and continue to resemble a monkey looking at a math problem in the half court set. The score at halftime was 56-34.

Now after consecutively losing the last six games Denver has really got their back to the wall. If the Clippers can waltz into the Pepsi Center and continue to oppress the Nuggets to the tune of three games to zero it will be time to get the ol’dust pan out of the closet to sweep the Nuggets into the garbage pail. This marks the sixth time in those six loses, surprise surprise, which the Nuggets have failed to score a hundred points in a game.

There is nothing fancy going on in this series. The Clippers are just bullying the Nuggets all over the playground. They are imposing their will on the Nuggets, and as of this point, the Nuggets have no answers and continually fewer and fewer people to turn to on the bench for help. The Clippers once again held the Nuggets to less than ten points on the fast break and Elton Brand continues to be the Nugget killer that I predicted he would be. Brand finished tonight’s game with 19 points on 8-14 from the field, rubbed out three shots, and snatched 11 rebounds to record the double-double, but it continues to be the suffocating team defense that the Clippers employ that is choking out the Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony went just 5 of 15 from the field scoring 16 points, Andre Miller was an unattractive 3 of 11 for 14 points with six turnovers, and Earl Boykins was 5 for 17 scoring 14 points in 33 minutes. As a team the Nuggets shot 34.2% in the game and were without synchronization offensively.

I really thought that the Nuggets would have put on a much more inspired performance tonight. I made bold statements in recognition that the Nuggets whole season’s worth of efforts were essentially riding on this game and I just frankly expected more. Not to take anything away from the Clippers and their success, but the Nuggets are merely acting as if they are content to have made the playoffs. Now with Kenyon Martin most likely out for the rest of the series on that continuously sore reconstructed knee, a gimpy Eduardo Najera, and the obviously still bothersome left hand of Earl Boykins the Nuggets are looking as if any chances of resurrecting this series are slowly blowing out to sea. If there is any remote possibility that the Nuggets can win this series they have to win both games at home. Even if they split the next two, this series is essentially over. The percentage of the time that a team closes out a series with a 3-1 lead is nearly 99%. It is basically that simple. The Nuggets have now put themselves in a position where there is only one way out. Win both games at Pepsi Center by completely forgetting about these last two outings and the aforementioned four loses that concluded the regular season. The Nuggets have to start fresh because anything and everything that they are trying to accomplish right now is just not working.

Now The Nuggets Are Ready To Play

(FortCollins-CO) I knew from the way that the game started that the Nuggets were not going to win. Hell, I knew after losing four straight that they were not going to be ready for game one. Why you might ask? My reply is that you just can't flip intensity on and off like a light switch. Momentum is as sticky as molasses and most often times dictates how you start something after finishing another. The Nuggets came out flat and found themselves down by nine going into half time. Not an insurmountable lead by any means, even though it would balloon up to 16 at one point in the second half, but it was clear indication that the Nuggets put 85 octane in the tank to finish the regular season when they should have been refueling with 93. So now after a 89-87 loss, and allowing the Clippers to win their first playoff game in nine years, the Nuggets are finally getting all that cheap gas out of their engine and are going to be ready with a full tank of premium for game two. Bet on it, the Nuggets are going win on Monday night. Here’s why.

Carmelo Anthony had a terrible shooting night, as well as the rest of the Nuggets, and only scored 25 points on 9-26 from the floor. Anytime that a player scores less points than the number of attempts they shoot you know that they had a tough night. The Nuggets as a team only shot 38.5%. His only other offensive support was from Andre Miller who scored 25 points in symmetry with ‘Melo and passed out six dimes. The rest of the team only accounted for 37 points. A gruesome and telling statistic that proves that the Nuggets were the victims of a very lack luster offensive performance. All things considered, the Nuggets will have an improved offensive showing in game two. Expect them to score 100 or more on Monday in a fury of fast break explosions that leave the Clip-show out of breath and out of reach of game two. In this game, the Nuggets only scored four fast break points in the second half and looked like a fish out of water. One positive point to mention was that Denver only turned the ball over seven times while only allowing the Clippers to capitalize for eight points.

The Nuggets did fight back with valiant defensive efforts to keep this one within striking range with a couple of big-time ten or more to zero scoring surges, but in the end it was too little too late. The consistent intensity and defensive cockiness was elusive through various stretches of the game and with the game on the line in the final minute, the Nuggets were out of gas. Carmelo had a chance to tie up the game, but threw up an air ball on his first chance to be the hero. The ball was tipped out of bounds to Denver and Carmelo had been given a mulligan. Unfortunately the second chance at redemption was also not to be.

One stat that I did take from the game was that the Clippers were the best team in the league at shutting down the fast break in the regular season. I did not know this going into game one. The Nuggets are the best fast break team in the league. I did know this, and this shows that the Clippers exercised their will on the Nuggets, thus materializing the win. Expect this to change dramatically in game two.

So why do I believe so strongly that the Nuggets will snatch game two? Because they were close enough to sniff victory this time and are probably getting tired of hearing all the buzz about how ‘Lucky’ they are to be where they are. The Nuggets are going to come out of the locker room on Monday with a sour taste on their palate and a swagger that is comparable to the second match up between Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang. Already have being blasted in the lips once, now the Nuggets are going to be ready to play. I don’t know why this team needs this type of pressure, but they relish it. It is sometimes the only thing that can get them appropriately juiced up to win games.

There are no statistics to point to, no deep analysis, and certainly no finger pointing in this one. The Nuggets as a TEAM need to step up to the call of duty and get game two. With a game two win, the Nuggets have a chance at winning this series. Without it, well there is no point in speculating without it because they are going to be ready. Get your Journey’s Greatest Hits album out, because it’s going to be “Eye of the Tiger” time on Monday night.

Another Loss: No Momentum Going Into Playoffs

(FortCollins-CO) So I had to let the loss to Seattle sit for a minute or two before I got back on the keyboard. Why you might ask? Because, I predicted to Nuggets to lose and brought my six game prediction record to 4-2 (check my archives from about ten days ago), but there is a main reason that I am seriously concerned about the Nuggets playoff chances. In my assessment, they are looking bleak. Sorry to have to say that, but come on, sometimes as a doctor you have to give it to people straight. With the 109-98 loss to Seattle the Nuggets have now lost eight of their last twelve games. I’m not some cockeyed optimist that just puts on a Nuggets jersey and goes wild. I see grave danger lying ahead for the Nuggets. A possible first round bounce is very likely.

The main storyline for the regular season finale was all about Seattle. Ray Allen set the new NBA record for three pointers made in a season by edging out Dennis Scott, and are now owners of the longest winning home record streak in the league at 17 years straight. If there was any positive aspect of the game for the Nuggets. It was that they didn’t score less than 20 points in a quarter in the outing (yippee, while I twirl my finger around in a circle).

Management finally made a wise decision and sat Carmelo, Marcus, and Kenyon. With absolutely nothing to play for, it was about time that two of our three big guns got a rest. Andre Miller did start the game to preserve the games played streak, but only played 18 minutes.

I know what you thinking, “Enough already with the Seattle game, give us something in foresight for the Clippers,” so here it goes.

The Nuggets are going to have serious problems containing Elton Brand. In a season that the Clipper power forward is a legitimate MVP candidate, I don’t see anyone at the four spot on the Nuggets that can put up a fight. Let’s run down the list of Nugget options and why they will struggle. First, let’s look at Francisco Elson’s chances. Its real simple, ‘Cisco is too weak in the blocks, and doesn’t rebound like a seven footer. Offensively the Nuggets will be lucky to get ten points out of Elson on the other end. Next up is Kenyon Martin. Martin couldn’t stop Brand in his prime, what on earth could make me think that he is up to the challenge now? Not much, but maybe he can score a few more buckets than Francisco. Eddie Najera is about 70% healthy. Even if he can slow Brand down on defense, Najera is little to no offensive threat. Reggie Evans is the Nuggets best chance on the defensive end because of his commitment to the glass, but once again, I don’t see much offensive threat except for a few bunnies off the offensive boards. Marcus Camby is going to be guarding Petro and Kaman. Hopefully he can be assistance on the weak side help with some soaring shot blocking, but unless he swats about ten shots, expect Brand to average 22-26 points in this series.

That is the only glimpse that I can give my readers right now. I know it is the most obvious match-up that the Nuggets have to key on, but look at the box scores from the last three meetings between these two teams. As Brand goes, so do the Clippers. Stop Brand and the Nuggets have a chance. Easier said than done, but it is the only way.