Nuggets News

Offense absent in Nuggets' first loss
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November 7
InDenverTimes.com
 
"The Denver Nuggets lost their first game of the season Friday night, 96-88, to the Miami Heat in Miami. The game was close in the first quarter, with Denver down by only two, but Miami outscored Denver by 10 points in the second quarter, and the Nuggets lost it from there. The Nuggets were down by as much as 29 points at one point in the third quarter but made a late run and finally got to within eight as time ran out. The only productive Nuggets were Carmelo Anthony, who netted 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Arron Afflalo added 18 points on 7-12 shooting and provided the Nuggets with energy and a spark off the bench. The Nuggets overall offense was flat and pathetic. There was ..."
Melo can't do it by himself, Nuggets lose Martin
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November 7
Denver Post
 
"Well into Friday's second quarter, the Nuggets and Heat were knotted in a nice little game — until the Nuggets suddenly went as flat as a Cuban sandwich. It was a deflating performance by the road team, tied at 33-33 with 5:57 left in the second, but down by 28 late in the third. Denver ultimately lost 96-88, and might have lost Kenyon Martin for a little while too. The power forward suffered a lower left leg contusion in the second quarter and did not return to the game. X-rays taken at halftime were inconclusive, and Martin will undergo an MRI today and sit out tonight's game at Atlanta, Denver coach George Karl said. "The feeling I got is, it might be a week or two weeks, but it won't ..."
Team effort helps Miami Heat knock off Nuggets
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November 7
Miami Herald
 
"The pattern right now is that there is no pattern. And that's a good thing for the Heat. One game after Dwyane Wade scored 40 points against the Washington Wizards in a win, the Heat got a balanced offensive effort and matched the physical play of the Denver Nuggets for a 96-88 victory. It was the Heat's first win against Denver since Dec. 2004, breaking an eight-game losing streak, and the loss was the first of the season for the Nuggets, who came into the game leading the league in scoring at 115.4 points a contest. ``We've been balanced, and it has been different guys each time,'' Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. Wade managed to lead the Heat in scoring with 22, but it came on an erratic ..."
Balanced attack pushes Heat past Nuggets, to 5-1 record
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November 7
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"Apparently, Friday nights are about erasing the past. A week ago, the Miami Heat snapped a 17-game losing streak in Indiana with a victory at Conseco Fieldhouse. Friday night, the Heat snapped its eight-game losing streak to the Denver Nuggets with a 96-88 victory over Denver at AmericanAirlines Arena. The common theme to the streak busting? A balanced approach. "That's what we've been trying for," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "We feel like we're developing balance, and it's been different guys each game, at times. Guys were very unselfish. There wasn't a lot of one-on-one." No, this was not an encore of Dwyane Wade's 40-point binge Wednesday in Washington. This was the Heat's star guard ..."
Nuggets blow away New Jersey Nets in 2nd half en route to 122-94 win
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November 5
New York Daily News
 
"As the Nets struggled through the third quarter Wednesday night against Denver, their play wasn't as inept as in their previous two games. Actually, it was worse. After leading the Nuggets by a point at halftime, the Nets turned in one of the worst defensive quarters in their history, allowing 44 points in the third on their way to a 122-94 loss in front of 15,319 at the Meadowlands. The Nets played as well as they have all season in the first half but still only led by 51-50 at the break. Chauncey Billups then scored the first seven points of the third quarter to get the Nuggets rolling, and they never stopped. Denver made 17 of its 25 shots in the third, including Carmelo Anthony's ..."
On return, Nuggets' Smith will play from the bench
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November 5
Denver Post
 
"When Nuggets guard J.R. Smith returns from suspension on Nov. 10, he will not immediately start, Nuggets coach George Karl said Wednesday. "Right now, I'm not a big believer that starting him is as important as some people are writing," Karl said. Smith, who served the fifth of a seven-game suspension on Wednesday at New Jersey, has traveled with the team on the current six-game road trip. On days with shootarounds he's taken extra practice doing everything from shooting to playing one-on-one with Nuggets coaches."
Nuggets rout Nets to go 5-0
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November 5
Denver Post
 
"The Nuggets used a big second half to pull away from New Jersey and win their fifth straight to open the season, 122-94, on Wednesday night at the Izod Center. Carmelo Anthony had another subpar first half, only to break out in the second. His night was emblematic of the Nuggets as a whole. The team sprang to life after halftime and used a 26-8 run at the beginning of the third quarter to put the game away. Anthony finished with 22 points on 8-of-24 shooting, 7-of-13 in the second half. Kenyon Martin finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Nene contributed 16 and nine boards."
Nuggets rout Pacers to open road trip
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November 4
Denver Post
 
"Talk about misleading starts. The Nuggets popped the seal off their six-game road trip Tuesday night by going 1-for-7 from the field. Then, they blew the doors off the Pacers. The main events are to come on this Eastern Conference road swing, and this was every bit the tuneup that Tuesday's 111-93 final score indicated. The fans at a sparsely populated Conseco Fieldhouse watched a barrage of shots flow in from all angles, while the Pacers struggled most of the night. "Anytime you start with a win, it snowballs the momentum," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I think we had a good defensive feel for the game all night long.""
Indiana loses its way early, can't rally against Denver
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November 4
Indianapolis Star
 
"Fall behind early. Make a run to try to keep things interesting. Run out of a gas at the end. The Indiana Pacers aren't good enough to fall behind by double digits and expect to come back and win, especially against a team that reached the Western Conference finals last season. They found that out Tuesday night when the Denver Nuggets toyed with them for most of their 111-93 victory over Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse. The Pacers (0-3), who play the New York Knicks tonight, are one of three remaining winless teams (New Jersey, Golden State). "We've got to find a way to get a win," Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said. "The first quarter we didn't make shots that we've made the last couple of ..."
Melo ready for rumble with ex-teammate Jones
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November 3
Denver Post
 
"For a few moments before and after tonight's game against Indiana, Dahntay Jones' 4-year-old son will steal the show in the Nuggets locker room, where last season he was a team favorite. During the game, Jones will try to steal the show from Carmelo Anthony. Anthony got a taste of Jones' tactics in two preseason games this season and says he'll be ready for it tonight when the Nuggets begin their six-game road trip at Indiana. Things got a bit heated when the two squared off in Beijing and Taiwan last month. Anthony, who scored 45 points in the second of the two exhibition games against the Pacers, shrugged it off. "It got a little chippy. That's him though," Anthony said. "That's his ..."
Nuggets' six-game road trip visits historically hard places to win
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November 3
Denver Post
 
"For the Nuggets' players, this road trip will seem like dining at a restaurant where they were once dumped. Five different times. Of the Pacers, Nets, Bulls and Bucks, none had a winning record last season, but all beat Denver in the Nuggets' lone trip to their towns. Embarrassment to the fifth degree. Denver returns to each of these arenas on the six-game, 10-day excursion, which also includes a game at Miami, where Denver actually won a year ago. "It's great motivation for us," said point guard Chauncey Billups, whose team traveled Monday and plays Indiana tonight at 5 p.m. For all the aplomb that was last season, the Nuggets were just 21-20 on the road, a good but not great record for a ..."
Carmelo, J.R. a winning combination
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November 3
Denver Post
 columnist Benjamin Hochman
"We've gone only about 0.2 miles in this marathon of an NBA season, but a fascinating story line is already developed in Denver, where Carmelo Anthony is going all Alex English on opponents. The most eye-popping number isn't his 37.7 points per game, but his 53.6 shooting percentage, which is emblematic of his efficiency that seamlessly transferred from the preseason to the regular season. So not only is Melo shooting better than ever, he's shooting more than ever - his 23 field-goal attempts per game would make for his highest season average, as would his 12.3 makes. But we forget that J.R. Smith has been suspended for these first three games (and the next four). Smith is Denver's ..."
Howard, Anthony named Players of the Week
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November 3
NBA.com
 
"The Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard and the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony today were named the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Tuesday, Oct. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 1. Howard led the Magic to a 3-0 week, including two road wins, averaging 21.7 points, 16.0 rebounds and 2.3 blocks. The 6-11 center posted point-rebound double-doubles in all three of Orlando's games, including a 20-point, 22-rebound performance on Oct. 30 at New Jersey. Behind the league's leading rebounder, the Magic is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 1993-94. Anthony led the Nuggets to a 3-0 week, averaging a league-best 37.7 points on .536 shooting from the ..."
With smith out, Karl prefers starting carter
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November 2
Denver Post
 
"Four more games! Then, finally, J.R. Smith will be back from his suspension and back in Denver's rotation. For now, coach George Karl continues to weather the storm by starting Anthony Carter in the backcourt with Chauncey Billups because "it's the most confident rotation." Carter started 72 games the previous two seasons with the Nuggets, whereas Joey Graham and Arron Afflalo are newcomers. "We're familiar with it - we're just going to rotate the game from that situation," said Karl, who said he wants to try to play both guys more, notably Graham, who has been battling a toe injury. As for Smith, he will join Denver on its six-game road trip and is eligible to play his first game at ..."
Melo adds fine new title: leader
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November 2
Denver Post
 columnist Dave Krieger
"Pro basketball's long grind is just beginning, as the Nuggets are the first to point out. But it is still worth noticing that through three games, Carmelo Anthony has been the best player in the NBA. He leads the league in scoring at 37.7 points per game on .536 shooting. He is among the Nuggets' leaders in steals, rebounds and assists. In short, as he begins his seventh NBA season at the still-tender age of 25, Melo is taking his game to another level. "He's just so focused," teammate Chauncey Billups said. "And he's just riding a high wave right now. We're just kind of getting on his back." If Anthony is setting a tone for the season, not only is a scoring title within his reach, so is ..."
Melo's 42 lead Nuggets' onslaught against Grizzlies
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November 2
Denver Post
 
"Chauncey Billups has played in the NBA since Ty Lawson was 10, dishing out 4,689 assists to everyone from Antonio McDyess to Zan Tabak. But after Sunday's 133-123 home win against Memphis, the Nuggets' Billups sighed and said: "Melo's the best scorer I've ever played with, yes, he is. I've played with a lot of guys, but he just has a knack, man. His skill set, for his body type, is just tremendous. It's a mismatch every single night." After scoring 30 points in the season opener and 41 on Thursday, Carmelo Anthony scored 42 against the Grizzlies - and did so with shocking ease, shooting 15-for-26 from the field (57.7 percent). He was in a zone that couldn't be zoned (or man-to-manned or ..."
Allen Iverson no longer the "Answer", but a question mark
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November 2
Denver Post
 
"How does it happen? One day you're a beloved, iconic figure, playing in a city where you were once the star of stars in the NBA All-Star Game, literally the answer to a team's basketball and box-office woes. The next day you're shipped to a place where the whispers began almost as soon as you got off the plane. Where you weren't an exclamation point, but rather a question mark - with things deteriorating to the point that, at playoff time, you're simply asked to just go away. And now, exactly a year later, you're thisclose to being one of the most cringe- worthy phrases in sports - a journeyman - perhaps even lucky to land a deal in Memphis, expected to be one of the most cringe-worthy ..."
Tempers flare as Memphis Grizzlies lose to Denver Nuggets, 133-123
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November 2
Memphis Commercial Appeal
 
"The scoreboard wasn't all that provided fireworks in what turned out to be a shootout Sunday night between the Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets. The Grizzlies had to douse an explosive shouting match between O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay on their bench before the end of a 133-123 loss in a wildly entertaining affair at the Pepsi Center. Mayo tossed in a career-high 40 points only to have the performance overshadowed by Nuggets' forward Carmelo Anthony's 42-point outburst, and somewhat marred by an incident during a late fourth-quarter timeout. Denver kept Memphis at arms length in the fourth quarter, never allowing the Griz to get closer than five points. Gay took exception when Mayo made a strong ..."
Billups expands role to boost playmaking
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November 1
Denver Post
 
"The last time Chauncey Billups played extensively at two-guard was in 2000, when he started at the position in Minnesota alongside point guard Terrell Brandon. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons. "It's not something that I liked," Billups said. "I never liked playing two-guard. Especially if that's the position I'm playing the whole time." This time around it's a bit different as the veteran has been asked to reprise the role. Billups has played shooting guard in portions of the Nuggets' first two games. His assessment? "It's cool," Billups said. Nuggets coach George Karl has played speedy rookie Ty Lawson and the heady Billups together in order to get more playmakers on the ..."
Nuggets VP has fascinating tweak for NBA postseason
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November 1
Denver Post
 columnist Benjamin Hochman
"Mark Warkentien has an idea. Consider three seasons ago, when the valiant Hornets won 39 games despite injured starters missing an astounding 133 contests. Meanwhile, in other cities, there were whispers of teams tanking in efforts to improve chances at drafting Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. But if Warkentien had his way, the Hornets, despite the West's 10th-best record, still could have made the playoffs. The tankers too. See, the Nuggets' vice president of basketball operations has penned a plan, which he is sharing with members of the NBA's competition committee. Here it is: In each conference, the top seven teams will make the playoffs, per usual. But after the regular season ends, the ..."
Denver Nuggets extend Renaldo Balkman's contract
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November 1
Denver Post
 
"Renaldo Balkman is one of the more fascinating projects on the Nuggets roster, and now he is locked in for a while, signing a three-year contract extension for a $1.67 million base salary with bonuses, according to an NBA source. Balkman doesn't play much now, but is transitioning to the small forward position after playing the power forward spot since college. He is a different type of player because he is primarily a defensive-minded player, known for his scrapping and hustle. He has the ability to slip under the defense for an easy layup, and his fast hands leads to steals. But he is still learning how to play the perimeter and plays behind Denver star Carmelo Anthony."
Nuggets extend Renaldo Balkman's contract
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November 1
Denver Post
 
"Renaldo Balkman is one of the more fascinating projects on the Nuggets roster, and now he is locked in for a while, signing a three-year contract extension for a $1.67 million base salary with bonuses, according to an NBA source. Balkman doesn't play much now, but is transitioning to the small forward position after playing the power forward spot since college."
Anthony's 41 points lift Nuggets past Blazers
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October 30
Portland Tribune
 
"Portland's 7-foot center didn't feel so great 30 minutes later when, after dressing in the team's locker room, he had to face reporters to talk about missing both attempts. "I stepped up there with confidence, thinking I was going to hit (them), but it didn't go that way," said Oden after the Nuggets' 97-94 victory. "I put this loss on me. I need to step up and make those. All of us have to step up, and I didn't do it tonight with those free throws." After Oden's second miss, Carmelo Anthony rebounded and was fouled with 1.9 seconds remaining. Denver's superstar made both free throws. After a timeout, Brandon Roy missed with a wild 3-pointer and the Nuggets had seized an important road ..."
Denver slips past Blazers 97-94
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October 30
Oregonian
 
"Go ahead and say it's only the second game of the season. Feel free to blame uncharacteristic poor shooting and foul trouble. And be sure to dwell on the fact that there are 80 games left in the marathon of an NBA season. Do all of that, Rip City, but don't overlook something else. This one hurt. And six months from now, if the Trail Blazers find themselves in a neck-and-neck tussle for playoff positioning and, perhaps, a Northwest Division championship, they can look back on Thursday night's debacle as a black eye. The Denver Nuggets capitalized on an MVP-caliber performance from All-Star Carmelo Anthony and two missed free throws from Greg Oden in the closing seconds to steal a 97-94 ..."
Melo scores 41 points to lift Nuggets over Blazers
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October 30
Denver Post
 
"The Portland faithful painfully climbed the Rose Garden stairs, a few folks occasionally peered down at the court, as if maybe, just maybe, it didn't actually happen. But it did - down one point to Denver with 4.6 seconds left, Greg Oden missed two free throws, and the Nuggets proceeded to win Thursday's thriller, 97-94. It's not even November, and the Nuggets have notched what could be the biggest win of the season. Consider this: • It was against arguably Denver's toughest division foe. • It was the second game of a back-to-back, after the Nuggets arrived at their Portland hotel at 4 a.m. • Denver played without suspended sharpshooter J.R. Smith. • And it was a road win at the ..."
Starting not big deal for carter
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October 30
Denver Post
 
"Told he would now be a starter for the Nuggets, what was Anthony Carter's reaction? There really wasn't one. "A lot of people live their life to start. I live my life to do whatever it takes for us to win," the guard said. "I'll embrace the starting role until something happens. But if I come off the bench, I come off the bench. It's not a big deal to me. I just want to win." At least for the first couple of weeks, Carter will help the team win by starting. Coach George Karl said he likes starting Carter, which he did Thursday for the second straight night, because "it's what everybody knows," referring to the fact that he knows what Carter, a veteran, can provide. "What he gives us is an ..."
'Improved' defense doesn't convince
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October 29
Salt Lake Tribune
 columnist Kurt Kragthorpe
"The Jazz's season started without enough stops, just the way the last one ended. While their intentions may have been good, they did nothing to make anyone believe their defense is improved, could not overcome the horrible performance of their controversial power forward and missed a chance to open the season with a meaningful road victory. The Jazz needed much more than merely a few stretches of adequate defense Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center, where they ultimately could not keep up with the Denver Nuggets in a 114-105 loss. Amid all that Deron Williams gave them and everything that Carlos Boozer failed to provide, the Jazz crumbled in the second half of a game they genuinely ..."
Jazz fizzle late
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October 29
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"By their own admission, the Jazz couldn't have asked for a tougher test than opening the season on the road against the defending Northwest Division champion Denver Nuggets, with unfinished business coming off a Western Conference finals appearance. It was a test they were in position to pass in the second half, before failing the final exam. The Nuggets erased an eight-point deficit in the third quarter, then took control at the start of the fourth quarter in capturing a 114-105 victory at Pepsi Center. Deron Williams led the Jazz with 28 points and 13 assists, but committed a costly three-shot foul on Chauncey Billups with 0.4 seconds left in the third. Carlos Boozer, meanwhile, endured ..."
Fall apart in opener
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October 29
The Deseret News
 
"The weather outside was frightful. The Denver Nuggets inside in the fourth quarter, delightful. So it went on the opening night of the 2009-10 NBA season for the Jazz, who fell 114-105 at snowy Denver despite leading for most of three quarters — and despite a 28-point, 13-assist double-double from point guard Deron Williams. Last season's Western Conference-finalist Nuggets dominated down the stretch in a late-starting, ESPN-televised game at the sold-out Pepsi Center, outscoring Utah 32-25 and out-rebounding the Jazz 15-11 in the fourth quarter. "They picked it up a little bit, got tougher — and we got a little softer, to make a long story short," Jerry Sloan said after the start of 22nd ..."
Rookies Matthews, Maynor make debuts
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October 29
The Deseret News
 
"They could've made an early splash as rookie of the year candidates, struggled through a bunch of boneheaded plays or spent the night in the role of cheerleaders. Wouldn't matter. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan would still give the same advice to his two rookies. And the sermon — which he hopes first-year pros Eric Maynor and Wesley Matthews take to heart — is one he's heard and preached innumerable times the past 44 years through his three-decade-long coaching tenure and clear back to 1965 when he was wet behind the ears as an NBA newcomer with the Baltimore Bullets. "Yeah," he said when asked Wednesday about his message for the new guys. "Keep your nose to the grindstone and work." Sloan liked ..."
Billups, Nuggets begin quest for NBA title
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October 28
Denver Post
 
"The team huddled around its quarterback, a long drive on the horizon. After Tuesday's Nuggets practice, Chauncey Billups spoke softly about the quest that begins tonight: the team's elusive search for an NBA title, beginning with a home game against Utah. If Denver is to return to the Western Conference finals — and stone-sling the Goliaths that are the Lakers en route to the NBA Finals — it will undoubtedly be because of Billups, rising to the occasion much like an Elway. Entering his second season in his second go-round with Denver, Billups said he knows his teammates' tendencies even better, he knows how to better motivate and he knows what the Nuggets did to blow winnable games that ..."
Utah hardly about to discount Denver
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October 27
Salt Lake Tribune
 
"For a team that rode last season's Chauncey Billups trade all the way to its first Western Conference finals appearance since 1985, the Denver Nuggets might have been forgotten after how silent they went this summer. They re-signed Chris Andersen and Anthony Carter and acquired Arron Afflalo in a trade with Detroit. But the Nuggets also watched starter Dahntay Jones sign with Indiana as a free agent and key reserve Linas Kleiza head to Greece. As they prepare, though, to open the season Wednesday at Denver, the Jazz aren't about to claim the Nuggets have taken a step back after finishing six games ahead of Utah in the Northwest Division standings. "They're a good team, a very good team," ..."
Kiszla: Nuggets' Nene needs to shine
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October 27
Denver Post
 
"There are 54 ways the Nuggets could wither under the weight of unreasonable expectations and maybe one good reason to believe they could blossom into a legitimate NBA championship contender. Is this the year Nene grows up and becomes an all-star center? "I know it is easier to stand out as a center in this league," Nene told me during training camp. Nene can be the No. 1 center in the Western Conference. It is the only way Denver can be the No. 1 team in the West. Coming off a season in which he produced personal bests in points (14.6), rebounds (7.8) and minutes (32.6) per game, is this the year when the 27-year-old Nene finally elevates what has been a star-crossed career into undeniable ..."
Lakers look to be a lock in the West, but Nuggets' Karl isn't so sure
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October 27
Denver Post
 
"How could he not drink the Kool-Aid? It was early 2008, and most of the NBA was guzzling the stuff. Pau Gasol to the Lakers, Jason Kidd to the Mavericks and Shaquille O'Neal to the Suns, leading most observers to think those three NBA teams would rule the Western Conference for years to come. But Nuggets coach George Karl was skeptical. A flashy move doesn't automatically make your team better, he preached. Sure enough, Gasol proved big for L.A., but Kidd and Shaq did nothing to help their franchises move up. So, here we go again. While the Nuggets acquired backups Arron Afflalo and Malik Allen this summer, three other West stalwarts acquired studs - the Lakers trading for Ron Artest, the ..."
Nuggets management, coach confident skeptics of team will be wrong
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October 27
Denver Post
 
"Skepticism about how good the Nuggets are after last season's trip to the Western Conference finals apparently starts near the top of the NBA. An NBA.com survey of league general managers released this month shows that the GMs think San Antonio is the second-best team in the West and that Portland will win the Nuggets' Northwest Division. But, hey, they did vote the Nuggets the third-most fun team to watch. From fans to front-office types, the Nuggets' moves this summer were underwhelming. And with several competitors adding big-name talent, most predict the Nuggets will fall down a few steps from their conference finals appearance. None of those skeptics, however, work at the Pepsi ..."
Looking forward to facing Nuggets
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October 27
The Deseret News
 
"In describing the Jazz's opening-night challenge, Ronnie Price used an adjective as many times as some people do when talking about their pioneer ancestors. Traveling to Denver to face the defending Northwest Division champions, the Jazz combo guard claimed, is a "great, great, great test." The game against the Nuggets will be televised Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN, the network that happens to employ the great-great-great grandson of Brigham Young. Minus a few greats, Deron Williams agreed this will give Utah a chance to take its preseason talk on a walk. "It's going to be a good match-up, a good test to see if we can come out and execute like we want to on defense," Williams said. "See ..."
Nuggets coach Karl tightens reins going into regular season
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October 26
Denver Post
 
"At the conclusion of the Nuggets' practice Sunday, instead of a few perfunctory words, coach George Karl spoke at length about a number of topics, including offensive decision-making and the most effective ways for his players to maximize possessions. In other words, with the Nuggets' regular-season opener against Northwest Division rival Utah set for Wednesday, the time for 6-foot-11 power forwards to randomly launch 3-pointers is probably over. Karl has allowed his players more freedom on offense this preseason, with mixed results. "And now it's time for me to make those decisions a little bit more, instead of allowing them to continue making experimental decisions," Karl said."
Nuggets' Martin unveils work on outside shooting
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October 25
Denver Post
 
"Early into Friday's preseason game, Kenyon Martin held the ball in the right corner, the defender a couple of counties away. So, Martin launched a 3-pointer. Splash. A few minutes later, the Nuggets' Martin had a similar situation on the left wing. Clank. Such is the gamble power forward Martin is willing to take this season. The confident veteran has been working hard on his jumper, and he hopes to shoot more than previous seasons. Optimists wonder if this intangible could push Denver over the Western Conference hump. Some skeptics wonder if Martin should defer more. "I think his energy has been great," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I think he wants to be a little more of an offensive ..."
Nuggets' "Birdman" Andersen eager for bigger role
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October 25
Denver Post
 
"Chris "Birdman" Andersen is already larger than life on a mural on the side of a downtown building. He'll soon have a radio segment, tentatively called "Bird's Eye View" on KEPN 1600 AM. A superheroesque Birdman will appear on drinking glasses at Arby's, a special set of three to be released soon. This is Year 2 of the Birdman reclamation story. In the past year, he has gone from endangered species to the winged warrior. He has shown he can get back on his feet. Now, the question is: Can he handle the fame and fortune that comes with his new life? He has a new contract, new "flock socks" tattoos - a string of birds on each leg near his calf area - a fiancee and a renewed sense of self. He ..."
J.R. Smith a real-life prince in ill girl's life
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October 25
Denver Post
 columnist Woddy Paige
"His irresponsibility caused the death of a close friend. His responsiveness may have helped save the life of a new friend. The Fairy Princess and J.R. Swish is a rose-and-thorn tale. Four years ago, when Hannah Marklin was 12, her fondest wish was to play basketball. But she developed a mysterious ailment. The Cinderella-haired, beautiful young girl couldn't keep food down, and she was losing far too much weight. Doctors believed she was bulimic. When medication didn't provide relief, her gallbladder was removed, and a tube was inserted into her nose and down to her lower intestine. Hannah developed a massive stomach infection, and another tube was surgically placed in her body. The ..."
Lawson cool in hot game
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October 24
Denver Post
 
"The purple- and gold-clad crowd taunted the Birdman mercilessly, and with a devilish grin, Chris Andersen began to flap his colorful arms like bird wings, egging on the crowd like a pro wrestling villain. Friday's Nuggets-Lakers game was a preseason game disguised as a playoff game. During the 119-105 Denver win at San Diego Sports Arena, this iniquitous second-quarter sequence began when Denver's Andersen bumped Lamar Odom while running down the court. Moments later, it turned into a shoving match in the low post, with teammates - and coaches - desperately separating the two. Suddenly, Denver's Kenyon Martin jumped into the fray, barking at Odom, forcing the Nuggets to split forces in ..."
Lakers' exhibition finale against Denver gets heated
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October 24
L.A. Daily News
 
"There were six technical fouls, two flagrant fouls, one near fight and too many frayed nerves to count as the Lakers and Denver Nuggets squared off in their final exhibition game Friday night at the San Diego Sports Arena. The Lakers and Nuggets played a rough-and-tumble game that tested the patience of the players, coaches and, especially, the replacement referees. There were no punches thrown and no ejections during the Nuggets' 119-105 victory. "It got feisty out there," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "They were trying to make a statement that (Thursday night's Lakers one-sided victory) was something they're not going to tolerate. The referees had to step in and up the ante." Just as ..."
NBA's deal with referees pleases Phil Jackson, George Karl
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October 24
Los Angeles Times
 
"They are of like minds -- at least when it comes to the NBA officials. And after a game Friday night in which the replacement referees called six technical fouls and two flagrant fouls, coaches Phil Jackson of the Lakers and George Karl of Denver will be happy to have the veteran officials back. When they learned before the game that the NBA had reached an agreement with its referees, who will begin work Tuesday night when the regular season starts, both coaches uttered similar comments. "Wow, I hope they're in shape," said Jackson, whose team opens the season Tuesday against the Clippers at Staples Center. "I wonder if they are going to be in shape," said Karl, whose team opens Wednesday ..."
Nuggets' Afflalo brings more than meets the eye to the court
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October 23
Denver Post
 
"Godot wouldn't have kept someone waiting this long. Arron Afflalo and the Nuggets didn't practice Monday - players came to Pepsi Center to watch film or get treatment - so a reporter figured he would catch Afflalo for an interview in no time at all. Instead, the reporter waited ("See ya tomorrow, Chauncey . . ."). And waited ("Later, Nene . . ."). And waited ("If the training staff and coaches have all left, then who's with Afflalo?"). Almost three hours after Afflalo had arrived - remember, this was an "off" day - he was still in the practice gym, shooting by himself, working at his craft. Afflalo is a role player, a guy who could walk the 16th Street Mall and get more requests for change ..."
Karl prepares for Games without Smith
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October 23
Denver Post
 
"There sure were moments in Thursday's Nuggets-Lakers game when George Karl could have used J.R. Smith. Denver wasn't shooting well and had more turnovers at halftime than it averaged per game last season. But in anticipation of Smith's suspension for the first seven games of the regular season, Karl gave Smith the night off, in order to prepare himself from a coaching standpoint for what's in store. Denver lost 106-89, and the Lakers didn't play big men Pau Gasol (hamstring) and Andrew Bynum (shoulder). "I thought our defense was pretty first-class for most of the game," Karl said. "And I thought our offense stunk." With Smith out, Karl started Joey Graham at shooting guard, and he wasn't ..."
Nuggets want improvement, not revenge, vs. Lakers
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October 22
Denver Post
 
"There is no honor in the preseason, no revenge in an exhibition win. The Nuggets face the L.A. Lakers in back-to-back games beginning tonight in Anaheim, Calif., and concluding Friday in San Diego. The matchups, tonight on TNT and Friday on ESPN, will no doubt be laced by the broadcasters with Western Conference finals rematch overtones, even if they're subtle. But the Nuggets aren't looking at it that way against the team that eliminated them from last season's playoffs. Not even close. "Of course we want to win, but we're just trying to get better at the end of the day," forward Carmelo Anthony said. "We're going to see them four times during the year. It's more on us and how we execute ..."
Nuggets trim roster to 13
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October 21
Denver Post
 
"The Nuggets were high on high-flying dunker James White, but he ultimately couldn't get ahead of Joey Graham and couldn't get on the court in the preseason, and so Denver waived White today. White averaged 7.3 points per game in the preseason, but he didn't play in recent games, not even in Denver's Tuesday blowout against Minnesota. It appears the Nuggets' roster is now set with 13 players, heading into the season opener Oct. 28. Earlier in the day, the Nuggets waived guard Dontaye Draper and center Kurt Looby, the team confirmed this morning. Neither played extensively in the preseason and were more practice players."
Melo embraces leadership role
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October 20
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony has shown glimpses of leadership in the past, but based on his performance in training camp, the Nuggets' star has taken it to another level. "Melo's really taken a big piece of leadership role on the team," guard Chauncey Billups said. "Guys are looking up to him. Melo always, since I've been here, he's been our best practice player. He goes hard. When you've got your best player going extremely hard like that and playing and competing every single practice, it makes everyone else around him say, 'He's doing it, I better do it.' He's been great." While Nuggets coach George Karl said he has seen Anthony's leadership manifest itself "by his approach and his actions more than ..."
Blazers rally, beat Denver
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October 19
Portland Tribune
 
"Portland and Denver, which both finished at 54-28 last season, met in an exhibition game at the Rose Garden, where the Blazers rallied in the fourth quarter for a 98-96 victory. A new-looking Greg Oden (16 points, seven rebounds) and new guard Andre Miller (18 points, five rebounds, four assists) helped Portland snap a three-game preseason losing streak and even its record at 3-3. Denver fell to 2-3. Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 21 points."