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For the last several playoff games, we’ve been wondering what would happen when the Nuggets finally get tested. Yes, they lost Game Three of the Hornets series, which is sad considering just how much can-do spirit the Hornets revealed in the series. But the Nuggets had a huge lead in the first quarter and almost won that game.
Perhaps the team still hasn’t been tested, but they absolutely stole a game from the Dallas Mavericks today thanks to a huge game by Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony’s game-winning three. The game was close most of the way, but the Mavericks kept getting a lead in the fourth. Then Dallas couldn’t make enough free throws, or execute properly in a “foul-to-give” situation, and the rest is history.
The Mavericks, led by owner Mark Cuban, were obviously ticked by the no-call in the closing seconds, whereby Carmelo got free for his clutchest shot as a professional. (You may have seen Cuban’s little push of the cameraman as he was stomping around after the final whistle.) I guess it technically was a foul, but it was one that could be ignored just as easily at the end of a hard-fought contest as on a game’s first possession. Plus the Dallas defender threw his hands up in the international symbol for, “I didn’t foul him.” So Carmelo dribbled free for the three.
By the way, mark another one off the Nuggets’ list of accomplishments that expunge past sins: a big playoff game by Carmelo (check), another player stepping up when they needed him (check first by Chauncey, but now others), a true homecourt advantage (check), a series win (check), an all-time-record-tying margin of victory (check) and now, a stolen road win and a game-winning shot from the ’Melo man (check).
The Nuggets are so hot they’ve got non-basketball fans, like my mom, watching. I caught today’s game with my mom and little brother, who argued with me about which Nugget was the best player on the team (I say Carmelo Yellow, he says Chauncey). I’m interested in your thoughts on this.
And of course, let’s not forget the other big plays in the fourth quarter that made it possible, like Nene’s huge basket, Carmelo’s dunk, K-Mart’s jumpers, or J.R. Smith and Chauncey popping threes. Once again it was a total team effort by the most thrilling Colorado basketball team in ages. Now on to Monday’s Game Four (7:30 Mountain, TNT).
10 comments:
Wow, what an exciting finish to an otherwise terrible game thanks to the officials who decided to call a foul on almost every possession of the game. Melo continues to make clutch shots at the end of the game, but none bigger than the 3 he nailed today.
I thought the way the refs decided to officiate today's game really hurt the Nuggets. They were never able to get on any runs bacause of all the fouls called and couldn't really be as physical with the Mavs as they had been the previous two games. That being said, I guess that's just a testament to how well the Nuggets are really playing right now becasue they were still able to get the win despite having to grind out every possession in a half court offense.
I would definitely have to say that Melo is the best player on the team because in addition to being a triple threat on offense, he gets double teamed most games which creates open looks for his teammates. With Melo's much-improved defense and he is a legitimate superstar.
Chauncey is amazing and the intangibles (leadership, playoff experience, etc.) he brings to the team are irreplaceable, but he doesn't demand a double team like Melo does.
There are a lot of benefits to living in california. The weather, monday night football starting at a reasonable time and year around golf just to name a few. Yesterday I was in a tough situation. Play in a golf tournament or watch the Nuggets game.
After watching the first quarter at the clubhouse bar I made the decision that the game had no pace due to the referees constant whistles and that the league had decided that the Nuggets shouldn't be allowed to finish their series before the Lakers. With this conclusion I tee'd off at the beginning of the 2nd quarter with my blackberry set to gamecast with 15 second updates.
As soon as I had found out that the nuggets had won I was ecstatic. On the way home from the course our favorite blogger called my car and gave me a detailed energetic play by play that I had on speaker phone for my golf mates to hear. I still hadn't seen the highlights until I got home at 9:30PM. I had recorded on the DVR both the game and the following sports center. (due to the fact that the NBA has never once alloted the proper amount of time for a complete playoff game)
As i watched the last 6 minutes of the game sipping 18 year old The Glenlivet in celebration I noticed that I had tears running down my face as Melo hit the three.
I intimately remember Mutombo grabbing the rebound in the 94 Sonics series. I was 10 and I had never been a part of such excitement. That was only surpassed today.
It is my solid belief that no Joy is greater then the Nuggets overcoming all the obstacles of this season and the last 15 years. I am so proud of this team and thankful that despite all that McDouchbag does to the broncos, I as a Denver sport fan still have passion for a franchise.
If i cried during the 2nd round I wonder what my reaction will be in the conference finals. I will let you know.
Ok, I have to gripe about the so called “controversial non-call.” First of all the refs were obviously not doing a great job all game, how does a team still have a foul to give in the last seconds of a playoff game? I bet they make a little extra down in Dallas off Cuban’s payroll, which is maybe the reason for the NBA’s retraction. Speaking of which, what good does that do? Now you take away the “win” from the winning team and put doubt in the “losing” team of what could have been. What are they supposed to do? Do we call it a redo? Should be put the clock back to 10 seconds and play the ending before we start tonight’s game? That’s ridiculous.
And as for the foul, how long do you have to play in the NBA before you realize in the last seconds you better foul someone obviously if you want a whistle to blow that might change the outcome of a game. Refs tend to avoid that. As for his excuse, “you want me to Dereck Fisher him?” Are you kidding me? Is that your only option? You go for a slight reach and a weak chest bump, expecting to get the call on that!?? One of the friendliest fouls in the game comes after the two minute mark, these guys do it all the time, the two minute hug. You wrap the guy up in a warm, tender moment and there’s no controversy cause you’re not allowed to hug the opposing player. Instead he dives in for the hug and forgets to use his arms…and they’re blaming the refs for this?
All I know is the Nuggets better come out fired up and make it a commanding no doubt win and erase the memory of it all!
LT
Blaine, thanks for following directions and, of course, agreeing with me. I did feel like the way the game was officiated favored the Mavericks, though I think that's sort of common for the team that has home court.
DV, I love the story about you crying. Also about my future in play-by-play. I'm bummed you missed the game but I guess the basketball playoffs are pretty long.
LT, amen! I saw his quote, too, and how lame is it? Of course you just wrap the guy up, has he never seen a game before? It's like I said...sure, it's technically a foul what he did, but why risk a mix-up? Carmelo had his back to the basket, it's not like he was going to be able to fake a shot attempt and get free throws.
As for the NBA's statement, I assume it was solely a PR move to cool down Mark Cuban. If the NBA had said nothing, Cuban would have said a bunch of dumb stuff the next few days until they had to fine him, which would have just drawn more attention to the generally sad officiating. By saying they screwed up there's a chance the media will move on. That's my guess, anyway. There is no real point to the statement other than giving a whiny team/fanbase more ammo for their persecution complex.
Did you read this article by Paige: http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_12340395? I couldn't believe the comments made by Paige's NBA source. It's like Stern just decided he didn't want the Nuggets to win game three. Clearly calling the game "vise-tight" favors the Mavs as the better free throw shooting team. Does the league make these kind of decisions often before playoff games? It will be interesting to see how the refs call game 4 tonight.
The Mavericks are so soft that even when they want to foul a guy, they just slap at his arms like little girls and then throw their hands up like they didn't do anything. Even Woody Paige knows you wrap the guy up if you want to make the foul count.
The another annoying part of this game was listening to the commentators slurp Nowitzki like a 7-11 Icee treat. To hear them tell it, he put up 80 and his team was winning by 50. Chauncey was such a killer stud in the second half getting to the rack at will and draining threes, but nothing was said about it.
Obviously Melo's shot was completely clutch (as was his earlier blocked shot) and shows that he is breaking through to elite status in the league. but another great theme of this game was that even when our big men got in foul trouble, we still found a way to get it done.
As for the Chauncey v. Melo debate, Melo is more talented and a better marquee player - but Chauncey is more valuable to this team with his leadership and poise. Before Chauncey, Melo never made it this far.
And Mark Cuban needs to be dealt with: According to this article, http://mavsblog.dallasnews.com/, Cuban told K-Mart's mom after the game that K-Mart is a "thug" and a "punk." Very classy on Mother's Day weekend. K-Mart has vowed to deal with the situation. If he bumps Cuban to the floor like he did Dirk, I am buying a K-Mart jersey.
But calling the game loose favors the Nuggets as the more physical team, Blaine. I'm not shocked that the NBA is reactionary with how it calls games...they ALWAYS do this. Watch the way Phil Jackson uses the media over the last fifteen years in the playoffs and see how the refs adjust in the next game. He complains because it works.
The Denver Post NBA Playoffs section on Sunday was incredible, and in it Paige pointed out Cuban getting into an argument with K-Mart's mom. That one kind of blows my mind and I hope Martin has a huge game. (Cuban claimed in an e-mail to the Post that K-Mart's mom has smack-talked him before.)
John, does your politician-like answer mean you think Chauncey is better than Carmelo? I feel like Chauncey is getting credit in these arguments for joining the team later. If we'd had 7 but not 15 the last few years, I still don't think we'd have made it out of the first round until we had both of 'em.
My politician-like answer is meant to demonstrate that I don't think Chauncey is better than Melo, but also that I don't think better is a fair question. You are right that they need each other in order to make a successful team of the Niggets. But my point is that Melo needed Chauncey to maximize his potential, but Chauncey did not need Melo to do the same. In other words, Chauncey already was a Finals MVP and the best player he could be without Melo - and when you put the two together, Chauncey has been the X-factor for Melo stepping up this season.
Now Chauncey gets credit for being older? Yeah, he's great. I am seriously so anxious for this friggin' game to start now.
So to your original question:
Melo: Most athletic, which generally means best player, but he's not good enough to carry the team by himself.
Chauncey: Smartest player on the team, who else can walk on to a team and gets that much respect. He'll make a great coach, he knows the game, knows the opposition, knows his team, and knows his role.
Birdman: Most Energetic, tempted to say best cause I love this guy.
Smith: Most confident.
Martin: Most likely to punch Mark Cuban and ruin our playoff run.
LT
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