As a longtime Nuggets fan, the more I think about this team’s still-brief playoff run, the more excited I get. Sometimes it’s the little things: watching an NBA playoff game on ABC and realizing that’s the Pepsi Center court where all the action is taking place. And sometimes it’s the huge things, like watching John Elway introducing Chauncey Billups to the crowd, a clip which literally gave me chills.
The Nuggets’ win today was textbook and also wasn’t—common in the way the team completely blew it open at the end, but rare in the way everyone stepped up around Billups and Carmelo Anthony, neither of whom had a great game. (’Melo still had his moments, namely his three-point play at the start of the second half and his first three-pointer in the fourth quarter.) It was the bench, as ABC pointed out, that really stepped it up.
I recently voiced my concern to, um, LT that we didn’t really have an answer for Dirk Nowitzki on our roster, while he contended the Chris Andersen could do the job. So far, he’s right. There are two things relatively unique about how the Birdman works that I really like. With a great shotblocker (and we’ve seen this with Marcus Camby, for instance), announcers always talk about how many shots they don’t block that they also alter. When I watch closely, though, I don’t see guys altering that many shots—except for Andersen, who clearly does affect at least a couple extra shots every game. And second, he doesn’t just get weakside blocks, but he’s also a good individual defender; just watch what he does when isolated against anyone from a point guard to a 7-foot German. Even on a team that switches as much as the Nuggets, he’s never a liability.
Nene was huge in the first half, and it was great to see him get off to such a good start. Erick Dampier can match up with him sizewise, sure, but I don’t think he can really defend Nene when Nene’s playing as aggressively and confidently as he did today. The play of Nene will undoubtedly be key as the series wears on.
Despite today’s win, the Mavericks seem to have a few weapons that could make this series much tougher than the last. The most obvious is Nowitzki, who got off to a great start today. The Nuggets started playing him physically (esp. with K-Mart knocking him to the floor) and slowed him down to the point that he was throwing up horrible shots in an effort to get foul calls. But he is skilled enough to take advantage of certain matchups. Jason Kidd is old but still sneaky, in that he can get himself open shots and still knows just when to attack. You kind of forget he’s out there. And Jason Terry’s very dangerous off the bench, though I think J.R. Smith is a pretty good answer to him. Has anyone ever loved strutting after a big bucket more than Smith?
Overall, though, while the Mavericks made me pretty nervous in the first half, the Nuggets won handily. How do you think the rest of the series will play out?
Comments
I am nervous about Dallas, but much of that has to do with the fact that, even at this point, they are a much better team than the Hornets. The series will be close and likely will be won on the inside. I agree Nene is the key and think we pull it out.
I thought the Nuggets played better team defense than I've seen from them all year yesterday. Even when they were switching on Dirk, they did a pretty good job on him. I thought Melo especially played great D. In the past if he couldn't get it going on offense he would play terrible on D too, but yesterday he was awesome. I think he blocked 2 of Nowitzki's shots (I think only 1 was counted).
I agree with you on J.R. Sometimes I wonder if the only reason he takes any shots is so he can celebrate after. He was terrific yesterday getting to the basket and finishing. I wonder why he doesn't head fake and drive more because he is a great finisher.
Blaine, I love that the Nuggets are playing physical but not, in my estimation, dirty. For example I always felt a little weird watching John Lynch and his frequent helmet-to-helmet hits, but K-Mart sending a message felt oh-so-right. I love the way the Nuggets play with that swagger and don't get pushed around, and I should admit K-Mart has always brought that.
Melo has played ferocious D throughout the postseason, which is very encouraging.
J.R. is probably a little too in love with his jump shot considering his athleticism around the rim (that dunk in Game 5!), but as long as they're going in, I'll take it.