Enjoy the highlights, including Kenyon Martin's last-minute dunk that had Mark Cuban's name written all over it.
Never in my wildest dreams did I think before this postseason that the Nuggets were going to the Western Conference Finals. Even with that No. 2 seed, I would’ve settled for getting out of the first round and then losing to the Spurs. Now, of course, my dreams just keep getting crazier.
It was a tense closeout game, as those games tend to be. I didn’t get a single phone call, text, or game-related e-mail during the proceedings, and only sent one e-mail myself. I’m not sure all the fear was deserved, especially when Carmelo get off to a torrid start in the first half, scoring 21 on 9-of-11 shooting from the field. Can you believe a year ago the rumors were that the Nuggets were looking to trade Melo? (Charles Barkley just called him the best scorer in the NBA right now…how awesome is that?)
Unlike the Hornets, the Mavericks didn’t quit, but outside of Dirk Nowitzki and free throw attempt specialist Brandon Bass, was anyone memorable? One stood out to me tonight. In the first quarter Jason Kidd hit a three-pointer near the sideline, and the announcer called him “deadly”. This was Kidd’s first three, and I’m like, who gets called deadly for one shot? Kidd went on to make several long jumpers, but it made me think. The guy’s a career .402 shooter and hits just 34.2% from three land. He has terrific hands, balance, coordination, and was in great shape as a young man. And he’s a guard. So how come he never learned how to shoot? He’s had a very good career…but I can’t help how great it could have been with a little more time spent on his shot.
This may not make sense to anyone else right now, but it reminded me, briefly, of Kobe Bryant, who of course may be playing us in the conference finals. Here’s the thing I think: the all-time great players are the ones with the discipline to complete their game, to develop their weaknesses into strengths. Often, they have a secondary skill they can rely on that’s better than almost everyone else’s best talent. When Michael Jordan couldn’t score, which was almost never, he could fall back on his standing as the greatest defensive guard in the game and still have a huge impact. Larry Bird was a fearless scorer but also one of the greatest passers ever. Tim Duncan’s a great post player and passer who keyed several championship offenses, but in his prime he was so skilled on the boards he could dominate a game with his rebounding. And so on. And did any of these guys have a notable weakness, especially one that was relevant to their position? I can’t think of one. Which is why I’m bothered when guys like Kidd are placed in that rare air…because most of the transcendent greats took the game too seriously to have such a glaring weakness like Kidd’s shooting. The best example of the decade, of course, is Steve Nash and his complete inability to play defense, which is why he never should have won the MVP trophy. Anyway, what’s Kobe’s second skill, other than the ability to buy into his own hype? He gets credit for being a great defender, but like Derek Jeter, I don’t see it. If Kobe was great as everyone says he is, he’d do more on the court, as crazy as that sounds. And that’s why I’m not afraid of the Lakers.
But enough about the other teams, because tonight belongs to the Nuggets. I almost got chills watching Chauncey Billups in his postgame interview, where he was all business and knew now is not the time to celebrate. I love that guy and that attitude. And if you judge him by the standard of the last paragraph, he’s an athlete who’s made the most of his talent. I just can’t wait to enjoy the next part of the ride.
Comments
Billups obviously had been the X-factor this year, and showed up big again. His maturity and leadership are rubbing off on Melo, which will pay dividends for our franchise for years to come.
I agree with you about one-dimensional guys, and love a player like Billups who gets the most out of his talent. (Chris Andersen fits in that category as well in my mind.) The whole game I was actually feeling a little bad for Dirk - he is a great scorer but is stuck trying to get it done with a team of conscripts.
I am not afraid of the Lakers or anyone else with the kind of swagger and confidence we are playing with right now . . .
Yeah, Dirk's kinda getting screwed; I don't like the pieces they have around him. I wonder if he'll still be in his prime when they figure it out. I was impressed with the series he had.
Carmelo's three was great...I did not expect us to get that clean of a shot off, but he nailed it. I was hoping he'd get the ball and it's cool to see he's a good enough outside shooter that the team trusts him there.
Just for the record, I didn't mean to say Kobe is one-dimensional, just that his secondary dimensions are notably worse than his scoring.
My favorite play was Melo's Dr. J-like scoop finger-roll past Dirk. I think we as Nuggets fans have already known how great of a scorer Melo is, but it is great to hear Barkley and other recognize Melo as the great player that he is. After his performance thus far in the playoffs it is laughable that he didn't get an allstar spot. If Melo's D continues to improve I think he can be as good as LeBron and Kobe.
I think the Nuggets will get by the Lakers in the next round. Actually, I'm more worried about the Cavs right now than the Lakers. The Lakers propensity for not showing up for long stretches during games will really hurt them against Denver's explosive offense. Yesterday I even heard Colin Cowherd predict the Nuggets would beat the Lakers in the next round.
I agree with you on Kidd and another example of a one-dimensional player is Shaq. Instead of making horrible rap albums and playing a genie in an equally horrible movie, Shaq should have spent time working on his free throw shooting. Imagine how many more points he would have scored in his career if he was at least a 70% free throw shooter. I hate the excuse that big men just can't shoot free throws. Being tall hasn't affected Yao Ming or Dirk Nowitzki's free throw shooting ability.
I wouldn't worry about the D; we've just been spoiled in previous home games. The Birdman didn't do nearly as much last night as he has been, though.
I do think the Cavs are the most dangerous team in the league right now; LeBron just looks unstoppable.
How can he let a team that is suppose to be competing for a championship lose by 12 in game 4, win by 40 in game 6 and then get destroyed last night? It's obvious that the Lakers are more talented, so really it comes down to a lack of desire or focus right? Isn't that the coaches responsibility to have his team prepared to play? Jackson has never won a championship without having the most dominant player in the league, so is he overrated or is he really the Zen-Master?
I believe I saw/heard the Sports Guy say recently that Jackson is just hanging on trying to break Auerbach's record but has kind of mailed it in; that looks kind of accurate since I've heard it. Problem is I've been reading some of his archives and listening to his podcasts so I have no idea where he said it...could've been a recent column, too.
I think we can take either team, I know we can defend the three so that takes care of the Rockets and hitting the three seems to eliminate the Lakers.
As for the Cavs Lebron is rediculous, but in watching some of their games I can't see that any of the teams they faced have played D with any sense of urgency. If we make it to the finals with the cavs that will be the best Defence they've seen and who knows what that will mean?
Go NUGGS! Now do I get tickets to game 6? Or will the series last that long? Maybe game 4? You in Mikey?
LT
I think we could at least challenge the Cavs, which is more than other playoff opponents can say so far.
Blaine, you're probably right, but of course it's possible he was a great coach and then became lazy as he got older. I don't recall him ever taking responsibility for a loss but part of his whole thing is being the calm voice of reason, so I'm not so surprised to hear him explain a loss away like that. And he's always loved tweaking the media. I think you raise an interesting question about how bad a guy has to be before it starts counting against him...i.e., can Brett Favre play himself out of the Hall of Fame, for instance? I don't know how I feel about that.
LT
We shouldn't see Jackson decline, but how else can we explain it? Oh, it makes sense he wouldn't try considering how much he sold out when he came back to coach Kobe. I thought he had valued teamwork?
Man, those tickets make me sad...