Nuggets and the Clippers

Not long ago had you told me that the Denver Nuggets and a pro basketball team in Los Angeles other than the Lakers would be in the playoffs together I would have told you to better ventilate your home.   Here we are today, round one of the 2006 post season, and LA's minor league NBA team has the Nugs down a game. 

I'm not sure who still watches the NBA.  Once Michael Jordan left it seemed anyone else was just a punk with a ball.  Today you don't get the leadership and grace of MJ.  You get people like Denver's Carmelo Anthony who, in his own words, wants to be bigger than John Elway.  In Colorado that's like John Lennon saying The Beatles are bigger than Jesus.    And is someone keeping tabs on the Eastern European invasion?  The roster for the Sacramento Kings reads like a Tolkien novel.  "Stojacavic and Divac journey to Turkaloo who leaps nigh the heavens and grabs the ring!"  

The one player I still follow is my personal favorite, Earl Boykins.  He's 5' 5"  and very cool.  I once told him that he was the spark the struggling Nugget's offense needed.  He said "Really?  Thank you!"  Modesty and appreciation all in one sentence!  I'd like to think it was because I towered over him and intimidated him.   But then again if some seven-footer from Middle Earth doesn't deter him then he must genuinely be a cool guy.

One reason I still respect the Nuggets is that they never quit.  For years people were pleading with sports empire Kroenke Entertainment to pawn the Nuggets for even better Avalanche hockey players.  They stuck it out even when they had to pipe crowd noise into the arena and the only reason people went to the games was either to get out of the cold or watch their incredible mascot, Rocky.  He's money from half court and a flying wonder off of the dunking trampoline.  When a guy in a tiger suit is making more shots than the team it's time to make some changes. 

Finally, when you call yourself a 'Nugget' you really can't expect instant admiration.  I remember the first time I was hit by the strangeness of that moniker.  I was watching a Bulls game and the announcer said that "Rodman's covered with Nuggets!"  

Of course remembering Rodman's fetishes maybe he wasn't refering to Denver Players.   Oh, but those were the days.

Comments

[bd_eyes]

The Nuggets launched a valid effort to win the game, but their efforts fell just a bit short. It is nice to see the Clippers in there though, like the Mavericks of Dallas, they too have had to withstand much adversity to be considered a contending team. Erick Dampier will hopefully be paying Avery Johnson back for his lackluster play of last year throughout this series with the Grizzlies. And yet the burning question is, can Mike Fratello do what Hubie Brown couldn't? maybe win a play-off game.

[ewy]

And why/how did the Mavs lose nash?

[bd_eyes]

hmmm, where to start....

1. Money was a big factor. I don't think Mark was willing to pay him what the market was guestimating he was going to be worth.
2. Long range - it may not happen this year, nor even next year, but he is going to wear himself out and breakdown. So long range he wasn't going to be in the picture probably for much longer?
3. and you know he just didn't have "the look" going for him either. Always sweaty, the long hair, always "licking" his fingers?? (just kidding, I should talk, look at Marquis Daniels!)
4. DEFENSE - the man does not play defense! I don't know if you call what Jason Terry does defense, but at least he is out there blocking and guarding, and isn't that what THAT position is supposed to do?

What did I forget? it's a long way to the finals, and I hope that whichever team you want to win, wins. Care to discuss Hockey while we're at it?? Thanks for not brining up the meltdown the STARS had on Saturday.