The Nuggets have been picking up steam in their last three wins: first game a 108-86 win over the Grizzlies, then a 137-105 blowout over the Raptors and then a 168-116 laugher over the Sonics. Graphing those scores in my head, the thought of a 198-130 loss tonight did cross my mind, but then I remembered the Nuggets haven’t won a regular-season game in Detroit since 1995, and if I’m going to rely on any arbitrary trend, I may as well stick with the one with the largest sample size.
To prepare for tonight’s festivities, Nick the Nugg Doctor and I exchanged a few questions. Follow that link for my answers to his queries, and continue reading for his answers below:
DBB: How much does it suck being in the West where the Nuggets might win 50 games and not make the playoffs?
ND: It doesn’t suck at all. I wouldn’t want to be in the East where a team doesn’t even have to win .500 of their games to make the playoffs. I refuse to be a whiner because the rest of the West stepped up its game. The Nuggets just need to crawl their way into the playoffs somehow because owner Stan Kroenke has spent to much money to be done after 82 games.
MW: Is it time to change the playoffs?
ND: Nah, they playoffs are good the way they are. Eight in the East, eight in the West, and no belly aching.
DBB: The last time the Nuggets won a regular-season game in Detroit, Joe Dumars was still playing and Jalen Rose was a rookie. What makes you think the Nuggets can win tonight?
I’m hoping the Nuggets can score like a million points tonight and embarrass the Pistons. We owe you guys big-time! And if memory serves me correctly, you guys just barely escaped defeat on the Hail Mary heave of ‘Sheed last year. Thought I forgot about that one, didn’t you? Damn you, ‘Sheed!
DBB: Seriously, where can I get one of those Leprechaun flutes?
ND: Well, no promises, but I could talk to a few of the Leprechauns I know. One lives in a tree just down the way from me. The thing is, if you look at him directly he disappears and if you leave a message on his voicemail it’s anyone’s guess if he’ll get back to you. I’ll try to get you one though.
___
Thanks to Nick for setting this up, and don’t forget to read my answers.
I’ll be at the game tonight (7:30pm, FSN), but for the first time all season I’m actually going as a fan and not a working member of the media. As I mentioned before, the Pistons were generous enough to offer up the Pistons.com suite tonight for me to invite a handful of readers, which should be really fun. Do your thing in the comments, and enjoy watching two of the most different teams in the league go at it.
If you think about it, the 50 win team would then get a #14 or 15 draft pick, which isn’t a bad consolation prize, much better than a first round exit…
Nice to hear from somebody in the West that isn’t damning the playoff structure. The talent is lopsided between conferences but it is ignorant to think it will always be that way. That said, I can’t wait for the playoffs especially in the West. Every match-up is going to be like a conference final and that is good for the Association.
blaha and kelser. suddenly it’s a beautiful day
I was just about to complain about Rip throwing up bricks and he drains the 3 right infront of me. This is looking like it could be a fun game to watch.
Amir Johnson sighting HAS occured. Unfortunately I’m not exactly liking this “Lets put in our bench and let Denver catch up” tactic but whatever, ebbs and flows ya know.
stuckey is fearless
and jarvis is jarvis
DOPEEEE
Dear Nuggets, your comittment to defence is so astoundingly bad that I’m actually getting BORED of watching Detroit nail easy buckets. THIS is why you’re going out in the first round, it has NOTHING to do with playing in the West and it has EVERYTHING to do with Playoff Basketball REQUIRING defence…
jussayin.
How well is Stuckey playing? He has ridiculous hops for a point guard. It should be illegal to be able to get up as high as he does. I’m telling you if he keeps improving at finishing and gets a little more consistent on the jumper, he’s going to be awesome.
stuckey for three!?!?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pistons 71 first half points–maybe 73, 75… lets see.
this is some fantastic ball on the stones part. Did denver just decide to call this one in like the stones?
Detroit aint Seattle!!!
You know its a rough night when Stuckey drops a 3 one you… come one Denver…. put in some effort on defense I’m getting bored haha
Lackluster first half at best.
/sarcasm off
And by first half, I meant 3rd quarter.
tay just did this twirly thing with his fingers. what’s that mean
The pistons have played phenomenally over the past 3 games (including this one) - this is hitting 90-95% of the ever present ‘potential’ that every team seems to have as an aggregate. Could the stones just hold this type of play for the most part through the rest of the season?
denver had some serious comeuppance heading their way after they ran up the score on seattle like they did on sunday. karma is the pistons’ 6th man tonight.
karma and jason maxiell.
JackDutch - I was wondering if Denver was getting some of their own medicine-but did not watch that DEN-SEA game - I just assumed the nuggets were on fire and it was all good - or were they kind of ‘mean’ to the sonics with their scoring?
why, channelsurfing-dot-net, why? why must you forsake me this evening? why, with so much maxiell, so much stuckey? why?
why, channelsurfing-dot-net, why? why must you forsake me this evening? why, with so much maxiell, so much stuckey? so much fun? why?
Oops. I thought the other one got deleted. Consider it so.
Or consider the double-post just further evidence of the frustration.
nice game, the pistons did what i expected after the half, but sheed was and rip were huge. the bench played nice too, i love the groove jarvis is in right now…
@rj: i think that was the sign for a box and one
sheed and rip were huge
I TiVoed this game and broke my own rule to check out the score ahead of time. I’m glad that this is gonna be like a movie where I already know the ending, but still enjoy it…
jesus… last time I saw Detroit score 130+ points I had my playstation 3 on…
That game pwned. Detroit just didn’t find a shot it couldn’t hit. Denver was still stuck on Seattle-easy defense or something. Nobody bothered Detroit’s ballers, like, ever.
Man that Chris McCoskey guy is great! He was so right about Rip being an awful player! How does this guy not have his own TV show?!?
I love the name “Nugg Doctor” because everytime I hear it I think of Encino Man… buuuuddieeeeee
The Pistons are 30-1 when they score 100 or more points. Wow.
I feel sorry for Anthony. Great offensive player who has never learned how to play defense and will probably never get a ring unless he lucks out late in his career and winds up as a old bench player on a title contender like Cassell this year.
pl-i think it was just a matter of denver guys just showboating at the end. but it wasn’t as if karl had his starters in. as he said, he doesn’t know how to tell his players to NOT play the way he’s coached them to play. (which may be a bigger issue.) i just dislike a couple players on denver’s team that ruins that squad for me. specifically, k-mart and jr smith. so i have a hard time liking the nugs, even though i’m a syracuse guy who would seriously consider naming my first born “melo.”
and as far as melo not knowing how to play defense, if every team that drafted a ‘cuse player would just adopt the 2-3 zone and play it 98% of the time, you’d never notice the defensive deficiencies of a jim boeheim-coached player.
Some great basketball last night across the Association. Houston-Boston was competitive for a minute but then Boston showed how dominant they really are (yeesh!). I think our best chance to beat them is capitalize on Cassell’s loose ballhandling. Regarding the Celtics’ game last night, if Mike Harris and Aaron Brooks score more points than Tracy McGrady, you’re not going to win, Houston. Lakers let Dallas get back in the game only to close ‘em out in the at the very end. When Radmanovic scores 21, you know things are going right for the Lakers. And of course, ain’t nothing wrong with allowing 120 when you drop 136. I must say I was a little surprised to see Theo get a DNP-CD, but I suppose in a game where the pace is so quick and the outcome was never truly in doubt, it’s better to rest The Rattler.
What did Kleiza say to get thrown out? It must’ve been Materazzi-Zidane level nasty to get tossed that quick for what seemed like little-to-no gesticulating.
I really hope Denver ends up sneaking into the playoffs (sorry PG4L) despite their penchant for not playing a lick of defense. I also hope that GS stays in, and Dallas is the one who ends up on the outside. That would serve them right for trading away a bunch of good pieces for Aging Kidd.
Generally, Denver plays above average defense. They play at the league’s fastest pace, which makes it less obvious.
Why does “Missed the 2nd Quarter”’s link go to kevin s.’s blog? I’m exercising my right to face my accuser in a court of law! It’s not like I’ve been accused of anything or not like this is a court of law, but I’m exercising my right anyway! But seriously, this is confusing to me. Is kevin s. writing under two names? What gives?
Their defense is predicated on creating turnovers and not fouling. They’re average or worse in other areas but yes, overall defense isn’t the big issue with Denver (they’re actually playing below their capabilities offensively. The whole Seattle thing was freakish, though).
I generally liked the outlook of that team a lot more with Andre Miller rather than Iverson. For a stretch before Iverson was traded, Carmelo was easily leading the league in scoring in fewer minutes than whoever was in second place. Iverson is good, but it feels that he’s holding Carmelo back as a scorer to some extent.
“Is kevin s. writing under two names? What gives?”
My bad. I made a Herrmann joke during the Hornets game and forgot to revert back.
Denver’s problem is at the two. They have no answer there. Every team in front of them has an above average (legit) two guard. I think Iverson is a huge upgrade over Miller, but they can’t keep the other players on the floor. This team is the big three and that’s it, and their big three aren’t good enough.
NO POST UP YET ABOUT THE CAVS???? C’MON MATT! GET WITH IT!
NBA - Where a full house beats a king anyday…
Kevin s. - They could have their 2-guard in JR Smith if he weren’t such a selfish fool (or on an expiring contract), but alas it isn’t meant to be. Seriously though that guy has game. He can D up his man on the perimeter, shoot the 3 (he’s a good 3-point shooter but by taking too many he hurts his and Denver’s game) and he can slice through the lane successfully using both athleticism and quickness. Ah well, it is what it is.
PS: I read your most recent blog post, and I found it very thought provoking. I’m just curious as to which candidate (if any) that you support in this race (not at all trying to start a debate), and why (if it can be made brief and not hijack the thread).
watching the altitude broadcast last night, and right after Scott Hastings (horrible color guy for anyone, super homer) says he’d rather have the nuggs bench !?! The zoo crew then goes on a huge run and Scott doesn’t say another word about the benches for the rest of the game. No calls for herrmann lately, either. Hope Hayes keeps it up.