Denver Nuggets vs. Washington Wizards: Regular Season Game 52 Open Thread
by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2010 6:45 PM EST
in Game Threads
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PrintThe Essentials:
Nuggets (36-18) vs. Wizards (18-33)
7 p.m.
Verizon Center
TV: CSN
Radio: 106.7 The Fan
Notable Nuggets numbers this season
T6th in expected winning percentage (.660)
5th in pace (95.1 possessions per game)
2nd in offensive efficiency/offensive rating (112.1 points/100 possessions)
16th in defensive efficiency/defensive rating (106.9 points allowed/100 possessions)
Pre-game links
Denver Stiffs, SB Nation's Nuggets Blog
Roundball Mining Company
Michael Lee talks to Al Thornton and gets a response from Josh Howard about the report that he was hung over for the Wizards-Mavericks game
Denver Stiffs' game preview
GameDay Nuggets
| Tonight's Projected Starters | ||
|---|---|---|
| Nuggets | vs. | Wizards |
| Chauncey Billups | PG | Randy Foye |
| Arron Afflalo | SG | Mike Miller |
| Carmelo Anthony | SF | Josh Howard |
| Kenyon Martin | PF | Andray Blatche |
| Nene | C | JaVale McGee |
Of all the things I noticed during pre-game tonight, the most interesting one had nothing to do with any of the players playing tonight. No, the surprise of the night was that Gilbert Arenas' locker actually had some clothing inside of it. Ever since Arenas' indefinite suspension was announced, his locker, which is tucked inside the upper right hand corner, was completely empty. However, tonight, there was a practice jersey, a T-shirt and a pair of shorts inside it.
The timing is interesting, especially considering Ernie Grunfeld's comments yesterday. I don't know if there's any connection, nor do I know what it means for Arenas' gear to be in his locker. It could mean nothing. But it's certainly very interesting timing. My understanding is Arenas can be on Wizards facilities as long as he's not there when the rest of the team is, so maybe he's starting to work out here again. I don't know. But I figured I'd pass this along for you all to know.
Other points from pregame:
- Al Thornton will play tonight, though he won't start. Flip Saunders said he'll probably be used to guard Carmelo Anthony, but otherwise he's not sure what'll happen to him. "I don't know. He really hasn't been able to do anything, so we'll have to see. We'll just try to throw him out there, keep things simplified, and let him guard Carmelo a little bit."
- Zydrunas Ilgauskas was here earlier today for his physical, which he passed, but is not in the building now and is inactive for tonight. I'm personally doubting he plays a game here. "We're going to keep him inactive, explore options as far as what we're going to do with that. That's kind of where we're at right now," Saunders said. Doesn't exactly sound like they're planning on keeping him.
- Flip Saunders called Denver's frontline the most athletic in the league and said that will be a challenge for Andray Blatche in particular. " He's got to show patience in there," Saunders said about Blatche. "When you play against a team that's more athletic, you try to do things too quick because you're afraid you're going to get shots blocked, but he still has to keep the same patience he had against [Al] Jefferson and [Kevin] Love."
- I didn't realize this, since I missed last night's epic Nuggets-Cavs game, but apparently George Karl is still coaching. Had I known, I would have tried to talk to him, but Rashad Mobley was in the scrum with him and is posting quotes on his Twitter account.
- It's only been two games, but I'm blown away with a) how James Singleton makes literally every warmup jumper (he hit like 15 in a row before Gene Banks heckled him into a miss), b) how Josh Howard and Al Thornton miss so much. I'll keep tracking this though.
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ok J-Ho -
there’s $1,000 in it for you if you hold Melo under 20 tonight. do your thing!
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 7:11 PM EST reply actions
It's so weird watching Jamison on the Cavs.
I don’t know if I can get used to this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
is it me?
Or does it look like the Wizards are playing defense? I can’t tell…. I haven’t seen any in a long, long time… so I’m not sure what I’m looking at here.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
man - say what you will about ernie's moves
it is refreshing to see hungry (semi)young players. and he did it fast, and thoroughly
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 7:28 PM EST reply actions
Looks to me like Thornton is still a bit out of position at times
But that’s understandable of course.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Mike, on t.v. they just mentioned that McGuire was Blatche’s best friend on the team. That got me thinking — who is friends with whom on the team? Have you been around them enough to answer that? Thanks.
Way too little information for me to tell here
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
That's never stopped you before
Sorry, you can tempt me like that, man.
Hey, if I had any idea at all, I'd share a guess
But I literally have no clue.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Wow
there’s something I haven’t seen in a while too….. ball movement, player movement….
Dray made a hard cut to the basket…. Is that allowed?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Hmmm...
…maybe the team just learned how to work the iPods Flip gave them.
by dogshammdog on Feb 19, 2010 7:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Denver played last night and they look tired....
they should be clobbering the Wiz
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Lots of reaching in.... not moving their feet...
lazy defense
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Yeah
They have a tendency to do that. They get up for the good teams (6-1 vs. the top five in the league) and have a tendency to get down for bad teams.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
ugh. boykins still here.
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 7:46 PM EST reply actions
Wizards look really long now...
Howard has really long arms… as does Blatche and Javale…. and Thornton looks long too…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Denver just went to a zone
Because we’re TEARING THEM UP!
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Interesting how Dom was friends with NY and Dray
He was the one who didn’t act like a kid, but breaking up romper room will be good for the young guys.
ha
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 8:03 PM EST reply actions
grinning slightly...
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 8:07 PM EST up reply actions
Damn
Guess he’s bad coming off the bench.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Thornton battling!
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Feb 19, 2010 8:11 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Thornton may not be the smartest player
But he plays hard. If he’d ever just embrace his bench player/spot duty role…
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Well - he'd have to embrace a lot more to be a good player
like embrace playing defense…. embrace passing the ball…. embrace rebounding…. embrace quality shots….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Best of both worlds
1. Wizards young players continue to play hard, move without the ball, share, play defense, develop their games… and have fun….
2. but lose a ton of games – giving the Wizards a good chance at the #1 pick….
So far, first two games have shown me that they may disappoint me on the second point…. they may actually win a few games here and there….
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
I hear ya...
…but it’s also good for the kids to taste success and develop a winning mentality. That’ll go a long way towards making us more competitive in the years to come.
By the way, I’m Ernie’s fire sale stopped short of dumping Blatche, McGee and Young.
First place in my fantasy bball league with $300 at stake
and Blatche just secured my championship!
I'm losing my patience with mcgee
It’s frustrating. Flip only should play him when teams go small.
Geting it done.
I really don't think Flip likes Nick's game....
or rather, lack of any game besides scoring.
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Great patience by Dray
He knew Afflalo was going to double and he kicked it out at the perfect time.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
I like Thornton's man defense
I have been told repeatedly by Clippers fans that team defense is another matter with him.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Anyone else think its ridiculous
that they let McGee play drooling blood and blow the whistle when carmelo gets a paper cut?
by Nobetterthenbob on Feb 19, 2010 8:45 PM EST reply actions
That's actually a pretty good comparison
I like Nesby when he was here.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Nesby
Nice. Buchthz’ just invoked the name, Tyrone Nesby..yikes, airball NY.
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Feb 19, 2010 8:48 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Young!
Three . Now twelve more. Go Nick!
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Feb 19, 2010 8:56 PM EST via mobile reply actions
wow
antawn 0-10
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 8:58 PM EST reply actions
Anyone know how to make .gifs
I will love whoever can forever if they make one of that block.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
who's playing center in this lineup?
howard, singleton, thornton, boykins and ny on the floor as far as i can see
It's a bold lineup
And it’s working.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Why am I enjoying Wizards basketball so much more these last two games?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
"it had gotten stale"
over-used but totally accurate
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
Lets Go Wizards! …Singleton!
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Feb 19, 2010 9:08 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Free throw discrepancy has gone from ridiculous
to beyond understanding
Denver = 35 attempts
Washington = 16 attempts
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Veterin lineup versus a bunch of rookies and travelers
makes sense that the calls would go their way wouldn’t it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
This lineup was a nice call by Flip
Earl/Nick/J-Ho/All/James
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
following this on game track in Warsaw
while watching Dallas-Magic…
Ya gotta like the effort here!!!
im watching the game in norway
atdhe.net
by baltimorebullets80 on Feb 19, 2010 9:21 PM EST up reply actions
If the Wizards had traded Butler for Josh Howard or Thorton in early December
what do you think their record would be right now?
isn't it crazy how much better we look after we dealt our all-stars
and if j. howard keeps playing like this, re-signing him looks pretty good
"Making a splash"
no steve, no.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
by hibachi on Feb 19, 2010 9:18 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Speaking of .gifs
Love to see a .gif of Howard exploding that beer cup.
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
by Mike Prada on Feb 19, 2010 9:19 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Jim Mora would like a word with you
You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.
Are we really up by 7 against the second best Western Conference team with only 3 minutes left?
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Lets Go Wizards! Front Row beers and all ! Lets Go Josh!
by Mikko Leinonen's opposite on Feb 19, 2010 9:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions
im nervous with nick out there
get him out of there for the D. we got the lead.
by baltimorebullets80 on Feb 19, 2010 9:22 PM EST reply actions
I know it's been said above
but Billups is ridiculously good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laydODN6xVk
hahaha. what about it? i like that offensive foul call on Chauncy.
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 19, 2010 9:24 PM EST up reply actions
Boykins is really running too much clock.
He needs to get the offense moving a lot faster. We’re not moving the ball as much.
One thing I like that I haven't heard in some time
Chants of “DEFENSE!” from the crowd.
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 19, 2010 9:25 PM EST reply actions
a nail biter in the phone booth
who’d a thunk it… small ball + singleton
Also...
I wonder if Flip has talked to Blatche about him not playing this entire fourth quarter and how he’s taking it on the bench.
I love the way these guys play defense
NO – they’re not perfect…. and sometimes they give up some very easy shots….
But you can tell they are putting forth max effort on the Defensive end…. This could be a VERY good defensive club, once they’ve played together for a while, and once Flip has been able to teach his defensive philosophies…
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
Jamison 0/10
...one of those guys who reads all the time but barely comments
by Juice over Whine on Feb 19, 2010 9:26 PM EST reply actions
Anyone else reminded of Atlanta from about 4-5 years ago?
Long , fast, athletic, lots of 6’8" – 6’9" guys
Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......
not much of a dagger, but i’ll take it.
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 19, 2010 9:30 PM EST reply actions
If you are Jamison and Butler
how do you feel when you hear the results of this game?
Wait a minute. Someone replaced the Wizards with a team!
I think having players from the West helps. They’ve been raised up against quality players!
theBIGC1982
I’d love to be in the locker room after this.
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 19, 2010 9:31 PM EST reply actions
Dray and J-Ho are going to DESTROY the district tonight!!!
"how ironic - you came here with a mouse in a bottle, now YOU are the mouse in the bottle" - B.M. Smith
by little stevie colter on Feb 19, 2010 9:31 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
love it
“I think Melo brought them out, but we’re gonna keep them here.”
by young, loud and Scotty on Feb 19, 2010 9:32 PM EST reply actions
That was fantastic
They played hard – i feel like I haven’t gotten to say that much this year.
Sweet Jesus
What the hell was that??? Could it have been… good basketball?
Ok… I only caught the second half, but man that was great – great job by Flip keeping the hot lineup in in the fourth.
Looks like this second half might be pretty interesting after all.
The Washington Wizards: providing career scoring nights for unknown opposing bench players since 2004.
by mamemimo on Feb 19, 2010 9:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Shouldn't we be pissed?
We need ping pong balls, right? Hahahaha. Winning is cool. Playing basketball as it was meant to be played is even better.
i can make your bed rock girllll
josh howard is caron butler times six.. al thornton is the next andre iguodala… james singleton is ben wallace… wizards versus lakers in nba finals
well if you're going to say it ..
… at least say we beat the Cavs for Eastern Division crown…and then the Mavs in the NBA Finals….now THAT would be funny.
by Dave Iannone on Feb 20, 2010 2:54 AM EST up reply actions
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