Carmelo Anthony: We quit
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published April 26, 2008 at 6:21 p.m.
Updated April 27, 2008 at 3 p.m.
Photo by Brian Lehmann/Special to the Rocky
Denver's Carmelo Anthony drives into Lakers' Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant, right, on Saturday.
Photo by David Zalubowski, Associated Press
Denver Nuggets coach George Karl reacts after his team is called for a foul against the Los Angeles Lakers in the first quarter of Game 3 of their NBA first-round playoff basketball series in Denver on Saturday.
Who's most to blame for the Nuggets failings this season?
Photo by © Associated Press
Nuggets guard Allen Iverson finds the going tough as he is guarded by Lakers forward Vladimir Radmanovic, right, and Derek Fisher during Game 3 of the teams' first-round NBA playoff series.
In the waning moments of Saturday’s game, the song, “You Dropped a Bomb on Me’’ blared out of the loudspeakers at the Pepsi Center.
It was appropriate since the Los Angeles Lakers had just dropped a bomb on the Nuggets’ season.
The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 102-84 at the Pepsi Center to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven first round series. No NBA team ever has recovered from such a deficit.
“We quit,’’ said Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. “Everybody. From the coaches to the players, we quit. And I said it.’’
Anthony’s statistics were dismal. He shot 5-of-22 for 16 points.
Denver’s other star didn’t do any better. Guard Allen Iverson shot 5-of-16 from the field for 15 points, and was benched by Nuggets coach George Karl for the game’s final 10:49.
Iverson was quite disappointed after the game.
“To not go back in, I don’t understand that,’’ Iverson said. “And (Karl) didn’t even say nothing to me even afterward . . . I played every game with a broken finger and all. I always came to play, every game we had. So why not tell me nothing?’’
It was that type of afternoon for the Nuggets, who have lost in the first round of the playoffs 4-1 for four straight years. The way the Nuggets, who will try to avoid total embarrassment in Monday’s Game 4 at the Pepsi Center, have played in this series, 4-1 now wouldn’t look too bad.
The Nuggets had talked about coming out with a sense of urgency, but there was little of that Saturday as they fell behind by as many as nine points in the first half and the crowd never got into the game.
Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, who scored 49 points in Game 2, led the Lakers with a pedestrian 22 points. He was quite content to play distributor, handing out eight assists.
The Nuggets missed easy inside shots all night long. They also rarely got to the free-throw line, shooting 15-of-19 while the Lakers were 20-of-33.
“I’m not blaming anyone,’’ Anthony said. “I’m not pointing the fingers at nobody. I didn't play worth a damn . . . and I can accept that. But as a competitor, there's no way that I should lay down and quit and lay down on my team like we did tonight . . . We all just gave up.’’
The Nuggets fell behind 53-46 at halftime, and were soon down 69-51 early in the third quarter. They did make one run to cut the deficit to 69-59.
But that was it for the night. The Lakers pushed the advantage to 83-64 at the end of the third quarter, and were up by as much by as much as 96-74 in the fourth.
“Well, I don’t think I quit. I quit on not passing the ball,’’ said Karl, when asked about Anthony’s post-game comments. “In the fourth quarter. I tried to find some answers. I tried to find, ‘Is Chucky (Atkins) going to help us?’ . . . I think Melo's emotional right now. He’s frustrated right now, as we all are. And keeping our composure and a maturity to it is probably the best way to go.’’
Karl had this to say about benching Iverson with 10:49 remaining in the game and the Nuggets trailing 85-66:
“I took him out because I was going to rest him and I was hoping that we'd get it back to a reasonable number to where we'd put him back in. But I didn't think that ever came and my response was to search for some answers,’’
One obviously wasn’t The Answer.
The Lakers, though, had all the answers.
“We got back on defense and cut back on those easy transition points,’’ said Lakers center Pau Gasol, who scored 14 points. “We made them take a lot of tough shots.’’
Well, maybe not. Karl began his press conference by saying Anthony and Iverson were 1-of-20 on layups.
“That’s the way we live our life,’’ Karl said of Anthony and Iverson usually able to get to the rim for easy baskets.
No Denver player scored more than Anthony’s 16. Forward Linas Kleiza had 15, but Kleiza, bothered by a hyper-extended right elbow, was ineffective shooting from the outside.
“I thought our defense packed it in on them, but they missed some easy shots,’’ Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. “I thought over the course of the game. I told the team at halftime, ‘They're not going to shoot like this for the whole game. They missed some close shots, some shots they usually make. ‘We'll have to play better defense in the second half.’ But they never showed up. They never got it going.”
Bryant was held in check after his huge Game 2 outing, and shot 9-of-19. But, at the end of the game, with many of the fans having gone home, Lakers fans started a chant of “MVP. MVP.’’
Anthony had said Friday “things aren’t going right if they start doing that.’’ Things definitely weren’t going right for the Nuggets.
“Our main focus is to take the crowd out,’’ Bryant said.
The Lakers sure did that. The Nuggets didn’t come out with the energy that Karl believed they would.
“It was a heavy game and, yeah, I mean there’s no question that you're frustrated that the game, because of the refereeing, the missed shots, L.A.'s defense.’’ Karl said. “I take my hat off to them. I thought L.A. going into this series was a good defensive team but they're a little better than I thought they were.’’
Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin, though, said it’s more of a case the Nuggets are “definitely not playing to our potential.’’
The Nuggets still have a chance to rectify that. But everyone knows it won’t be easy.
“It’s going to be hard,’’ Nuggets forward Eduardo Najera said. “At the same time, it’s a challenge. Everybody has to stay positive. We’ve definitely been down before. Not 0-3, but there’s more pride than anything.’’
The Nuggets haven’t had a bomb dropped on them this season like the one the Lakers have.
ETC.: Nuggets center Marcus Camby was held scoreless in a playoff game for the first time since 2000 . . . In his first action of the series, Atkins went scoreless in three minutes . . . Playing his second game since missing seven with a groin strain, Nene totalled four points and two rebounds in 12 minutes . . . Karl’s son, Lakers guard Coby Karl, was inactive.
Post your comment
Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
Featured
-
Through Your Lens
Submit your photos or see the Editor's Choice slide show here.
-
Rocky Multimedia
The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.
-
Holiday Lights
Is your house the jolliest on the block? Submit your holiday lights display.
-
Holiday Gift Guide
Looking to get a jump-start on the holiday shopping season?
-
Mount Crushmore
Which four Broncos greats should be immortalized on Mount Crushmore? Vote here.
-
Bronco Dean's rant
Listen to Bronco Dean's midweek rant on the Chiefs.
-
Broncos Video
Get the latest from Dove Valley as the Broncos prepare for Sunday's matchup.
-
Calendar wallpaper
Download this month's desktop wallpaper calendar
-
Sam Adams' Open Mic
Open Mic: Stirrin' the Soup with Matt Iseman
April 26, 2008
7:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
kstornado writes:
For a team of players and coaches that make millions and millions
of dollars the owner and us Faithfull Fans that have been waiting
for YEARS have gotten shortchanged no ROBBED............ No Coaching what so ever today!!!! and I think that is the biggest problem...... Need a coach that can sit the babies and give the bench a chance it could'nt be any worse..Mello is so soft the only thing that is bigger than his head is his mouth and he needs to shut up and EARN his paycheck......So much talent on one team
to lose in the playoffs 1st round every year..........
April 26, 2008
9:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
homeradam writes:
Only one more game with George Karl. This loser has never taken a team to title. Hopefully when they hire Larry Brown, he'll teach this bunch of underperforming goons how to play as a team. Rumor has it Larry Brown is in and Karl is OUT.
April 26, 2008
9:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
gkb2008 writes:
Anthony must go. He is the ultimate selfish stiff and a quitter. Iverson must go. He is a has-been. Tear it all and start from scratch. Players that are 100 % about team must make up the roster. The Nuggets are the epitome of everything that is wrong and sorry with the National Basketball Association.
April 26, 2008
9:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
augustwest writes:
their name should be the Denver Luggage
April 26, 2008
10:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
duboisb writes:
Allen Iverson said it cleanly after the game (although your newspaper apparently is not covering it).
Iverson said it came down to "their coaching staff vs. our coaching staff and right now, they're on a level above us."
Phil Jackson constantly is making adjustments. As Iverson noted, Karl has done nothing.
Denver players are lost. They have no coach who is coaching. It is the coach's job to create a team out of a mass of individuals. It's his job to put in an offense (rather than just street ball). It's his job to create chemistry. It's his job to motivate and get players up for a game at the right time.
It's the coach's job to get players to play together. All the things that people complain about with the Nuggets are things a good coach would be doing.
When things go wrong, about all we hear is the players need to play harder and play defense. I guarantee you when Phil Jackson calls time out he's not saying, "Play harder." "Play defense." He's giving players practical suggestions and putting in new strategies and making adjustments.
Karl and the Denver owner may get along but fans deserve better.
This whole team is in danger of just collapsing this summer. Iverson can opt out and leave. J. R. could get a offer Denver doesn't match. Najara may be elsewhere. We've got a really good team. Yes, an addition or too would be neat. But George Karl is not going to win. Please send him somewhere else.
April 26, 2008
10:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
den2mke writes:
Tear it all out and start from scratch?!?! C'mon. Frustrating, yes? But let's not get carried away here.
You watch...This summer Melo will go to China and represent our country and the Nuggets very well--and be a team player. Can AI ever be anything other than a shoot-first ball-handler? We'll never know with Karl.
While making the playoffs--especially in West--is commendable, for what Kroenke has invested in salaries, luxury tax, etc. this should not be a consistently-losing first round team year after year. We're not even challenging to win a series...
I like the idea of hiring Brown. Guarantee they play like a team and man-up on defense. AI would probably have to go though. Hey, think we could trade him for Andre Miller? Oh...
April 26, 2008
11:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
shipthechicken writes:
Agree - tear it up and start from scratch. ai and melo for d-wade?
April 26, 2008
11:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
lntriguing0ne writes:
Stop your whining and take the Nuggets @ss-whooping like a man! Bottom line: they're getting beat by a MUCH BETTER LAKERS TEAM... "Team," I said... a concept that has apparently been lost by the Nuggets in this first-round playoff series. But don't worry, there is a bright side: it'll all mercifully end this Monday night. GO LAKERS!
April 27, 2008
12:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
rhsalas writes:
Melo has a lot of nerve runing his mouth! He quit 5 min. into
the game. If youre having a off night, there are other things
you can do to help you,re team. Melo still has,nt figured that
out yet. Maybe he should have stayed in college! Keep JR, and trade
camby,melo,and ac. Maybe a coach who shows alittle emotion and
demands respect from his players would help as well!
rsalas
April 27, 2008
12:58 a.m.
Suggest removal
JasonM writes:
@ gkb2008
You said Allen Iversons a "has-been". Really? Yet he manages to outplay everyone on that roster. So what does that have to say about everyone else on that team? Iverson played the most minutes in the league, led that team in PPG, asst and steals. Seriously, STFU already. I am so tired of hearing people talk reckless. If you are frustrated then fine...but don't be flat out stupid.
I honstly feel like the Nuggets traded for Iverson with no plan. Meaning they made a trade for him thinking he could just come in and cure all their problems..but they didn't think of adding anything else. They had him in the backcourt basically by himself this season. Coach Karl seemed to have thought that the best offensive and defensive plan for this team was to have no plan at all. I mean come on already! Iverson needs to opt out and leave before that team tries to distroy the rest of his career. They can keep Carmelo because the Nuggets are the only franchise that will put up and praise a player for giving half effort. I have also given up on Melo as a franchise player.
And @ den2mke
No, if the team traded AI for Andre Miller again, the Nuggets would only be a .500 team in the West this year. Andre seems to be playing better in Philly then he did in Denver anyways, that Nuggets team seems to suck the life out of everyone. Although its unfortounate that Iverson and the 76ers didn't end on better terms, because it would be nice to see him go back and end his career there where he belongs.
April 27, 2008
1:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
ManginoTorreta writes:
Except for guys like Najera and Kleiza, this team is the Tin Men of the NBA--no heart whatsoever.
I remember how Nuggets fans were creaming their jeans when we made the trade for Iverson, despite the fact that he's a shoot-first point guard who can't actually make a shot unless he's falling upside-down spread-eagled on his head. Supposedly this player was going to make the team better, yet--surprise!--they are still getting kicked out of the first round by more fundamentally sound, mature teams.
It's not just Karl who's to blame. In today's NBA, a team's success is largely a player-driven enterprise, and most of the blame needs to be laid at the feet of Melo, Iverson, Martin, and Camby. They are a bunch of me-first players who should be working as a cohesive unit and providing a professional example to the rest of the team, not worrying about All-Star appearances or individual accolades. That Najera and Kleiza (and surprisingly, JR Smith, at least recently) seem to be the only ones that will play balls-out every night regardless of the opponent or situation is as damning an indictment of this team as can be said.
It might be time to do a full house cleaning and find out who really wants to be here and succeed, and who's just here to collect a paycheck--even if it means falling back to the depths of those horible 20-win seasons.
April 27, 2008
3:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
gwats writes:
So, Carmelo says; 'We quit as a team. Fine. How many of these b*s$ards are going to line up on Monday morning and hand back their game Checks? Show of hands please? Anyone? Anyone @ All? Get in your Hummers and Bentleys and forfeit future game Checks? Are you kidding me?
They'll show up tomorrow. Mr. Kronke Guarantees it as long those big time game checks don't bounce.
April 27, 2008
3:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
MeloMan15 writes:
This is my first posting, as I had to sign up and put some sense into you bandwagon/fairweather "fans."
To anyone who feels that we need to trade Melo and/or A.I., you simply do not understand the game of basketball. In fact, now that I am typing this, I can't believe I am even discussing this subject. You don't know anything about basketball. So why am I even wasting my time writing this?
I am sick and tired of you bandwagon fans who freak out and want to get rid of the best thing that's happened to our franchise, ever. Melo is our best hope of a true Michael Jordan like dynasty and if you don't know that, then you just don't understand the NBA. Guess what? Speaking of Michael Jordan, he did not win a playoff series until he was 25. Should the Bulls have instantly traded him? I can assure you that the same people that are calling for Melo to get released would have been saying the same thing if they were Bulls fans in the 80's. It's really quite sad and makes me feel bad for Melo.
Melo, if you are reading this. Please, understand that 99 percent of the fans respect you and are loyal to you. These bandwagon fans are just bitter and are probably wearing Boston Celtic jerseys right now. They switch that quick. They really do. Don't worry about them. To the "fans", now I know who boos our team at home when we miss two consecutive contested jump shots. It's really quite comical and pathetic. Learn what loyalty is.
Let me educate you with some ABC knowledge. Carlemo is one of the best, if not the best player in the game. He will for sure mature to be the next Michael Jordan and the best player in the game. Guess what? Did anyone watch the Olympics last season? I can bet no you didn't, so let me educate you. He was the best player on a team composed of Wade, James, Duncan, etc. etc. The best. The head coach will tell you that. The numbers will tell you that. The game tape will tell you that. That means he was the best player in the world.
But oh yeah? Let's trade him. Ridiculous.
April 27, 2008
4:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
LOUIE writes:
Ole'Moe, Fat Lever, Alex English, best we had. Carmelo and A.I. sure they got offense, no defense. Karl is outclassed by a coaching staff that thinks on it's feet. Can you imagine if we had this great offensive duo and shot stopper in style of Motumbo? That huge kid from China would be great! Then we could have two racecars running around the Statue of Liberty. Kobe is a hard player to stop or intimidate, Nuggets need a bigman. Karl needs to think faster and make quiker decisions, he has a great tandem in Carmelo and A.I.. Youthful talent married to skill and wisdom, they just need a big pole to play around who can block shots.
April 27, 2008
6:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
bushmaster writes:
well, now you'll be able to go drink and drive melo.
April 27, 2008
7:47 a.m.
Suggest removal
RG2008 writes:
Melo should put up or shut up. What's this winning I'm having a bad shooting stretch in the PLAYOFFS. Great players are defined by how they play in the playoffs.
Melo is showing that he is just Kobe's "boy". We will see if Kobe just bends him over again in game four! Or if Melo is going to be a man!
They should assign Melo to defend Kobe and see how bad he wants to be embarrasaed.
Win or lose they will blow up this team at the end of the season. At least the players should have trade value as individuals.
April 27, 2008
9:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
stansoup56 writes:
I was at Saturdays game. It was UGLY. The Nuggets couldnt make a friggen wide open layup! No fast break. No rebounds. The Nuggets are afraid to bang. The Lakers took the Nuggets and the crowd out of the game in the 3rd quater, as it was garbage time late in the 3rd. The Nuggets have no D, no leadership, no heart, no balls. All they think about is bling, weed, and partying. I paid $127 for two tickets, and I feel like I was ripped off. Im pissed!
By the way...have you read some of the quotes from Anthony? He talks like he's an uneducated thug. Oh wait!.....he is! He is an illiterate chump. His grammar is a half step above ebonics. Speak english Melo!
April 27, 2008
10:15 a.m.
Suggest removal
Nuggets1111 writes:
A.I... maybe if you weren't stinking up the Pepsi Center with your foul play, you wouldn't be riding the pine. Stop whining, you crybaby.
You too, "Smello". And speaking of "quitting," why don't you "quit" partying? If you'd spend half as much time in the gym as you do in the clubs, you might be as good as LeBron.
Nuggets should package these losers for the #1 draft pick and get Derrick Rose... a real gamer.
April 27, 2008
11:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
triggs303 writes:
There is something you must understand. The Denver Nuggets are losing because their fundamental philosophy is flawed. You cannot outscore the teams in the NBA, they are too good. YOU CANNOT WIN IN THE NBA IF YOU CANT GET STOPS DEFENSIVELY…..PERIOD! George Karl emphasizes transition offense and scoring.
Some elements of the media(not necessarily print or television media but the ‘other’) as well as uneducated fans (outrider) want to talk about the make up of this team and that this team cannot win as it is comprised. Referring to the players as “thugs”, “hoods”, and “gangster rappers” as if a team of Caucasian, Yale graduates that don't play defense would fare better. The overtone is borderline racist (outrider).
The facts are that this is a collection of the most talented group of Nuggets players I have had the pleasure of watching for as long as I can remember. A team that won 50 games in a Western Conference that had an unprecedented number of quality teams. This team scores enough points to beat anyone, IF THEY PLAY DEFENSE. We need a coach that EMPHASIZES and DEMANDS these guys lock down on DEFENSE. (Are you listening Larry Brown) I like George Karl as a person but my opinion is he does not command respect from his players and doesn’t place his emphasis on the proper points of the game.
My frustration boils over too, but lets be real here....
critically, Melo MUST pass out of double teams more. It is part of his game that at this point is sub par. He’s young and WILL improve when he realizes that making that pass makes not only him, but his TEAM better. I pray that AI finishes his career as a Nugget. He wants to win badly and will do whatever it takes. Camby is not an NBA center and cannot be counted on to score. We have proven we can win without his scoring and a healthy Nene will make a world of difference. JR is a keeper as is Kleiza. Kenyon is the best defender we have and plays HARD. We do need a solid not spectacular replacement at the point, but this team can win as is, IF, there is a change in philosophy. (ARE YOU LISTENING LARRY BROWN)
Oh yeah, note to all…please refrain from the “illiterate”, “thug”, “gangsta rapper” personal attacks and comments. They make you sound immature and bigoted.
This is my first posting as well(Meloman), I appreciate your loyalty to Melo and I felt obligated to respond to some of the things I read. Now, have a great day to all.
April 27, 2008
12:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
hlucki writes:
What Smell-O (a.k.a. Carmelo) just found out? He quit a long time ago. Had it not been for Iverson, this team would not even be in the play-offs. Smell-0 needs to grow up, take a a lesson from LeBron on how to play and be a man instead of being the punk he is. He has no defense, all he does is want to shoot. Team player he is not. Look what he did in the Greek Olympics..Brown bench his sorry butt for not being a team player and his attitude problem. What did he do? Cry as usual. If he doesn't clean up his act Coach K. will bench his butt as well. He needs to go. Karl does fine, Smell-o needs to pay attention and get with it. The Men-B-A is a man's game, not the street game of horse he thinks it it. It's all about scoring more points than the other team, but you need to keep the other team from scoring more then you and that is defense. He has none. He needs to go. May the Nuggets will be lucky enough to get a couple decent guys whio want to play both end of the courtwith good attitudes, and not the swollen head like this punk.
April 27, 2008
12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
ManginoTorreta writes:
I love how an individual who probably wasn't even born the last time the Nuggets made it out of the first round of the playoffs thinks he are going to "educate" us on how wonderful this team, and Melo, is.
The man flat-out admitted that "we quit". Really, Melo? In a playoff game, when everyone should be taking it up about two notches? As the team's most prominent player and the face of the franchise, what exactly did you do to prevent that from happening? What did AI or any of these guys do? Nothing.
In 1985, the Nuggets had a home playoff game against the Lakers, and lost their best player, Alex English, when he hurt his hand. Rather than tank it like this team did last night, they kept playing like their lives depended on it--including Calvin Natt, who kept banging and shooting despite being barely able to move due to two bad knees. After seeing that game, who cares if Melo or AI are the "best players in the world"? I care more that they have the biggest hearts in the world and don't give up during the most important time of the season.
And let's not even mention the 1994 playoff run, where a team with marginal talent managed to nearly come from behind not once, but TWICE, before they ran out of gas.
So please, Melo and AI defenders, don't lecture us on your supposed knowledge of the game, not when we've seen better from teams with less talent and more heart. At least Natt and Mutombo never had to say to the press after a playoff game, "We quit".
April 27, 2008
1:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nuggets1111 writes:
It's not George Karl's fault these guys don't play defense. Don't you think Karl is smart enough to know their defense sucks? Getting in their face and "demanding" they play D is futile. His players don't listen. Look at what happens when Karl does get after these guys... they turn into a bunch of crybabies.
If Melo had the tenacity and work ethic of Tyler Hansbrough, he'd be one of the top 3 players in the league. Still, he's too young and has too much upside to just get rid of him. Everyone else on the team is expendable. Package A.I. and whoever else you have to give up to get Derrick Rose in this year's draft. In case there were any doubt what a young stud point guard can do for a team, New Orleans and Utah are Exhibits A and B.
Then get some good Europeans in here who can distribute and shoot the ball.... guys who understand the concept of "team basketball."
April 27, 2008
1:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
yorvit8 writes:
The main problem with this team is Karl. Granted Melo has been playing horrible but he needs someone to coach him and MAKE him play defense. Any chance we can lure coach "K" away from Duke? He seems to be the only one who can get Melo to be a leader...I mean if he can be a captain of our Olympic team he should be able to do something for the Nugs.
And A.I. a "has-been?" Are you serious? That guy was the third leading scorer in the NBA this year, and would love to distribute the ball if the other guys on the team would cut when he penetrates instead of just standing around and watching him...He plays with more heart than anyone else on our team, and everyone is ripping him? If you people can do better why don't you go become one of the leading scorers in history?! AI is legit, and has done by being one of the smallest guys in the NBA and getting banged around like it's nobody's business. I just wish his style of play would rub off on Melo a little bit, I mean wouldn't it be nice to see him dive on the floor for a ball once or twice. This team does not need to be blown-up, I love our starting line-up with Kleiza in there and JR and Nene off the bench. The one place we need a huge upgrade is at center, I'm sorry but I have never seen a 7-footer so afraid of being in the paint as Marcus Camby. Granted he blocks some shots but a lot of times he does more harm than good when he leaves his man to pad his stats.
April 27, 2008
2:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
ManginoTorreta writes:
"He plays with more heart than anyone else on our team, and everyone is ripping him?"
Yes, because when the team made the trade, he was supposed to make everyone around him better--and yet, the team will likely be making another first-round exit (which we did before he got here) and was not able to take the team by the throat and MAKE them play as hard as he supposedly is. That is what leaders, and especially all-star veterans like Iverson and Anthony, are supposed to do, not tank it during the most important time in the basketball season.
"If you people can do better why don't you go become one of the leading scorers in history?!"
This is a lame argument that ignores the fact that AI's scoring isn't even close to the real issue--it's the lack of veteran leadership by a group of players who have been content this season to rest on their laurels.
And the contention that he plays with more heart than anyone on the team is false--if this team played with the same heart Najera displays night after night, they would have won 60-65 games and wouldn't have to worry about "quitting", or getting toyed around with by the Lakers in the first round.
Make no mistake, if this team can pull it together and make a 1994-type run, then I will give them all the credit in the world for finally waking up and realizing opposing teams aren't going to roll over for them simply because of AI and Carmelo are pulling on their jerseys. But up to now, they have deserved every bit of criticism they have received, especially in light of Melo's own damning admission last night.
April 27, 2008
2:15 p.m.
Suggest removal
triggs303 writes:
You sound incredibly ridiculous saying a coach cant make a team play differently. WHAT DOES A COACH DO? And I remember and followed EVERY NUGGETS RUN SINCE '85 thank you. This team's coach does NOT emphasize DEFENSE. A team quit? Well does that not reflect on the COACH. Next time try to conceal your lack of knowlege and say nothing.
Having played and coached basketball, football and baseball I think my statements are certifiable. THE TEAM IS ALWAYS A REFLECTION OF ITS COACH. IF DEFENSE WERE EMPHASIZED OVER OFFENSE DO YOU THINK THIS TEAM WOULD BE AT THE TOP OF POINTS SCORED AND THE BOTTOM OF POINTS GIVEN UP.
April 27, 2008
2:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
triggs303 writes:
Tyler Hansbrough and Derrick Rose, oh yeah that'll make us better team. Get real.
April 27, 2008
2:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nuggets1111 writes:
Playing basketball, football and baseball in high school doesn't count, triggs303. I feel sorry for the players you've "coached." And spelling in all caps does not make your statements anymore authoritative.
April 27, 2008
2:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
triggs303 writes:
Oh yeah but Tyler Hansbrough and Derrick Rose are the answer to the Nuggets. Post something that makes sense. What have you played or done to qualify your statement?...Thats what I thought. NOTHING
April 27, 2008
2:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Nuggets1111 writes:
Who said anything about bringing on Tyler Hansbrough? Why don't you go back and reread the comment.
April 27, 2008
4:51 p.m.
Suggest removal
stansoup56 writes:
The Nuggets biggest game of the year and 'melo and AI are no-shows.
Anthony has a lot of growing up to do. He is very immature for his age. He is also irresponsible (driving drunk) selfish (on the court), concieted, and lazy,(on the court). Yup....more time in the gym, and less time in the clubs might help his game and his life in general.
It will be a long time before 'melo becomes a leader on the court, and in the community....if ever.
I dont know what Iversons problem is.
April 27, 2008
5:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
philipwj writes:
DENVER... STOP IT!!! During games, Karl's been sitting hot players for cold players with PT claused in their contracts! Carmelo has been busting his tail year-round the past few seasons playing for USA in the summers, then maintaining his career stats in the regular season. By the time the playoffs come around, he is FLAT OUT EXHAUSTED! Owners are getting what they pay for in terms of payroll: 1st-IVERSON ($20M/yr.) then 2nd-MARTIN ($17M/yr.) THEN 3rd-ANTHONY ($13M/yr.). WHEN HE SIGNED ON FOR $92M, Kenyon Martin became THE MAN. Nobody rips Kenyon. Carmelo realized this and simply "stepped aside" for Martin to prove his worth. Martin wasn't, and is not yet worthy of that paycheck. YOU WANT CARMELO TO REALLY PLAY? Send him Kenyon's paycheck. By the way, Carmelo... YOU CAN AFFORD A LIMO, now bruh...
April 27, 2008
6:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
lntriguing0ne writes:
Wow, so I guess there'll be alot of podiatrist appointments made this coming week because so many fair-weather Nuggets fans have shattered their ankles jumping off the Denver bandwagon! Ha!
Let's face it, the Lakers are simply a better team -- from the players to the coaching staff -- and the reality is come Monday night, the Nuggets' misery will all be over with. Hell, why even show up tomorrow night anyway?! And as for my Lakers, it's just another notch in their championship-run belt! GO KOBE! GO LAKERS!!
April 27, 2008
7:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
sickandtired writes:
Great posts, Mangino. I remember Calvin Natt very well. Too bad Karl didn't get him to show up to practice this year a few times - I'll bet he could still kick Melo's punk a**. It just blows my mind people here defending Anthony: "he's young", "he's only making $13 million, Kenyon makes more", "it's the coach's job to make a player play defense" - blah blah blah.
Wouldn't you love to see one thing, Mangino? Calvin Natt in his prime, taking this baby Melo to the woodshed?
And you're also right about another thing - if you don't have veteran leadership in the NBA (on and off the court) you don't have a chance. THAT'S on Camby, Martin and A.I. I leave Melo out of that one, it's already established he's no leader.
April 27, 2008
11:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
gethoht writes:
I say ditch coach karl. I say let's see the excellent roster of the nuggets play with heart. I'm sure as all the nuggets were growing up, they dreamed of playing in the NBA, getting to the playoffs and winning a championship. If they could just remember those dreams of childhood and realize that they can live their dreams, then the nuggets could go all the way. They have the talent.