Chicago bullies Denver

Aaron J. Lopez

Published February 23, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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Photo by Jerry Lai / Associated Press

Nuggets guard J.R. Smith dunks during the second quarter of Friday night's game against the Chicago Bulls. Chicago won 135-121.

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The door to the Nuggets locker room doubled as a billboard for a nearby casino. Inside, the players used towels bearing the casino's name and logo.

Like most gamblers, they left the building feeling down on their luck.

Playing against an underachieving Chicago Bulls team that shook up its roster at the NBA trade deadline Thursday, the Nuggets looked discombobulated and disinterested for the majority of a 135-121 loss at the United Center.

J.R. Smith tied the franchise record with seven three-pointers in the fourth quarter and finished with a career-high 43 points, but it wasn't enough to help the Nuggets rally from a big second-half deficit.

"We slept on Chicago, thinking because they made the trade, they weren't going to come out as hard," Smith said. "They proved us wrong."

The Bulls (22-32) were playing their first game since trading center Ben Wallace and forward Joe Smith as part of an 11- player deal that brought Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons to Chicago.

None of the new guys was available for the Bulls, but that didn't seem to matter much in the first three quarters.

Everyone but Benny the Bull seemed to score at will against the Nuggets defense; Denver surrendered 101 points by the end of the third quarter and gave up its second-highest total this season.

Chicago shot 57.1 percent from the floor, including 11-for- 22 from three-point range, and recorded its highest point total since scoring 140 against the New Jersey Nets on Jan. 4, 1991.

"It's very disappointing," Nuggets center Marcus Camby said. "We didn't come out with the right mind-set to come beat an undermanned team. From the opening tip being down 11- 1, those guys built a big lead and we were never able to catch them."

Despite falling behind by 10 points in the first three minutes of the game, the Nuggets managed to tie the score at 55 before Chicago went on a 13-0 run to close the first half.

Nuggets coach George Karl said his team did not show enough respect for the Bulls, but his two All-Stars, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, respectfully disagreed.

"Respect didn't have nothing to do with this game," Anthony said. "They came out shooting damn near 150 percent from the field. I don't know what happened."

Added Iverson: "They just beat us. We weren't underestimating nobody."

In hindsight, the game had all the makings of a trap for the Nuggets, who can ill afford to kick away games to sub-.500 teams as they battle for a playoff spot in the unforgiving Western Conference.

Three days after playing one of their best games this season, a 124-118 victory against the NBA-leading Boston Celtics, the Nuggets were outhustled, outrebounded and outshot by an energetic Bulls team that remains in the Eastern Conference playoff chase.

"That was the new-look Chicago Bulls," interim coach Jim Boylan said. "It looked like the Virginia Squires from the old ABA days. There was not a lot of defense out there."

After leading by as many as 23 points midway through the third quarter, the Bulls were confused by Denver's 2-3 zone defense and struggled to contain Smith in the fourth.

Smith hit four three-pointers in a four-minute span to pull the Nuggets to 111-107 with 6:58 remaining, but Ben Gordon countered for the Bulls with 14 of his 37 points in the final 6:45.

"Gordon gets one of those games going that no matter how well you cover him, he's going to make shots," Karl said. "It seemed like he could make a big three any time that we would make the run."

Smith matched John Roche's 26-year-old franchise record for three-pointers in a quarter but missed four of his last five from long range.

"I'm glad J.R. had a great game, but his shot selections in the last five minutes were fantasyland," Karl said. "He made some, but you're not going to win games doing that. It got kind of crazy there."

Smith's contributions off the bench helped offset a rough game for Linas Kleiza, who tried to play despite a sprained left ankle. Kleiza, averaging 11.7 points, missed all seven of his shot attempts in 19 minutes.

"It's not 100 percent," Kleiza said. "I wanted to play too bad and rushed it. I didn't have the lift or explosion. I still wasn't ready to play."

Kleiza said he is unsure whether he will be able to play tonight when the Nuggets try to rebound against Milwaukee.

Bulls 135, Nuggets 121

FG FT Reb

DENVER Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Martin 28:57 2-5 0-0 0-1 1 4 4

Anthony 38:05 7-20 7-7 2-8 1 2 22

Camby 39:12 8-12 2-4 5-11 2 4 19

Carter 13:41 0-1 0-0 0-0 3 2 0

Iverson 43:48 10-17 9-11 1-4 9 0 29

Kleiza 19:12 0-7 0-0 2-5 0 2 0

Najera 23:43 1-2 2-2 2-3 0 4 4

Smith 33:22 15-25 5-8 1-5 1 3 43

Totals 240 43-89 25-32 13-37 17 21 121

Percentages - FG .483, FT .781. Three-point goals - 10-28, .357 (Smith 8-14, Camby 1-2, Anthony 1-4, Najera 0-1, Iverson 0-3, Kleiza 0-4). Team rebounds - 12. Team turnovers - 15 (20 pts.). Blocked shots - 7 (Camby 6, Martin). Turnovers - 15 (Anthony 3, Iverson 3, Smith 3, Camby 2, Carter 2, Martin, Najera). Steals - 5 (Najera 2, Smith 2, Carter). Technicals - None.

FG FT Reb

CHICAGO Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Nocioni 26:55 8-12 2-3 0-3 0 3 21

Thomas 33:38 9-13 0-0 3-11 4 3 18

Noah 38:07 7-11 0-0 5-10 3 2 14

Hinrich 36:14 7-13 0-0 0-3 14 5 16

Sefolosha 20:56 6-8 2-4 0-3 4 2 14

Deng 20:28 5-14 0-1 2-6 0 3 10

Gray 12:16 2-7 0-2 5-5 1 2 4

Duhon 17:38 0-2 1-2 0-0 3 1 1

Gordon 33:48 12-18 7-8 1-3 5 4 37

Totals 240 56-98 12-20 16-44 34 25 135

Percentages - FG .571, FT .600. Three-point goals - 11-22, .500 (Gordon 6-10, Nocioni 3-5, Hinrich 2-4, Sefolosha 0-1, Duhon 0-2). Team rebounds - 10. Team turnovers - 12 (17 pts.). Blocked shots - 5 (Thomas 3, Noah 2). Turnovers - 12 (Gordon 5, Hinrich 2, Nocioni 2, Gray, Noah, Thomas). Steals - 7 (Gordon 2, Thomas 2, Noah, Nocioni, Sefolosha). Technicals - Defensive three second, 9:42 first; Deng, 3:14 second.

Denver 22 33 32 34 - 121

Chicago 33 35 33 34 - 135

A - 21,848 (22,467). T - 2:13. Officials - Ron Garretson, Gary Zielinski, Derrick Collins.

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com

Nuggets at Bucks

* When: 6:30 MST tonight.

* Where: Bradley Center, Milwaukee.

* TV/radio: Altitude; KKFN-AM (950).

* Starting lineups

Denver (33-21) Pos. Ht. Pts.

15 Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 26.2

4 Kenyon Martin F 6-9 11.3

23 Marcus Camby C 6-11 9.5

25 Anthony Carter G 6-2 7.9

3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 26.6

Coach:

George Karl

Milwaukee (20-35) Pos. Ht. Pts.

24 Desmond Mason F 6-5 8.8

31 Charlie Villanueva F 6-11 9.9

6 Andrew Bogut C 7-0 13.4

22 Michael Redd G 6-6 22.8

25 Mo Williams G 6-2 17.4

Coach:

Larry Krystkowiak * Injuries: Denver - F Linas Kleiza (sprained left ankle) is questionable; G Chucky Atkins (sports hernia) and F Nene (testicular tumor) are out. Milwaukee - G Ramon Sessions (broken left hand) is out.

* Notes: The Nuggets crushed Milwaukee 125-105 on Dec. 26 in a game that wasn't nearly that close. . . . Camby recorded his third career triple-double in that game, compiling 10 points, 11 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. . . . The Nuggets have won eight of nine against Milwaukee and four in a row at the Bradley Center. . . . The Bucks lost Friday night at Detroit and are 4-10 in the second of back-to-back games.

NUMBERS GAME

4Nuggets players have scored at least 40 points in a game this season. J.R. Smith scored 43 Friday against Chicago. The others are Carmelo Anthony (49), Allen Iverson (51) and Linas Kleiza (41). It's the first time that's happened in the NBA since the 1988-89 Phoenix Suns.

MOVING FORWARD

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony acknowledged Friday he was disappointed the Nuggets didn't add Sacramento Kings swingman Ron Artest at the trade deadline but insisted he has confidence in the team going forward.

"Any time you can get better - or you think you can get better - there's going to be disappointment," Anthony said. "This is a team right here I'm proud of. I like the team. I like the direction we're going."

The Nuggets made only a minor move, acquiring rookie point guard Taurean Green from Portland for little-used shooting guard Von Wafer.

Green is making $427,163 this season and the Nuggets have until Aug. 1 to decide whether to exercise his $711,517 option for 2008-09.

"It's an audition, but at the same time, we're in a playoff race," Green said. "I'm going to do whatever I can to help this team get in the playoffs and advance."

HE SAID IT

"I'm a Brent Barry guy. He's a quality player (from) a championship team. You've always got to be interested in guys like that."

George Karl, Nuggets coach, on former San Antonio Spurs shooting guard Brent Barry, who was traded to Seattle, then waived by the SuperSonics on Thursday.

Aaron J. Lopez

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Comments

February 22, 2008

12:47 p.m.

Suggest removal

BMat writes:

Melo said, "We ain't really need to make no moves . . ."

Who teaches grammar at Syracuse, Chicken George?!
February 22, 2008

1:11 p.m.

Suggest removal

Spider writes:

George says that it's not so much talent that wins but playing as a team. There is no doubt that when the Nuggets are running, penetrating, moving the ball with crisp passing and banging the boards they are unstopable. Problem is they only play that kind of ball for a quater or two. How many time have you seen them destroying a team only to have JR take some quick 3 pointer or AI dribbling the 24 second clock to 1? How many times do they get a big lead and go to the half-court game (which they suck at)to se a lead evaporate. What about when Melo is double teamed and no one cuts to the basket? It irks me to no end to see someone's ego get in the way and start popping off shots when no teammate is in the paint. Ig George really believes in the team concept approach, he should start benching guys who start being selfish with the ball or stop hustling and let them ride the pine for awhile. Maybe that way the prima donnas would learn that lack of hustle and lack of teamwork = riding the pine.
February 22, 2008

1:43 p.m.

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GovermentCheese writes:

I'z hopes we'z gettin' sumpfin ina trade

spoken by ~Melo
February 22, 2008

2:27 p.m.

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SR writes:

Get Brent Barry!
February 22, 2008

4:24 p.m.

Suggest removal

atfisher writes:

Seriously. Brent Barry fills a hole on this team more than Artest would. We need someone to spread the defense and knock down an outside shot. Hello Barry...and hurry...the Rockets are already trying to nab him
February 22, 2008

4:38 p.m.

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HumnHilitFlm writes:

Spider is exactly right about the way the Nuggets play. What makes me most disappointed is that they all say the right things to the media about playing defense for 48 minutes and sharing the ball, but it never translates to what we see on the floor on any kind of consistent basis.

This team has the talent to be a top team in the NBA, but for a veteran team with three starters who have played in the NBA finals, they sure play like they do not have a clue.

Brent Barry would be a very good addition to this team, but why would he pick Denver over every other team in the west that wants him?

http://www.pickaxeandroll.com
February 22, 2008

6:53 p.m.

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ccash14 writes:

I am a big time Denver Fan. I was born here but now live in Portland, Oregon. My problem with the Nuggets is they have great moments and get you all excited and than they stop playing. Carmelo is one of the leaders on this team yet he do not act like it! Ie... His comments today in the paper. He states that he likes his team and believe in them while saying he's disappointed that they did not get a known trouble maker in Artest. I believe Artest is a great talent but bringing him on this team would be asking for trouble. George Carl knew this in the back of his mind although he might not admit it publicly. Stan has been very patient with this team, if George Carl can not get them to the next level (ALthough it should be up to Melo) He will probably take the fall and be replaced, while the team gets dismantled and started over with (the main problem)Melo. If you notice, ESPN and TNT no longer consider the Nuggets to be in the top six in the western conference. We have 30 something games left and I think Denver's defense has made great improvement over the last ten games but they seem to lack leadership. Finally, one of the other post said it best, they have a good start and than they start to worry about the personal points instead of the win. There is no "I" in T.E.A.M. I believe Denver is the best sleeper in the west. I just hope they wake up and finally get us out of the first round so we can atleast say we are making progress.
February 22, 2008

9:58 p.m.

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KJindahouse writes:

Nuggets blew their opportunity to take their team to the next level. Artest would have been a great addition. Without him, I truly believe that we will make an early exit like last year. All the top teams in the west improved with the exception of our team. I was looking forward to the post-season, but it will be short-lived.
February 23, 2008

12:40 a.m.

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den2mke writes:

Unless Artest turned into a pass-first point-guard or a great coach while I wasn't looking, his acquisition would do little to help this team. Even when the Nugs are effective on offense they still don't move the basketball, cut to the hoop, move without the ball or share the rock. The reality in the NBA is that you can't win in the playoffs without some semblance of a half-court game. The Lakers with the greatest 1-on-1 player in the league still run a solid offense where players are moving without the ball. Phoenix gave up on their experiment by getting Shaq (and even they had an active half-court game).

It embarasses me that someone like Karl, a supposed advocate of the Moe 'passing game' offense, wheels this team out night after night that does little but play isolation basketball. This is a horrible job of coaching. Any coach worth their salt at all should be able to field a team that runs an offense--especially with the talent the Nugs have. This team is liable to miss the playoffs. If it does, Karl has to go in favor of someone that can make the pieces work. This team has more than enough talent to win--as evidenced by the fact that role players like Kleiza and Smith have each scored 40+ this year. Just sad.
February 23, 2008

10:49 a.m.

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homeradam writes:

I'm embarassed to call this my favorite team. Overpaid bunch of losers.
February 23, 2008

12:41 p.m.

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sqjnk writes:

the nuggets are what sickens me about pro sports. If you have a huge contract you get paid insane amounts of money whether you play hard or pack it in. Sure you get some extra money for playoffs and championships, but why work hard to win when even if you lose you can put on your armani suit, diamond earrings and drive your pimped out 200,000 dollar car to your multi million dollar mansion. why work hard to play up to your potential conistently? character. and it seems to be what this time sorely lacks. it shows in the inconsistency, work ethic and words of the players on this team.
February 23, 2008

1:38 p.m.

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sickandtired writes:

Amen, brother! You're preaching to the choir sqjnk.

Wouldn't it be great to cut the salaries down to about a fourth, and then use another fourth for playoff money? Whoever goes further, gets paid more. And forget long guaranteed deals. Cap guaranteed money at two years, maybe.

You'd see a lot more solid basketball players, if you rewarded winning basketball - and a lot of these overpaid prima donna lazy-a**** would either change fast, or be out of a job.

And give the other two-fourths (half) back to the fans in lower ticket prices, so a few more people might actually get to see a few games.

Home › Denver Nuggets

Chicago bullies Denver

Aaron J. Lopez

Published February 23, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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