Game #25 Preview: Spurs @ Nuggets - Let it Rain (not Snow)
by CapHill on Dec 16, 2010 11:00 AM CST
in Game Previews
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So, the Denver weather conglomeration has been chirping the last few days about the "Winter Storm" coming at the end of the week. Slight exaggeration. As of midnight, it still hasn't started snowing. That's how I feel about all the Melo-Drama. I don't want to hear about it daily - just let me know if anything actually happens. Although if I were the Nuggets brain trust, I'd trade for draft picks and rebuild. There really isn't another course of action.
I honestly have no idea what this TV show is, but it was one of the videos that came up when I typed "Denver" into YouTube. I thought it a better choice than anything by John Denver.
And now for your preview.
 San Antonio Spurs @ Denver Nuggets Where: Pepsi Center When: 12-16-10, 9:30 p.m. Spurs Time - Timezone Converter Watch: TNT
By the Numbers
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Lineups
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Lineups
Starters
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Matchup Analysis
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Coach | |
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Winner |
Starters
PG: Lawson is another score-first point guard who might actually be quicker than Parker. But with Billups out, he has to carry more of the load. Tony should be able to capitalize on both his inexperience and okay defense, but will have to work a little harder on the defensive end to keep Lawson out of the lane.
SG: Afflalo is averaging a career high in points this season, and he's a pretty good defender. But I expect Manu Claus to take advantage of the Nuggets so-so defense to facilitate the offense and set up the rest of his teammates. Denver still hasn't quite figured out how to defend the PnR.
SF: RJ has a really tough matchup tonight. Not only is Carmelo an offensive machine, but despite the MeloDrama, he's averaging a career high in rebounds too. If Jefferson can make Anthony work for his points (ala Roy), I don't care what RJ does on the offensive end - it'll still be a good night.
PF: Blair has really picked up his game lately. DeJuan needs to play a lot of minutes and to watch the interior defense, since Lawson is good at penetrating the paint and finishing at the rim. Williams is starting because the Nuggets have no one else.
C: Nene is finally living up to his potential on offense, but his rebounding is still lacking and he gambles way too much on defense. Timmeh should be able to slice their defense with passes for easy assists, but he'll need to concentrate on limiting 2nd chance points.
Bench
Billups is out for this game; Birdman has been out this week. This means Denver's bench is pretty much limited to Harrington, Smith and Carter. Who wants to bet on J.R. doing something the opposite of basketball smart? The bench will need to play productive minutes tonight, due to the number of minutes the starters logged last night. Tiago is probably a no go, but since we're not at a huge disadvantage inside, I'll take BAM.
Coaching
Pop is Pop. Karl has become a much better coach during his tenure in Denver, but he still has to deal with too many headcases.
Intangibles
Usually, this category would easily go to the Spurs, since our beloved team permanently resides in the psyche of the Moonmen. However, this is a SEGABABA on the road, the Big Three all played over 30 minutes last night and the Nuggies have a stellar record at home.
Mojo
This is our first game on TNT this year. Sir Charles will be able to yell "GINOBLEE", especially after last night's showing. I think this bodes well for us.
Prediction
Spurs win by matching Denver on the offensive end, using key defensive stops in the 4th quarter to crush all their dreams and hopes (or I get a lot of crap tomorrow morning at work). Just no more buzzer beaters - we don't need the heart attacks.
Key(s) to the Game
Key 1 - The 3-Ball. Both teams like to shoot the 3 - in fact, the Nuggets have shot more than the Spurs this year. We need to chase them off the line and limit them to long jumpers, while also passing the ball to find the open shots against Denver's shaky defense.
Key 2 - Interior Defense/Rebounding. Denver is 2nd in the league in FT/FGA and they shoot the freebies fairly well. The Spurs need to close down the lane and rebound the ball, limiting the And 1s.
Other Reading
Spurs
Nuggets
Denver Stiffs (SB Nation)
Following Along
TV
TNT - We've got the late national game tonight. Good for me - bad for the Eastern time zone.
Radio
WOAI 1200AM; Audio League Pass [streaming]
Online
As always, NBA league pass is recommended for those who are willing to pony up the cash. Almost every Spurs game will be broadcast there, which is especially helpful for those of us who aren't in the San Antonio area.
Please don't post links to illegal game feeds in the game thread. Links to illegal feeds are not permitted on SBNation, but you can probably find them out there on the internets if you're resourceful and desperate. You can also shoot an email to poundingtherockmail@yahoo.com (IMPORTANT: Please include your PtR username in the email for reference) for further assistance.
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Comments
day to day
Biggest coach Pop/Tiago Splitter homer on the internet™
by Josh Guyer (completely deck) on Dec 16, 2010 1:07 PM CST up reply actions
aka till Pop feels like it.
"We suck on 'D. Both individually and team-wise, we suck. We're pretty consistent that way. I don't know if I have an answer to that. If I did, we wouldn't suck quite so bad." - Popovich
by Aaron "Hirschof" Preine on Dec 16, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
Any of your 3 losses on a back-to-back game?
Surprised the Bucks played you so close in your house. Did Milwaukee play out of their minds or could this be a red flag for the Spurs falling back to the rest of the pack?
Denver first.
by margabelle on Dec 16, 2010 11:42 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Also, you all might enjoy the Fanshot on denverstiffs.com of Melo being informed that he had just been traded to the Nets. The “oh, crap!” panic look on his face is priceless.
Denver first.
How would you feel if you just found out you were going to New Jersey?
by titansfan4ever on Dec 16, 2010 2:23 PM CST up reply actions
I suppose you mean this FS, yes? I guess he forgot for a moment that he holds the cards in the deal, since the Nets won’t trade for him unless he agrees to a three-year extension.
Has there been much discussion at DenverStiffs as to why he doesn’t want to go to the Nets? Over the summer, I suggested here that Melo-drama probably would be unhappy playing for Coach AJ and knows it. Johnson has a bit of a rep as a martinet, and he demands his team play defense. I figured that maybe ‘Melo thinks that D’Antoni’s Knicks’ free-wheeling style would be a lot more fun than Johnson’s Nets, whether they’re in New Jersey or Brooklyn.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, the Avery Johnson angle has been discussed.
Still, some sources are saying that Melo has not ruled out NJ. Can’t understand why Melo would want to play for a dog-butt team in Newark over Denver (only a season and half removed from the western conference finals and half a season away from being freed from K-Mart’s stifling contract). Of course, I’m biased….
Denver first.
I can’t imagine why anyone would want to live near New Jersey, instead of Denver. Ugh.
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
The area around Princeton is rather nice, though a little too humid in the summertime imho. But yeah, I’d rather live near Denver. Maybe even around Colorado Springs. :)
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
Nice… Mrs. SiMA and I got married in Beaver Creek. Good area.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions
That’s awesome… beautiful indeed. That was the first time I had ever seen enough snow to ski on before.. it was overnight and looked like down comforters had been shoved in a wood chipper… FLAKES THE SIZE OF YOUR FACE!
(The pizza pie ain’t bad there either…. Gondo’s)
Yeah, slopes are pretty amazing up there if you’re a skier. People from outside of the state just don’t understand the powder. I haven’t been to Gondo’s, but those kinds of places are usually can’t-miss there.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
Milwaukee is one of the best teams in the East. I’d put them top 5, behind the Celtics, Heat, Bulls and Magic. They beat Dallas the night before they played us. We had an off game- less than stellar ball movement, and shots going in before they popped out. We’ve always had issues playing against them. If i remember right, the all time series is 34-30 for the Spurs. So that says something. Bogut is the best big in the East (between him and Howard IMO) and probably 3rd or 4th best in the league.
So to answer your question, neither :/
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 16, 2010 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
I predict a monster game from Bonner. And a good one from Blair.
thats really all i’ve got until i see sf87’s prediction.
Bonner with the nice box out!
We need a big one from Matty. If he goes off from deep, SA wins this one going away.
"You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas." -Davy Crockett
"Give me an army of West Point graduates, and I'll win a battle. Give me a handful of Texas Aggies, and I'll win a war." -Gen. George S. Patton
that is the norm
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 16, 2010 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
I’m pretty sure we’re undefeated whenever he scores 50 or more.
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 16, 2010 2:13 PM CST up reply actions
This is the time of year that I actually enjoy the Valley, you’re fortunate.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 2:12 PM CST up reply actions
I wasn’t complaining, just trying to make sure Cap knows that it’s NOT snowing here. :P
Free Tiago Splitter!
It’s not snowing here either. Once again, the weather “minds” predicted a snowy end of the week, and we’ve gotten absolutely bupkis. My allergies need another couple of nights of hard freeze.
It’s sunny and 40 – what more could a person ask for in December?
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
speak for yourselves. i got two decent sized snow storms in the last week or so decent by Ohio standards that is). but i actually love the stuff, so its all good.
I am disappointed that we won’t have snow on Christmas this year (at least, that’s what it’s looking like now).
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
I’ve lived in Ohio… and I’d rather not go back during this time of year either. :)
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 4:38 PM CST up reply actions
It may not be so much a product of the weather, as you’re assuming; but more due to the fact that Ohio just generally blows.
o;——)
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 8:52 PM CST up reply actions
You should email me, we’ll all get together and catch a game.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
I’ll do that. I don’t know what my plans are and by “my plans” I mean what my wife has planned for me. That said we can definitely give it a shot.
If anything, we could always meet up and watch a great bowl… like the 2011 Ticketcity Bowl.
::snickering uncontrollably::
::then suddenly crying with shame uncontrollably::
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 4:03 PM CST up reply actions
I’m not ashamed that OSU is in the Alamo Bowl, although we should be in the Cotton Bowl. Damn Aggies. And may OU lose badly to the UConn Huskies.
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
so long as Oregon whips Auburn’s cheatin ass up, down, sideways forwards and backwards I’ll be happy.
If Auburn wins they are just going to have to forfeit in a couple years anyway.
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 16, 2010 5:44 PM CST up reply actions
You know Colorado though, warm Christmas = white Easter.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 3:24 PM CST up reply actions
Believe it or not, we had a few days in the 80’s earlier this month… I guess Mother Nature was trying to make up for the unseasonably cool summer this year.
I took my puppy to the beach to cool off. :)
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 4:36 PM CST up reply actions
SPURS – 102
thuggets – 89
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
Doesn’t look good. Cap and I were talking about going, but between my laptop breaking this week and Christmas approaching, it probably wouldn’t be prudent.
BUT… I’ve cordoned off several hours tonight for just sitting in the easy chair and watching Manumal again shred the thuggets.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
Tonight will be the REAL test…cause typically the Spurs do not do well on the 2nd game of a back-to-back….just sayin.
I’m more worried about THIGAFONI’s but a late arrival in Denver after last night’s nail-biter is hardly conducive to a restful sleep.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
worried about this one. denver will pose a problem because they do actually have some talent, but there those “other” influences that worry me as well. for instance:
its on national TV and losing this one would give the national media types a reason to not consider the spurs as legit. a perfect opportunity for pop to mind-fuck them all. any word that he might be resting all of our starters again this trip to denver?
its a segababa….and you know how tough those are on old guys…..
the game will also be played in high altitude….and you know how tough THAT is on old guys……
the spurs have been shooting crazy-good so far and have a crazy-good record this season. sooner or later the other shoe has to drop…..right?
….and oh yeah, i almost forgot, its a road game against a legitimate playoff team, who is 11-1 at home. i just don’t see how the lame old lucky spurs have a chance tonite……
the other bad news is that its a 10:30 game for me in the eastern time zone – on a school night. which means that my son won’t be awake to try and count all the tatts being sported by the nugs (or moonmen, as he once coined them). actually, he’s now almost 7 and certainly has no memory of that reference.
Fuck it, Spurs by 50
"He was just a young skinny guy who looked like a winner. We didn’t know he was going to be as good as he is."
—Popovich on Manu Ginobili
by spursfan87 on Dec 16, 2010 3:39 PM CST reply actions 5 recs
i’ve been waiting all day just to rec this.
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 16, 2010 3:51 PM CST up reply actions
Rec’d… great recap and I love snow. I can’t wait to go skiing! :)
And yes, I hope the Spurs rain threes down on Denver. ;)
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 4:00 PM CST reply actions
Going to the game tonite!!!! Can’t wait. Flew from PA earlier in the week. Spurs are 1-2 in games I’ve been at over the past 2 years. Hopefully will bring that mark up to .500 after tonite.
Awesome. Enjoy the game, Fult.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 7:23 PM CST up reply actions
Mike Monroe will be on Denver Radio Station 87.7 @ 4 pm MST to discuss tonight’s game.
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
Thank you for getting Denver The Last Dinosaur’s theme song stuck in my head for the rest of the effing day.
can't forget Matty, if you did you'd feel gyped
like your sandwich ain't a sandwich without Miracle Whip
Blame jrw – he got this stuck in my head yesterday.
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
Since tonight’s game will be on TNT, it’ll be fun to hear Charles shout out Ginóbiliiiii after they show Manu’s buzzer-beater in the pre-game show, or more likely, during half-time of the game before the Nuggets-Spurs.
Bad thing for me is that tonight is the two-hour season finale of Burn Notice, my favorite show, and the first hour will begin airing sometime during the third quarter. It’s gonna be a tough decision….
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 4:46 PM CST reply actions
great show.
Bonner with the nice box out!
by SpursfanSteve on Dec 16, 2010 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
You can find plenty of megavideo’d versions of the show after it airs. Spurs games, not so much.
Not that I would know anything about such shameful copyright-infringing activities.
Free Tiago Splitter!
Thanks for putting it into perspective. And for mojo purposes, I plan to be on the game thread.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 6:20 PM CST up reply actions
You guys are blogging machines. It took me this long to write a measly recap… You rock, Cap.
My confidence for tonight is very low, but then again, their defense is a joke. Maybe the role players can catch on fire.
I smell death... everywhere.
Your recap is far from measly, LD. And yeah, the bench really needs to step it up from last night’s game tonight. And I’d just love it if RJ 2.0 and the team defense can hound ’Melo-drama into an inefficient, difficult 20 points tonight.
Hey, if posting a sharp, insightful, yet non-sarcastic comment were that easy, even olf would do it.
Mike Monroe: ...the uninformed presume Parker is expendable.
by freshtunarightofftheboat on Dec 16, 2010 5:07 PM CST up reply actions
FYI, the last time we played in Denver it was a blowout. But… there was an honoree in attendance that time. If we go down tonight, it’s on said honoree.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 6:25 PM CST up reply actions
I like this philosophy, SiMA. Can I apply it to work projects too?
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
If your work doesn’t already apply this philosophy as it applies to you, then they don’t deserve you anyway.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 6:51 PM CST up reply actions
I just visited the Denver SB nation blog. I always forget how much other fanbases hate the Spurs.
by Jordan Leithart on Dec 16, 2010 6:29 PM CST reply actions
They HATE Manu – I mean really, really hate. The booing in The Can when he touches the ball is louder than the cheers for the Nuggets. It’s music to my ears.
With all due respect, gentlemen, we're not as crazy as she is.
I concur. I’ve said it before, but the irony of thugget fans booing Manumal because he “flops” is priceless. It’s identical in it’s absurdity as when suns fans spew the same claim.
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 7:08 PM CST up reply actions
tiagosplitter Unfortunately I will not play today, the contusion still hurting me… Thanks
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 7:17 PM CST reply actions
Gonna be a tough one for us tonight for the following reasons:
1. Second game of a back to back after the hard fought win last night.
2. High altitude Denver further worsens the fatigue factor.
3. Road game vs the team with the best home record in the league (11-1).
4. Anthony playing like crazy ahead of his potential trade.
5. Game is on national tv, TNT. Seems like we always lose these as CIA Pop likes to perpetuate the “Don’t worry about the Spurs” general media/fan stereotype. (Only half serious on that last one.)
What do we have going for us?
1. Our deep bench. Hill, Bonner, Neal, McDyess, Splitter(? probably won’t play), these guys need to be huge tonight, push a lead and enable limited minutes for the starters, so the stars can shine when needed through the fourth.
2. We destroyed Denver the last few times we met, and that was last years (much less evolved) Spurs. Surely we can beat them again now with RJ 2.0 and all the new attacks we have this year.
3. Though we didn’t play great, we are coming off a Manu buzzer beater win that continued our monster start. We should continue the momentum, come out strong tonight, not taking anything lightly.
4.“GINOBILI!!!”
Prediction: My head says we lose this one. My heart says we storm on through. I’ll go with Spurs by 6, in a nailbiter.
Too funny. We should put this up every time the Spurs win.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 8:33 PM CST up reply actions
What’s wrong with this picture:
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 8:33 PM CST reply actions
where do i begin? these dudes are all literally falling over themselves to accept credit for something. contrast that with the scene last night after manu hit the game winner. one team has a little class and one doesnt.
I don’t even get it why KG bowed. He had nothing to do with the last play.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 8:37 PM CST up reply actions
Pierce obviously doesn’t understand aviation, or he would realize that wings at such a low angler would never get an airplane off the ground.
Free Tiago Splitter!
Nate: “Damn you, Paul! I thought you were my friend!”
Ray: “LOL, Nate…”
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 8:47 PM CST up reply actions
It’s true what they say, “You can buy a Championship, but you can’t buy class.”
"If I was the kind of guy who posted a signature line, this would be it from now on." -SiMA
by SgtinManusArmy on Dec 16, 2010 8:54 PM CST up reply actions
Alright folks… the wife’s off on the morrow, I go in late & I got my libations flowin’ for the mojo… LET’S DO THIS!…
remember, the altitude can make drinks go to your head faster too…
How many shots of that thing can you take?
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 9:01 PM CST up reply actions
My cousin’s a tattoo artist in SF and he asks his customers to drink a few shots of it every time they get inked.
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 9:06 PM CST up reply actions
None I think. Wikipedia says a roughly similar term is finger food, or maybe appetizers?
"A life, Jimmy, you know what that is? It’s what happens while you wait for moments that will never come." - Lester Freamon, The Wire
by silverandblack_davis on Dec 16, 2010 9:08 PM CST up reply actions
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