November 17, 2008 10:31 PM
Curb your Nuggets enthusiasm
By Aaron J. Lopez
Yes, the Chauncey Billups effect appears to be in full force. With the hometown hero in the lineup, the Nuggets are 5-1. World-beaters, them Nugs.
All right, let's not get carried away.
Yes, the Nuggets appear to be a better team with Allen Iverson thousands of miles away and Billups running the show. They certainly have a different attitude, but the enthusiasm should be tempered by a look at their schedule.
If the Nuggets can beat the Milwaukee Bucks at home tonight, five of their six wins sans Iverson will be against teams with losing records.
They beat a Dallas Mavericks team that is searching for answers under new coach Rick Carlisle. They trailed by double-figures against a young Memphis team before rallying in the second half. They were in trouble against a perennially bad feisty Charlotte team before getting a nice road win. They nearly fell into the classic trap against the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves before coming up big in the fourth quarter.
Now for the pat on the back: The Nuggets showed how good they can be by beating defending champion Boston Celtics in the second of back-to-back road games - an accomplishment that would have been unthinkable a year ago. By putting away inferior teams in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets also showed maturity that was lacking in years past.
Billups said Monday that his teammates seemed genuinely excited by ``something fresh, something new'' when he came on board. Anyone who pays attention to pro sports knows that there's a honeymoon effect when a personnel change is made. That effect was enhanced by a soft schedule in the days after Billups arrived.
With upcoming road games against San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers and home games against New Orleans and Houston later this month, the Nuggets will get a chance to validate their recent success.
Coach George Karl says it's too early to figure out who's good and who's bad around the NBA.
Make it though November without any major injuries or bad losses and the Nuggets can at least put themselves in the category of legitimate playoff contenders who aren't just your average honeymooners.
November 17, 2008
11:17 PM
Cartwright writes:
Great stuff as always Mr. Lopez.
November 18, 2008
2:28 PM
kodijack writes:
I agree. And I wish that George Karl would keep his mouth shut. By spouting off he is showing what a truly mediocre coach he can be.
November 19, 2008
10:19 AM
Jersey writes:
Kodijack: As for Karl,.... can be, was and always will be mediocre. They win in spite of him rather than because of him. The "Great Imposter", after it is all said and done, will prove to be the detriment of this team just as sure as there is 48 minutes to a game!
November 20, 2008
9:27 AM
Dick Waltz writes:
If you are going to be negative at least improve your spelling: "make it though (sic) November"
November 20, 2008
2:23 PM
Anonymous writes:
7-1 jerkoff
November 20, 2008
5:35 PM
Russ writes:
Way to throw the old water on the parade Aaron. Gotta love you writers who like to write negative stuff. And like Anonymous wrote....7-1 with Chauncey...4 in a row...tied for first. But you go ahead a be negative if you must Aaron.
November 21, 2008
2:05 PM
coachld writes:
"Curb your Nuggets Enthusiam," is a ridiculous headline. Nuggets fans should be enthusiastic. I don't care if there wins are against the worst teams in the league. Anyone who has watched them over the years can tell, they are a much improved team. Chauncey has brought more then just his ability...he has brought a different attitude which the Nuggets sorely needed. Do Nuggets fans need to start talking playoffs...no way! They are playing much better and beating teams they should beat along with big road wins against SA and Boston. If they can play with the Lakers tonight...even better. But, it is early with a lot of tough games yet to play. Stay enthusiastic Nuggets fans!!!!
November 27, 2008
5:39 PM
Willie writes:
Don't you love it ... when a team loses to teams that have a losing record they get bad press. Now, when they beat teams with a losing record they get tepid press. Bad news sells more papers than good news.