Dex
02-04-2009, 12:28 PM
Nuggets' win over 'Spurs Lite' is not one to brag about
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/03/nuggets-martin-spurs-duncan-parker-ginobili-all-ou/
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
Published February 3, 2009 at 9:30 p.m.
There were seven past and present All-Stars expected to play Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.
Five never made it to the starting line. One didn't finish.
Thank goodness for the Nuggets, the only one still standing at the end was forward Carmelo Anthony. He scored a game-high 35 points to lead them to a harder-than-expected 104-96 win against depleted San Antonio at the Pepsi Center.
The Spurs didn't use guard Manu Ginobili, who suffered a hip contusion Monday at Golden State, although he stayed in the game. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rested Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Michael Finley.
The Nuggets (32-16) didn't have forward Kenyon Martin, out because of tonsillitis and strep throat. Point guard Chauncey Billups was lost for the second half after suffering a sprained right ankle in the second quarter, and he isn't sure if he'll play tonight at Oklahoma City.
Considering the players on the floor, it sometimes looked like a preseason game. But Nuggets coach George Karl displayed postseason fire.
"I don't think I had anything on my mind except anger," Karl said of the Spurs cutting a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to two early in the fourth quarter and still being down four with less than two minutes left. "How immature we played. We were fortunate. We still have a tendency in messing around with the game.
"It's kind of come back in the last couple of weeks. We've still won most of the games, but we should have attacked this game with a professional attitude and an intensity and probably should have gotten the game over by the fourth quarter. San Antonio showed a lot of heart and a lot of character and scared the hell out of us."
Billups' injury scared plenty, including him. But X-rays at halftime were negative.
"Just pushed off and I felt a little pop. ... I definitely was worried (at first)," Billups said. "It's a little sore, but I'll be all right. We'll see (today) how it goes. ... Hopefully, it won't be long (that he's out), and, hopefully, it will be (tonight he plays)."
If Billups can't go, he remains hopeful about Friday at Washington. He's not concerned about the All-Star Game on Feb. 15.
"I'm not worried about no All-Star Game," Billups said. "I'm worried about the real games."
One thing is for sure, the Spurs (33-15) looked nothing like an All-Star team.
While Ginobili's injury was legitimate, Popovich offered no specifics as to why he rested Duncan and Parker other than they "need a break." The same thinking presumably applies to Finley, who, like the top three players, played in Monday's exhausting overtime win.
Since Duncan, Parker and Ginobili joined forces in 2002, Popovich said it's the first time he can remember none playing in a game other than one late in a season when playoff spots are secured.
Popovich said he was "real proud" of his team's effort. The Spurs got 26 points from guard Roger Mason, who made 5-of-10 three-pointers.
"They got NBA guys on their team just like we do," said Anthony, who had nine rebounds and made 14-of-15 free throws in his second game back after missing 10 because of a broken right hand. "I was pretty sure they wouldn't come in and lay down."
At times, the Nuggets almost laid down. Anthony said sometimes the Nuggets "just need to slow down and calm down."
"We revert back to selfishness," said Karl, whose Nuggets got 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots from center Nene. "The last 30 seconds of the first half — selfish, selfish, selfish, selfish. Four times in a row."
Karl cracked maybe he should play sparingly used rookie Sonny Weems because he "might have played with more commitment and responsibility."
At least Karl is hoping to have Martin back tonight. He had a 103-degree temperature before the game.
"There's a chance (tonight)," Karl said. "I think Kenyon will understand, after watching us play (Tuesday), we need him."
Not having Billups scares Karl more. That would leave Anthony Carter as the team's only true point guard.
"That will be an adventure playing J.R. (Smith) at backup point," Karl said. "The way we throw the ball around, it scares the hell out of me."
For now, Karl at least can have relief about winning the season series (2-1) against the Spurs for the first time since 1987-88. That could come in handy for playoff tiebreakers.
But one presumes, should the Nuggets see the Spurs in the playoffs, it will be the real team, not Spurs Lite.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2009/feb/03/nuggets-martin-spurs-duncan-parker-ginobili-all-ou/
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
Published February 3, 2009 at 9:30 p.m.
There were seven past and present All-Stars expected to play Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.
Five never made it to the starting line. One didn't finish.
Thank goodness for the Nuggets, the only one still standing at the end was forward Carmelo Anthony. He scored a game-high 35 points to lead them to a harder-than-expected 104-96 win against depleted San Antonio at the Pepsi Center.
The Spurs didn't use guard Manu Ginobili, who suffered a hip contusion Monday at Golden State, although he stayed in the game. Spurs coach Gregg Popovich rested Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Michael Finley.
The Nuggets (32-16) didn't have forward Kenyon Martin, out because of tonsillitis and strep throat. Point guard Chauncey Billups was lost for the second half after suffering a sprained right ankle in the second quarter, and he isn't sure if he'll play tonight at Oklahoma City.
Considering the players on the floor, it sometimes looked like a preseason game. But Nuggets coach George Karl displayed postseason fire.
"I don't think I had anything on my mind except anger," Karl said of the Spurs cutting a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to two early in the fourth quarter and still being down four with less than two minutes left. "How immature we played. We were fortunate. We still have a tendency in messing around with the game.
"It's kind of come back in the last couple of weeks. We've still won most of the games, but we should have attacked this game with a professional attitude and an intensity and probably should have gotten the game over by the fourth quarter. San Antonio showed a lot of heart and a lot of character and scared the hell out of us."
Billups' injury scared plenty, including him. But X-rays at halftime were negative.
"Just pushed off and I felt a little pop. ... I definitely was worried (at first)," Billups said. "It's a little sore, but I'll be all right. We'll see (today) how it goes. ... Hopefully, it won't be long (that he's out), and, hopefully, it will be (tonight he plays)."
If Billups can't go, he remains hopeful about Friday at Washington. He's not concerned about the All-Star Game on Feb. 15.
"I'm not worried about no All-Star Game," Billups said. "I'm worried about the real games."
One thing is for sure, the Spurs (33-15) looked nothing like an All-Star team.
While Ginobili's injury was legitimate, Popovich offered no specifics as to why he rested Duncan and Parker other than they "need a break." The same thinking presumably applies to Finley, who, like the top three players, played in Monday's exhausting overtime win.
Since Duncan, Parker and Ginobili joined forces in 2002, Popovich said it's the first time he can remember none playing in a game other than one late in a season when playoff spots are secured.
Popovich said he was "real proud" of his team's effort. The Spurs got 26 points from guard Roger Mason, who made 5-of-10 three-pointers.
"They got NBA guys on their team just like we do," said Anthony, who had nine rebounds and made 14-of-15 free throws in his second game back after missing 10 because of a broken right hand. "I was pretty sure they wouldn't come in and lay down."
At times, the Nuggets almost laid down. Anthony said sometimes the Nuggets "just need to slow down and calm down."
"We revert back to selfishness," said Karl, whose Nuggets got 17 points, 11 rebounds and five blocked shots from center Nene. "The last 30 seconds of the first half — selfish, selfish, selfish, selfish. Four times in a row."
Karl cracked maybe he should play sparingly used rookie Sonny Weems because he "might have played with more commitment and responsibility."
At least Karl is hoping to have Martin back tonight. He had a 103-degree temperature before the game.
"There's a chance (tonight)," Karl said. "I think Kenyon will understand, after watching us play (Tuesday), we need him."
Not having Billups scares Karl more. That would leave Anthony Carter as the team's only true point guard.
"That will be an adventure playing J.R. (Smith) at backup point," Karl said. "The way we throw the ball around, it scares the hell out of me."
For now, Karl at least can have relief about winning the season series (2-1) against the Spurs for the first time since 1987-88. That could come in handy for playoff tiebreakers.
But one presumes, should the Nuggets see the Spurs in the playoffs, it will be the real team, not Spurs Lite.