Denver at San Antonio: Game 1 Recap
Cub Buenning on the Nuggets theft of home court
By Cub Buenning
I had scripted this long introductory diatribe about my crazy weekend, which included travel to Houston, as well as finally watching Game 1 of the Denver v. San Antonio series just yesterday afternoon. I axed the personal crap.
“Everyone’s always writing us off. The so-called “experts” all seem to be saying, ‘the Nuggets are the hottest team in the NBA.’ But those same people are also picking the Spurs.”
This quote was uttered by Marcus Camby just minutes before the tip of Sunday’s Game 1. Oddly enough, the 10th-year center might as well have been talking about yours truly, as my prediction of the series included not only extreme gushing about the Nuggets’ current play, but also gave the ultimate nod to the Spurs. I have the utmost respect for the way the Nuggets have been playing over the season’s last two months especially on the defensive end, but I just felt that the Spurs would dictate the way the games would played. Unfortunately for the Spurs, the current installment of the Nuggets is not the inexperienced, naïve, somewhat banged-up team they faced two years ago in the first round.
“We just have to beat them to the punch and just out work them. Whoever wants it more and plays harder, will win.”
The Nuggets’ mercurial leader, Allen Iverson was not here when the Nuggets took game 1 of that series in ’05, but beating them to punch and constantly outworking the Spurs are two things that did happen simultaneously on Sunday night. Two years ago, Iverson’s predecessor and trade partner, Andre Miller put the team on his back for the victory in Game One. Sunday night, however, the Denver Nuggets beat the Spurs 95-89, as a team. Yes, their two superstars both hit the 30-point plateau, but the inside battle, defensive intensity, and intangibles were all won by the Nuggets, areas that have hindered this team for years.
“Let’s have some patience. Don’t try to hit the homerun.”
This line was spoken by Coach George Karl during a timeout midway through the second quarter. No one player on the Nuggets’ roster abided by this adage like Carmelo Anthony, who has struggled in all three of his previous trips to the postseason, especially in the series’ opening game. Melo first lucked out by drawing Michael Finley as apposed to his defensive nemesis, Bruce Bowen, who was put on AI. The Answer got off to a rough start missing his first six shots, while Anthony started quickly, giving the Nuggets an early lead on the heels of his 10-point first quarter. Melo was also able to sustain his play, hoisting only 18 total shots from the field on his way to 30 points and 8 rebounds for the night. To his credit, AI rebounded by hitting 11 of his final 16 shots and played a great all-around game.
“In the end, they just executed their stuff, defensively and offensively better than we executed our stuff.”
Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich was on the local Denver airwaves yesterday spouting that analysis. Rarely do teams “out-execute” the Spurs on either end of the court, let alone both. Pop also added that he was most impressed with the Nuggets’ defensive attack which frustrated both Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili by crowding the paint, forcing the “drive-first” guards into outside jumpers or forced, contested runners in traffic. The Nuggets’ focus on interior defense also made things a crowded mess for Tim Duncan, allowing the Nuggets to “contain” the Spurs’ big man with out having to resort to double-teams. The scheme also kept Nene and Camby out of foul trouble, which was/is a big concern as the series rolls on.
You’ve seen the stats by now—Melo/AI combine for 61, while the Nuggets “playoff-shortened” bench contributed just six total points. The Spurs, on the other hand, rolled 11 deep getting 38 from the reserves, but their big three combined to shoot just 36% from the field. Game 2 doesn’t take place for another couple of weeks or so, but rest assured Pop’s squad will be aggressively on the offensive. Until then.
23 Responses to “Denver at San Antonio: Game 1 Recap”
Apr.24 at 11:30 am
Marvin says:
Go Answer go Nuggets. I felt bad after AI got traded, but I came ’round and I hope The Nuggets win it all!!
Apr.24 at 11:30 am
Alex chuc says:
first??
Apr.24 at 11:31 am
Alex chuc says:
damn second then
Apr.24 at 12:00 pm
Logan Light says:
What I loved about this game: The look on all of the spurs faces - namely Tim Duncan. It wasn’t a look of shock, but more of a frustration that they might actually lose this series.
Apr.24 at 12:31 pm
whooo! says:
nene was a beast that game. nuggets played really well and sent a strong message. however, it’s about adjustments in the playoffs. and the chances of the spurs top 3 shooting like 10 for 30, or whatever it was, is pretty slim.
Apr.24 at 1:24 pm
TONIO says:
the top 3 spurs had to play like shit and all the nuggest had to have a great game just to win by 6 points.. if any one of duncan, ginobili, or parker had had a good game the spurs woulda won.. one game ain’t shit..
Apr.24 at 1:26 pm
2G40 says:
The problems for SA are the backcourt and wing match up’s. Theres no way Parker is going to keep AI from dropping thirty when he wants too! To do so would only take away from his own offense, and he’s one of SA top scorers. It’s a win, win situation for Denver. Also, SA has no answer for Melo…he’s going to drop 25-30pts on Bruce Bowan, and Mono, on a off day …you can take that to the bank. Also when you look at SA biggest weapon which is Duncan, Denver has three players who can guard him, nene, cambi, and naj. All three play pretty good “D” against Duncan, and make up the difference in rebounds and shot’s blocked.
Apr.24 at 1:51 pm
allenp says:
Poor Tonio, he watched the game and still came away with that lame analysis.
Apr.24 at 1:56 pm
bakers' dozen (12-13) says:
TONIO…why are you such a hater? Did you even WATCH the game? Yeah the big 3 of SA didn’t play up to their normal numbers, but give Denver some credit. You forget that JR Smith, Kleiza, and Najera all usually compliment Denver’s scoring attack by about 35 points or so per game…maybe 40. While your big 3 didn’t contribute, your bench did. While our bench didn’t, our starters did. Oh, and if you watched ANY Nuggets games this year you’d realize that the game on Sunday was about average for them, not a ‘great game’ as you put in your last statement.
Apr.24 at 2:15 pm
NAZ says:
yall kicked they as
Apr.24 at 2:38 pm
Sparker says:
strange game. i didn’t think either team developed any kind of rhythm; the nugs just toughed it out and hit more shots. usually, this is an exact description of the kind of game that the spurs win
Apr.24 at 2:57 pm
BKBishop says:
I think Tonio and whoo were right with their anaylsis. I watched the game I know that you if they play duncan the way the played if Game 1 again he’s going to kill. I know 99% of you sitting at home were surprised at the shots he was missing and it won’t happen again. Cancel out tony cause AI is going to win that battle all day and Manu is going to step up. i was impressed with Nene play but AI and Melo did what was expected given the man defense the San Antonio was playing (I could torch Jacque Vaugh right now!!!). But series go seven games and adjustments will be made. for real though San Antonio start running some zones on them dudes it’s going to be a problem.
Apr.24 at 3:23 pm
Story says:
Is it me or are people starting to count the spurs out? Two years ago, lost game 1, won the series! (and the title, but it’s unrelated)
and i know ppla re gonna say, but now they have A.I! he can kik the spurs ass any day! but the nuggets don’t win thwm all, they are sixth in the league
Apr.24 at 3:55 pm
whiteclopedia says:
Nuggs, y’all. Wait n see. Even if we dont win the series, the Suns will be sending us thankyou cards for wearing the
Apr.24 at 4:48 pm
Dennard C says:
As an avowed Spurs fan, Denver did get in the Spurs shit the other night, and in order for the Spurs to take control of game 2, TD has to come out more aggressive. No fouls until the 4th qtr? The D wasn’t that bad the other night, AI & Melo were on and there ain’t nothing you can do about that really. The offensive execution in the 4th qtr was shitty to say the least, but all in all, this is about what I expected. Denver isn’t going anywhere and the Spurs have to match the Nugs intensity tomorrow night and the rest of the series. And I don’t know about y’all, but can the Spurs get another slogan other than that “Go Spurs go” shit, man what are we in junior high?
Apr.24 at 7:00 pm
AI 4eva says:
GO NUGGETS!!!!!!!!
Apr.24 at 9:04 pm
Chief says:
Nuggets will win, man if melo or A.I. Shakes loose they can easily take a lead, hit a clutch shot, or a gamewinner. That is gonna count in the stretch against SA cause they are gonna toughen up the D, JR and Steve Blake aren’t that bad either, and Nene, made TD look tired. Oh and Camby Man, he sounds really hungry and tired of facing the spurs. the suns vs the nuggets is gonna be a good series.
Apr.24 at 9:42 pm
8-Ball says:
im with chief
Apr.24 at 10:22 pm
8-Ball says:
baketball is one big casino,theyre plotting ocean 11.
Apr.25 at 2:05 am
tike says:
SPURS IN 6…. NUFF SAID!
Apr.25 at 2:58 am
Dennard C says:
Chief & 8-ball, this series is not over, by no stretch of the imagination, and you two have a hell of an imagination. I am going to leave with one word - Adjustments.
Apr.25 at 4:34 am
Gambino says:
I remember a few years ago Iverson took a fairly mediocre sixers team to the finals against the lakers, and put a big scare up them. I see now that he has Melo, a 1-2 punch that all championship teams need, a great defensive lineup in cambi(if he stays healthy) Nene(underratted in my eyes) and naj(I know nothing about him) I seriously expect the nuggets to be the big shock of this playoffs
Apr.25 at 10:52 am
cameron says:
carmello anthony is one of the best players and so is tim ducan