April 28, 2008 12:00 pm  |  92 Comments

Things to Do in Denver When You’re (Nearly) Dead

Yell and Quit

by Marcel Mutoni

The Denver Nuggets are an absolutely fascinating team. Fascinating in much the same way that a train-wreck is fascinating; just when you think things can’t get any worse, they inevitably do.

At the end of the demoralizing Game 3 loss at home to the Lakers, Carmelo Anthony went bat sh*t crazy: Stewing on the bench, ‘Melo called out head coach George Karl to his face (who had pulled his starters), and told reporters that his team basically waived the white flag.

“We’re not just losing. We’re getting the (expletive) beat out of us. It’s about us giving up as a whole. We quit . . . everybody from the players to the coaches.

“There’s no way I can lay down on my team the way we laid down (Saturday afternoon)…I’m surprised at how we laid down like that. In my five years (with the Nuggets), that’s the first time I’ve ever felt like this.”

The Nuggets have done nothing but yap and complain all series long. Talking to the refs, the Lakers, and themselves. And the only thing they all seem to agree on is that they don’t like George Karl and his tactics.

Not to worry, guys, your vacation starts real soon. You won’t have to see or hear from that guy for months.

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This story is filed under: NBA, The Wire, Top News

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  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 12:02 pm
    Too bad Isiah’s gone because, after watching this series, I don’t know who will take a ‘Melo trade. Then I remember that Kwame got traded for Pau and I cry.

  • Cub Buenning Posted: Apr.28 at 12:04 pm
    Slight changes are needed, not massive.

  • TADOne Posted: Apr.28 at 12:08 pm
    Slight changes, Cub? From your perspective, who needs to go?

  • Cub Buenning Posted: Apr.28 at 12:10 pm
    Not to tip my hat as my “Nuggets state of the union” is sure to follow in upcoming days, but one of the big two. Not the role guys.

  • Cub Buenning Posted: Apr.28 at 12:11 pm
    maybe some coaches, too……

  • TADOne Posted: Apr.28 at 12:13 pm
    I think Iverson is going to opt out.

  • TADOne Posted: Apr.28 at 12:14 pm
    Too bad they already came out and said Karl will be back next year.

  • Ben Osborne Posted: Apr.28 at 12:18 pm
    I guess trying is too hard.

  • RV Posted: Apr.28 at 12:19 pm
    1st time in 5 yrs? C’mon now…

  • franchise Posted: Apr.28 at 12:20 pm
    AI to cavs

  • memyselfand9 Posted: Apr.28 at 12:23 pm
    all i know is it will be an interesting nba offseason.

  • Simone Lawy Posted: Apr.28 at 12:28 pm
    4-0 poor AI…lol

  • Tommy Patron Posted: Apr.28 at 12:33 pm
    Cub-one of the big two moving on is a slight change?

  • B. Long Posted: Apr.28 at 12:38 pm
    Melo is such an established Vet and has already accomplished so much in the postseason that he deserves to…….Wait, what’s that? He hasnt done sh;t? Oh well I guess he needs to shut the fu(k up. SHUT THE FU(K UP!

  • B. Long Posted: Apr.28 at 12:42 pm
    AI to Dallas for 420 and J Terry.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Apr.28 at 12:44 pm
    “We quit. All of us, I’m putting me in their too. we all quit. I’m not saying I quit. But, we all gave up.” Huh? Are you drunk right now melo? Someone get his keys.

  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 12:45 pm
    Cub: You gotta admit ‘Melo is way more dispensable. Yeah, he’s bigger and youthier but he grins when his team is down 15, plays some of the most lackadaisical “defense” I’ve ever seen, and is already on the road to becoming a VC-style jump-shooter-who-should-be-taking-it-to-the-whole. Buy low, sell high: get rid of ‘Melo why you still can.

  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 12:46 pm
    (apologies to Stephon Marbury & Zach Randolph for the use of “youthier” without their express written consent)

  • ciolkstar Posted: Apr.28 at 12:47 pm
    Trade Melo for a PF who will rebound/defend/run the floor and not take ridiculos Js all game. I’m certain that melo is way more concerned with how smooth his moves to the basket look than with actually making them. Ship him out increase JR and Kleiza’s minutes. Maybe even try to move Nene ?(which’ll be tough for sure)

  • Jackie Moon Posted: Apr.28 at 12:50 pm
    The series is not over yet.

  • Cub Buenning Posted: Apr.28 at 12:50 pm
    Melo’s real offensive value is down low on the block, not as a perimeter jump-shooter. The Lakers, however, are a tough match for him. Whether its VladRad, Lamar, or Luke, Melo can’t “big-guard” them like he normally likes to do.
    Tommy, people ’round these parts want them ALL gone.

  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 12:51 pm
    Well, not technically. But yeah, it’s over.

  • Cub Buenning Posted: Apr.28 at 12:52 pm
    Ciolkstar, you mean, trade him for Kenyon Martin, because that is who you just described. For the record, I am NOT for trading Carmelo Anthony.
    Martin and Nene are two of the most UNtradeable forwards in the league. Thank you Kiki.

  • Cub Buenning Posted: Apr.28 at 12:53 pm
    Nene is still a huge part of this team’s future.

  • Eboy Posted: Apr.28 at 12:53 pm
    Cub, you want the 1st pick and Shawn Marion for AI and Nene?

  • Weapon X Posted: Apr.28 at 12:53 pm
    The Answer needs a team that matches his efforts.

  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 12:54 pm
    I went to that tragic Nuggets/Warriors game at the end of the season and even then, ‘Melo just seemed like he was playing on cruise control. He got his 20-something points but he didn’t effect the game in a tangible way. At any rate: just make sure they keep Najera. I love that guy. I don’t know why.

  • WhaHuh Posted: Apr.28 at 12:55 pm
    I can’t believe how easily people forget the regular season when it gets to the playoffs. Melo averaged 26ppg 7rpg 4apg. Stop acting like he is a scrub, yeah he needs to refine his defensive game but you cant find a more complete offensive player. His post game dwarfs Kobe and LeBron. Hopefully we can see what he can do for USA and following wholsale changes at the nuggets (fire george karl etc.) next season will be better.

  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 12:55 pm
    @ Weapon X: Clap clap clap.

  • what Posted: Apr.28 at 12:57 pm
    Damn, ciolkstar beat me to it. Trade Melo for Elton Brand.

  • Joel O's Posted: Apr.28 at 12:57 pm
    I don’t think it’s all that bad. At least he and the Nugs care about losing. They’re losing to a better team - no real shame in that. They’re getting outplayed… but their defense has been bad all year anyway.

  • Sam Rubenstein Posted: Apr.28 at 12:59 pm
    I like the title of this post. VEry nice. In that movie… everybody dies, but Andy “Jimmy the Saint” Garcia never quits. I forget how he dies, but I remember it wasn’t pretty.

  • B. Long Posted: Apr.28 at 12:59 pm
    @Wahuh: You obviously havent seen him play in this series have you?

  • ciolkstar Posted: Apr.28 at 1:09 pm
    Yeah, but KMart is making 10 million + and makes an impact mybe every 2-3 games.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Apr.28 at 1:14 pm
    I still agree with The Commish in that “Melo is the worst great player in the L” and that team’s collective attitude has become toxic> Compare that to Philly where it was AI’s team and a bunch of hard working role players. The Nuggs identity would be stronger/more competitive w/o melo. You can’t be successfull in the (ie CHIPs) without a PF who is a true impact player on both ends. (ie Dirk, Melo)

  • Mike Posted: Apr.28 at 1:29 pm
    They Lakers smell blood in the water. Denver has their backs against the wall. It’s gut check time for the Nuggets, but the Lakers have to treat this like it’s any other game. Hopefully during the off season, Denver can find the right peice to the puzzle and re-group.

  • Valarie Posted: Apr.28 at 1:33 pm
    George Karl can make bad teams good, but he can’t make good teams great.

  • Valarie Posted: Apr.28 at 1:33 pm
    George Karl can make bad teams good, but he can’t make good teams great.

  • Mike Posted: Apr.28 at 1:45 pm
    I think what you are trying to say is that George Karl can lead a horse to water but can’t lead it to the promised land.

  • rollball Posted: Apr.28 at 1:55 pm
    Playing some pick and roll (not one on one) on offense and play some D will be a start

  • tenorca Posted: Apr.28 at 2:03 pm
    Naw, what Valerie’s saying is that George Karl can lead a fanbase to water, but they’re going to order whiskey. Lots of whiskey.

  • Jazz Man Posted: Apr.28 at 2:39 pm
    Being that i’m a kobe/lakers fan i could care less, but being that i was at the game and seen there lack of life in person i am sad. It’s not the coaches fault…it’s the players on wether or not they make shots or play defense. Instead of complaining and being in all of these commercials they need to be working on defense and being a team in the off season. As much as kobe showed he didn’t want to be there before the season he still worked his ass of and made his team better. You have to veterans that aren’t showing anything. Carmelo smiling while losing (where does that come from) what was he thinking about (let me guess…um wether his new shoe will sell). All I can say is…STOP BLAMING THE COACHES AND BLAME YOURSELF THE PLAYER OR THE PLAYER IF YOUR JUST WATCHING THE GAME.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Apr.28 at 2:45 pm
    Melo and George Karl kind of deserve each other.

  • G Diesel Posted: Apr.28 at 2:47 pm
    If they can trade Carmelo for Kobe, they should be fine. I think!

  • Beezy B Posted: Apr.28 at 2:49 pm
    @ What: A?

  • Beezy B Posted: Apr.28 at 2:50 pm
    *ARE YOU OUTTA UR FRIGGING MIND?

  • Beezy B Posted: Apr.28 at 2:51 pm
    Can you please toss yourself off a building. You are a burden on society.

  • Kevin Posted: Apr.28 at 3:20 pm
    kinda crazy even imagining trading a “franchise player” or superstar jus heading towards his prime, but there is that (negative) intangible that seems to hover around Carmelo all the time that make me wonder if this guy will ever become the player he can be, and needs to be if he ever wants to win at this level.

  • Allenp Posted: Apr.28 at 3:58 pm
    Russ is right, George and Carmelo deserve each other. No player or coach with the Nuggets is immune to criticism, but Karl and Melo deserve the most in my mind. Melo’s effort and Karl’s schemes just have no been up to par. Also, people are mad at Melo for smiling, but Karl has admitted that his outlook on basketball and life has changed since he and his son got cancer. Now, I don’t begrudge him that change, but I remember when folks were willing to set Larry Hughes on fire when he talked on how his outlook on basketball changed after his brother’s death. I think the national media is giving Karl a free pass when it comes to questioning just how much he is invested in this team.

  • The Promise Posted: Apr.28 at 4:29 pm
    Gee, I dont see Bubba Chuck anywhere…he must be sulking…at least we wont have to hear him scream DENVER NUGGETS no more… thank God…

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.28 at 6:19 pm
    The Nuggets are done stick a for in Em

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.28 at 6:19 pm
    The Nuggets are done stick a for in Em

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.28 at 6:22 pm
    Tha refs suck! Karl & melo need 2 go! keep ai & jr & maybe eddie najera.

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.28 at 6:24 pm
    Things to do in Denver when you’re dead: Bitch Slap Carmelo

  • MeloMan13 Posted: Apr.28 at 6:54 pm
    why does evry1 hate on melo!!!
    i dont get it
    he ( along with JR smith) shud be traded to the raptors cuz they kno how to treat there players

  • Jason Posted: Apr.28 at 7:03 pm
    As a fan of Iversons I want him gone out of Denver. They have benefited more off of him then he has off of them. He has had a great season, but I have never seen him struggle more in a “system” then this one. He needs to go back into a bigger b-ball market where he belongs and leave the small town stuff to Carmelo. Nuggets need to keep Carmelo and keep holding onto false hope that he is a real “superstar” or “franchise player”… Iverson needs to go to a team that is committed to winning. There is only so much a person can do to will a team to win, they have to want it for themselves. Something tells me that Iverson may be wishing he was back in Philly, because at least there his teammates played with some heart.

  • tealish Posted: Apr.28 at 7:18 pm
    Denver needs to trade Melo. I know he’s the young star, but you can get a young star in return too.
    Melo isn’t a winner. Despite not having won the big one, dare you say that about AI?

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.28 at 7:30 pm
    Meloman: Damn straight melo shud be traded.
    Jason: Tha team benefitting is tha whole reason 2 have ai. uve never seen him struggle more in a system than this 1? what other systems besides philly has he played in? denver aint a small town.
    tealish: damn straight

  • bballer Posted: Apr.28 at 7:47 pm
    The Nuggets’ nightmare will soon be over. Kobe will be more than glad to put them out of their misery.

  • B. Long Posted: Apr.28 at 7:48 pm
    Things to do in Denver when your nearly dead: Get a gangsta ass tattoo and act hard but don’t attempt to play defense.

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.28 at 9:01 pm
    I dont think b.long watched game 3 because tha guys w/tha “gangsta ass tattoos” actually played defense

  • Jason Posted: Apr.28 at 9:37 pm
    Bubba Chuck: I understand you want Iverson in Denver because you live there…but as an Iverson fan can you actually say that you are injoying this situation right now? Honastly? Iverson going to Denver was supposed to not only help that team contend, but help take some of the weight off his back and get help in return. So far, that hasn’t happen. Iverson is still having to basically do the same things he had to do in Philly..only now he is surrounded by more “talent”. He is still having to kill himself everynight just to give his team a chance to win. Still carring a team on his back. He needs to be on a team that is commited to winning and have a Coach that is not a pushover and is committed to getting the best out of his team and players. Watching that team I feel like Denver made the trade for Iverson and had no plan. Iverson is not the type of player you can just add to a team and have no plan. Because he is so complex, he needs a certain type of player in the backcourt with him that compliments him. The front office did not provide him with that, and then the one player that did play well next to him (Steve Blake) they let walk. JR Smith plays well next to Iverson but Coach Karl won’t move AI to the PG position and start him. I mean I can go on and on with the problems with that team but the point is the Nuggets made a trade for Iverson to cover up one hole on that team…only for it to reviel several more holes. Add that to the fact that their other supposed “franchise player” is a loser, and I can’t take watching it any longer. If you are as big of a fan of Iverson as you claim, then you have to want the best for them and as of right now I don’t think that the Nuggets team is the best place for Iverson. I want to see Iverson go to a team where he is benefiting just as much as they are off of him. Since Iverson has been there he has brought more of a spotlight to that Franchise then they had ever had before (even with Carmelo), they sellout opposing teams arenas everywhere they go…why? Because they have one of the biggest box office Stars in the league in Iverson. When the Nuggets got Carmelo, people started paying a little more attention…but it was when they got Iverson that the world started paying attention. Iverson has given them one of his best seasons and they still can’t contend? I’m sorry Bubba, but unless they make some changes, then Iverson needs to leave. Thats just my opinion.

  • Jason Posted: Apr.28 at 9:38 pm
    ^ Damn that was long. LOL!

  • Dacre Posted: Apr.28 at 9:42 pm
    george karl can lead a horse to water but he cant make it play tight quarter court Defense to protect an 8 point lead.

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.28 at 9:45 pm
    No im not enjoying this situation rite now. But i think they should trade melo & keep ai & jr. thats just my opinion

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.28 at 9:48 pm
    @ the promise: i just read ur 429 comment & Im rite f*ckin here! O & just 4 u: DENVER NUGGETS!

  • B. Long Posted: Apr.28 at 9:52 pm
    @Bubba Chuck: Bending your knees for the first 6 minutes doesn’t count as playing defense….Well, maybe in Enver it does.

  • someonewantstowin Posted: Apr.28 at 10:22 pm
    I can’t believe the G.O.A.T. MJ puts up w/ Melo being his Brand Jordan spokesperson. Melo is a poor decision maker on and off the court. MJ needs to put CP3 in the forefront of his brand and make Melo play the backburner.

  • Jose Posted: Apr.28 at 11:53 pm
    man if melo was traded to miami for marion that be crazy as hell(only a dream though)

  • Dacre Posted: Apr.29 at 12:05 am
    who for?….Denver?….hell no. marion doesnt want anywhere near the Western conf. ever again… mind you, some D at the 2 - 5 spots would be handy.

  • TC Posted: Apr.29 at 12:59 am
    It’s frustrating to see a team as talented as the Nuggets can suck so consistently. I don’t think small changes can have any effects. They must make drastic personnel changes or they can’t get out of the 1st round for the next 3-4 years.

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.29 at 2:05 am
    The sweep is complete, the Lakers beat that ass, so now all Nuggets fans, tallking heads, hangers on, bandwangoners, Melo & AI fanboys can shut the uck up now capice?

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.29 at 2:05 am
    The sweep is complete, the Lakers beat that ass, so now all Nuggets fans, tallking heads, hangers on, bandwangoners, Melo & AI fanboys can shut the uck up now capice?

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.29 at 2:05 am
    The sweep is complete, the Lakers beat that ass, so now all Nuggets fans, tallking heads, hangers on, bandwangoners, Melo & AI fanboys can shut the uck up now capice?

  • Jason Posted: Apr.29 at 2:45 am
    ^^ I can’t wait for my Spurs to crush the Lakers dreams in the WCF (if the Lakers make it past the Jazz)..I can’t wait, because the bandwagon Laker fans are just flat out annoying now.

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.29 at 3:24 am
    Word, aight we’ll see hater, the Lakers are gonna beat the Jazz(I’m predicting that they’ll take it in 5 or may 6)and then they’re gonna smack your Spurs.BTW what team are you a fan of?

  • andrew Posted: Apr.29 at 5:40 am
    i bet melo is wishin he never threw dat punch last season.. how different would thingz be now melo would of still had his breakout season and gone to the all star game.. andre miller woulda still been droppin 10+ dimes a game and jr woulda been starting instead of getting limited time off the bench *sigh* and ai would hopefully be back in philly where he belonged with carney and iggy coming of age and the eveil billy knight gone instead of him.. i should also mention im a lakers fan! nice work fellas taking care of business while the c’s are still goin!

  • Jason Posted: Apr.29 at 6:23 am
    I’m a fan of the Spurs B_Easy…thats why I said “my Spurs”. LOL! I like what the Lakers are doing and think they have a nice future for now…but I don’t think it is going to be as easy to take out the Jazz in 5 or 6 games. The Jazz are far more disciplined then the Nuggets and at least plays decent defense. So I think it will go to 7, we shall see. And the Lakers aren’t getting past the Spurs so you can forget that. The Lakers are a good team but I think the Nuggets made the Lakers look better then what they are right now. Any team that is disciplined and plays defense are going to give the Lakers some problems.

  • Jason Posted: Apr.29 at 6:28 am
    andrew: the Nuggets were already in the front running for the Iverson trade before Melo threw the punch..I think the punch just sped the process up. But they were already looking to get AI before that. And it wouldn’t matter anyways, Carmelo would still be out the first round and would still be playing the game with no heart..I do wish Iverson was back in Philly though…cause at least Iggy and others there play with heart.

  • Hursty Posted: Apr.29 at 6:33 am
    Fu(k denver and their complaining asses. Grow some balls and play with some heart and determination to GET STOPS! Grow up and show that you’ve matured Melo. How have you improved since last year? You’ve RE-GRESSED! Gotten Worse! B!tch! Martin and Nene are exempt from this tirade because of the issues they’ve overcome in the last few months. that is all.

  • Hursty Posted: Apr.29 at 6:39 am
    I could shoot 25-30 shots a night and still rack up 20 points, just shoot over the pick from the 4 or 5, not attack the ring, but thats why youre special isnt it JR? when you attack you see yourself on highlight reels? You like that dont you?…. then do it more often!Because of your god given athleticism and work ethic in HS. Thats why youre a first rounder. And could be star in this league but right now your all fu(ked up. Go to Australia and re-trace Dirks steps and see what happens. fool.

  • Jason Posted: Apr.29 at 7:05 am
    LOL @ Hursty

  • Hursty Posted: Apr.29 at 7:45 am
    im done jason. Just needed to get it out. :) thing is, most of what i said is not that far exaggerated. Can you really say that Melo has done anything except get more tats? his jumper is not any better and he weighs more. The new Shaun Kemp is a huge stretch but its a possibility (as far as i know, he doesnt have a kid though)

  • Jason Posted: Apr.29 at 8:27 am
    Hursty: I’m with ya. I can’t take watching Carmelo play anymore. I wasn’t ever really a fan of his game, the only reason why I even made an effort to watch the Nuggets was because they traded Iverson there (I think that speakes for a lot of people). But Melo has officially earned the title of “overrated”. I have basically sat back and watched Melo hide behind Iversons leadership of that team this season. In every crunch time game or must win..Iverson was the one taking over and making the buckets, while Melo was gettin g the ball just to turn it over in crunch-time. He’s done that so many times this season I can’t even count. That “we quit” comment he said the other day, pushed it over the top for me. I know Iverson wanted to throw up when he heard that. I want Iverson to leave there and let Melo continue to have first round exits for years to come. To me Melo is an All-Star and thats it. He’s no Superstar or real Franchise player. I thought Iverson was going to be the main scapegoat for this situation (because he usually is), but I read that right now people in Denver want Melo gone. But I say keep him, those people have been pumping him up and cheering for him this long giving half effort. Why stop now? I don’t feel sorry for Melo. The only thing I hate is that Iverson got caught up in this mess, for all he’s done for himself and the NBA, he deserves better…can’t wait for him to leave that place.

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.29 at 5:39 pm
    @ B_Easy: ok ill shut the “uck” up.
    @ Hursty: Fu(ck u & ur complaining ass

  • The Promise Posted: Apr.29 at 7:28 pm
    @ Bubba Chuck: LA LAKERS KICKED THE NUGGETS IN THE BALLS AND MADE THEM LIKE IT!!!! just 4 u…

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.29 at 8:55 pm
    @ Promise: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS!

  • Ethan Posted: Apr.29 at 9:07 pm
    Hey BUBBA CHUCK,why is D’troit stompin em right now?
    GO LAKERS MVP24

  • MeloMan13 Posted: Apr.29 at 10:23 pm
    MELO IS THE MANN
    watch next year
    hes gonna get refocused or traded to the T dot

  • Bubba Chuck Posted: Apr.29 at 11:10 pm
    Hey ETHAN i wasnt f*cking talking 2 u!

  • Hursty Posted: Apr.30 at 2:46 am
    well FU(K!!! :)

  • B_Easy24 Posted: Apr.30 at 5:53 pm
    Can’t wait for the Lakers/Jazz series to get underway so that the Lakers can cop another notch in the belt.

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