The Nuggets closed out the 2007-2008 Regular season on this cold, snowy April night against the team formerly known as the Vancouver Grizzlies. What was at stake:
1. A possible 7th seed. - Nope
2. 50 wins. - Check
3. Don't get players hurt. - Check
Well two out of three ain't bad. The Mavericks won their game earlier, so the Nuggets were left with no ambition. Fitty wins. Not bad. If you told me at the beginning of the season that the Nuggs would win 50, I thought there would be a Division Title involved and at least a 3rd or 4th seed. Instead...an 8th seed, and barely making the playoffs. Who knew?
This was also the first game since Melo's D.U.I. arrest. Maybe a team imposed suspension before the playoffs? Nope. Karl said that he wasn't going to bench anyone and they would go for the 50. Melo starts...gets standing "O", and society embraces another superstar gone wild.
Melo swishes a 3-pt basket for the first shot of the game and we're off to the races. Bookie and I agreed that he would come out ticked and score a lot. First shot proves it.
...And then sloppy basketball ensues.
The game itself was kind of boring and sloppy. There were some highlights involved, like Rudy Gays follow-up rebound dunk. (The only Grizzly highlight) Super Mascot Rocky hit his behind the back half court shot early in the game in a minimal amount of shots. I think he hit it in just six attempts. Just after the shot Rocky was excited and the crowd was pumped. But it was a weird atmosphere. It seemed too easy and Rocky, himself seemed surprised it was easy as he looked around wandering what to do for the rest of the time out. And that was the feel for the game.
The Nuggets "out-sloppied" the Grizz for a 34-30 first quarter lead. Neither team played defense and both went for cute highlight reel plays (not always working). Nuggets came out on a 20-9 second quarter run to pretty much end the game. George Karl finally dipped into the deep ends of his bench allowing them to play numerous minutes in the game. Every Nugget to touch the floor scored! How 'bout that? Melo and A.I. and company sat the majority of the second and all of the fourth quarters. K-Mart was the only starter to actually get playing time. Go figure. With his injury history you would figure he would sit the most.
Nuggets win handily and claim their 50th win of the season. First time since 87'-88' season. Has it been that long? And the Grizz go back home awaiting to draft Big Country 2 a.k.a UCLA forward Kevin Love.
Final Score:
Nuggets 120
Grizzlies 111
Nuggets 120
Grizzlies 111
Bring on the Lakers!
Top 5 Personal Highlights:
1. Plastic Man:
Bookie: "Did you know Plastic Man (Stacy Augmon) was our assistant coach?
Me: "Yeah, he's the inspiration of our awesome defense."
2. Nuggets Honoring Season Ticket Holders
The Nuggets honored season ticket holders by having a "select few" be escorted out by a player during the pregame introductions. Each player was introduced along with a season ticket holder (and year they've held tickets announced). The player embraced the fan and gave them a hug or high five or something like that. Except one. There was a white old fart who had season tickets since 67' (Denver Rockets) introduced along with Melo. Melo nodded his head towards the guy and sprinted over to shake the other player's hands. What class.
* Low Light Alert *
3. Darko Milicic
The man responsible for the Nuggets success. The man who the Detroit Pistons decided to take at number 2 instead of Melo. Thank you Darko. Now a journeyman wash up, he walked on the floor as a Grizzly. Bad news: He didn't play. Bummer.
4. Entertainment
Always big "props" for the Nuggets entertainment. Lead the way by Rocky and uber-hot dance team, the Nuggets displayed a good show. Big chicas shook their booties late in the game, and young kids put on a dunk half time feast. Rocky hit his half court shot, rode the unicycle around and swiped a chicks purse. Free King Sooper's shopping bags and Team Posters upon entering the game. Item of the Game: Black Mini Autographed 2007-08 Nuggets Team Ball.
5. Hot chicks
Well there are always hot chicks at the game. But there's nothing wrong with that. Boo! to the chick who had to put on her jacket leaving the game.
Final Stats:
Denver Nuggets:
Melo: 17 pts, 6 rbs, 4 ast
Iverson: 21 pts, 2 rbs, 2 ast
Camby: 4 pts, 8 rbs
K-Mart: 11 pts, 10 rbs
Willie: 4 pts, 4 ast
J.R.: 13 pts
Stats of the Game:
STEVEN HUNTER: 6 pts, 6 rbs
BOBBY JONES: 5 pts, 4 rbs
Memphis Grizzlies:
Gay: 12 pts
Hakim Warrick: 19 pts
Kyle Lowry: 22 pts (WHO?)
Darko: DNP - Biggest disappointment of the night.
My Overall Nuggets Record:
45-33 (Approx.)
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