| 21 March 2009
(Denver-CO) Now that, Nuggets Nation, was just what this doctor ordered! The Denver Nuggets easily trounced the Washington Wizards last night at the Pepsi Center, 116-105, behind amazing performances from J.R. Smith and Chris “Birdman” Andersen, but what has me geeked was the incredible energy and overall team showing. In my preview I stated, “I would like to see four quarters of solid basketball. Not a spectacular performance by a couple of Nuggets in any one aspect, but a decent effort on both ends of the floor by everyone who plays.”
Thank you, genie!
The Denver Nuggets started this game slow in the first quarter, but soon thereafter put a vice-like grip on this game’s momentum while putting on a world class sideshow showcasing every Denver Nuggets’ greatest talent.
The first on display was J.R. Smith. The Prodigy scored ten points in the second quarter and another eleven in the third on his way to stealing the show. J.R. scored season-high 40 points in a mature beyond-his-years performance. In games past, J.R. would have needed a huge night shooting from beyond the arch, but with his new found affinity for penetrating and finding his teammates in combination with his ability to finish at the rim it was a glimpse at where J.R.’s game could go in the future. Smith was only 3-8 from downtown, but finished an incredible 15-23 from the field overall while adding five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a blocked shot.
Then came his feathered tattooed friend, “The Birdman.” The Bird notched a new career-high 18 points while posting six blocks and eleven rebounds. I don’t think that any one player single-handedly changes the makeup of this team defensively than the Bird. He challenges everything thrown at the basket by the opposition-maybe even to a fault, but you can’t fault him no matter how you analyze his game. He knows he is only going to get 20-25 minutes per game and he gives owner Stan Kroenke every dime worth of his money.
With the Prodigy displaying what could be a glimpse at the Nuggets’ future and the Bird soaring into the stratosphere the Nuggets were red hot.
It was now time to sprinkle in a touch of “Kool”. Renaldo Balkman provided another “Perfect Stranger” performance of nine points, six rebounds, and three steals, and an infinite number of fantastic hustle plays. He too, like the Bird, gives this team another layer of complexity that opposing teams often times have now answer for. It’s his willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team that makes him a special component to the Denver future and it’s with that uncommon unselfishness that has him gaining more respect from his teammates and minutes from George Karl.
But wait, we’re not even close to done! Just like the Amish farmer who works twelve hour days just to keep up with the workload while not utilizing any of the modern day advances in technology. Anthony Carter does things the old fashioned way. His game is unselfish, steady, and yeoman. AC handed out a game-high 10 assists with only two turnovers while happily differing to his teammates and playing stingy defense. Is there anything else to say about the second best bench stet-up man in the NBA? He doesn’t need touches offensively, relishes defensive opportunities, and quietly gets the Denver offense in tune like a mechanic in a sound proof garage.
In another win fall, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were afforded a rest as the rest of their brethren stole the show. ‘Melo scored 20 points, dished four assists, snagged three rebounds, and tied a career-high with five steals. Mr. Big Shot quietly commandeered the Nuggets (when Anthony Carter wasn’t) with an honest five points and six assists. Neither player played more than 33 minutes with most of that burn coming in the first half. Nene can also be included in this collection of starters who didn’t need to have big plays, but rather just efficient, energy-packed performances. Big Brazil only played 27 minutes, but scored eleven points, grabbed four rebounds, and blocked two shots.
Overall, the Denver Nuggets scored 72 of their 116 points in the paint. As for the Wizards… I hope they had a chance to take in some of the breathtaking weather the Rocky Mountain region has been experiencing because outside of Antawn Jamison’s 27 points and seven rebounds, and Nick Young’s 20 points off the bench their trip to Denver was one as a sacrificial lamb. Despite the game never getting out of hand on the scoreboard, this game was out of hand as soon as the Nuggets erased a, 31-28, lead heading into the second quarter.
The eleven-point loss gave Washington its 33rd double-digit defeat of the season while giving Denver its fifth straight win. The win also keeps the Nuggets a half game back of Houston who is in the third overall seed in the west, but more importantly maintains the game and half lead over both the Blazers and Jazz in the Northwest Divisional race to ensure a home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
Go Nuggets! 
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