Denver @ Los Angeles Clippers GameThread, Nov 26, 2008 8:30 PM MST

2008-09 Game 15: Denver Nuggets at Los Angeles Clippers Game Thread

by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 12:00 PM MST in Events Comment 90 comments

Denver @ Los Angeles Clippers

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers played less than four weeks ago, but the two teams that take the floor tonight will bear little resemblance to the two teams that played on Halloween. The Nuggets will have Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups on the floor this time and the Clippers will have Marcus Camby, Zach Randolph and presumably Baron Davis for a full game (he left in the second quarter in the first meeting).

In addition to those changes rookie Eric Gordon has been moved into the starting lineup. He was red hot in his first career start scoring 25 points on 9-18 shooting including 4-8 from downtown. The Nuggets will have to pay attention to where Gordon is at all times as he is their only high percentage three point threat.

With all the changes the Clippers are clearly a more talented team than they were when the season started, but I am not sure they fit together any better.

The matchup between Baron Davis and Chauncey Billups will be fun to watch. Both are bigger point guards who like to spend some time in the post. Chauncey should be able to limit Baron’s penetration and the more Baron plays on the perimeter the better it is for the Nuggets.

With the addition of Zach Randolph along side of Chris Kaman and Marcus Camby the Clippers have a strong front line that will cause the Nuggets problems. I think George Karl needs to make sure that Nene is in the game whenever Chris Kaman is on the floor. We have seen Kaman dominate Kenyon and I shudder to think of Kaman being guarded by Renaldo Balkman who is even smaller than Kenyon and has been filling in at center on defense while Chris Andersen has been out. Fortunately the Nuggets can put anyone they want on Camby because we all know he will never go down on the post. However, whoever is guarding Marcus better be ready to box out because you know Camby will be looking to grab 20 boards and block ten shots.

It will be interesting to see if the Nuggets can exploit Camby’s defensive shortcomings. Chauncey could end up with 30 points on open 16 to 18 foot jumpers as long as they play pick and roll with Marcus’ man and if Camby is ever caught on Nene I hope the big man takes him down low to take advantage of his skinny build. We also know if Marcus is on Kenyon, Martin will see a plethora of open looks form the perimeter and he has demonstrated he can knock jumper after jumper down from 20 feet and in.

It will again be important for Denver to have a fluid half court offense as the Clippers will try to pack the paint with their shot blockers. Without motion it will be difficult to get them out of position to open up the paint and then we will see Denver turn into a jump shooting team. I expect Melo to have the chance to put up another seven or eight assist night as the Clippers like to bring help as soon as he gets the ball and double him after he puts it on the floor.

Defensively the Nuggets will have to find a way to contain Al Thornton as he tends to have big games against Denver. He has played all but six minutes of the last three games for the Clippers and played 48 of the 53 minutes and dropped 30 points the first time these two met this season.

The game tonight is the first of a stretch where the Nuggets play four games in five nights that include home games against the Hornets and Rockets sandwiched around a roadie to Minnesota to close out the month of November. Tonight’s game is important to ensure they get started on the right foot.

I strongly recommend you check out Clips Nation for some great Clipper insight and I would also be remiss if I did not direct you over to Clipper Blog as well.

Game Notes

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Comments

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Think we can expect a break out game from JR finally? I like his odds with eric gordon guarding him.

by CCH on Nov 26, 2008 2:58 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

In college

Sonny Weems totally outplayed Eric Gordon in an upset victory for Arkansas over Indiana, scoring 31 points and holding Gordon to 8. Maybe tonight is the night to unleash our uber-atheletic rookie. Once we are 25 points up.

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 3:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Completely Agree

Really excited to see Sonny Weems have a shot tonight hopefully. He’s a great young forward talent and extremely athletic.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 3:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Wow

It hurts my heart to see big cap in a Clippers uni. :(

No matter where Camby goes, I will always respect him as an amazing player and person.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 8:43 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

was just thinkin that

and you can bet it tears him up to see the success we have had without him. Love camby, classy guy.

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 8:45 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Goddamn, Nene is the best outside shooter we have right now

Think about that

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 8:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

chris kaman has moves inside

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 8:59 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nuggets need to get some offense on the court

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Any enthusiasm Clipper fans had for Randolph

is gone already with his horrible shot selection.

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

This is a horrible lineup, Karl

TAKE OUT KLEIZA ALREADY AND PUT IN JR.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Where is J.R.?

Is he out and I missed it?

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:17 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea.

Haven’t seen a minute of his play yet.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:20 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

He's on the bench...

Just hasn’t played. I guess Karl might have been a little unhappy with him having missed all five of his threes against the Bulls.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

If you guys never hear from me again

It will be because I am in jail for the murder of Dahntay Jones. Pass the ball Dahntay!

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Really Karl?

No minutes for JR in the first 20 minutes of the game?

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

GOD DAMN IT KLEIZA

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Nuggets have completely stopped moving on offense

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Dahntay Jones: (0-1, 2pts, 2 turnovers) in 12 minutes.

Great job Karl!

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:37 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

bugger

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 9:34 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Kleiza is so bad on D.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Offense looks back on track

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

that sucks

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 9:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nuggets are not rotating on D at all

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

we refuse to capatalise on leads

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 9:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Karl has to crack some skulls about defense.

And against the Clippers, no less. What the fuck.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 9:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Halftime Stats

Pace Factor – 101.8

Defensive Efficiency – 108.0

Offensive Efficiency – 110.0

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 9:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

so is JR dressed?

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 9:59 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Karl refuses to play him for some reason.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

LETS GO NUGS. ITS THE CLIPPERS.

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 10:01 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

C-H-A-U-N-C-E-Y

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

that's pretty much what I'm talking about

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 10:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Turnovers are a big concern

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Dahntay Jones: 16 minutes, 0-2, 2 ast, 2 pts, 2 reb, 2 to

TAKE HIM OUT KARL GOD DAMNIT

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

0-3, and misses the first free throw.

Nice!

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

JR is ready and available and Karl refuses to play him. What the fuck.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, something must be up or he really pissed off Karl.

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 10:36 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

If we lose this game because he refused to play JR

I will never forgive Karl.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

horrible stuff

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 10:39 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Fix! It was on Baron!

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 10:40 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Actually I just want him out of the game.

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 10:41 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I will never understand

why the Nuggets completely stop moving on offense for minutes at a time

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 10:44 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Usually when they are ahead.

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 10:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Why the fuck is Carmelo not playing right now?

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

this team makes me feel physically ill on a weekly basis

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 10:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Karl makes me physically ill on a posession to posession basis

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely no reason not to have Melo in there by now

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 10:51 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly

Or JR, I have no idea what Karl’s thinking was this game. Atrocious.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Unless he's planning on playing JR for like 30 minutes against the Hornets.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:52 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

that could be it actually

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 10:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Somebody cut to the basket!

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 10:57 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Karl has royally fucked this game with absolutely poor coaching and sub decisions

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 10:58 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think he has tried to be too cute with resting the starters for tomorrow night

But the players are not getting the job done either on both ends of the floor.

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:01 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Melo with the lucky roll!

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:02 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Melo!

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 11:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll say!

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Really not happy with no explanation as to why JR has not played.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

should have a lot of energy next game I guess

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

What will it take to get Kleiza to cut to the rim?

Melo had no choice but to shoot.

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

ARRGH

agnoy

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 11:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Kleiza is in love with the 3 pointer. Just stands there on the baseline.

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

clapclap

I actually hope they lose this game tonight . They certainly don’t deserve to win with Karl’s coaching.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Denver deserves to lose this game

All around sad effort mentally and physically.

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:06 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

By the way Carter was selfish taking that three he airballed

The correct play is to continue to swing it to Kleiza.

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:08 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

So many mental lapses and turnovers in this game tonight

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

d'oh!

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

way to miss clutch FT matin

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 11:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

JR didn't make any bad decisions!

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Critical posession

Never thought I would be saying that about a Clippers game

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

.............................................

why does Camby take the three?

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Thank you Marcus Camby for giving that one to Denver!

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

He is clearly still a Nugget at heart

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 11:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

ahahahah

Camby wanted to say thanks for all the fish

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Camby for a 3 at the end?

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:13 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Must play way better than that for the next one.

by Fitzchivalry on Nov 26, 2008 11:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I am baffled by everything I saw tonight

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Jeremy

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:16 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Looking forward to your analysis tonight

However strange it might be. Carmelo had a great night with the exception of 5 TOs. Kleiza continues to suck. JR didn’t play, and I absolutely must fucking know why.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:16 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Karl better have a damn good reason for sitting JR. what a joke.

by CCH on Nov 26, 2008 11:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Melo had his first superstar quality game of the season

by joshhopp on Nov 26, 2008 11:20 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

J.R. Smith

I still have not heard one thing from Altitude as to why J.R. sat the whole game. This isn’t Cheikh Samb! J.R. is supposed to play. All I need is a J.R. was late to shoot around or Karl thought he needed a night off. At least acknowledge it is a story!

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:33 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

There it is

JR Smith “very late to a practice and lateness to practice is going to be handled differently this year”.

Good. I am absolutely satisfied with that.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:38 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

If they could have told us that at the beginning of the game

I would have posted a lot less about Karl sucking.

by BeefySwats on Nov 26, 2008 11:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Terrible job by Altitude with the J.R. story

I realize they did not have a sideline reporter, but is it too much to ask that they talk to someone during a commercial or between quarters?

Jason Kosmicki will text the Nuggets PR people if he needs to know something like that. I think I will start listening to the radio call from now on. I guarantee you Koz knew what was going on.

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by Jeremy on Nov 26, 2008 11:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs