Thunder take a 3-0 lead over the Nuggets ~ My 1st visit to the Pepsi Center

I finally made it to the Pepsi Center for Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Knicks game (i.e. just kidding!!!).  Actually, it's the Denver Nuggets.  I couldn't resist making the joke. 

I arrived at the Pepsi Center early and decided just to park close to the arena for $15. As I waited with other NBA fans til about 6:45PM to get into the building for an 8PM start, the smell of buttered popcorn wafted outside.  Yes, I was sold.  I bought popcorn the minute I walked in.  A girl has to eat, right?

Sporting my new Nuggets hat (i.e. less than $20 from the team store) I went to my seat.  Everyone in the arena had a light blue Nuggets rally towel waiting for them on his/her seat.  Nice.  I save those towels and use them as kitchen towels.

As I watched the pre-game shoot around and warm-ups, I watched J.R. Smith and his teammates shoot trick shots.  Smith's final shot was a full court heave towards the basket and it went IN.  Ending on a high note, Smith ran into the tunnel to get ready for the game.  ****  Who knew this would foreshadow the outcome of the evening's game?

As the pregame festivities went on, I was reminded that the cartoon, South Park, is set in Colorado by Cartman on the jumbotron.  Too funny!

Nuggets fans are passionate about their team.  They cheered as the Nuggets battled the Thunder, but there were a good number of Thunder fans present at the game.  It was good to see all the Nuggets old school jerseys and T-shirts with "English" on the back.  ****  I met NBA Legend, Alex English, a couple of years ago during the All-Star break, and he was a nice guy.

Whenever I looked at the scoreboard it always seemed as though Kevin Durant and the Thunder were up about 6-8 points.  Whenever I looked towards the court, it seemed like either Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant was talking to a ref and complaining.  I like Durant and Westbrook, but nobody likes a whiner.  Sorry.  I call it like I see it.  Maybe that's why BOTH Durant and Westbrook were called for technical fouls. 

Regardless, the game was a little chippy and there was a good degree of physicality during the game.  However, physical basketball and a good degree of banging on the court is to be expected ~ especially during the NBA playoffs.

Nuggets fans (i.e. sitting near me in the lower bowl) were convinced the Denver was going to nab Game 3.  Unfortunately, for them, this wasn't the case.  I disagree with the 4 guys in their 20s who were sitting in front of me.  I don't believe that you can blame the Nuggets' defeat on the George Karl's rotation.  I believe that you can attribute the loss to the lack of effectiveness from Al Harrington, Raymond Felton, and anyone else who didn't grab an offensive rebound.

As the Nuggets fought back to close the Thunder lead, the fans at the Pepsi Center were on their feet.  With about 40 seconds left in the game, and the Thunder up about 6-8 points, some Nuggets "unfaithful" started to exit the building.  I find it ironic that the girl behind me (i.e. who looked like she was in her mid-20s) was the one who said, "I don't know why everyone is leaving.  40 seconds is a lot time in the NBA."  THAT is a girl who knows her stuff.

Final thought: The Nuggets fought back and cut the lead to 3 in the final seconds of the game.  The refs should've called the foul against the Thunder, as J.R. Smith took his final 3-point shot in the closing seconds of the game.  A foul is a foul, REGARDLESS of when it occurs during a game.  Nuggets' fans seemed to agree with me, since the "Boos" were very loud and lasted for a few seconds when the game ended.

Smith deserved to shoot 3 free throws.  He was fouled.

The Nuggets had balanced scoring with numerous high scorers with 15 points.  Scott Brooks' Thunder squad is definitely gelling and Serge Ibaka was the player that really stepped up his game for the night.  Durant led the Thunder with 26.  Westbrook contributed 23, and Ibaka added 22. 

Final score 97-94.  The Thunder won.

Great all-around game for the Thunder!  It goes without saying that the Nuggets have their work cut out for them for Game 4, which is tonight at 10:30PM ET.

THE WIRK

Weekend: Braves v Giants, Thunder v Nuggets, and Denver Aquarium ~ Posts to come

It's been a busy couple of days and now it's Sunday and there are more games on.  As I watch the Celtics work the Knicks on TV, I'm editing my pictures from the Atlanta Braves v San Francisco Giants game.  I'm also going through my trip to the Denver Aquarium yesterday and Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Nuggets series.  Yes, I finally made it to the Pepsi Center.

I plan to get these posts out tonight or by tomorrow night, so please check back.  In the mean time, I'm tweeting at TheWirk.

Enjoy!

THE WIRK

Nets walk away from table, where Carmelo never sat ~ Trade drama over "for now"

Now that Mikhail Prokhorov has called off the Nets' pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, I think we can all move on for now.  I debated on whether or not I'd compose a post about it all, and for the sake of being comprehensive here goes...

My prediction: Carmelo Anthony plays out the season in Denver as a Nugget AND then goes to the Knicks... I don't believe the Chicago Bulls talk...  That's my 3 cents based.  ****  Why 3 cents?  It's 3 cents because I'm smarter than the average person, and the average person gives you 2 cents.

So what does this mean?

• I don't believe that Prokhorov is bluffing.  I really believe the New Jersey Nets are out of the mix.
• I don't believe Carmelo wanted to play for the New Jersey Nets anyway.
• I think that if Carmelo isn't moved before the end of the season, he will have even more interest in what happens over the summer with regard to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
• I'd imagine that Denver Nuggets fans will get to see Carmelo play through the end of the season, and therefore the "empty" seats that were noted in last night's game, should fill up
• I think that New York Knicks fans will have to hold their breath and wait to see what Donnie Walsh comes up with regard to an offer for Carmelo.

With regard to Richard "Rip" Hamilton sitting on the bench...  I don't really see a reason for him to play.  I doubt the Detroit Pistons will do anything this year.  Further it appears that coach, John Kuester (i.e. a Tarheel), wants to go another direction (i.e. read: younger).  Personally, I don't like watching solid-NBA vets sit, and I'd want to see Rip and his $11 million run up and down the court.  However, my opinion appears to be the minority.  I guess when you're preparing to rebuild, I guess the veteran presence doesn't matter.  ****  Hmmm, now that I think about it, it sounds a lot like the Washington Redskins' McNabb situation...

****  I took the pictures for this post during the Nuggets v Wizards game, February 2010.

THE WIRK

Timberwolves lose to the Nuggets ~ Chauncey Billups drops 36

If you're a Minnesota Timberwolves fan, tonight's final score against the Denver Nuggets doesn't tell the story.  If you weren't at the game, chances are you didn't see any of the action.  The Denver Nuggets defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-113.  This was a very winnable game for the young Timberwolves, especially since Carmelo Anthony wasn't playing tonight.  ****  Carmelo's sister died last week, and he's expected to return to his team for Thursday's game.

Wednesday night is college night at the Target Center.  I'm not really sure what the promotion is, but I can tell you that the place fills up and that there were tons of people at the ticket window before the game.  It was an orderly scene, but surprising enough to me that I took a picture.

Ticket in hand, I was ready for the action and to see a great game. Do you know the name Martel Webster? I didn't. He's #5 for the T'wolves and he spent most of the game draining shots and/or in the air. Seriously. The kid blew up for 17 points. I had to Tweet @jonahballow during the game to figure out where Webster went to school. Turns out the kid came out of high school and spent 5 years in Portland. Wow. Never heard of him. My guess is that he played behind Brandon Roy or Andre Miller. No clue before, but I'll remember him from now on.  Here's a picture of him. in the air, going to the hole.  Yes, Webster can fly!

Darko.  OK.  I've never been the biggest Darko Milicic fan, but I'm also not a Darko hater.  I don't understand all the emotion people have about him.  It's not like the guy leaves any sort of impression.  Regardless, no one likes to see anyone get hurt  ~ but Darko left the floor twice tonight.  Once with about 6 minutes left in the 2nd quarter and again in the 3rd.  When he left the first time he didn't even make it back to the bench.

This is a picture of Darko being "aggressive on offense".  Intimidating, right?!?!  ****  Sorry, that's sarcasm.

These are pictures of "hurt Darko"...

In the first one, he's bent over getting replaced by Pekovic.  ****  I'll keep my comments to myself.  Milicic or Pekovic...  Which one would you choose?   Like I said, when Darko got hurt it took him a while to get off the court.  In the second picture, Ridnour went over to check on him.  In the third picture, finally he was able to walk off the court, towards the scorer's table before heading to the locker room.  As he "walked" off the court, it looked like he didn't want to put any weight on his left side.  I think I heard it's a hip contusion.  I have no idea why he even came out to play in the 3rd quarter.  He winced every time he moved. 

Enough about all that... 

Michael Beasley did his best to keep the Timberwolves in the game and every time the whistle blew (i.e. down the stretch) if you thought the foul was on Kevin Love, you were probably right.   Beasley had 33 and Love had ANOTHER double-double (i.e. 26-14).

Chris "Birdman" Andersen was great to look at with all the tattoos and played a physical game with Love down in the post.  Plenty of contact and banging on defense.  Wish more guys in the NBA were willing to play defense...  Here's a picture of the Birdman getting some air.  ****  Ironically, he'd miss this shot/dunk...

During the game a kid (i.e. about 7 years old) a few rows behind me yells, "Chauncey (Billups) you're old!". Thanks for the news flash, kid. He knows it. We all thought it. If anything all you did was motivate Billups to play out of his mind and drop 36 tonight. **** Nice job, kid... Next time why don't you heckle a guy who isn't a 5-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion...

I was so into the game, I even reached out for a flying T-shirt.  ****  Don't worry.  It's not like I got ahead of myself and stood up or anything.  At the game I ate skittles, a cheesesteak, and peanuts.  I washed it all down with Mountain Dew.  Yeah, it was one of those nights...  I've got a sugar high or maybe I'm just still on the adrenaline high from this very winnable game, for the young Timberwolves....

8.8 seconds left in the game

If only the Timberwolves had Reggie Miller last night...  He could have scored 8 points in 9 seconds!

Here's another random one for you.  Is this Minneapolis' version of the Kardashians?!?!

I've always said that the Timberwolves have a great mentorship program.  By having Kurt Rambis, Bill Laimbeer, and Reggie Theus on the bench coaching these young guys, I think there's a lot of potential in Minneapolis... 

THE WIRK

NBA Media Day was yesterday and Training Camp has begun

Yesterday was the "start" of the NBA Season with NBA training camp opening up and Media Day!  For those of you that don't know, media is a busy day for those involved in the NBA.  It's like the first day of school for your favorite NBA athletes.  They get their hair cut, some wax their backs (i.e. I swear), and make sure they're camera ready when they have their pictures taken, talk to the press,  and answer questions about the offseason and what they expect for the upcoming season(s).

I was busy yesterday, so I didn't catch (i.e. see/hear) any of the action, but I'm sure that seeing Carmelo Anthony in his jersey served as some (i.e. perhaps temporary) consolation to Denver Nuggets fans.  Further, I can't imagine how different media day was for Cleveland Cavaliers reporters compared to the previous 7, now that LeBron has, "taken his talents to South Beach". 

Keeps your eyes open, because cities that aren't used to an NBA presence during the year often host the teams during training camp.  I know that some franchises have left their "homes" in order to focus on the upcoming season (i.e. the Phoenix Suns are in San Diego, the Minnesota Timber Wolves are in Mankato, the Miami Heat are at Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, etc.).  Years, ago I was in Hawaii and saw several men in purple and gold.  Sure enough, I was in the pool that afternoon and noticed Brian Shaw sitting in a chair.  Yes, boys and girls.  The Los Angeles Lakers held their training camp in Honolulu that year and could be found around the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Phil Jackson and Jeanie Buss walking the beach in Hawaii

Forget preseason, I'm looking forward to the first NBA game of the season!  For those of you still relishing in last year's NBA Championship, here's a DVD so you can re-live those moments :-P


THE WIRK

I'm taking the Hawks and the Jazz...

I'm picking the Atlanta Hawks and the Utah Jazz to win tonight...  The Hawks v Bucks series is tied at 2, but Atlanta has Jamal Crawford (i.e. this year's 6th Man of the Year) and is playing at home.   

The Nuggets seem to be free-falling and the Jazz are up 3-1.  The Denver Nuggets definitely have a mountain to climb...

Who do you have winning tonight's games and advancing to the 2nd Round?


THE WIRK

Caps dominate, Cavs win, Noah's comments, and the Jazz defeat the Nuggets

Last night, I parked myself in front of my TV and flipped channels.  That might sound lame to some, but for me, it was about all I could handle.

First up was Game 3 for the Washington Caps and the Montreal Canadiens.  I started watching hockey, 15 mins into the game.  Before you knew it the Caps were up 4-0.  Nice!  Realizing that the Caps didn't need my moral support I started focusing on the Cavs game. 

The Cavs were up 10 points and Shaq was on the bench sweating like Patrick Ewing.  A 10 point lead isn't the end all, especially since it was early, but I wasn't interested in watching the game.  No matter how I tried to get into the game, the Cavs v Bulls series just doesn't interest me.  I don't believe that the Bulls are a threat to the Cavs.  I'm not a fan of Joakim Noah either.  I didn't like him in college, and I don't like him in the pros.  He seems awkward to me.  I remember I had dinner with some of my sporty friends and one of them told me that Noah was killing it on the boards and really proving himself.  As I politely smiled and then yawned into my napkin, I'm sure my disinterest was apparent.  The only Noahs that interest me are Yannick and the one who managed to gather pairs of animals and survive a storm for 40 days and 40 nights.  Both of those men's stories, I find far more fascinating than the youngest Noah.  Shoot...  When I was in Paris, I found myself intrigued by the billboard I saw for Yannick's concert.  However, while in Chicago, Joakim was the furthest thing from my mind...  I wanted to see Derrick Rose and the United Center.  Yep, the building was more exciting to me than Joakim.

Yannick > Joakim

****  There's an "I hate Joakim Noah" facebook group.  I thought about joining it, but next to "Affiliation" it reads, "Peyton Manning is overrated."  Um, excuse me.  As a Colts fan, I'm definitely not down with that.  Oh well.  They almost had me.

Can someone tell me what Joakim's problem is?  Why does he think he can start jawing with LeBron James in Cleveland?  Further to cement, my feeling that Noah is just terrible, check out the video of him trashing Cleveland.  Now, I'm sure that Cleveland isn't at the top of the list in terms of vacation destinations, but I'm also confident that there are at least 20,000 people who'd be more than happy to put Noah on the Rapid and send him back to the airport.  Don't worry, Joakim.  You'll be on vacation soon enough!  Feel free to go wherever you want in the off season.

The last game I watched was the Jazz v Nuggets game.  It was Game 2 and was being played in Denver.  The injury riddled Jazz managed to defeat the Nuggets.  Injury riddled...  With Kirilenko out and Mehmet Okur rupturing his Achilles it should've been an easy game for the Nuggets...  "Should" was the key word.  What is going on with the Nuggets?  Sure, they're not the same team they were now that George Karl is tending to his health, and Adrian Dantley has assumed coaching responsibilities.  George Karl's presence is obviously missed.  I know Adrian Dantley is knowledgeable, but he only had 1/10 of the passion to win last night's game compared to me.  I'm actually a little surprised that the folks in Denver didn't tell me to, "Shut up," because my inside voice was SCREAMING last night.

The Nuggets are supposed to win this series!  Am I the only person that knows this?  Has anyone told the Nuggets that they can and should win?  ARGH!  It's almost as if the refs didn't want the Nuggets to win either.  Is it just me, or did it seem like every time I heard a whistle blow, one of the Nuggets had drawn a foul.  Crazy...

****  I just checked.  Numbers don't lie.  Fouls for Denver looked like this:

• Anthony:  6
• Nene:  5
• Martin:  5
• Afflalo: 5
• Billups: 5

I was still steaming after the game and started thinking ahead to the Suns v Trailblazers game in Portland on Saturday.  I remembered that I knew a former front office executive for the Blazers and decided to drop him an email.  I also started thinking about Carlos Boozer and got reminded of the debacle in Cleveland when he duped management and left for Salt Lake City.  Don't remember?  How can you forget?  Well, just in case you can relive the nightmare by reading the following link.  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/ian_thomsen/07/09/paxson.boozer/index.html

Being a Cavs fan, I'll say this.  I know Gordon Gund to be a class act, and I respect Jim Paxson.  I believe in Paxson's basketball knowledge.  Based on those statements, you can deduce how I feel about Boozer (i.e. especially when it comes to the Cavs).  Boozer had a very strong performance last night.  Come on Denver, let's stop getting tattoos, practice, get it together, and WIN!

Kenyon Martin had 15 pts, but was hampered with 5 fouls Monday night

Actually now that I think about it, when the Nuggets were in town to play the Wizards, the Wizards won 107-97.

Seriously... What is wrong with Denver?

Enough about all that.  Today is a brand new day and there is a full slate of games on tonight.

Bucks and Hawks tip at 7.

Heat and Celtics tip at 8.
****  Earlier tonight, for his Twitter fans, dwadeofficial, posted this:  "First 1 to get this question rt. How many players on Miami and Boston R from chicago??? And name them."  If you're not on Twitter and you're a fan, you might want to correct the situation.

Trailblazers and Suns tip at 10:00.

Thunder and Lakers tip at 10:30.

If you follow this blog, you know who I want to win...  Let's go guys!  BRING IT!!!

THE WIRK

Quick weekend wrap-up: Basketball, Tug of War, Hockey

OK - I'm all over the board on this one so I'll warn you now...  Here goes.  I'm doing larger "bullets" again in the interest of speed, bc my brain clicks faster than I type.

Friday ~ Basketball and Tug-of-War

• Went to the Nuggets v Wiz game...  Ilgauskas didn't play.  The Wizards won.  Those last 2 sentences are not related to each other ~ they're merely statements.  This is completely unexplainable, but my best guess is that the Nuggets were tired from beating the Cavs the night before in OT, so they inadvertently play down to the level of the Wizards...  AND since the Wizards are used to playing at such a low level, obviously they're better at playing that sort of game, so they won.  They lulled the Nuggets into a very weak game.  How weak?  I was more interested in chatting it up with the guy I was with and the nachos we were sharing, that I more or less didn't realize that it was half-time.  Further, I spent the entire 2nd half looking at George Karl and trying to see if he looked "sick".  He doesn't.  That's a good thing.  Incidentally, based on the pics I took, I think some of the Nuggets were more interested in posing for the pictures I was taking (i.e. we were sitting 3/4 rows behind the bench) OR maybe they just wanted some nachos... 
• So what is/are my point(s):
•  If I were the Lakers, I wouldn't be scared of the Nuggets. 
• Get the nachos w/cheese...

Kenyon Martin DOES resemble Method Man

• Went to friend's birthday celebration and ended up out with some friends.  Engaged in tug of war, when someone I know mistook my scarf for hers and RIPPED it out of my hands, after I told her it was MINE.  I can be a little feisty, sooooo this could've gotten ugly.  However, the situation was handled calmly by another friend at the venue. 
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Proper eyecare is important.  What is more important than one's vision?  Get your eyes checked regularly. 
• Duh. Though shall not steal. When I tell you something is MINE. It's MINE
• Don't rip anything out of anyone's hand.  People don't like this behavior.
• To paraphrase, Chris Rock, "If you say you're sorry, it'll be alright."  Muster the words.  Choke them out (i.e. the words, not the person) if you have to... 
• I never realized how appropriately named, "Tug of War" is...  Hmmm...

Saturday ~ Basketball

• Went to College Park, MD and watched the Georgia Tech  v  Maryland game.  On the way up there, one of the poeple in the car said that the line was Maryland -7.5.  He asked who I liked.  I told him I didn't like the number bc I didn't know what Maryland team would show up.  When pressed, I told him to take Tech.  He and his friend then told me I was "wrong".  Needless to say, I watched the end of that game closely.  Two amazing buzzer beaters ~ Maryland won.  BUT the difference in scores between GA Tech and Maryalnd was less than 7.5.
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Maryland had an amazing win, but consistently inconsistent teams are tough to follow and cheer for, bc you can't trust your eyes and predict the future. 
• Kid ~ wherever you are ~ I was RIGHT.
• Duke comes to town on March 3.  I was at the game last year, but will have to miss it this year.  With the ACC so weak it could be anyone's game, but I think Duke will win.  I mean, they SHOULD win...  Right!?!?

Sunday ~ Basketball and Hockey

• The Cavs played the Magic today (rematch of the Eastern Conf Finals)...  The Cavs lost and dropped 3 in a row.  3 in a row.  Not wins.  Losses.  They lost 3 in a row, and they haven't done that in 2 years (i.e. I think).  It's no secret how I feel about Danny Ferry, and the ridiculous trade that sent Zydrunas to Washington to hang out in my 'hood (i.e.  bc let's face it, that's what Zydrunas is doing).  I certainly don't see him puting on his #17 uni and running up and down the court.  The man is listed as INACTIVE.  As far as I'm concerned, Danny Ferry has single-handedly (ok, to be fair Ernie Grunfeld is equally to blame) imploded my favorite basketball team.  Anderson Varejao is now Shaq's back-up.  Are you serious?!?!  Am I the only one that can still hear the screams of 20,000 (TWENTY THOUSAND) people yelling "GIVE IT BACK" the minute Lebron passed Varejao the ball in the final seconds of that one playoff game (that I'm desperately trying to forget) during the NBA FINALS!?!?!  Everyone in today's game had a bajillion fouls (i.e.  that's a HUGE number, people) as they ineffectively tried to guard Dwight Howard.  Now I'm not saying Zydrunas is a defensive mastermind against Superman, "Part Deux", but at least he's not flopping around like a fish out of water like Varejao.  GIVE ME A BREAK.
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Ferry is absolutely terrible, and I hope the Cavs lose every single game (if Zydrunas doesn't make it back)... Then I hope he and Mike Brown lose their jobs... AND THEN I hope Lebron leaves Cleveland and wins a title... and when all that happens, I'll shout it to anyone that'll listen, that it was ALL Ferry's fault...
• Now before all you Cavs fans get in a tizzy, let me clarify this point above.  I LOVE THE CAVS.  I would NEVER have imploded the team, messed with the chemistry, and taken away a quality center when the alternative is some guy with a crazy perm who can't play basketball.  IF, (1) Zydrunas makes it back, (2) the Cavs don't go on some crazy losing streak (i.e. bc of this trade), (3) they make it to the Finals, and (4) win the NBA Championship, then I'll be the first person to tell Danny that I'm sorry and that I was wrong.  Until then, I'm scathing mad.
• It's not a coincidence that there's an "Anderson Varejao Sucks" facebook page.  We are 200 people strong.  I bet if I friend requested my mom, I could get her to join the group too...  Hmmm...
• I should start a moving company in Cleveland bc people are going to need my services.
• Hockey.  Yeah, it's on today also.  Russia already beat Czech Republic.  All I know is that the final score was 4-2 and that Ovi had a monster hit on Jagr...  Go Ovi!!!
• So what is/are my point(s):
• I get my news from facebook status feeds. 
• USA v Canada tonight around 7:30.  It's a little after 6PM.  I need to get moving...
• Basketball ~ Oh yeah.  Duke plays VA Tech tonight too... 
• So what is/are my point(s):
• Yawn...  I bet the people at Cameron Indoor wish they could watch the USA v Canada hockey game.
• Go Duke.  Sorry, I had to add that in.  My brother may have to support me when I get old.  And for you smarties out there ~ yes, I said "WHEN"  :-P

Man...  It's tough to be a Cavs fan now...

Oh, if you want to buy your OWN scarf...  Here's a link for your convenience...















THE WIRK

Nuggets in town to play the Mystics ~ Wait, that's not right?! Oh wait, it's the Wizards...

Hold onto your seats ladies and gentlemen, because tonight the Nuggets (36-18) play the Wizards (something little -something big)...  It's gonna be a real barn burner! And if you believe that, then maybe I can interest you in giving me some seed money so I can head to AC or Vegas and quadruple it...  Really?!?!  You're a little bit interested?!?!  Comment me with your email information, and I'll hit you with my paypal address.

The Nuggets are coming off of an overtime victory last night at the Q.  After the game, Carmelo Anthony "tweeted" that the game was an "instant classic".  I don't agree, but he played in it, so he's biased.  He finished with 40 points, 7 boards, and the game-winner.  He played 48 minutes, and the total game time was 53, since it went into OT...  My guess is that tonight he's going to be tired, since the game finished late (well after 1AM) and he played so many minutes. 

Anyway, back to tonight...  Not only are the Nuggets playing the Wizards tonight ~ they're set to play the NEWLY, GUTTED Wizards tonight...  What does that mean?  That means that the Nuggets could probably sit Melo, Chauncey, and KMart and probably still win.  I'm really hoping that that's not the case though because I'm headed to the arena for a multitude of reasons, and I want to see the "REAL" Nuggets on the court.

During NBA All-Star weekend, I saw George Karl a number of times.  Based on his press conference, George has known about his treatable throat cancer since December, but it seems he just notified his team on Tuesday.  Whether, treatable or not ~ cancer is cancer and that has to be scary.  My seats are near the Nuggets bench and I'll do my best to resist the urge to stare at George's throat...  BUT I know me ~ even though, it's not like I'm going to be able to see anything, I'm going to keep looking.  I am praying for his recovery.  It has to be tough, but at least its "treatable".

The Nuggets are the 2nd biggest threat in the West.  The Lakers are without a doubt the 1st.  At this point in the season, the Nuggets are 5 games back...  During NBA All-Star weekend, I was talking to one of the Nuggets and he stressed that his job was to focus on the remaininng 29 games (i.e. 28 now, since they just played last night).  I found that interesting ~ the fact that he knew exactly how many games were left in the season.  Ask me how many more days I have this year, and I'll laugh in your face.  Then again, I'm not an athlete nearing the end of the REGULAR season...  Will the Nuggets catch the Lakers?  I'm going to say, "No".  BUT I do think, that in the West, they can defnitely give the Lakers a run for their money, especially if Kobe continues to sit out.

It's true that people rise to the level of their competition.  Although unlikely, there's still a chance that the Nuggets could come out of the West and play for the NBA Championship.  Yes, I said it ~ and Yes, it CAN happen.  It's possible.  The Cavs were the favorite to come out of the East last year, and we all know what happened in that mess.  The Magic took the Cavs out of the mix.  If you said you "called it", then you're probably the same liar that says that you knew "all along" that Bruce Willis' character was dead in the movie, "The Sixth Sense" ~ I'm not buying it.  The most likely scenario is that a Nuggets surge will push the Lakers to perform even better 

The sad fact about tonight's game is that the Nuggets know that the Wizards are not even in their own league.  This game tonight should be a yawner...  I recommend that the Wizards adopt the WNBA's pricing model for the remaining games this season.  In addition to scouting the Nuggets and indulging in the nachos that have been promisd to me, I'm hoping Melo (i.e. since he is as close to home as he's going to get) still has some gas left in the tank for a great show tonight.

And yes, of course, I'm curious to see if Zydrunas is going to be on the bench or even if he's in the building.  I go where history is happening and if he's going to be on that Wizards bench, I'm not going to miss it for the world. 

“Right now I’m a Wizard,” he said. “I think eventually they’ll let me go, but that’s just my guess. They haven’t told me anything yet. First I’ve got to go to Washington, and hopefully after a couple of days they’ll let me go home.” <--- Zydrunas' quote...


THE WIRK

The 1st game without Big Z as a Cav ~ the Cavs win streak ends...

So the matchup I was looking forward to all week is on right now and I have to admit, I'm bored. Moreover, from the looks and sounds of it ~ the crowd at the Q is bored also...  (****Incidentally, I just checked Twitter and Bill Simmons posted the same sentiment about being confused that the crowd was dead...  See, I'm not alone.) The score is Denver 100 and Cleveland 99 with 2:13 left on the clock in the 4th.  It's GO TIME and it seems like everyone is in a haze in Cleveland.

Question:  Why is Jerry West at the game?

OK - so I'm watching this game and something's missing for me.  Where's Zydrunas?  Oh, that's right - he's probably at home watching the game also.  I was working today, so I missed Danny Ferry's press conference.  It's probably for the best though, because I'd imagine it was geared more towards welcoming Antawn Jamison to the "promised land of the East".  I did look to see if there were any quotes from the press conference of interest ~ and to be honest, I saw nothing.

This is such a tight game ~ Denver is up 106 to 103 and...  Oh wait ~ LeBron James just hit a 3 and the crowd goes wild, 48.5 on the clock...  Ok, so the game is now tied.

Let's go ahead and state the obvious.  LeBron is the star and leader of the Cavs.  Everyone in that organization bows down to King James.  The owners, management, and coaches may be paying, "leading", and teaching him, but let's face it ~ they're all subjects in King James' court.

Ok, Chauncey just missed his shot ~ we're going into overtime.

Back to the point I was trying to make.  We all value leadership and there are many different kinds of leaders in this world.  Iron-willed dictators exist, who threaten and intimidate others, to make sure people fall "in line" under their regime or else you die by the sword.  There are also more passive leaders who gently prod you into a direction that allows you to reach your goals and (with finesse) steer you towards self-actualization.

Every leader needs someone on which they may rely.  Jordan needed Pippen.  Magic needed his supporting cast.  And yeah ~ I can't help, but think Lebron needs Zydrunas.  I remember when LeBron lept into Zydrunas' arms when the Cavs made it to the Finals in 2007.  The image is everywhere.  I'd include it in here, but I don't want to steal someone else's pic.  LeBron had to seek Zydrunas out on the court and then jumped into his arms for a big bear hug.  That picture says something.  That's the type of relationship and veteran leadership that is palpable.  That's the type of relationships oganizations strive to foster between a veteran and the future/heart of a franchise. 

I can't help but think that for the next few games, until a buyout is executed and Zydrunas returns to the Cavs (i.e. fingers crossed if that's the goal) that LeBron can't feel that someone/something is missing out on the court also.  LeBron is 25 years old and Zydrunas is 34...  Both have spent there entire professional career with the Cavs organization and it's no secret that Zydrunas holds the record for most games played as a Cleveland Cavalier.  They both have grown up playing basketball for the Cavs.

WTF.  TNT just switched to the Celtics game!  Ok. TNT went back to the Cavs game.  Denver is up 116-113 with 30 seconds left on the clock... Lebron just drove ~ WOOHOO "AND 1".  Nene just fouled out.  Maybe this game will go into D-OT...  I like it when great games don't end!!!  OK - we're tied at 116 now.

Carmelo Anthony just hit for 2 with 1.9 seconds to go.  Denver up 118-116.  Time out called by the Cavs.  TNT is back to the Celtics v Lakers game.  Wow.

Some people are going to say this is a post-All-Star weekend let down for the Cavs.  Nah, I have a different theory.  I think the dynamic has changed for Cleveland and for me, it's OBVIOUS that LeBron needs Zydrunas on the court.

Ugh ~ LeBron slipped once the ball was inbounded to him, threw up a 3 ~ but missed.  The win streak is over now.  I think it was 13 in a row.  LeBron's not happy.  He just walked off the court.

Back to my point, and yes ~ I'm BIASED, but I'm also CORRECT.  LeBron especially, but the rest of the team also, needs Zydrunas on the court.  Shaq is 38 years old.  38 years old...  Wow.  All the years in the league and Shaq can't deliver extensive quality minutes.  Zydrunas can ease that burden.  Zydrunas was supplanted this year with the Shaq trade and never complained about coming off the bench.  In interviews Shaq referred to Zydrunas, not as his back-up, but as his partner and that says something.  When Zydrunas was snubbed on the night he was supposed to break the record for most games played with the Cavs franchise, LeBron was the most vocal teammate and the first to call BS.  He went to Zydrunas' defense and publicly stated that he thought his teammate and friend was treated poorly.

If Lebron was an "Emperor with new clothes", Zydrunas would be the one to tell him to stop running around naked and to go and put some clothes on AND THEN he'd either pick up a hard foul or set a screen so LeBron could hit a game winning shot....

There's a mutual respect and genuine closeness between LeBron and Zydrunas.  In relationships, they say "If/When you love someone, set them free." I don't believe this cliche was meant to be used in NBA trades.  I hope there was a "wink wink" agreement (i.e. after a contract buyout and 30 days) and that Zydrunas is brought back to the Cavs.  However, I can't help but think that Zydrunas feels hurt/angry at the fact that the franchise dealt him away.  After all the surgeries.  All the surgeries ~ that left him with "cuts/indents" in his hips, scars on his foot, and sets of crutches in his garage...  All the phone calls from the previous ownership (e.g. Gordon Gund) and visits from teammates both current and present when he was rehabbing (e.g. Coach Woodson and yeah, Danny Ferry)...  The man was going to retire years ago, but he stayed, rehabbed, and played for all of you because that's all he EVER wanted to do.

It makes me angry.  It makes me upset.  I don't play fantasy basketball.  I would never make a good General Manager because I'm not into the business of looking at contract dollars and seeing who needs to be dumped.  I am more human than that, and I can see relationships and chemistry.  Good luck, Cleveland.  You messed up, big on this one.  Lucky for you, there's still a chance that the situation can be made  "RIGHT".

Actually I think I remember reading some of Danny Ferry's comments from the press conference.  I remember reading that Danny said something about Zydrunas' jersey being raised to the rafters once his career is over.  DUH, THANK YOU FOR STATING THE OBVIOUS!!!  What's next Danny?  Are you going to tell us that "water is wet"?  Come on...  The point is, Zydrunas' career is not over ~ you know it and I know it...  Everyone knows his CAVS jersey belongs on his back, with him running up and down the court. 

THE WIRK