As we welcome in some brand new (possibly temporary) Denver Nuggets, lets get a dose of analysis and wistful remembrances with the help of the most famous and influential band of all time.
Hello, hello
I don’t know why you say goodbye
I say hello
Hello Goodbye – Lennon/McCartney
I’m not quite sure what to say. I’ve expected this day. I’ve dreaded and looked forward to the moment when Melodrama resolution was upon us. I still don’t know what to make of it, and it’s hard to put into words the exact feeling I have right now. I have to say that the “revisionist history” types will come out of the woodwork proclaiming that Carmelo Anthony was merely hindering certain championship glory by being a no defense playing, ball-stopping a-hole. Time and perspective may tell a different story.
Revolution – The White Album 1968
“You say you want a revolution….”
A revolution in size is what the team needed. The trade, as constituted, is interesting in it actually brings substantially more “height” to the Nuggets with the legit 6’10” Danilo Gallinari and the 7’1″ Timofey Mozgov. Couple those two with the 6’11” (more like 6’9″) Nene and the 6’10” Chris Andersen and the Nuggets finally have height. Now, I understand that Gallo is more of a small forward than a power forward, but we won’t let that little fact get in the way of a good story.
Helter Skelter – The White Album 1968
“I got blisters on my fingers!!”
The George Karl offense can be described as Helter Skelter. No real form or function … a series of isolations coupled with slight ball movement while people stop and stare blankly. I believe people erroneously blamed Melo for being a ball-stopper when the Karl “offense” calls for isolations and the like. Running the show will be Raymond Felton (it’s assumed at this point, subject to change). Felton ran Mike D’Antoni’s “seven seconds and chuck” offense, so I’m assuming that the diminutive Felton should have no trouble running this. Gallo is known as a chucker in these circles and Wilson Chandler (when healthy) should be able to adapt quickly to this team if his attitude is correct.
“Get back to where you once belong’d…”
It’s known that both Gallo and Chandler weren’t fond of the prospect of coming to Denver. It’s known that Chauncey Billups didn’t want to leave Denver. How these players adjust to circumstances they all didn’t want to be a part of will determine the fates of both the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks for the rest of this season.
Back in the U.S.S.R – The White Album 1968
“I’m back in the U.S.S.R … you don’t know how lucky you are boy…”
The Nuggets pursuit of Timofey Mozgov is perplexing to me. Not that I think he’s a bad player, but we have seen so little of the big Russian center that we can’t really make a determination about him other than he can get dunked on by Blake Griffin and he’s large. I’m hoping that he provides defense and rebounding. That’s all I expect. We will see if he even gets in Karl’s rotation.
I’ll Follow the Sun – Beatles for Sale 1964
Damn, I’m going to miss CB1 and Melo. There’s going to be a time, most likely in the near future where we look at our time with both Melo and Billups and understand that we had it good. A good fun time. Who won’t forget Smoove’s eight three-point shots in Game 1 against the New Orleans Hornets in 2009? Who won’t forget Melo’s game winning shots against Oklahoma City, twice in 2009, and the Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs that same year? You know what, I’m not in the mood to hear the “revisionists” and people who run down the most successful stretch of basketball in Denver Nuggets history. It was damn good and we were all lucky to have seen it.
As we look forward to a very uncertain future we say goodbye to close friends. You may hate the way Melo left, but please appreciate what he did while he was here. You may feel bad for Chauncey in having to leave his hometown yet again, but understand he did great while he was here. I won’t look back with regret, and neither should you.
One day, you’ll look
to see I’ve gone
but tomorrow may rain so
I’ll follow the sun
I’ll Follow the Sun – Lennon/McCartney
