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Evan Fournier might get some burn at the back up PG tonight

I have no idea how we won that.

C Brew deserves HUGE props for that win....I was watching CSU but switched over when I saw it was a 2 pt game.

Corey Brewer and luck saved that game and the streak, but given the lack of energy from most of the team I will take it.

i was out at a work lunch following the score, ducked out to watch the last minute of the game...we're so lucky we got that W.

WOW!!! I was about to write about how bad a loss this was...

what a way to steal this one!!

the streak is alive!!

That was crazy. Corey Brewer was everywhere tonight and we actually did play some solid defense down the stretch.

14 by the skin of the teeth. One more to tie the 1969-70 ABA record.

André Miller's ego is bigger than his basketball IQ.

He slowed the match to made it comfortable for him. No defense, too much ball handling......

Denver played better when he was on the bench, higher defensive pressure and very quick ball movement (and offensive transitions)

Brewer had monster game.

I liked Randolph off the bench too

darivo wrote:André Miller's ego is bigger than his basketball IQ.

I'll admit I am partial, and that after last night's performance I cannot comprehend anyone singling out Dre for what seems like gratuitous insults. Maybe there is someone in the NBA who agrees with that statement, but I have doubts, and if so he should be fired. I've enjoyed the game for XX (censored) years and always have believed that Miller is one of the smartest and most selfless players I have seen. He certainly is not playing at the age of 37 because of great athleticism. It's also special to be the only guy on a team in all time NBA history who is in the top ten in anything.

darivo wrote:He slowed the match to made it comfortable for him. No defense, too much ball handling......

I don't think anything Dre does is for his own gratification. In my opinion, in a close game, even pros have a tendency to speed up and/or try to do too much too soon, particularly when trailing. The wise panel of ex-NBA greats during the OKC game commended him for the stability he provided in assuring a good shot every time down the floor in crunch time.

I've heard about his defense for years, but, invariably, for those years his opponent production has been pretty damn good and he always(?) winds up with a positive own/opponent production ratio. This is more amazing recently, particularly at his age, because the point guard position has been the most dangerous and productive in the NBA.

darivo wrote:Denver played better when he was on the bench, higher defensive pressure and very quick ball movement (and offensive transitions)

This observation confused me until I looked at the box score +/- numbers. Mark Twain said -- "There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics." I cannot explain why Dre and Thad Young had the worst +/- for their teams, except that they were so important that they were probably in during their teams' bad times. I can categorically insist that they were among their teams' best performers last night, and played extremely well.

I'm somewhat less cynical than Twain. While I often question some man made numerical formulas, I generally like most statistics, and often find them of some use. I think the greater danger is someone picking one number out of many to prove a lie.

Dre averages nine points, 2.2 turnover, and six assists, at an amazing near 50% FG%. Last night he exceeded every number with 21 points, 8 assists, 2 TO's, and at a FG rate of 64%. Quite frankly, I think it ludicrous to fault him for having so "stepped up" in the important absence of Ty Lawson.

In summary, I think Miller "done" good. If Denver had a typical back up point guard the streak would have ended. Actually, it would have ended a lot earlier, if not definitely in the OKC game.

Nope he's right.

The offense was basically everyone stand still and watch Andre Miller pound the ball for 20 seconds, and really Miller this season is perhaps the worst defender I have ever seen.

It's why I was against re-signing him. For starters he's a George Karl player, and secondly he's a damn terrible PG to play two PG with Lawson since he doesn't compliment him at all. And thirdly this is not a half court team and he needs to stop playing like its a half court offense. Oh and he's among the bottom 5 in the league in clutch time stats this season which is pretty bad coming from a vet, especially when Gallo ranks in the top 5.

eathb_au wrote:Nope he's right.

I reserve the right to believe you are both wrong.

eathb_au wrote:The offense was basically everyone stand still and watch Andre Miller pound the ball for 20 seconds...

I must be wrong because I cannot tell you how many times I've seen almost the exact same quote, with the exact same seconds. First I thought that "Miller Bashers Anonymous" put out a pamphlet of "talking points". I must be biased, though, because he's never seemed to me to be dribbling without purpose, or taking longer than any good floor general in finding the best option. And I know it's not directly on point, but he also has the second lowest usage rate in the rotation.

eathb_au wrote:...and really Miller this season is perhaps the worst defender I have ever seen.

I've heard that. But Hollinger has him with the second lowest (best) opponent production rate (to Iguodala) on the team. To add to my quandary, he also has the fourth best own/opponent differential behind McGee, Faried, and Iguodala. And I know he guards much better scorers, so I wonder how much he really hurts on defense, even though that is admittedly not a particular strength IMO.

eathb_au wrote:It's why I was against re-signing him. For starters he's a George Karl player...

That is a big point on this board, where coach is made to sound like the second coming of the infamous Papa Doc. But I felt less stupid after listening to that panel of ex-stars in the OKC game I watched on NBA TV. They said he was a proven exceptional coach and ranked him somewhere just after Pops and Doc. I agree, although I do value your opinions also.

eathb_au wrote:...and secondly he's a damn terrible PG to play two PG with Lawson since he doesn't compliment him at all.

I disagree. But that is based only on my observations and opinion.

eathb_au wrote: And thirdly this is not a half court team and he needs to stop playing like its a half court offense.

He's hardly a speedster like Lawson. But he compensates by being one of the best 3/4 court, and all around great, passers, who, I believe, is hardly a fast break killer. I think observation and the team record proves that. And I am sure you are not naive enough to believe that even Denver is able to fast break on every possession. His skill in the half court setting could be seen by some as a plus, particularly come playoff time.

eathb_au wrote:Oh and he's among the bottom 5 in the league in clutch time stats this season which is pretty bad coming from a vet, especially when Gallo ranks in the top 5.

That may seem important, but is it? The creator of "clutch time stats" explains that the number of shots taken is important to the formula. Dre takes 7.5 shots in a whole 48 minute game. He has always been a passer who is more an opportunistic scorer than great or prolific shooter.

But that is what Ty and Gallo are for. They take respectively 13.6 and 12.5 shots per, and are purer shooters, particularly Danilo.

But having said that, I believe Dre is one of the most clutch players I've seen, and one with the most indomitable will to win. He defers to shooters, but should be on the court in crunch time. When "nothing is there" he can create a shot with a good chance of going in. There is, also, no one on the team I prefer to see shooting fouls at the end of games.

Unbelievable finish to this game. The ONE thing I didn't think this team was capable of doing was winning a close game at the free throw line. The fact that it was Brewer makes it even more awesome. As much as we like to make him the scapegoat, he's having an incredible year and I wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back next year.

This game showed how important Ty and Chandler have been during this streak. We really need them healthy for a playoff run. Hopefully this was a bit of a wake-up call.