Game 11: Toronto Raptors (5-5) @ Denver Nuggets (7-3)

[J Smitty]

It's sad to me that I've played basketball my whole life, and don't even know what a travel is in the NBA anymore. Apparently they changed the rule over the summer, which might explain it....but I seriously yelled TRAVEL at the tv about a dozen times(both ways), and it was only called about twice. The Raps got away with it a **** ton.

[el loco]

It's sad to me that I've played basketball my whole life, and don't even know what a travel is in the NBA anymore. Apparently they changed the rule over the summer, which might explain it....but I seriously yelled TRAVEL at the tv about a dozen times(both ways), and it was only called about twice. The Raps got away with it a **** ton.

I think they did change it this year, not entirely sure, but I thought I caught/heard Hubie Brown talking about how it used to be a step and a half after the dribble was picked up (really 2 steps), which is what I grew up with, but now you are basically allowed 2 and 1/2 steps (3 steps now). It is crazy, but if it is place for everyone then I guess it is fair.

Edit: Maybe it was done because of the crab dribble guy, who knows.

[PeTBuLL]

Impressive statline by Nene... Way to go!

[SnakefromHell]

Nice win... too bad I can't watch but we have to keep winning against inferior teams, esp at home

[LokLok]

Nice win by the Nuggets

Couldnt watch the game, but from the box score Melo and JR shot the ball extremely well and Nene had a killer stat line

My question is what's with the Raptor's fan b*tching about the ref? We only shot 7 more free throws, and had 1 less personal foul.

It always amuse me when other teams complains that the ref are on our side; the Nuggets are known to be good at going to the lines and in no way Melo get the same superstar treatment as Bron, Wade and Kobe. I've seen him get beat up in the paint way too many times while the ref doesnt call anything.

[pickaxe]

It's sad to me that I've played basketball my whole life, and don't even know what a travel is in the NBA anymore. Apparently they changed the rule over the summer, which might explain it....but I seriously yelled TRAVEL at the tv about a dozen times(both ways), and it was only called about twice. The Raps got away with it a **** ton.

I think they did change it this year, not entirely sure, but I thought I caught/heard Hubie Brown talking about how it used to be a step and a half after the dribble was picked up (really 2 steps), which is what I grew up with, but now you are basically allowed 2 and 1/2 steps (3 steps now). It is crazy, but if it is place for everyone then I guess it is fair.

Edit: Maybe it was done because of the crab dribble guy, who knows.

I'm fine with it as long as it's called consistently. A lot more athletic guys in the league these days that can pull off a whole new variety of moves to the hoop - which can raise the entertainment value. I don't like it when a guy gets 3-4 steps and didn't even have a special move in mind, and it gets missed......but 3 has to be the limit. Beyond that we might as well eliminate dribbling and call it indoor rugby.

[eathy]

That Ty Lawson dunk on Mbenga was like 4 steps.

[SnakefromHell]

^Nah that was 2 steps all right

[roundhead0]

gg refs...i mean nuggets!

I'm guessing raptor fans use the refs as an excuse for every game they lose since they lead the league in fouls

Actually, this is the first time all season that I've seen Raps fans seriously complain about the refs. And not just one or two grumpies who only see though homer eyes, but a widespread sentiment.

I always expect the home team to get favorable calls (unless it's a bad team playing a good team with a good rep). I think most people expect that. Last night's game seemed a little out of the ordinary. A lot of touch fouls against the Raptors which makes it hard to play any sort of defense, and Bosh who normally can draw a ton of fouls wasn't getting any calls.

It looked like the refs started calling the game to try to get the Nuggets back in, and then the Raps didn't have the legs to fight back later. Home teams getting calls to get them back in the game happens quite a bit. It's nice when your team is at home. Not so nice when you're on the road.

[Carlos Rogers]

No talk of Sonny Weems at all?

[pickaxe]

That Ty Lawson dunk on Mbenga was like 4 steps.

It's kind of cool when it gives off that impression - played it back and it's definitely 2 steps......Ty is just that explosive. I have a feeling if he had taken anymore time to get up there Mbenga would have caught up to him.

[J Smitty]

It looked like the refs started calling the game to try to get the Nuggets back in, and then the Raps didn't have the legs to fight back later. Home teams getting calls to get them back in the game happens quite a bit. It's nice when your team is at home. Not so nice when you're on the road.

Well it took about two minutes to cut that 11 pt lead down to 4 with a few minutes left in the 1st half, so you're talking maybe a couple 'questionable' calls, if you'd like. To say the refs are the reason why you lost though, that's just sad. The refs didn't make the Nuggets shoot over 60% from the field. The refs didn't make the Raptors players job up and down the floor while the Nuggets were going full speed.

When a team has poor defensive fundamentals, not only are they going to end up fouling more just naturally, but they're also going to get more of those touch fouls because of poor positioning and playing defense with their hands instead of their feet. I don't think it's any coincidence that the Raps are amongst the tops in fouling - on the season, not just this game.

At the same time, the Nuggets attack the basket and draw more fouls then any other team in the league. I remember Bulls fans complaining about the refs and pointing to free throw disparity in a game they lost a couple years ago. Well when one team attacks and the other team sits outside chucking threes all game, what do you really expect to happen?

The Raptors got their fair share of calls too. Numerous travels(especially by Jack, which led to some Beli threes) and some charges that were called blocks. Either way you want to look at it though, the refs were not at all the difference in this game.

[eathy]

No talk of Sonny Weems at all?

What do you want to read about him?

Still the same old Sonny Weems we traded away for Malik Allen (not the best trade). Low bball IQ, no jumpshot, below average defense, the only thing keeping him on an NBA roster is his athletism. Basically a very poor man's JR Smith without a jumpshot.

[corona]

the end of that 3rd quarter was funny to watch.

you could see everyone from both teams was exhausted...but the nuggets had a little bit more in the tank due to the home crowd and being used to the altitude, and that just wore on the raptors until they broke.

[milehigh]

No talk of Sonny Weems at all?

This is the Denver Nugget forum not the Colorado 14er forum.

He entered 12 games last year for a grand total of 55 minutes, all garbage time. What do you want us to say about him? It's hard for any of us to get a good scouting report from that. He can jump out of the gym and is very athletic, seemed to put up points in the D-League but hasn't seen much time in the NBA. He played poorly for us, but it's hard to play well when you play once every eight games.

Good win though, loved seeing how well we were passing. Hopefully we continue that, always makes it easier when you get the bigs more involved especially Nene.

[pickaxe]

All I remember about Sonny Weems was a poor lob pass to JR @ the dunk contest from the seats.

I'm more interested in Hakim Warrick. Dude is not too bad.

[el loco]

No talk of Sonny Weems at all?

This is the Denver Nugget forum not the Colorado 14er forum.

He entered 12 games last year for a grand total of 55 minutes, all garbage time. What do you want us to say about him? It's hard for any of us to get a good scouting report from that. He can jump out of the gym and is very athletic, seemed to put up points in the D-League but hasn't seen much time in the NBA. He played poorly for us, but it's hard to play well when you play once every eight games.

Good win though, loved seeing how well we were passing. Hopefully we continue that, always makes it easier when you get the bigs more involved especially Nene.

He is passing better now, his assist average is up to an all time high of 1 per game.