Looking back on a crazy and wild week

I guess it is easy for one to sit back and wish and hope that their team gets everything figured out after the All-Star break.

However, as crazy as things were for the Nuggets before the break – things just got crazier.

ROUND 2: Even before the team opened the second half of the season, the players were alarmed to hear that their coach, George Karl, was battling cancer for the second time. This time in his throat, which will force him to miss some games. The first game will be this coming Thursday when the Nuggets face the Warriors. It will be a continuing routine to close out the season, as Karl will battled cancer and the Nuggets will try to concentrate on the season.

A CLASSIC BATTLE: The Nuggets won a classic battle with the Cavs Thursday, when Carmelo Anthony nailed yet another game-winner to sweep the season series with Cleveland. But this one was right in the NBA’s star child LeBron James’s face. And while I, like most fans enjoy watching LeBron play, I will pass on him in the clutch. Comparing the two stars in overtime:

Melo went 3-for-3, including the game-winner. While LeBron went 2-for-6 and 2-of-3 from the the free throw line. Denver could sweep the season series with the Celtics and Magic too.

MR. HYDE: Yes, it was on the second night of back-to-back and the Nuggets were exhausted from an overtime victory the night before. However, those were are minor excuses for NBA professionals, especially ones that have a coach that is battling cancer.

Much like the majority of the Nuggets games against far worst opponents, Denver struggled. However, it wassn’t until the fourth quarter. Karl got a little too confident and benched Melo and Billups to start the fourth quarter, which allowed to outscore the Nuggets by 19 in the final quarter.

Anthony struggled against the uber-athletic Al Thornton, who held Melo to only 7-of-20 field goals. Not to mention the true Dr. Jeckel/Mr. Hyde aka JR Smith also struggled in the contest. He hit only 1-of-8 shots and missed all three of his treys.

9-2: It is a good thing for the Nuggets that bad teams don’t make the playoffs, because the Denver Nuggets have been a lot better against the top teams in the League. With a 9-2 record, Denver has been almost unstoppable against the superior teams. Denver has won the season series against Utah (3-1) and Cleveland (2-0), play the Lakers twice (Next Sunday at Los Angeles and April 8 in Denver), Orlando once (March 28 in Orlando) and Dallas once (March 29).

HIGH NOTES: Since the All-Star break, Nene has averaged 13.7 points and 9.3 rebounds…Melo has averaged 28.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists…the Birdman has had seven blocks in two games…Arron Afflalo has hit a three in all three games…Billups has averaged 24 points and over 5 assists in three games, he is also shooting 50 percent from the field and has hit 19 straight free throws…K-Mart has had 36 rebounds in 3 games…

LOW NOTES: Against the Celtics on Sunday, the Nuggets three bigs only hit 3 of 13 free throws…JR Smith struggled in the Wizards game, hitting only 1 of 8 from the field.

The Nuggets do have a little break before their next game, Denver travels to California to face the Warriors on TNT  Thursday night. Not sure why anybody would want to watch the Warriors play, however, it will be Adrian Dantley’s first day as the team’s head coach. The next night Denver will be out for a little revenge against the Pistons. Detroit won the first meeting, 1o1-99. Then Sunday, Denver will be on the road to face the Lakers, who the Nuggets have beaten twice.