Chauncey vs Kobe
People are watching this series and playing it off like it is Carmelo vs Kobe but that isn’t the case. For the 2nd game in a row if Carmelo wants a shot in the last few minutes he needs to get a rebound and that happened again yesterday. Carmelo got himself another 34 points yesterday with 2 coming in the last 3 minutes. On the last few possessions it became a battle of Kobe versus Chauncey for the win and the Nuggets got the bounces to go their way.
As I watched the game I came away with a respect for the Nuggets even more than I had before. They are right there with the Lakers even without JR smith having a good game yet. Linus Kleiza stepped up big in the game and hit 4 3’s. The Lakers are a great team and will win the whole thing if they make it, but the Nuggets are just as good and now have the home court edge.
Who is the Nuggets main player? Each team has a go to guy that they rely on to get them their points down the stretch and while Carmelo is the teams’ most talented player he isn’t the man come crunch time. The Lakers get Kobe the ball at the top of the key and let him create. The Nuggets get the ball to Chauncey to let him create as well. The Nuggets are clearly Chauncey’s team and if they want to win this then Carmelo needs to be ok with not getting the ball in the last 3 minutes of the game. I am openly questioning his maturity to do so.
Carmelo is showing he is talented and can score with anyone in the game. He’s showing so far that he can handle Chauncey being the go to guy but when people start writing about him noticeably being left out of the offense it will get to him. Stars are made in the playoffs, legends are created. Chauncey got his nickname of “Mr Big Shot” from his playoff successes. What will Carmelo earn for himself if doesn’t get the opportunity?
If George Karl can keep him happy in this role then the Nuggets will win this thing and Karl should get coach of the year and I’ll write a public apology to Melo.
