Nuggets Say ‘The Show Goes On’

Post-Melo doesn’t mean no postseason.

by Sulaiman Folarin / @sulaiman4real

Denver, CO – Just like the hit single from rap artist Lupe Fisaco is appropriately titled “The Show Goes On,” the Denver Nuggets from the front office down to the last man on the team are taking the same approach.

Though some players were disappointed to see friends leave, the nature of business in sports could not be ignored.

“We want to play basketball. We can’t worry about what’s happened, we’ve got work to do,” Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin said.

Going into their Tuesday night 120-107 win against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Nuggets only had nine players but were awaiting four new additions from New York: Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov.

“I think they are great addition. Raymond has been playing great and the bigs continue to play with that confidence that just makes us more dangerous,” Al Harrington mentioned.

The thinking was without the drama that was Carmelo Anthony for the first half of the season, the team can move on with the rest of the season and as most people in Denver think they can still contest for the Playoffs.

“I will take that responsibility and try to run with it. I’ll make sure I’m a leader and try to run the team,” Ty Lawson said.

There’s also an attitude from Denver that now the ball can move freely rather than stay with one player like it did when Anthony was on the team. Most people feel Anthony was the show and he demanded the ball too often; you could hear it inferred from the coach and players.

“Of course you’re going to miss 25 a night. But if we play as a team and pass the ball freely, there’s no doubt in my mind we will win,” Martin admitted.

While the Nuggets were beating up on the Grizzlies, the new additions arrived at the Pepsi Center in the second quarter. The announcer mentioned that the players were around but the fans could barely see them in the suite they were in.

So the new guys were paraded by the Nuggets entrance and properly introduced to the fans one at a time as Denver fans cheered in excitement while some fans chanted “Who needs Melo?”

“We still got great guys here that can play basketball. Of course you lose two great players but I think we’re in a great place right now,” Martin said.

The win against Memphis does not say much. The Nuggets have some chemistry to work on with new additions and yes the show must go on, they have some stiff competition heading into the final months before the postseason as well.

“We’re looking forward to playing different coach wants us to play a lot faster,” Harrington said. “By playing faster, the ball is going to be share a lot more; we’re looking forward to that.”

Though coach George Karl has mentioned that Lawson is the starting point guard, you cannot but question what role the team has for Felton. Do they keep him and have both players going forward or is he a trade prospect in the offseason for the Nuggets?

“We’re both friends at the end of the day,” Lawson said of his relationship with Felton. “Anybody comes in here and I will play with him.”

Their next three games are at home against Boston on the road in Portland against divisional foes Trail Blazers and back in Denver next week with the visiting Atlanta Hawks. Those will be testing times for Denver depending on how the team fits together or if they don’t.

In total Denver have 11 home games and 13 to play on the road. Luckily none of their games includes playing the New York Knicks either in Denver or at the Madison Square Garden. Anthony won’t get to see these guys again ’til next season.

“At the end of the day, I’m happy for him and hope he does well back there,” Harrington said about Anthony getting traded to the Knicks.