The Hero and the Villain

Nate Timmons

1-14-2009

In a typical game you have a hero and you have a villain. It is atypical to have the hero and the villain playing on the same team, but that’s just what the Denver Nuggets had last night as they faced the Dallas Mavericks.

JR Smith, who shot a ghastly 1-14 from the field and finished the night with two points, would play the role of the villain.

The role of the hero was played by Chris “Birdman” Anderson, who turned in a double-double going 7-8 from the field, with a season high 15 points including 10 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots. Anderson’s career high is 17 points (which he has scored twice.)

Anderson scored 6 straight points to close out the first quarter to give Denver a 33-26 lead. And in the second quarter as Erick Dampier went up for an uncontested dunk, it was Anderson who flew in from out of nowhere to reject the shot with authority and on the other end of the floor get a put-back layup off a missed three-pointer by who else … JR Smith.

So for those of you keeping score at home, at the half Denver mounted a 13 point lead (60-47) mainly off the tremendous effort of the Birdman (10 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 blocked shots).

After the epic collapse in the second half versus Detroit in their last game January 9, Denver needed a strong effort in the third quarter. Well, they sure as hell didn’t get it.

Dallas was able to erase the 13-point lead with just over two minutes to play in the quarter (68-67 Denver). I was somehow not able to knock myself out, even though I was slamming my head against the back of my couch as Denver threw up brick after brick with a barrage of perimeter shots. I thought this Denver team promised that with a full three days off they were able to work on defense and being more consistent during the game … I think we were lied to.

I was at home watching the game on satellite and talking to a buddy who was at the game as the third quarter was coming to a close. I could hear in his voice that he was on the verge of a complete meltdown after watching the second worst third quarter of the season live at Pepsi Center … when suddenly an undeniable roar stirred up from his end of the phone and I realized something good must have just happened … I hung up to watch Dallas’s Brandon Bass inbound the ball with just one tick remaining on the clock …

Bass lobbed a pass from his own baseline to midcourt where Anderson was able to cleanly intercept it, gather himself, and bank home a 47-foot three pointer! Holy shit what a shot! Denver took a 78-72 lead into the fourth quarter.

Now, I’m usually the kind of Nuggets fan who is an emotional train wreck while I watch the games. But I typically tend to try to keep my emotions in check around the roommates and take the high road to my fandom. This game got to me.

Jason Terry released a three pointer from 25 feet and as soon as it left his hands I knew it was going in. He gave Dallas their first lead since the first quarter (93-91) and Dirk Nowitzki extended that lead with a pair of free throws to make it 95-91. I fired off a text to another buddy saying “We lost”.

I hung my head in my hands as I tried to envision a way for Denver to mount a comeback with a minute and a half to play. Call it superstition or whatever, but I tried to remain positive and feed the team that positive energy … thinking that maybe I could change the outcome of this game.

Denver battled back and the game was at 97-97 after Nowitzki slammed home an uncontested drive to the hoop. A series of texts were sent out and received from my phone with who we all knew was going to have the ball in his hands to end this game …

“Mr. Big Shot”
“Chauncey time”
“Billups!”

And it was Billups who drove into the lane and pulled up for a jumper and was magically saved, rightfully called, bailed out, whatever you want to call it … the refs called a shooting foul on Jason Terry and Mr. Big Shot was going to the line. Billups sank the first shot and as the second shot sank Billups’ body language told us that he was intentionally trying to miss to force Dallas to heave up a prayer. Dallas did heave up one last long pass from the baseline and wouldn’t you know … Anderson came down with the ball to secure the victory for Denver.

I guess with Melo being sidelined we can get used to these kinds of games for a while. So sit back and relax … the Nuggets are going to be taking us fans for a wild ride.

Observations:

• Denver improved to 3-0 against Dallas and will have a chance to sweep the season series March 27 in Dallas. Denver is 64-72 all-time vs. the Mavs.
• Denver improved to 3-1 this season when JR Smith starts. Though Smith doesn’t really deserve credit for this win.
• Linas Kleiza and JR Smith are a combined 5-39 in their last two games. A wonderful 12.8% from the floor.
• Dahntay Jones turned in 16 points and 5 steals versus Dallas.
• Renaldo “The Crime Stopper” Balkman turned in yet another mysterious DNP – Coach’s Decision.
• Finally … Nene changed things up atop his dome. He went away from the Predator braids and cleaned things up with some full cornrows. Always a nice surprise, especially when he's able to dominate down low and drop in 20 points.