Morning Folks,

Hopefully you all have been enjoying the holidays, I certainly am after last nights performance. The Nuggets needed to respond after recent media criticism tried to exploit their flaws and pin them down as a waning team that could not produce without The King of Park Hill. They responded with a dominant performance (The best coming from J.R. Swish, who netted 41 going 10-17 beyond the arc.) shutting down the Hawks on one end and exploiting on another. The Nuggets, who started the season red hot have been mired in contract/trade related rumors as Karl has spoken his mind on our need for a big man and his need for a top 5 contract. The most recent coming from Kreiger in yesterdays Denver Post where he suggested we trade Mr. Swish.

Folks I think last night showed us why we cannot afford to use this young talent who may be the most overlooked 6th man in the league. Yes his inconsistency shows at times, but is improving and his effort during last years WC Finals was bar none the best overall effort on the team. When his ability to play consistently improves he will be a force to reckon with and will have the potential to take over games (ala last night). JR wins games for us and has come far when the "objective media" was abandoning ship after his New Jersey escapade that ended up in his friends passing. Many analysts and Nuggets fans alike passed him off as a troubled individual who would never find his way (off the court), after doing so many still suggested that even with his legal troubles behind him, those on the court would continue.

I believe last night was an answer to those questions as he found that sweet 3 spot time and time again, stepping back throwing up the rock 1980's fade included. I think Denver needs to give JR a chance as it has been his only true home during his young controversial career, let's not make this an NBAesque version of Benson v Chicago (I can guarantee it will have a similar ending coming back to haunt us.) We need to embrace Swish and more importantly realize what this community means to him.

One last note: For those of you labeling him a "Thug" please run that by him when he is teeing up at Castle Pines with pastel colored argyle sweater with pleated shorts.

Happy Holidays.

- J