Lets kick it old school to start us off.....hit it!!

Onyx - Slam (via OnyxVEVO)

It started the Bucks game....

For some reason, Melo has either not been getting calls or he has suddenly changed his game. Having watched every Nuggets game except 1 this season I can tell you from my perspective Carmelo hasn't changed one damn bit. Granted, you can't call all contact a "foul" when you see one, otherwise the game will grind to a screeching halt. However, Melo is used to getting to the line far more than he does.

Which leads me to this.

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_14797251#ixzz0kFcFX6Xv

That was before the Portland game. Nothing has changed. The interesting thing is, in the Portland game Melo was called for more fouls than he drew. Which is......odd. He drew more fouls on the Clips on Saturday, but only went to the line three times. The difference is on Saturday Melo didn't let it affect him. Maybe that's the key. In the second half he stepped up big time while Chauncey was, again, struggling.

Melo often barks and complains to officials far too much. I understand it's hard to get beat up on every play, but there comes a point where you just have to accept it and play. One Saturday he did that. Taking the team on his back (along with a great effort from the bench) and took control of the game before it became REALLY embarrassing...he had some tremendous passes to Nene, and did well in spite of still being frustrated.

So one hopes that this continues. Unlike some of the rest of you....I just want Carmelo to remember he's a FORWARD. Which means he needs to collect more rebounds. I'm not interested in turning him into a point guard. Lebron, Wade, Kobe all seem to dominate the ball. Melo is dependent. He just needs to "control his own destiny" by grabbing rebounds and crashing the boards. He doesn't need to collect 10 assists a game. When he rebounds the offense moves quite smoothly and it opens up the rest of the floor.

This, and along with a slight change in attitude (although he still whines too much) will do more to carry us the two seed than anything else. Melo is BY FAR the best player on this team....now is where he takes them, and the city of Denver, on his back and brings us where we want to be.

Meanwhile....the officiating will take care of itself. That's something Melo can do nothing about....he just needs to keep doing what he does...and let Chauncey take care of the refs.

55-27....2nd seed....that's my prediction. Dallas seems to be falling apart (they have been for three weeks) Phoenix is finally playing some tough teams....and we have the tie breaker over Utah. We control our fate here. The Lakers are either Bored or they REALLY miss Bynum...which I find hard to believe. We just signed a new stiff (Brian Butch) who may be able to stand in for Bird while he heals....hopefully we get Kenyon back.

Coach Karl....you just get better. We've GOT this....