Iverson-less Nuggets Get Slammed by Warriors 111-101

As a California transplant living in Denver, the match-up in the Western Conference between the Nuggets and the Golden State Warriors is arguably the one I watch the closest. Maybe it was because it was the first big game on national TV, perhaps it was because Allen Iverson is leaving for Detroit but Chauncey Billups isn't quite available for the Nuggets yet, or maybe (just maybe...), the Warriors made a triumphant return to the guerrilla-style hit-and-run basketball that has been so prevolent over the last few years. Sure, there's still issues with Al Harington demanding a trade (get RID of this guy, he's bumming everyone out and his shot average has gone down significantly), Monta still isn't back, but this is a solid team that is going to compete.

That Grizzlies loss really must have fired up the Dubs, because apart from a sluggish, seemingly hopeless start, they just trounced a fractured Nuggets team. Vegas odds put the Warriors winning by 3, which makes it easy to imagine sure bets on a lot of these match ups this year (this was 1 of 3 this year, not counting potential playoff match ups). Even with the addition of Billups on probably GSs' biggest rival Denver's roster, the Warriors won't let up against this squad in the second-half post-Monta's return.

Stephen Jackson tore it up with 29 points and 7 assists. Along with a break-out performance from sleeping dog Brandon Wright (18 points, 13 Rebounds: Damn), whose dunk in the first quarter juiced the Dubs out of poor transitional defence, Captain Jack stepped it up a notch in his role as a team leader and made Melo look silly. Cj Watson deserves a shout-out for scoring 14 points and getting 42 minutes. Kelenna Azubuike, as to be expected, was a beast all night, putting in 44 with Jackson all night.

The start of the season has held a few narrow, crushing losses, as well as an unacceptable defeat by the high school basketball team the Memphis Grizzlies. This excellent victory against Denver is just what this team needs to get energized and go on an unstoppable roll to a playoff seed.