Since we don’t have any of the new shirt designs up on the site yet, I thought I’d post them up here in the meantime. Someone ordered a couple “Swish Is Sweet” shirts from the last post (thanks Amanda!) by emailing us at info@thuggetsnation.com, so if anyone would like any of the new styles, be sure and do the same and we’ll get ‘em out right away. The shirts are $19.95 each and are available in Medium, Large and X-Large. Support your Nuggets as we get ready for the playoffs! Above is the “Denver Dream Team” with yellow screen on Navy Blue Tee. We got a few more surprises coming soon too so stay tuned…

“In Bird We Trust”.

Money Green Screenprint on White Tee.

“Obey Nene”.

White, Blue and Yellow Screen on Black Tee.

“Swish Is Sweet”.

Maroon Swisher Sweet Color Screenprint on White Tee.

And of course you can still get your “Melo Hope” and “Thuggets” Tees as always on www.thuggetsnation.com.

I tweeted it after the game, and I’ll say it again: All y’all bitch ass sports writers that were dissing J.R. during his so called “slump” earlier this year—talking ’bout oh Nuggets should trade him, his a liability, he has a bad attitude, he ain’t mature enough… whatever—eat a dick. His performance in Memphis tonight was straight gangsta, and it’s plainly obviously that J.R. is as much the heart and soul of this Nuggets squad as anybody. His energy is contagious, his three point shooting range is unmatched in the entire league, and his athleticism is beyond extraordinary (evident by that 360 ally oop jam in against the T-Wolves in Minnesota). Young Moola Baaaby.

You can get your brand new “Swish Is Sweet” shirts from Thuggets Nation now. We don’t have them up on the website yet, but you can email us at info@thuggetsnation.com for a special order in the meantime.

Photos by www.mattalbertsphoto.com .

Injuries are a part of sports, and every team must adapt accordingly. But no team is as badly affected as when an NBA franchise loses its starting point guard. Take away your leading scorer too, and there’s not much left. Well this is exactly what the Denver Nuggets have been dealing with the last couple of weeks as their superstars fall one by one. Chauncey Billups has missed six of the last seven games with a strained groin, while Carmelo Anthony has been out the last two with a knee contusion. As if that wasn’t enough, the crowd favorite Chris “Birdman” Anderson went down with a sprained ankle in Sunday’s loss to Allen Iverson and the 76ers. All would sit again last night, when the fast breaking, high-scoring Golden State Warriors came to town. So who would step up for the struggling Nuggets? Turns out it was J.R. Smith, but this time it wasn’t with his usual barrage of three pointers that sealed the deal. Just a couple of timely free throws…

The Nuggets had lost two in a row and four of their last five coming into Tuesday night’s game against the highest scoring backcourt in the NBA in Monte Ellis and the rookie Stephen Curry. In fact, the Warriors and the Nuggets are the number two and three highest scoring teams in the NBA respectively. Fast breaks, transition points and lots of shots characterize the style when these teams meet, as the Warriors also lead the NBA in fast break points. They also are last in opponents’ points scored. Clearly it would be an offensive shootout—the question was would Denver have the firepower with Mr. Big Shot and Melo on the bench? As Altitude’s Chris Marlowe put it, “These two track teams are in the blocks.”

J.R. Smith warming up before the game with some jumps shots.

Little did he know at the time how important free throws would be at the end of the game.

With Billups out, it was the young rookie sensation Ty Lawson who once again got the start over the veteran Anthony Carter. Lawson has stepped up huge in this new starting role, scoring 23 points and 9 assists in the win against Utah, with the same stats in the loss to the Sixers. Nonetheless, if Lawson keeps putting up these kinds of numbers, he’s going to be an All Star caliber player in no time. With Little Big Shot running the show, the Nuggets got off to a good start matching the Warriors point for point. Joey Graham played a great first quarter, driving into the lane and taking it to the hole for a layup, followed by a monster dunk on Anthony Randolph. The first half went as expected, with the two teams going back and forth with smooth jump shots and easy points in the paint, and the Nuggets led 65-62 going into the third.

The 2nd half saw both teams continuing to move the ball well and score with ease.

Ty Lawson delivered another strong performance—creating good penetration and either dumping it off, taking it to the hole or getting to the foul line.

Nene had three games in a row with 20 or more points coming into tonight, and that kind of production bodes well for the injury beset Nuggets. Here he is draining a little jump shot from the outside.

And taking it strong to the hole.

It’s the Fourth Quarter, Let’s Go!!!

The Fourth Quarter remained a see saw battle, both teams scoring at will and no one really able to take control. Denver was up 107-100, and then the Warriors came storming back. With 4 minutes to play, Ty Lawson drove inside and sprained his left ankle, leading to an easy fast break lay up for Golden State. He would have to leave the game, another detrimental loss to the already wounded Nuggets squad. Denver was down 113-109. Rocky tried his best to curse the Warriors into missing something.

AC came back with a lay up, barely missed but was fouled and nailed two cluth free throws. I gotta give to AC, he comes through at the line.

Then Curry came right back and drained another three. Damn. 118-113, Warriors.

J.R. dribbled up the court and let one fly from 15 feet as the nervous crowd cringed. He missed the shot, but two Warriors bobbled the ball, Nene grabbed the rebound and dished it to a driving J.R. who took it to the hole with a sweet one handed lay up. 118-115, Warriors.

On the next possession Corey Maggette made two free throws to push their lead back up to five. Then J.R. came back with a nasty two-handed dunk to send the crowd into an uproar! On the next possession Carter jumped in front of a pass to Maggette, who not only turned the ball over but committed a foul on Carter, who nailed two more clutch free throws to cut the lead to one, 120-119. The N uggets still had hope.

On the next play Denver made yet another critical defensive stop after Curry missed his shot and Nene secured the rebound. Joey Graham took a tough jumper that was partially blocked, but Kenyon was right there, grabbed the ball out of the air and layed it up and in to put the Nuggets up 121-120.

But then Monte Ellis came right back with a beautiful floater in the lane and put the Warriors up 122-121 with 15 seconds to go.

The wild finish went down like this: With 15 seconds, nobody could come up with a good look and Joey Graham took an wide open game-winning three that wasn’t even close. Nene had the rebound, lost it, and then somehow a jump ball was called in the fight for the loose ball between Arron Afflalo and Maggette with 3 seconds left! J.R. grabbed the jump ball and George Karl immediately called timeout with 1.4 seconds to play. Of course J.R. took the last shot from practically mid court with a wild three-pointer—it had no chance of going in but luckily Monte Ellis got a little too close and collided with J.R. as the ball left his hands. The refs so often don’t call these game deciding fouls, and J.R. was already on his way to the locker room when he finally realized he would be shooting some free throws. Talk about pressure.

I remember a game last season where it was same situation, only the Nuggets were down three points and J.R. needed to hit all three to tie the game. He didn’t. Needless to say, the Pepsi Center crowd was on their feet and holding their collective breath as he let the first one go. Nothing but net… Once you get the first one, it’s easy, and J.R. drained the second just as easy to put the Nuggets up 123-122. Then he missed the third on purpose to try and run out the clock, but the Warriors got the rebound and called timeout with 0:01 seconds to play to try for no-chance tip-in.

Kenyon Martin swatted the inbound pass away and Denver walked away victorious.

As Ernie Johnson from NBATV mentioned Stephen Jackson’s quote “I make love to pressure,” Chris Webber clowned him saying, “ Why he out his man like?” I think JR probably would have taken more of a 50 Cent stance and said, “I’m into having sex I ain’t into making love.” Instead let’s say J.R. just made pressure his bitch.

As we get ready to watch the Nuggets take on the injury-depleted (but surging nonetheless) Blazer squad in Portland on Christmas night, I wanted to get these pictures up from the Suns game in Denver on December 12th. In a crucial home game against the then tied for first place Phoenix Suns, Denver came back from a 17-point second half deficit to end up winning by 6. It was a gutsy come-from-behind win to kick of the start of a perfect 3-game home stand for the Nugs.

The Suns’ coach Alvin Gentry was ejected on a double technical with 2 seconds left for screaming at the refs about a no-call on the missed layup by Steve Nash that would have tied the game. Carmelo nailed both foul shots to make it 103-99, and it was over.

Leading up to that moment was an exciting but stressful second half, as the Nuggets entered trailing 60-45. But thanks to Chauncey’s timely 3-pointers in the final eight minutes of the third quarter, they had it all tied up at 77 a piece going into the fourth.

Melo finished with a game high 32 points. Just the usual MVP performance from the MeloMan.

Mr. Big Shot had 24 and was a big part of the second half comeback, shooting 5-of-9 from the three point line with a huge one putting the Nuggets up 100-97 with 2:19 left, a lead they never surrendered.

Nene had a quiet 4 points but was a presence on the defensive end.

This is what he needs to do more often… as Bill Walton used to say, “Throw it down big fella!”

The always entertaining Nuggets Dancers.

The win contributed to the Nuggets current league best 13-1 record at home. It’s the road where they have struggled, dropping two straight leading up to this game, and dropping another two straight after leaving the most recent home stand at Pepsi Center—all against mediocre teams in Charlotte, Detroit, New Orleans and Memphis. Of course, the last two road losses were without starting point guard and team captain Chauncey Billups, who is listed as “questionable” for tonight’s game. But, the Blazers’ superstar Brandon Roy could be out too with a strained shoulder… so we might see a battle of the young guards Jared Bayless and Ty Lawson. In any case, it’s a great action-packed NBA Christmas Day, and there’s no better way I’d rather spend it than watching B-Ball with the fam. And man, that Nike Kobe/Lebron commercial with KRS-One was amazing. Dunkin’ on that reindeer!

Maybe he was just saving himself for last night’s game against the Lakers, maybe his team was worn out from their win in Portland to open up their road trip, or maybe Denver just wanted revenge for their beatdown in Miami last month… but whatever the reason, Dwanye Wade could not carry his team against fellow draft class of 2003 member Carmelo Anthony and the determined Nuggets squad on Thursday. Nene (pictured above), Birdman and the Denver bigs dominated the paint and double teams limited Wade to jump shots for most of the night, effectively shutting down the Miami offense.

Nene played great, hitting shots from the outside and taking it to the hole time and time again (with some nifty passing by JR Smith) to end up with 15 points and 8 rebounds, providing the inside presence that the Nuggets desperately need.

Outside the Pepsi Center it was cold and snowy, with temps in the single digits and a few inches covering the ground. I love it when it feels like winter for real, prime weather for Basketball.

Miami did play pretty good through the first quarter, even coming up with this monster block by Jermaine O’Neal on one of Nene’s powerful drives.

They had trouble on the offensive end though, with Melo’s defense and Birdman’s length causing trouble for the Heat all night long. Miami did have too many offensive rebounds though, something the Nuggets are still struggling with, ranked 19th in the league in rebound margin.

Melo was named November’s Western Conference Player of the Month because of plays like these.

As the Nuggets announcer likes to say, “REEEEEWIIINNNDDD!”

Mario Chalmers hit a couple shots early but could not match the hot shooting of JR Swish who scored all of his 16 points in the first half, and opened the game up in the second quarter.

By halftime the Nuggets were up by 16 and like so many games at home for the Nuggets, it was pretty much already a wrap. The Tuaca Chill Zone is a great place to grab a drink, meet up with friends and celebrate.

It even has a nice view so you can still keep up with the action.

The second half was all Nugs, so we had to entertain ourselves in other ways. Rocky’s always good for that and came by for a visit.

Anya even gave him some love with some smooches.

Gotta love that crazy cat.

Although Bedz and Psycho were not loving Rocky after he sprayed them with Silly String. There’s DJ equipment over here Rocky!

Nuggets were draining shots in the third like this three from Aaron Afflalo, who was a perfect 3-3 from behind line.

Chauncey says, “Yeah I’ll take one too.”

Nené BOO YAA!

Kenyon kept it gangsta and got tossed for talking shit to the refs, other than that, the fourth quarter was pretty uneventful. Wade was one the bench along with the Nuggets’ stars and the C Team got some good playing time. Ty Lawson is really benefitting from being on such a good team where he’s allowed plenty of minutes to run the show towards the end of games when an opponent’s comeback is not possible. After the game, TNT’s Craig Sager talked with Chauncey about the Nuggets’ rise to “elite” staus. Hell, we went to the Conference Finals and save for a couple errant inbound passes, were right there with those pesky Lakers. I guess it takes a true Finals Victory before you get real credit with the national media.

After the game it was over to Beta Nightclub, where Thursday nights always bring in the big dance DJs like David Guetta and wild crowds ready to party.

See what I mean?

Pretty good company. Just another night in Denver. Good job Thuggets, hopefully we can keep it up on the road! See you next Saturday against the streaking Suns. Biz Markie will be in the building too… Nobody Beats The Biz!!!

Coming off the most embarrassing loss in recent memory on Sunday, November 29th to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Denver Nuggets bounced back as expected to dismantle the injured Golden State Warriors, 135-107 to start off December. Despite the Warriors coming off a big win the previous night against the Pacers in which Monte Ellis scored a career high 45, they were no match for the resolve of the Nuggets, who had their 17 home game winning streak snapped by a 1-15 T-Wolves squad. Of course, if you’re an NBA basketball fan, you already know all this. What you probably don’t know is how awesome it is to sit courtside, which is where we were able to get some sick photos of the boys on Tuesday night, like this fastbreak dunk by MeloMan.

It’s always nice to get this close to the action—you get to experience the sights and sounds of the game that normally are viewed from afar. This includes the lovely Denver Nuggets Dancers, who keep the sometimes subdued Pepsi Center crowd entertained with sexy outfits, innovative routines and friendly smiles each and every night. Especially since they are working extra hard without the aerobatic cheerleaders, who were cut this season due to budget and work-related injury concerns.

The Nuggets Coordinator of Entertainment and Promotions Ryan Ozinga, clearly skeptical of the Thug Nation.

This Tip Off Pic was one of many that were tweeted live from @thuggetsnation during the game. Be sure and follow us if you’re doing the twitter thing for exclusive photos like this from every home game.

The Nuggets were playing catch up the entire 1st quarter but a couple good drives from Chauncey got him to the line as always.

Billups is shooting his usual 89% from the line this season.

Warriors started out shooting hot though and led 28-25 going into the 2nd.

DJ Bedz and DJ Psycho hold down the beats and provide the soundtrack for the night, a crucial part of the atmosphere and intensity of the game.

Ty Lawson came off the bench with his lighting fast speed and got the Nuggets the lead back early in the second quarter with a quick drive inside and dish to Nené for the easy layup.

Even though it was the least attended game of the season, once the Nugs started scoring the crowd came alive. Especially those of us in the front row because we could talk shit to the Warriors all night long.

Go ahead, try to stop that. Melo makes it 39-33 Nugs.

JR was feeling it too, look at this sweet floater that dropped! Young Moola baaaby.

Melo gets the MVP chant every time at the line now.

The Dancers’ new outfits looking sharp. Bridget’s got dem boots…

Thug Nation in full effect, Rocky knows what’s up.

It seemed like this game was already over by halftime, with Denver scoring 44 points in the second and going in at the break up 14. But we all know what happened with Minnesota…

In the second half I don’t know if it was bad offense or better defense, or combination of both, but the Warriors just started missing shots. The Nuggets on the other hand, did not.

Denver stepped it up on the defensive end and held Monte Ellis to only 15 points.

They did not let up in the third, and scored another 38 points to take a 107-84 lead heading to the fourth.

This things a wrap! Time to play the bench, as players like Malik Allen and Joey Graham got some minutes.

Rocky goofin’ off.

Shoot it AJ!

Can we kick it, yes we can! Way to go Nugs… let’s keep it up for the next one. The Heat team that crushed the Nuggets in Miami last month comes in tonite, and after a big win in Portland against an improved Greg Oden and Blazer squad to start their four-game road trip on Tuesday, I don’t think they’re going to be quite as easy to beat as the Warriors were. It is on TNT too, so look for the Nuggets to play a little harder knowing the whole country is watching…

Melo’s on his way to 2010 MVP.

Get your “Melo HOPE” shirt at www.thuggetsnation.com

Yeah, rock to the rhythm of the funky rhyme
So I can get this in just one more time
To the beat and ya don’t quit
It’s that ol’ skool rap with that new skool hit
Peter Piper picked a pepper but Kool got the Run
And I can still rip up the house
Every God damn time I get on the mic, I go crazy
Peace out to Celo, Flex, and Doug Lazy
I bet ‘cha never knew but now ya know
I’m the undisputed king of this disco
And I never let the mic, might not tire me no more
Cuz DJ Kool rip up the whole damn floor

Now I’ma rap a rhyme with the greatest of ease
And swing it like the man on the flying trapeze
And if you don’t like it you grab on these
And now I need some help from the maestro please

Jam, Ha! So look it here check the flavor of the rhythm I wrote
And while I got a chance here, let me clear my throat!