DENVER NUGGETS
Recap/Rewind The huge news out of Denver is that the Dynamic Duo finally got to take the floor together this week as Carmelo "float like a butterfly, run like a chicken" Anthony re-took the floor following his long suspension. The offensive results were impressive, as the Nuggets averaged over 111 points in the four games in which both Anthony and Allen Iverson played. However they also allowed 109.5 points per game, which explains why they escaped those games with a 2-2 record, beating Memphis and Seattle and losing to Utah and New Jersey. They have still won 5 of their last 7 and sit at three games over .500 as we speak.
Notable News: Anthony has been on fire since his return, averaging more than 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists per game. So far Iverson is averaging close to three fewer shots and four fewer points per game with Anthony in the lineup. New point guard Steve Blake has cooled off after his torrid start with the team but is still averaging 6 assists per game. Center Marcus Camby continues his one man campaign against the backboard, averaging almost 13 rebounds in his last five games and adding double-digit scoring to the mix. Young shooting guard J.R. Smith has scored 19 or more points in four of his last five games including a 28-point effort against the Nets.
Fast ForwardThe Nuggets face Charlotte at home on Monday and a home-and-away series against the Trailblazers on Wednesday and Friday before finishing the week in Sacramento on Saturday night.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Recap/Rewind The Timberwolves struggled mightily this week, falling in Utah, Portland, and Seattle before finally righting the ship in Los Angeles against the Clippers. Only in the final game did they manage to hold the opponent below 100 points.
Notable News: Desperate to get in contention for the annual "And we did this because...?" award the Timberwolves fired second year coach Dwane Casey, replacing him with former (lackluster) Cleveland head man Randy Whitman. Incredibly unconfirmed rumors have front office general Kevin McHale muttering, "We had to do something to change the course of the season. It was either that, trade KG, or dress the mascot in a tutu…and I really like the mascot." Speaking of KG, despite being the franchise player, Kevin Garnett has led the team in scoring only twice in the last eight games. He continues to fill up the rest of the stat column nightly though. Center Mark Blount has returned to earth after spending three or four weeks in the stratosphere. He’s averaging fewer than 11 points and 6 rebounds per game in his last five. Always mercurial Ricky Davis is proving that he's capable of giving you 30 or 11 on any given night. It still averages to the same 20 ppg but it doesn’t produce nearly as many wins. Rookie Randy Foye is starting to see more substantial playing time, results ranging from a 25-point effort against Phoenix to 5 point showings against the Blazers and Clippers. Second-round pick Craig Smith fired 11-16 en route to 26 points and 8 rebounds against the Sonics.
Fast ForwardThe 'Wolves welcome Phoenix and Sacramento to the snowy confines of Target Center on Monday and Wednesday before embarking on a three game road trip. They’ll play the Hornets on Friday and the Mavericks on Saturday.
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Recap/Rewind The Blazers had a reasonably successful week, beating Milwaukee, Minnesota, and Memphis with a blowout at the hands of the Rockets sandwiched in between. No word yet whether their petition to play only teams that begin with "M" will be granted by the league office. The team will certainly take its most successful week in recent memory, but since all of the vanquished squads were on losing streaks anyway, it’s a little like getting a date with that cute girl in school then finding out that half your class has dated her already and the other half still are.
Notable News: Forward Zach Randolph demonstrated his newfound "AI-fu" technique against the Grizzlies, scoring a career-high 42 points but taking a team record 40 shots to do it. Rookie Brandon Roy averaged 17 points for the week and is starting to take more of the Blazers’ critical shots. Second-year point guard Jarrett Jack returned from concussion to score in double figures in four of his last five games. Back-up point guard Sergio "the Barista" Rodriguez (he serves it up to everybody, nice and hot) continues to lead all rookies in assists per minute. Defensive specialist Ime Udoka busted out for 21 points against the Grizzlies and only took 10 shots to do it (likely prompting him to think in the back of his head, "If I would have had Zach’s shots I could have scored 84."
Fast ForwardThe Blazers face the Hornets on the road Monday night before a mid-week home-and-away against division rival Denver, followed by a matchup with the Bulls in Portland on Saturday night.