The Nuggets have seen 3 of their free agents sign in China, which means they can't come back to the NBA until that season is over (which will be toward the end of the NBA season) even if the lockout is lifted, and multiple other players are playing overseas with out clauses, which means they can return if the lockout is lifted.  

I'm in favor or players going over and playing, expanding their game and learning to play different ways, and strengthening parts of their games that may be weak.  Of the 3 players from the Nuggets who signed in China, at least 2 of them weren't expected to sign again anyway, and the other I believe can be replaced.  

Even if Nene leaves, as he suggested testing free agency and chasing a ring in and interview, I think they'll be okay.

As it stands right now, the Nuggets don't have enough guys to man a roster, but I think they can be fine if the lockout is lifted.  They have a strong front court with Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo (currently a free agent who has shown interest in staying), then you throw in Gallinari and the two seven-footers (Timofey Mozgov and Kosta Koufos), the promising Kenneth Faried and the scorer Jordan Hamilton who dropped to them in the draft and you have a young core with promise to build together and play as a team.  They also have Gary Forbes who is a free agent, and has shown interest in staying.  He wasn't the greatest last year, but showed glimpses of high quality, and has shown he can play in multiple pickup and street games featuring other NBA players this summer.  He's young and could turn out to be an asset.

I understand the concerns about the go-to guy who can take over a game when needed.  I also think some of the Nuggets players could step up to be that guy (Afflalo and Gallinari come to mind, possibly Nene if he signs, maybe even Jordan Hamilton).  If not, I think they have a solid core to drop a special player into.  The Nuggets payroll is low now, with Carmelo and Chauncey now in New York, so they could pick someone up or possibly make a trade.  

If they can run with this team state of mind they've started, maybe they can make some noise with undervalued guys.  I'm personally excited about the team.  Maybe I'm just a fan with rose colored glasses, but I like to think they've got a chance to build something great out of what they have.  These guys are young and can grow together.

I have faith in Masai Ujiri and Josh Kroenke.  I think they know what their doing.  At least, it seems like they do.

NBA Lockout: Still Going...

The NBA lockout has already taken away the preseason, the first two weeks of the regular season and sent numerous players overseas.  I really wish it would end, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

I believe both sides deserve their fair share.  The players bring the talent that brings in the money.  They also deal with being in the public eye, taking the blame when things go wrong and the credit when it goes right.  Most, if not all, of the scrutiny lies on players.  That being said, the owners provide the outlet and make the deals to bring in the money that the players' talent attracts.  Both sides deserve their share.

I know I probably don't know the whole story, but I've been following what I can throughout the lockout.  From what I've taken, the players have shown willingness to negotiate, they've given in areas.  The owners have not from what I've seen/read/heard.  Both sides must show willingness to compromise for this to work.

I'm trying to stay in the middle, but maybe I am leaning toward the players' side.  Many of the owners have made horrible decisions and now are looking for ways to get out of dealing with it when they make more.  If more owners took a genuine love in their team and the game, maybe it wouldn't be so hard.  It's usually pretty obvious which owners are interested in winning for love of the game, and not just in making money.  

After all the buzz created last year that aided in getting the fan base back up, and getting more revenue, it's terrible that this is happening now to set the Association back instead of building on it.  

I don't know what kind of deal needs to be made.  All I know is I'm a fan missing out on the highest level of my favorite sport because people can't figure out how to divide their money.  I'm sure there's more to it than I realize, but I'd really like to see some NBA basketball and see the next chapter in its story.  

Winter is Coming.

It's been getting colder outdoors, and I've come to peace with it.

I've been finding enough things to pass the time with, here's some things I've recently heard, seen, experienced and some things I'm looking forward to that I think anyone I know should take note of.

MOVIES (In Theaters): I've seen Moneyball twice now, it's a great movie.  I think anyone would enjoy this movie.  Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill star in it, it's about the business side of baseball.  It's the story of the 2002 (correct me if I'm wrong on that) Oakland Athletics and their small bankroll competing with teams spending WAY more money than they did.  It doesn't focus so much on baseball as the business.  It also has a good enough and broad enough story to appeal to anyone, in my opinion, so check it out.





I also just saw 50/50 last night.  It's the story of a 27-year-old guy getting cancer, and how he deals with it with some humor.  It's funny, emotional and well done.  It was loosely based on the writers actual experiences.  Seth Rogen was a friend of the writer (they worked together on The Ali G Show) and produced it and played his friend in the movie.  Joseph Gordon-Levitt took the lead role.  It also featured Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air) and Angelica Huston (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) as his grief counselor and mother.  Bryce Dallas Howard is also in it, I hadn't seen her in anything expect Spider-man 3; she's more attractive as a redhead.  The acting was great, the story was great.  Solid film.  It is sad and emotional, but also funny and enjoyable.  I recommend this one, too.  There is a lot of adult language and sexual reference, it's rated R, so not for the whole family, though.






MOVIES [and a TV Show] (On DVD/Blu-Ray):  I wrote a blog about The Beaver with Mel Gibson.  Go read it if you want to know more about it.  I bought it on Blu-Ray.  I love this movie.

Almost Famous: The Bootleg Cut will be released on Blu-Ray on October 4.  It's a great movie, I haven't seen the bootleg version, but plan on owning this eventually.  I own the DVD of the original version, so I'm not in a super hurry for it, but I do want it.  The Bootleg Cut was previously released on DVD, and still goes for just under $50.

Community: Season 2 was recently released, as well.  It's great, my favorite show on television.

MUSIC:  If you haven't heard Watch The Throne by Kanye West and Jay-Z, I urge you to.  It's a great album by two of the biggest names in music.  Great all the way through.

Childish Gambino's new album, Camp, will be released on November 15.  It was originally supposed to come out at the end of September, but he got put on a label (Glassnote, the same label as Mumford & Sons and Phoenix) so it got pushed back so they could do their stuff to it.  The first single "Bonfire" is out and it's awesome.



Cole World by J. Cole just came out.  I haven't listened to it yet, but he's a great up and coming rapper, so if you're into it, check him out.

The next album I will for sure be purchasing will be Ryan Adams' Ashes And Fire, which is steaming at NPR.com (http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140640429/first-listen-ryan-adams-ashes-and-fire).

Also, She & Him are putting out a Christmas Album, which I will probably buy, I'll have to give it a listen first, though.  Great band featuring M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel, if you've never heard of them.

RANDOM:  Someone finally made a mask of Sloth, from the Goonies.  This is something I've wanted for years, and plan on buying one eventually, but I don't want to drop sixty bones on it right now.  Here's a link if you want to check it out.  http://www.80stees.com/products/Goonies-Sloth-Mask.asp

My Halloween costume has been chosen.  The Macho Man Randy Savage! Oh Yeah!

Oh...and for all the 90s VH1 Fans....

POP UP VIDEO IS RETURNING, SUCKAS!

Stay Fresh and Keep Calm,
KK