There are some great and unique voices here on Denver Stiffs, both in columns and in threads. One of them, Jeff Morton, has a fun habit in a few of his columns, wrapping cool ideas around great lyrics from amazing groups. It's clever clever stuff.
I am not that smart, and this is not that column. But I'm stealing the idea anyway. Two quotes. First, the ever-polarizing Michael Jackson, and then a brief departure to Teddy Roosevelt. Who has nothing to do with music. Wow, banner start, Olson.
Mr. Jackson?
I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world (court) a better place
Take a look at yourself, then make a change
And Mr. Roosevelt:
If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn't sit for a month.
When I first started thinking of how to share this opinion, I started thinking of the numerous guys who play for and coach this team who could probably afford a long hard look at themselves right now. When that list grew long enough, I thought it might be safer to say it this way…
If the Nuggets are as serious about winning games as they proclaimed themselves to be to start the season, they need to eliminate the mistakes which are still within their control, and make peace with the ones which are not. Serenity now.
The recent loss to the Cavs? Yet again, there were factors to pin a loss upon. Some of those were outside our control. See: The swollen ankle of Ty Lawson or post-injury minutes restrictions.
Some, however, are well within our control. See: the repeatedly uninspired play of our starters (and leaders) or the mental lapses and poor communication that seem to seem to be systemic.
Last season saw a crossroads in which the team had a "come to Jesus" meeting about roles and feelings. It seemed to bear fruit, and if it needs to happen again, I hope they'll have it sooner rather than later. Though I don't perfectly know what is ailing the Nuggets, I'd bet they do.
Five games in, I'm certainly not saying the season is lost. I'm saying that even the players acknowledge they're digging a hole that could be difficult to overcome (in relation to their playoff chances) should it get much deeper. There have been troubles outside our control in the first five games. There have also been moments that players and coaches alike may want to reflect upon. A peer in the mirror.
Take a look at yourself, then make a change.
Have a great weekend, Stiffs.
