Denver had a unique opportunity to crush the Jazz in Game 2, and they let it slip away. Utah is beset by injuries, losing Andrei Kirilenko & Mehmet Okur over the last few weeks. Granted, Deron Williams & Carlos Boozer had outstanding games in Denver, but the Nuggets’ bench was absolutely useless on Monday night. If Denver’s B-Team can’t beat Utah’s C-Team, the Nuggets don’t deserve to move on in these playoffs.
Keli McGregor was with the organization since its inaugural year in 1993. Over 17 years with the Rockies, McGregor worked his way up the administrative ladder, settling into the Executive President position in 2001. Keli and 1st Baseman Todd Helton were good friends. Along with players like Helton, McGregor helped to form a Christian core within the Rockies organization that regarded character as highly as talent.
As dominant as the Nuggets were throughout the regular season series, the Jazz improved mightily in the final month of the season. Carlos Boozer came on strong after struggling for Utah since late last season, and the Jazz bench began contributing in a real way for the first time in years.
The loss relegates the Denver Nuggets to a likely 5th seed, as the Utah Jazz control their destiny in the race for the Northwest Division after a win at Golden State. Phoenix travels to Salt Lake City tomorrow night to settle the Western Conference seeding with the Jazz. Only a Suns victory can save the Nuggets from their late-season decent from 1-seed contenders to the 5-seed and a hellish road to the Finals.
