I continue to ponder the Denver sports scene these days. My thoughts waffle between frustration and depression most times with the occasional burst of enthusiasm sprinkled in (e.g. Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote returning to the Avs during a two day stretch late last month.)
I published a while back about my strong desire to see Mike Shanahan depart the Broncos and my feelings have only increased since that time. Ian Gold and Javon Walker, two very strong contributors to the team over the past couple years, were recently cut, Jim Bates resigned meaning yet another defensive coordinator will be in place next year (has anyone in the organization noticed the importance of continuity to success?) and today their seemingly figurehead GM of 16 years, Ted Sundquist was fired. Ummm, did anyone in the organization remember that the NFL draft is just a few weeks away? I really have no idea what kind of love affair Coach Shanahan and Owner Pat Bowlen are indulging in these days but I’m baffled how the axe keeps falling everywhere but on Shanny’s head.
At the same time, a friend of mine has developed quite a buzz around his new blog, firegeorgekarl.com. As the blog author knows, I fully disagree with the general premise of the blog but I’m impressed by the caliber of his research, musings, postings and general perseverance on the subject. He’s picked up some buzz throughout the Denver sports community for his strong opinions on the subject of George Karl and your 2007-2008 Denver Thuggits. Unlike my opinion of Mike Shanahan, I personally disagree with the notion that any majority part of the Nuggets struggles this year should fall largely on the shoulders of Coach Karl. Despite its position right in the thick of the bottom of the playoff race, the Nuggets have one of their best records ever at this point in a season and have clearly demonstrated they are a team that can compete with anyone in the league on a given night. Unfortunately, they also can play terrible ball on a given night. Karl can’t be held completely accountable for that erratic play and its probably both wrong and lazy to point the finger too strongly in his direction. I, personally, like this Nuggets team a lot and, if they do inch in to the playoffs or bow out early, sincerely hope nothing dramatic happens with either Karl or the roster itself.
Lastly, I’m curious if anyone else is as amazed by the new Nike commercial as I am. My only frustration with it was that the Nike site didn’t provide any embed link for me to post the commercial more effectively on my blog. I haven’t been this pumped up by a commercial in quite a while and give Nike props, yet again, for its marketing creativity and brilliance time and time again over the past twenty plus years. I only wish they focused on making footwear products as good as their commercials are these days.
Chillin' in Suite 200 