True Fan Colorado

True Fan Colorado has Moved!

nickabeldesign — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:35:28 +0000

You can now read all of True Fan Colorado @ True Fan Colorado.com! See you there!

Nuggets win by ten, lose Chauncey

nickabeldesign — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:10:19 +0000

The scoreboard had us beating Houston by ten last night, but in reality, it was at least 20. With the combination of Houston hitting late 3′s and Denver’s bench playing, the Rockets really had no chance to beat Denver. Carmelo Anthony had 38 points once again showing that he will be in the MVP hunt when it gets closer to April.

The big story of the night was Chauncey going out in the third quarter with a strained groin. He is having an MRI today to determine how bad it could be. Hopefully for the Nuggets, it wont be long. That type of injury however could be something that could bother him for the whole season. Ty Lawson and Anthony Carter will have to step their game up in the absence of Billups.

I wrote yesterday about Nene and him needing to toughen up. He didn’t show it last night. He was by far the biggest guy on the court, going up against 6’6 Chuck Hays. Let me remind you that Nene is 6’11. Nene only had 4 rebounds. 4. In 32 minutes. There is only one word for that. Unacceptable. It’s time to stop playing like a soccer player and realize you are 6’11 and over 250 pounds. It is almost time to start the Birdman at center to see how that goes. Bird had a double double against the Thunder and that was coming off the bench. We should be guaranteed a double double every game from Nene, yet we’re stuck with triple singles.

Time for Nene to step up

nickabeldesign — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:03:45 +0000

Someone in the Nuggets locker room needs to say something about is mama or something but Nene needs to get mad and play like it. Nene is probably one of the softest players in the league. His size should say different though. We all know his ‘natural position’ isn’t at center but he must play like it. Nene has been in the league long enough to play his size. Take a page out of Kenyon Martin’s book. Be physical, throw an elbow here and there. I don’t ever remember Nene getting a technical foul. I’m sure he has if I went back and looked, but it is rare. Especially for a team that is pretty good at getting techs. A key part of the Nuggets is Nene and him being physical. Last year during the playoffs people called the us the Thuggets. I would like to bring that back this year. Lets beat teams up, make them that much more afraid to come to Denver, at altitude, to play us. Lets start it tonight against the Rockets. Nene, Kenyon, Melo, and J.R. Smith can dominate a game with ease, its time to get physical and show teams that the 2009-2010 Nuggets are a force to be feared in the west.

Rockets @ Nuggets tip off at 7:00 mountain. Tracy McGrady is back for the Rockets so it should be a great game and matchup for the Nuggets.

B.Marsh goes for 21, Breaks NFL Record. Broncos Lose

nickabeldesign — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:21:14 +0000

Did anyone think the Broncos had a chance in this game? No. Not really. It’s the Colts and Peyton Manning who before yesterdays game, had won 21 stright regular season games. Not only that, but they have owned the Broncos this decade. The Broncos did have a chance to win the game though. If the defense would have showed up for the first two Indy drives, the Broncos would have been in the driver seat for the biggest upset of the season. Manning threw 3 interceptions and in his history he was 0-11 when doing that. Until Sunday that is. The Broncos D did show up twards the end of the first quarter and until there was about 7 minutes left in the 4th. Manning and Dallas Clark made sure there was no way for the Broncos to win and Indy clinched home field threwout the playoffs.

One positive was Brandon Marshall breaking Terrell Owen’s record for catches in a game. The record was 20, Marshall had 21. 200 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns. How the Broncos have not paid this man yet is the only surprising thing. If you look back to last season against the Chargers, Brandon had 18 catches in that game. It is time for the Broncos to re-evaluate Brandon’s contract and give him the money he deserves. He is a top 5 receiver in the league and is key for the Broncos success. Look at old Jay Cutler in Chicago. They have ZERO wide outs and no matter how good or bad your quarterback may be, you need to have at least 2 above average wide outs. It’s time to give the man his money, make him happy and move on with the future.

Here are all 21 catches that Brandon had Sunday against the 13-0 Colts.

3 Years, 8.3 Mil…. For what?

nickabeldesign — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:07:47 +0000

Well, announced today, Chris Iannetta will have a 3 year, 8.3 million dollar contract pending a physical. I say, for what? What has our hopeful ever done to deserve this kind of money and 3 years? Well, he did get benched last year for veteran Yorvit Torrealba. Who is also in contract talks with the Rockies. Chris batted a abysmal .228 average last season with only 16 home runs. It is obvious that his offensive skills did not get him this kind of contract. His defense did. His experience with the rotation also helped his cause. He can block anything in the dirt and is part of the young core of the Rockies.

Street’s long term deal is still in the works. He will be a good keep if he can find away to beat the Phillies. Other than that, he has been the best closer for the Rox since Jose Jimenez. With Francis back, 10 wins from him will be a successful season based on the surgery and rehab he has gone through. All in all I see the Rockies competing for the Wild Card next year. A full year of MVP caliber baseball is needed from Tulo for this to happen. I don’t say the division only because of the long history of poor play on the west coast and you cant win a division at home.

Hit them Slopes!

nickabeldesign — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:24:01 +0000

As a Colorado Based sports site, it’s only right to blog ski/snowboarding. Now, if im LUCKY, ill get up to the mountains twice this year. Only twice because of cost/work/school. There are also other things to blog about. Although the Olympics are not in Colorado, they are only months away and like many in Colorado, its the Winter Olympics that I look forward to. Another even that will be taking place here in Colorado, the Winer Dew Tour in Breckenridge. Between Dec. 18-20th Breck will be rocking the best boarders and skiers in the world. Most notably the Flying Tomato himself, Shaun White. Hands down the best super pipe and free style boarder in the world. He took over last years inaugural Dew Tour and is more than likely to do it again this year as well as look to take gold in the upcoming Olympics in Vancouver.

This winter, I will be blogging winter sports since 2010 will be big. Also, comment on your favorite resorts/ski areas that are best on cost and experience. I will be doing ski spotlights as well on different ski areas in Colorado so you have the 411 on all the best Colorado has to offer.

2 steps forward 1 step back?

nickabeldesign — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:15:19 +0000

For the Denver Nuggets, this season seems to be looking that way. Last year with the addition of Chauncey, the team took two steps forward and began committing to defense and team. This season so far has shown signs of a step back. Trying to outscore the opposing team has been the flavor of the month so far for the Nuggets. The core group of guys, Anthony, Nene, J.R., and Kenyon Martin have the history of doing what they want. Yes, Melo can score at will, J.R. is that way once every 10 games or so, and Nene always seems to under achieve expectations. Chauncey was brought to this team to be that on court coach to keep the goal the same. Defense first, scoring second.

Every team can score. Not every team can defend. Why do you think the Nuggets lost to the 1-15 Timberwolves? They let their guard down and when it came down to it, they simply tried to outscore and failed. So far, they have shown that the loss to Minnesota was a wake up call for defense first, offense second.

After such a successful season last year, tying a franchise record of 54 wins and a trip to the Western Conference Finals, now is not the time to take a step back from that success. This is where Chauncey is really needed. He has gone multiple years of getting to NBA Finals and Conference Finals. His knowledge and leadership is greatly needed for the Nuggets to not only keep up with teams like the Lakers, but to somewhat keep up with themselves. This has the makings of a special season, it just takes last years efforts + 110% more to get over the hump.

Why so serious?

nickabeldesign — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:21:55 +0000

How could anyone be angry with him? Offended? Appalled!? If anything, be mad at NFL network for not doing their job. After multiple penalties in the red zone for the Broncos, what else was Josh McDaniels suppose to say to his team that were beating themselves on that drive. Incase you missed it…

He speaks the truth. Thats what they are trying to do. Win a game. A game they needed. Playing a good NFC east power in the New York Giants, McDaniels and the Broncos needed a win to avoid a 5 game losing streak. This is the NFL. It’s professional football. This is how players, coaches, and even fans speak when in the pulled in by any given game.

Have you ever watched an Altitude broadcast of the Nuggets? I could probably tally the times you hear Kenyon Martin swear. Yet, you never hear about that. The new guy in town, the one everyone is looking for a reason to throw under the bus because he got rid of their big arm, good for 20 interceptions a season quarterback and apparently “set Bronco football back a decade” according to fans I have heard on the radio. I guarentee that 100% of the coaches in the NFL have had the same moment McD had on Thursday. When your goal is to win a Super Bowl, you have to do everything and anything to fire up your team to win that game. As you saw, the Broncos beat the Giants keeping them in contention for the Wild Card.

Leave it alone. Stop making a nothing situation into something and just watch the game with an open mind. If you are looking to blame anyone, then blame the NFL Network’s crack staff and leave the coaches and players alone.

Rockies Offseason

nickabeldesign — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:40:55 +0000

Sorry for the lack of posts as of late but been very busy! Anyways, today I want to talk Rockies baseball. First, congratulations to Jim Tracy for winning NL Manager of the Year and on his 3-year deal with the Rockies. Free agency has started and the Rockies need to do some work. Some things to consider…

1. Re-Sign Jason Giambi: He still has the ability to come off the bench and make a difference in the late innings of a close game. He has veteran experience on field and in the club house. The Rockies are also in need of a back up first baseman with the soon to be departure of Garret Atkins. He is willing to come off the bench and won’t be incredibly expensive to sign for a year.

2. Trade for Halliday: The probability that this will happen? 0.11111%. Why not put it out there though. The Rockies need a big time starter that can win anytime of the year. We saw what Cliff Lee did for the Phillies last season. If the Rockies could get over the pay and willing to give up some good prospects then this could happen. Roy Halliday is a Colorado native. With the combination of the cheap owners of the Rockies and teams like the Red Sox going after him, not likely to happen, but fun to look at and HOPE.

3. Sign Torrealba: He has been a great veteran to have in the clubhouse and dugout for the Rockies. He was even clutch in the NLDS last season. The Rockies have signed Paul Phillips as a back up for starter Chris Ianetta. The more vets the Rockies can have in that clubhouse, the better chance for the Rockies getting back to the Playoffs and getting to the World Series.

The team will be what we saw at the end of last year. From third to first, Stewart, Tulo, Barmes, Helton. From left to right field, Seth Smith, Fowler, and Carlos Gonzolez. GM Dan O’Dowd has said they are not shopping Brad Hawpe, but I honestly don’t see Brad in a Rockies uniform next season. Someone will come after the All-Star right fielder.

Crash and Burn: Now what?

nickabeldesign — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:23:53 +0000

Well, it was bound to happen. The biggest recruit in Dan Hawkins time at Colorado is leaving the team and going home to southern California. Darrell Scott told the coaches today that he will no longer play for the team and will be most likely going to UCLA. His uncle, Josh Smith transfered as well to UCLA during the off season and this was something that was bound to happen. We are now at ground zero of the Colorado Football program.

It is now time for Dan Hawkins to go. When it doesn’t work, you cut the losses and move on. When you’r biggest recruit decides to leave the team because he gets no playing time, it’s time for the coach to go. Do you blame Scott for leaving? Not at all. He choose Colorado over Texas and was never treated the way he should have been. Never the touches he deserved and never the coaching he needed. Not only has the father/son experiment has failed for Colorado, but now top recruits can’t even stand to play here anymore.

What should Colorado do then? Step one would be to fire Hawkins and start from scratch. That won’t happen though. He is paid too much and for some reason the program believes that they are heading in the right direction. They would also have to pay them millions as well that the school does not have. If they were to fire him, who could replace him? A few names to ponder.

Dave Logan: A Colorado man himself. Graduated from CU, a Colorado resident and a true Colorado football connection that recruits can trust in. Something the Buffs need is a person that knows the program and knows how to get his players to trust him and what he is doing for them and the program.

Mike Shanahan: This is a guy who doesn’t need the money. He is a Colorado resident who loves being here and loved by many in the state. He can also bring in big time players just because of who he is. He also has many connections to the NFL. Big time recruits are looking to get to that next level and Shanahan can help with that step.

These are the two I can think of off the top of my head. Although unlikely to happen, we are probably stuck with Hawkins for at least another couple years. The school is not committed anymore to winning and respect to the tradition of a very successful football program. Before Dan Hawkins, at least the Buffs were competing and now they are the laughing stock of the Big 12 and College Football.