At least he's an Avs fan.....

This is a photo of the Avs recent 1st round pick in the '09 draft, Matt Duchene....when he was a kid.
Little whippersnapper was a huge Avs fan growing up in ONT.

I find that rather fucking awesome.

Adam's coming back to the Avs in a video development role...but are his pickles returning to my grocer's shelves?

Well, I guess....see ya later dipshit.

Leaving the Broncos?

May your recepetion totals drop, and your arrests skyrocket.

Saturday, Git Some, gay metal bars, TAUNTAUN, rain, The Fluid, hail, small bulldogs named Drake, and Built to Spill

Friday night, Rockies game and Dillinger 4...

...and 24 oz PBR's.

Exactly 4 months after the fact I give you a bad cellphone photo of Fucked Up at the Larimer Lounge

Even 4 months later, the show resonates with brilliant Canadian HC fury. The picture sucks. What do you want from a 2 year old Samsung flip phone, huh?
Besides Avalanche management upheaval and Broncos mini camps and whatnot pretty barren material-wise.
>Not sure what to make of the Av's recent shakeup. At all.
>Broncos' schedule is so brutal, their record could be one of the worst since the Ralston era.
>Nuggets will maintain. This team has a lot of expectations next year. They going to live up to said expectations.

Saving the Worst for Last

Hate to see the Nuggets go out in such bed-shitting fashion, especially at home, especially against the Lakers. In this forgettable and down-right unwatchable Game 6, the Nuggets looked disorganized, disinterested, and ultimately defeated. It was somewhat reminiscent of many Nuggets-Lakes games in years past where it just seemed like the Nuggets never had much of a chance, especially from midway through the 2nd quarter on. That's not at all how I would like to remember this otherwise impressive playoff run.

You almost expect to have a one horrible performance in a long series. But, by losing a couple of games they should've probably won, the Nuggets left themselves no margin or error and paid for it. All in all, it is encouraging that this team was able to compete with the Lakers, in spite of pretty lack luster performances by Chauncey, JR, and (other than the first game and a half), Melo (was that ankle worse than we were ever told?). No one shot the ball very well, which could have made the difference in a couple of games. Keep this team together and there is no reason we can't be right back here next year. Go Magic/Cavs!!

Ignore This Man

No TV up here in the Kodiak bear den so I listened to the Worldwide Leader’s Game 5 radio broadcast. Dr. Jack and the other guy calling the game might as well have been wearing Kobe unis. During the first three quarters while the Nou-Gats had more boards, assists and steals than the Lady Lakers, the “announcers” were quoted as saying things like “The Denver Nuggets are actually playing these Lakers close.” What’s more annoying, Dr. Jack also sounded a little too much like Bill Raftery, accentuating the last three words of every sentence in an effort to make ordinary events seem more exciting, when in fact it only sounds like we are witness to a conversation between a patient and proctologist during an exam. “Kobe certainly has a WAY WITH WOMEN!” In frustration I eventually turned off the radio and just followed the GameCast. To be sure, I will WATCH Game 6 in Henry’s Great Alaskan Restaurant with a bunch of loud crab fishermen, where the “announcers” will be silent and I will root for my Nou-Gats. Suck it Ramsay.

Great Seats, Shitty Game

TroutDog here, trying to emerge from the haze of disbelief after witnessing last night's crushing loss to the Lakers first-hand. To put it mildly: that 4th quarter flat sucked. Didn't help that Melo, Nene, and KMart were stranded on the bench for significant minutes due to foul trouble, but the inability to hit the big shot (or the 3-ball in general throughout the game) ends up costing the Nuggets Game 3. Then there's a little matter of not being able to inbound the ball at the end of games. There was utter shock felt throughout the Can after the botched pass was (again) stolen by Trevor Ariza to pretty much seal the Laker's win. Of course, the numerous Kobe-uni-clad dipshits became even more insufferable.

Obviously, Game 4 becomes a must-win game for the Nuggets. Might be a good time for Chauncey and JR to step up and find their shooting touch before this series is lost. Also, Denver needs to step up the court-side star power if we are to have any chance of competing against LA. Where are you Jake Jabs?!?!

Oh, and note to Nuggets fans at the Can: Kobe does not suck. (Likewise, the Red Wings do not suck Avs fans.)

Until Game 4, TD is retreating back to the Tuaca Chill Zone....

Nuggets with a huge win, but I still hate L.A.....

Seems that the Lakers return the favor in Game 2. L.A. probably shoulda had this one at 2-0 heading into Denver but somehow the Nugs come through and put their resilience front-and-center and come from behind at the Staples Center and steal one.

Great run at the end of the first half; crucial momentum shift.

Linas?!? Good move by Karl to let him loose...I would have second guessed that shit pretty much any game all season, but with early foul trouble for others, LK certainly shined when he was given the chance tonight.

Chauncey and Melo, as they should be, "stars" and team mainstays. Nene' with a crucial dish to K-Mart late. Freethrow percentage acceptable. (even though Chauncey's miss at the end scared me.) Fish cold as ice.

Bring

on

Saturday

night

at the Can!!!

I Hate L.A....

...with a fucking passion it turns out. I hate the Lakers. I hate Kobe Bryant. I hate their fucking famous fans, I hate their rich vampire fans. Fuck the whole lot of them.

How's that for eloquence?

Go With The Nuggets (audio clip)

Listen to the audio 'Go with the Nuggets here (copy and paste in browser):'
http://catfish.colorado.edu/~buenning/misc/01%20Go%20With%20The%20Nuggets.mp3

Beat L.A.!!!!

They were chanting it mighty early in the 4th quarter all over the Pepsi Can last night. Pretty fun game to be at as y'all can imagine, even way up at the top row of the upper deck (or the Nug Pile as I like to call it). Giving hi-fives to so many strangers that I'm probably at risk for some swine-flu. Sorry TD, no postgame car-tipping for me (were there reports of some?); just listening to some crappy local alt rock band at Pete's afterwards while sipping on some cheap brews. The riot will come when we win it all (sometime in late August).

On a slight side note, by looking at everyone's nuggie gear, you'd think the Birdman was our #1 player. It seemed like half of the people at Illegal Pete's before and after the game were rocking some sort of birdman t-shirt or jersey. Not to mention all of the bro-brahs who wore their hair in a bird-mohawk (not excluding Rocky). I guess I like the birdman too... I ain't hatin.

On to the Western Conference Finals!!!

Congrats, '09 Nuggets!! Hope you don't play like a bunch of stiffs in the next round. Don't mean to be a buzz kill, because you've looked great thus far. However, here is the harsh reality: you've enjoyed the best possible match-ups in the playoffs up to now, facing the Big Easy and the Big D. Things are going to get a lot tougher and you will soon be given the ultimate test against Shaq, I mean, Kobe and the Lakers. That said, me and Big Jane will be rooting for you 110% while watching our amazing big screen tv, that we just bought from the Big Pictyyyaa!! Just don't invite that stiff Hanzlik over to watch - he eats all of my cheddar-jack Cheez-Its and wipes his hands all over our suede furniture!

DT - I hope you have some good car-tipping, newspaper-box burning post-game stories for us!

We've got fast moves flashin' and jump shots a flyin'

A weird game today. Too many fouls - or if you ask the Mavs, there should have been one more. Fuck 'em. Melo drained the shot....and it counted.
Pissed-Cuban afterwards was pretty amusing.
30 Pack, TD, and I celebrated late night with multiple spins of the Official Song of the Denver Nuggets "Go With the Nuggets", and multiple drainings of 12 oz's of MHLL.
Something tells me that song's "Official" status may no longer be valid. Still sounds good followed up by the Fluid "Tin Top Toy" Sub Pop 7".

Is it OK to now be discussing broken Texan spirits? Sweeps?

Look At Me Fellas, I'm On The Team!!!!

Some mention needs to be made in these parts of the Nugs dominance through 2 games. I won't get into the intricacies of the matchup fits the Nugs give the Mavs or why this team is peaking at the right time. Just know this, whenever this series resumes in Dallas (Is it really not until Sat? Maybe that was a courtesy to the Das Boot schedule....), we'll find out a little something more about this team that is charming the pants off this basketball prude. Game on bitches.

The Upset

HOLY SHIT!

I'm up way past my bedtime here, so this will be an exercise in brevity...but congrats are due to a team/franchise that I feel has deserved to see the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs sooner than the fifteen-fucking years it took since the famous 8 vs. 1 seed Seattle ouster in '94.
Good for Melo, Karl, Homecoming Chauncey and all. Time to wreck Dallas.

Might Melo Be Ready to Explode?

After watching the Lakers' first two playoff games, color me less than impressed with the reigning Western Conference Champs.

As it pertains to the Denver Nuggets, I will come out and say it, "FINALS or BUST."

I'm really starting to believe that this TEAM can do it. Although, the amount of basketball I've watched over the past year is astronomical, I haven't been too much into the NBA until this past month. The Nuggets are healthy (no other WC team can truly claim this), they have a proven winner/leader and their defense has become flat-out legit.

In Game 1, I saw Melo working hard on defense and hustling for rebounds. He didn't shoot well, but he played a pretty damn efficient game otherwise. (I have a bias against "experts" that make the "bad game" claim just because a player doesn't shoot well. This does, however, normally pertain to a player that predominately gives, points, like Melo, but not these days.) I was also impressed with his bench attitude as he watched his team put the game on ice during the second half. A younger Melo might not have been so civil and supportive.

He's due to bust these fools tonight.

Nuggets Playoff Schedule: Totally Lame

By far the most positive thing happening on the Denver sports scene is the Denver Nuggets. This has been true for several months. However, there has been a noticeable lack of Nuggets coverage on KTH that doesn't have origins in Alaska. It's an embarrassment and I feel largely responsible. I chalk my silence up to two factors: 1) I don't follow the Nuggets or the nba very closely and 2) It's far less fun to write about things that are running smoothly (although I'm willing to give the Rocks a chance to prove me wrong).

So there you have it. I'm coming clean and going to immerse myself in the spectacle that is the nba playoffs. Sure, it probably has something to do with the Avs being so out of the playoffs, that watching the nhl now is utterly depressing (although I currently have versus on the tele). Nonetheless, it's time to buck up and try to relive the excitement of the early 90's team that made a mini-playoff run with the Fonz, Dikembe, B-Will, Pack Man, Reggie Williams (fresh!), and the guy who made hating Muslims fashionable before 9/11 (too soon?): Mahmoud Abdul, muthafuckin' Rauf!!!

But, wait, I'm looking at the game times for series 1 and I can't help but think, could this be any less Denver fan friendly? Let's have a look (all times MDT):

Game 1: Sunday 830 PM
Game 2: Wednesday 830 PM
Game 3: Saturday 11 am (really?!?!)
Game 4: Monday........

Anyway, I'm in no position to complain considering I didn't attend one game this whole year and I can't even think of the NO team name off the top of my head (Hornets? Jazz? Thunder? Grizzlys?). Still, the fact that we can't muster one measly weekend evening game over the course of two weeks is a bit of a slap in the face (I'm not counting Sunday games at 830 as weekend night games). And why are two off days required between games 1 & 2 and between 2 & 3? (I know this is commonly-voiced complaint.) Bottom line: Whoever makes these schedules isn't making the nba playoffs any more enticing to this semi-fan. It's almost as bad as the week vacation between the League Championship Series and the World Series or the two weeks off before the Super Bowl.

Hopefully the Nugs roll these guys quickly and we'll get a more fan-friendly format in Round 2. C'mon Super Nuggets!!!

The 14ers have a genius in the promotions department

Back in Broomfield.

Phase 2 in me and mini-ST's minor-league tour extravaganza. Pretty fun game. Pretty sparse crowd (but maybe that is because the 14ers had already clinched home court?). William T. Goat doesn't take a night off let me tell you.

The main thing to report is this...whenever the 14ers score 30 pts in a quarter - beers are $2 bucks for the next 10 minutes at the upstairs lounge. As one can well imagine this is a crowd pleaser...how many hands you got? Fill them up with $2 beers. Against Albuquerque tonight it was a $2 beer freakout. 30 pts plus in quarters 1 through 3. WTF??? 52 in the 3rd. Beers shoulda been a buck. Mini-ST wishes there was some sort of Dippin' Dots discount promotion instead.

Final score = 14ers 155 -- Thunderbirds 129. Rather offensive.

In matters relevant....Nugs win again. Eventual playoff seeding could lend itself to eventual playoff success? That'd be cool...

Hey... a little credit here.

I do the two handed manuever. Let's see your Jay Cutler pull this off. I also have facial hair. Boy, do I have facial hair. Did I mention that I can also pull on my shoulder pads?

It's Neckbeard time.

No Way I'm Coming Back, I Like Handball













Well, I Pretty Much Like Drama & Text Messaging


Not to mention Red Zone turnovers, pulling on my shoulder pads, and one day playing for the Cleveland Browns.

"Hometowned" at home...again

Not gonna elaborate on the Hometown reference. But Rayzor is getting one in the photo, and this team is getting a figurative one for 6 games running. (what the hell. let's face it, this whole season)
You know, TD I appreciate the free tickets and all, but mini-ST and I prefer our minor league hockey played in the intimate setting of the Broomfield Event Center, where the Dippin' Dots cost an even 4 bucks not the outlandish sum of 4.50 that one shells out at Pepsi Center.

Geez. The depths continue to get lower (even if the score is a little more respectable). For two periods the Avs were in this game, not that they looked all that good, but the Canucks hadn't quite begun to get their chances. Those came eventually.
You get spoiled I guess, but this is SO removed from the Avs that we've known since the franchise relocation, that it is just really jarring to watch and try to accept. Just ask the cool Indian dude that I finally had the pleasure of sitting in front of in the 350 tonight. To quote: "Who are these players? Who is #41? Who is #43?" Exactly. Well it turns out that #43 is the only goal scorer for the Avs tonight...his first career NHL goal.

Out of disgust for the current state of the Avs, and the fact that I never wear it, I busted out an old replica 40's era Leafs sweater tonight (not like Toronto is going to make the playoffs either). Strangely complimented up and down by the bald 350 usher, and the dude who runs the cab stand.
Ironically, since I got home I have since settled into a Rush show in HD on the Palladia channel. I do love, and always will even at my old age love, the punk and the indie rock but I must say I really do dig Rush. Maybe someday I'll compose an inappropriate post about how awesome Neil Peart is on drums, or how impressive it is that Geddy Lee chooses to play both bass and keyboards - occasionally at the same time (instead of enlisting some keyboard lackey to fill that role), and how I wish he still played the Rickenbacker bass instead of the equally cool Fender Jazz, and how Alex Lifeson plays a different guitar for every song...come on, is that really necessary?
Maybe I just wrote that post? Maybe I will someday be that grey-haired uncle with the red Barchetta?

Well, I'm rambling and buzzed. (mini ST's first cab ride was this evening.)

>Nugs win. Melo scores basketball points, and the team holds off a Dallas comeback.
>DU looked hella flat in their NCAA hockey tournament loss. Tyler Bozak's return nets a goal, but not enough to stave off an ouster. However....AFA Falcons! Wolverines shocked.
>Cutler likes booze? So do I.

Checking out some CHL minor league hockey....Broomfield stylee

Yep. This Friday finally went north through the lovely North Federal Blvd. area, and onto 36 to visit the Broomfield Event Center and some goddam Rocky Mountain Rage hockey action.

The Rage had already clinched their CHL playoff berth - so this game, which was the final home game of the regular season, didn't have a lot riding on it, besides the hopes and dreams of a winning Friday night out for a couple thousand Rage faithful (and mini sonic tooth and the official version)

Unfortunately, the Rage lost to the Amarillo Gorillas in the waning minutes in what was a real back and forth game 5-4. Broomfield most certainly doused this pain with Budweiser if my in-game experience lends any insight into what the clientele is prone to.

Other observations:

>Rowdy, the mascot is a crowd pleaser.

>Minor league hockey is really nothing like SlapShot....the place was filled with weirdo kids (going apeshit) and their parents. TONS of kids.

>Those plastic horns are loud. Also more prevalent than I can handle.
>When the Rage score a goal they play some song that sounds like the Replacements "Take Me Down to the Hospital" but isn't.

Can only imagine what the advent of the playoffs will bring come Monday against the Mudbugs of Bossier-Shreveport. I bet the Broomfield Event Center will be rife with loud-ass shirtless insane 9 year-old boys causing a ruckus with those freaking horns and their parents smiling as they sip their Bud.

(yes. that is mini st chilling with Rowdy)

Going to a 14ers game in a few weeks. Comparison forthcoming.

Budaj brilliant in net for Avs in 8-1 defeat.

See what I did there? Used a touch of sarcasm in my headline. Shit. 8-1? Reminds me of a certain Pepsi Center toilet.
On the bright side, that was maybe Coach Granato's finest piece of coaching I've seen all year, leaving Budaj in to accrue the mind boggling 8 goals against....and that my friends is me NOT using sarcasm. Looking forward to this team getting a real #1 goaltender sometime this offseason.

Now I'm really mad

Well it sounds like Cutler is gonzo.

But what will become of him? Just which team will he be throwing red-zone interceptions for next year?

Now I'm Mad....

Apparently a conference call between Cutler and McD didn't go that well today when the QB was told anybody can be traded. Cutler thinks he might have to take his shoulder pad gripping (and general griping) show on the road and may not show up for offseason conditioning Monday. This saga is getting incredibly old in a hurry. I hear a certain ex-Bronco QB has been staying in shape in his retirement. Something has to give.

Can either of you point me to a book where I could place a wager on when my sorry-ass gets canned?

This Represents the Avs' Season...

Don't ask how TroutDog obtained this photo. Let's just call it investigative journalism.

The Avs wouldn't even get a win with this jackass centering the opposing top line.

"There's a thin line between passion and emotional immaturity..." -G. Karl

Chiming in from AK: There's also a "fine line between sexy and sexist." More on Tap below. For now lets focus on the recent Melo-Karl Flareup. Just got word up here (via sled dog team) that No-Guts captain and former Beauvallon resident Carmelo Anthony (#15) refused to leave the game on Sunday when politely asked by team coach George Karl. I'd like to use this situation to extend an analogy and provide a little perspective for readers of KTH: ADSB. After years of playing roundball in pickup games and competitive men's leagues from Evergreen Rec to Madison to Kodiak, AK I have made one observation. During league play I have encountered many dudes who play and act like their local men's league is their capital L "League" and often embarrass themselves and their less than attractive girlfriends/wives in the process. Now, stay with me here, if many dudes believe that men's leagues are analogous to Mr. Stern's Association then similar rules apply, right? So for instance if, during the second half of a close men's league game, I refuse to sub out because I feel that my defense and penetration on the offensive end are necessary for a win what's the big deal? Perhaps Melo thought that his abilities where needed to ensure a win in Hoosiertown. Who's to say that any one person on the team (coach, player, vice president of player personnel) has a better plan than the other members of the team. I say the Melo-Karl Flareup is just a story for the Denver press to feed on until something better to comes along. Thoughts?
Now, about the Tap. It seems that the blokes formerly known as the Thamesmen are planning a reunion tour sans wigs. Clear out your calendar for April 29th when ST plays the Paramount. I will be expecting pics posted here on KTH.

What were you thinking?

Bring back Artley!

The Broncos Plex is getting a little fired up over this current mess...

Nice free agent moves, but....

Poorly handled trade talks.

Cutler is a freaking whiny baby.

Marshall is pretty much an idiot.

Plex is thinking that Yo Gabba Gabba might need to have an entire episode devoted to the Broncos, with some behavioral instruction for the new coach and his stars. Jon Keyworth appears in the Super Music Friends Show, and Terrell Davis demonstrates his Dancey Dance, "The Salute"

You stay classy Denver Broncos.

God, The Avs Sure Do Suck

Chess, anyone?

I kind of figured we were going to win this game. Don't we have special rights?

Sorry Kobe.
J.R. the Birdman and the Nuggets, bringing you down like an Eagle, CO hotel employee...

Granted, the Lakers shot like shit, still whenever you beat this team you've got to have a spring in your step. Nugs looked dialed against a team that probably intimidates opposing teams into a losing mind-set to some degree simply by taking the floor.

Put that recent CHI, MIL, & BOS losing lull behind you Nug Pups.
Maybe it's a New Day Rising.

Come Check Out My New Techno Band!

Yes, you thought I could only put puck in the net. But, no, I'm hear to tell you that I have mad skills with the beats and the sampling and such. Seeing as how we got bitch-slapped tonight by the lowly Avalanche hockey club (3 game winning streak), you never know when you're going to need a backup career. Thankfully, a sniper's precision with the hockey stick in my hand isn't the only gift I was blessed with. I'll drop an LFO so hard on a dance floor, it'll make the whole house rumble.

My work is now done at the Verizon Center. That Raycroft character did one hell of job holding this team to one goal on home ice. I need to forget about the whole affair down at the club. Hope to you see there. Peace, Alex.

Broncos cleaning house in a rather large manner...

The new Coach and the new GM going nuts with the cuts. A couple big names a couple free-agent busts, a few salary moves, and a Nate Jackson dismissal.

Bly, Robertson, and Winborn seem like the real statements here. These guys were pretty instrumental in the Broncos' horribly disappointing defensive season. If Bly were a cheaper piece, I'd be more upset by him hitting the road. If Winborn didn't have on-field orgasm every time he made a tackle after another 9 yard gain, I might lobby for him sticking around too.

Gotta say there better be a considerable splash in the free-agent market with all this freed-up cash. A reversal of poor free-agent decisions by this franchise would also be a breath of fucking fresh air.

A win for the Avs!

and cough drops for everyone. (might not make sense if you watched it on mute).

Let the dick-around continue...and a franchise plummets toward the most embarrasing season since they moved to CO.

God bless the concourse-table-dick-around.

Frankly, this Avs team is pretty fucking awful and prove it night after night lately. Doesn't really matter if I'm watching this shit-level product in colour or black and white. Time to call this out.

We're witnessing a horribly long fall from continual division champs to worst team in the goddam Western conference.

Depressing really.

I'd like to see some heads roll...and maybe a better goaltender. But that's just me.

Blaming injuries is bullshit. Firing Coach Q was bullshit. Losing so often, especially at home, should be the kind of bullshit that is not acceptable.

Welcome to a new era.

I think 30 Pack's expression pretty much sums it up.

Put the '08-'09 season in here...

High-Larious Story

Sorry. The sole intention of this email is to humiliate and embarrass a KTH personality. It has absolutely nothing to do with loud rock music, girls, sports or beer. Disclaimer loaded and ready to go.
Last night I get home from work and I sit down with my wife for some dinner. My 3 year old, 6 Pack Thief, was running around the dinner table playing with his toys. On Thursdays my wife takes little 6 Pack to a play group at the neighborhood library. He's been having a little trouble lately. Seems 6 Pack likes to rough up the other kids at the playgroup. So when I get home I ask "Did anything happen at Storytime?". My wife laughs and chokes a little on her salad. She begins to tell me that he didn't kick or hit any kids but he did do something out of the ordinary. She tells me that one of the Libararians nudged her and motioned for her to look over at our son. There he is in the middle of the library with his pants down around his ankles grabbing his little "tap" and playing with it. My wife and I both laugh about it for a little while and then I JOKINGLY say... "Playing with himself in public. Just like his Daddy."
This is the kicker. Little 6 Pack chimes in all matter of fact like: "No. Just like Troutdog". I didn't realize that 6 Pack knew old TD that well.

You Will Hit Padless During Mini-Camp!

"And you will like it!"

Bravos, Kudos, and Huhs ? must be collectively sent out to this fine site's namesake.

Word out there, is that last summer the Texans were forced to violate the league's CBA by hitting without gear during off-season work-outs.

"Once I had to hold a late-game field-goal in a zero-degree snowstorm at Mile High and that barefooted Karlis cut me with this gnarly hangnail, THIS AIN'T NOTHING!"

Don't hurt 'em Coach.

Tony G

I don't think anyone's touched upon this yet, at least this aspect of it. I know a lot of hoopla has been made in the KTH world (at least from me), about the weirdness of Tony G not being in GMC commercials, but perhaps the reason for this is beginning to unfold. During Avs and Nugs games, I've been noticing the Avs coach appearing in Xcel Energy, I don't know exactly what he's saying, but I think it has something to do with saving money on your energy bill.

An environmentalist might say, "maybe he's an environmentalist": promoting energy conservation and not endorsing gas guzzling SUVs.

However, there may be a different explanation. The Rockies's ambassador to Excel is Dinger. I don't think I need to connect the dots for everyone...

On a slightly different note, we're up 4-3 going into the 3rd period, with Marek having a nice game. I'm not singing too little too late quite yet. Come on super-Avs!