Old Memories

David R.

December 17, 2009 - 12:17 PM

Last night I went to my first NBA game in over a year. The Denver Nuggets were hosting the Rockets of Houston. A few friends and I went to downtown Denver before the game to grab something to eat. We stopped at Earls, one of the favorites on the 16th Street Mall in Denver. After a quick meal we headed over to the Pepsi Center, commonly known as "the can," which is the home of the Denver Nuggets. The game got off to a relatively slow start, but the Nuggets were able to regain the lead, and win the game in a dominant fashion. Carmello Anthony, one of the league's best scorers, put up an impressive 38 points. After the game ended, we hopped back on to the light rail, which is the train system that runs through Denver and the surrounding suburbs. We got back to Littleton, where we all live, relaxed for a bit, and then decided to call it a night.

When I was younger my dad used to take me to Nuggets games all the time. Because I attend school in Oregon, the only time I am available to watch a game is during the winter break. Being at the game brought back a lot of good memories, some good, some bad. When I was a little kid, the Nuggets weren't too bad. They were always competitive and stuck it out in their Division. However, during my high school and early college years, the Nuggets were an absolute atrocity. An embarrassment to the game and to Denver one might say. During one season, the Nuggets were able to amass no more than 17 wins...in the entire season. The franchise was in a major hole. No one wanted to buy tickets, so consequently, the tickets were ridiculously cheap, around five dollars to get in. The Nuggets staff passed out promotional items at the beginning of every game in an attempt to try to boost the popularity of the struggling team.

A few years later, the Nuggets were able to acquire "the answer" Allen Iverson. What looked to be promising at first turned out to be another bust as the Nuggets just couldn't get it done. As many Denver fans were on the verge of throwing in the towel, the Nuggets made one of the best trades in franchise history: Giving Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Colorado native Chauncey Billups. The success that has come from this trade has been un measureable. Last year the Nuggets won their division, and made it to the semi finals against the high-powered Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets shocked the country and won two games in a series in which they were expected to be swept. The Nuggs have started well this season, and are currently in first place in their division.

As much fun as it is to be in the middle of Nuggets fever at home, I can't stop thinking about Ducks football. New Year's Day in Pasadena will be one of the greatest experiences of my life. The Ducks have the chance to shock the nation and beat one of its most popular teams. I miss Autzen Stadium, but I am hopeful that the Oregon faithful will transform the Rose Bowl into Duck Nation. We have all the tools to knock off Ohio State. Our tricky spread offense is capable of running the OSU defense all the way back to Columbus. Besides, can anyone tell me what a Buckeye is?