Spurs vs Nuggets, round 1, pretty much a lock.

[T Park]

Alright folks, looks like the Spurs have the Nuggets in the first round.


Honestly, Im scared to death of this matchup. Camby in the middle along with Nene, and Iverson and Anthony dominating things.


How and what, do you think the Spurs need to do to beat the Nuggets?

IMO, its gonna take the big three averaging 20 and the bigs playing the best they have all year, to even advance.

[TheTruth]

Just play Spurs basketball. Make them work for everything on offense, and run things through Timmy. Slow the game down, and don't try to run with them.

[Quasar]

The spurs don't match up as well with the nuggets as they do the lakers - and its always a pleasure beating the lakers & phil :)

However, who they do have to go through the best if they wanna win. And hopefully Phil will be able to make some magic and make the suns work hard for their win.

Anyway, it is still a possibility that the Spurs will catch the Suns!

[SuperManu!!!]

Unleash manu, he has something against the nuggets :lol

[rocyaice]

Yea the Nuggets may be a lock at their spot but by no means do I think the Suns will win out. Not sure how many games they will win or lose but I wouldn't say it was a lock the Suns win out. Losing two is no out of the question.

[exstatic]

I've just never been that impressed with Nene. He barely plays rotation minutes, and he drops, what, 11p/7r? BFD. Our two headed center is better than that.

Control tempo, and D up and everything will be alright. Parker will have to have the teardrop workin', though. Not likely to finish at the rim with Camby in the paint.

[makedamnsure]

I'm not scared of this matchup for some reason. I'm fearing Kobe more than Melo and his drones

[Quasar]

I'm not scared of this matchup for some reason. I'm fearing Kobe more than Melo and his dronesIverson does seem to have the Spur's number

[E20]

My prediction:
Spurs lose in 6 book it.

[Trainwreck2100]

wasn't this team the worst in the league defensively at one point?

[FromWayDowntown]

Another round with Furious George? Can't wait. . . .

[T Park]

so run 4 down and play defense, thats it?

No ones concerned with their bigs being better rebounders, and Iverson and Anthony causing serious matchup problems?

[SpursFanFirst]

I just took a look at the standings...Golden State has slipped into the 8th seed...that could be interesting

[efrem1]

Nuggets won't get a sniff if AI continues to play 45 minutes every game.

[J.T.]

Not worried about this. We seem to draw the "not your average 7/8 seed" matchup every year in the first round, and it's not been a problem.

[boutons_]

Warriors have 40L, Clips have 39L, so in that sense the Clips are still 8th seed.

Warriors at 8th seed only in winning %, because Clips have played 2 less games than Warriors. Clips have 6 games left, the Warriors only 4.

[Mr. Body]

Like J.T. said, we almost always draw an unfavorable match-up in the first round. Seven game series, best team always wins. Spurs definitely better than Nuggets.

[FromWayDowntown]

I just took a look at the standings...Golden State has slipped into the 8th seed...that could be interesting

The Warriors aren't actually the 8th seed, because they have one more loss than the Clippers do at this point. If both teams won out -- which they won't -- the Clippers would end up in the playoffs because they would necessarily finish with the better record.

The loss column is the only thing that matters at this point, and the Warriors remain 1 game back where it matters.

[FromWayDowntown]

I just took a look at the standings...Golden State has slipped into the 8th seed...that could be interesting

As boutons noted, it's all about the loss column at this point -- nothing else matters -- and the Warriors are still 1 game back where it matters.

[T Park]

:lol

Ok slow the pace.

Does a guy like Matt Bonner have a chance to play?

defense Kleiza, might be able to open things up.

[milkyway21]

Alright folks, looks like the Spurs have the Nuggets in the first round.


Honestly, Im scared to death of this matchup. Camby in the middle along with Nene, and Iverson and Anthony dominating things.


How and what, do you think the Spurs need to do to beat the Nuggets?
IMO, its gonna take the big three averaging 20 and the bigs playing the best they have all year, to even advance.

how about 3-pt shooting?

We have a lot of Spurs players shooting around 40% from the 3pt line-Barry(45.4%), Parker(41.7%), Manu(40%),Bonner(39%), Bowen(38%), Finley 35%), Horry (33%) while the Nuggets like in 2005 season shot only 33% from beyond the arc.

We need our perimeter shooters to continue their dominance. I just hope Brent & Horry will suit up against them then.

my main concern is how the Spurs stop AI. Bowen is not really an AI stopper. How many times this small but terrible former MVP had beaten us in Philadelphia before? :D He's hard to defend. And he's always on fire esp in the playoffs. He gave Detroit a headache the last time they met in the playoffs. Might give us some dosage too.

[spurs1990]

fuck that. Gotta get the 2nd and play LA. Go Spurs!

[SpursDynasty]

I'm not suprised that some of you think this series will go more than 5 games.

[T Park]

spurs1990, the second seed is long gone. Forget it.

[Admidave50]

I surely have preferred to play against the cold ass Lakers.

But I've watched their last two wins against the Mavs and the Clips and they shot horribly at times, if Spurs play Spurs basketball we should be able to take them in 5!

[traitoravery]

The Spurs beat the Nuggets last year when they Had Kenyon but minus AI. They Nuggets were the hottest team in the league going into the playoffs.

I say Spurs in 5 err maybe 6.

Book it. :p:
:flag:

[cherylsteele]

so run 4 down and play defense, thats it?

No ones concerned with their bigs being better rebounders, and Iverson and Anthony causing serious matchup problems?
Being concerned can be a good thing. It can make you focus on a weak spot for us if we play them. Yes rebounding has been a problem though...especially giving up offensive boards. Recently that has improved though.

I am not too worried about Iverson....but Anthony does....Bowen seems to have trouble with him some....although it would not surprise me at all too see Bowen put the clamps on him more in the playoffs.

[cherylsteele]

The Spurs beat the Nuggets last year when they Had Kenyon but minus AI. They Nuggets were the hottest team in the league going into the playoffs.

I say Spurs in 5 err maybe 6.

Book it. :p:
:flag:
Ahem....we did not play the Nuggets in the playoffs last year...we played the Kings.

[Bruno]

my main concern is how the Spurs stop AI. Bowen is not really an AI stopper. How many times this small but terrible former MVP had beaten us in Philadelphia before? :D He's hard to defend. And he's always on fire esp in the playoffs. He gave Detroit a headache the last time they met in the playoffs. Might give us some dosage too.

Bowen will defend on Melo.
Spurs match up quite well with AI with Parker and Vaughn.
Pop could even use a Parker/Vaughn backcourt when Nuggets plays with AI/Blake.
Nuggets is a better matchup than Lakers for Spurs.

[foodie2]

I'm worried about the thuggery and someone getting hurt.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

bring it on :smokin

Nene is now becoming a big low post presence (when they pass him the ball :lol ), AI and Melo r clicking, JR and LK are getting better off the bench and Camby is a deadset beast at the moment.

The Nuggets are rolling and are much better than in 04-05 when they met the Spurs in the 1st round.

Im excited coz i know the Spurs are a champion franchise and are always tough. Its funny coz the two teams meet in their final regular season game.


The Nuggets will have it tough no matter who they play. Their road record is great for them this season and it bodes well having to play the first 2 games on the road.

I'll try and catch some of the games in Africa (if ESPN show them) and i'll post some trash talk once in a while :lol (assuming the matchup stays this way)

[Texas_Ranger]

I'll say Spurs in 5.

[Supergirl]

The spurs don't match up as well with the nuggets as they do the lakers - and its always a pleasure beating the lakers & phil :)

However, who they do have to go through the best if they wanna win. And hopefully Phil will be able to make some magic and make the suns work hard for their win.

Anyway, it is still a possibility that the Spurs will catch the Suns!

I disagree - and the record shows. The Spurs are 3-0 so far this year against the Nuggets. They match up with Denver the same way the match up against Phoenix - by slowing them down and keeping their shooters out of their rhythm. I'd much rather face the Nuggets than the Lakers in the first round.

[T Park]

the last game against the Nuggets, Denver didn't have melo, and the Spurs barely pulled out a win.

[leemajors]

spurs win first two, falter in denver, close in denver in 6?

[lefty]

Don't forget that Denver has played some good D recently ; and a healthy Marcus Camby is always dangerous

[td4mvp21]

We'll beat the Nuggets in 5 or 6. Seriously, how are they different from when we played them two years ago? They aren't even that good, they have no chemistry whatsoever. Anyone watch the Dallas-Denver game? All you saw was Anthony and Iverson chunking up shots.

[Testing]

Spurs should be happy to play Nuggets and not Lakers. Nuggets are a run and gun team and they don't play enough defense...they are a weak version of the Suns. Even if the Spurs employ a let everyone but Melo and AI beat them attitude, they should be able to get by.

Lakers series on the other hand would be a lot tougher. Phil Jackson knows the Spurs and he's one of the best coaches in history at making adjustments during a long series. Add in the Kobe factor and the Lakers series could be a tough match up.

[Testing]

Also, the Nuggets would be a good test run before the Suns.

[twincam]

Unfortunately for the Nuggets. They never seem to get out of the 1st round when then face the Spurs. Might be a repeat.

[boutons_]

"Nuggets are a run and gun team"

... without any significant 3G shooters. Nuggs are 28th in 3G %age (33%) vs the Spurs at 4th (38%).

So the Nuggs aren't really a Suns Lite, since the Suns are heavily dependent on and characterized by 3G scoring.

Lakers and Suns are statistically mediocre teams, fulling deserving their 6th/7th seeding.

Road record is a reliable indication of team quality, and there the Nuggs are clearly superior at 19-18 vs Lakers' weak 16-23.

The 6th, 7th, 8th seeds won't make it past the 1st round, as is usual. The only lower-seed with any real chance of getting to second round is 5th seed.

[lefty]

Spurs should be happy to play Nuggets and not Lakers.


:lol :lol :lol :lol :lmao

[bdictjames]

I most definitely think the Spurs will win. We're a much better team now, and we did beat them earlier in the season.

[cambrad]

I've just never been that impressed with Nene. He barely plays rotation minutes, and he drops, what, 11p/7r? BFD. Our two headed center is better than that.

Control tempo, and D up and everything will be alright. Parker will have to have the teardrop workin', though. Not likely to finish at the rim with Camby in the paint.

Nene has been playing very well lately. Are you looking at his career or year averages? He went on a diet in January and when he got down to 250 pounds, he started to go on a tear. The Nuggets forget about him on offense a lot, which makes him look inconsistent. But given the chance, he can average 20-10.

[cambrad]

wasn't this team the worst in the league defensively at one point?

No. Not even close. We usually play at a breakneck pace, first or second in the league. Faster pace = more shots, rebounds, etc for the other team. We're in the middle of the pack defensivesly, but we've done a better job lately.

Another thing that makes our defense look like crap is our affinity for turnovers. Giving teams easy fastbreaks makes us look terrible defensively.

[cambrad]

Another round with Furious George? Can't wait. . . .

This scares me too. Pop is probably the best coach in the league. George is inconsistent as hell. When he first came to Denver, he did an incredible job, but many fans have began to wonder if it was just the breathe of fresh air that was confusing us. He's been awful at times this year, but he's also been dealing with his son's second fight with cancer. Emotionally trying, I'm sure. His son's prognosis looks good, and Karl has been coaching much better since. Hence the six game winning streak.

[cambrad]

Nuggets won't get a sniff if AI continues to play 45 minutes every game.

:lol This guy is Allen Iverson. He's played 45 mpg his entire career, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Still, I wish we would rest him a little bit, and I'm sure that's on our coaching staff's mind.

[cambrad]

I'm worried about the thuggery and someone getting hurt.

Yeah, I'm worried what your spurs will do to my Nuggets, too. Like where Timmy twisted Nene's knee last year... tearing his ACL. Thanks for that one
:depressed

[mabber]

Spurs in 5, maybe 6. I think it's the best matchup for the Spurs prior to playing Phoenix in the 2nd round.

[cambrad]

I really wish you guys would just get the second seed and square off against LAL. Out of all the teams in the league, The Spurs scare me the most. Most other Nuggs fans agree.

[Trifecta]

The only way the Nuggets win is IF they outrun and outrebound the Spurs!

It will not happen this year! The Spurs can play half court ball unlike the Nuggets!

AI and Melo will not be the answer to lift them over the Spurs.

Also -- Nuggets have no answer for Ginobili!

Oberto and Elson better be ready!

Spurs in 6

[FromWayDowntown]

Spurs in 5, maybe 6. I think it's the best matchup for the Spurs prior to playing Phoenix in the 2nd round.

Assuming the seeds hold -- other than maybe Golden State -- it's the most similar back-to-back matchups that the Spurs could get. I think it's also less likely to be the sort of a bruising series that a matchup with someone like LA might be.

[Budkin]

Kobe and Phil in the playoffs scare me way more than the Thuggets. We have nothing to fear.

[Jimcs50]

You think this is scary, imagine how Phoenix and Dallas feel about playing against Utah, who are 4-1 against these 2 teams and totally smacked down Dallas in one game.

Also Dallas probably does not want Don Nelson to make the 8 spot and play him in round one....these are much scarier than Denver is for SA.

[CubanMustGo]

But Utah hasn't been playing worth a damn as of late, losing 5 of 6. Not the way you want to head into the playoffs.

Agree with you on Dallas and Donnie Gimmick.

[T Park]

You think this is scary, imagine how Phoenix and Dallas feel about playing against Utah, who are 4-1 against these 2 teams and totally smacked down Dallas in one game.

Also Dallas probably does not want Don Nelson to make the 8 spot and play him in round one....these are much scarier than Denver is for SA.




Id agree with Utah, but damn, I watched them get smoked at one time down 30 to the Warriors.

Good god.

But I agree with Utah vs Dallas, if Utah is playing well, and thats a big if, they present matchup problems with Dallas, and they have long quick defenders that can stay with dallas.


Come on Warriors :lol

[Jimcs50]

Id agree with Utah, but damn, I watched them get smoked at one time down 30 to the Warriors.

Good god.

But I agree with Utah vs Dallas, if Utah is playing well, and thats a big if, they present matchup problems with Dallas, and they have long quick defenders that can stay with dallas.


Come on Warriors :lol


Dallas is playing at GS this week, and they have yet to beat GS this year. If GS wins the last game, then they will have a huge shot of confidence against Dallas in Rd one, not to mention the Don Nelson factor.

Now, GS has horrible rd record, yes, but if they win this week and go into rd 1 undefeated against Dallas this year, they just might have psychological edge against Dallas.

Do you remember a Don Nelson GS team beating a heavily favored Spurs team in round 1 in 91? I do, and it still pisses me off.

[Cry Havoc]

But Utah hasn't been playing worth a damn as of late, losing 5 of 6. Not the way you want to head into the playoffs.

Agree with you on Dallas and Donnie Gimmick.

Actually, it might be just what they need. Remember the St. Louis Cardinals last year? Playing absolutely horrible going into the post-season, almost missing the playoffs in an historic slide, then winning it all.

I've noticed that teams heading into the playoffs with a lot of steam soon start running out unless they are very mentally tough. Teams who are playing poorly sometimes turn it all around with the start of the post-season.

[SuperManu!!!]

I'm more afraid of Camby than AI or Carmelo, let them shoot, they will take 90% of the team shots and miss most of them.

Spurs win, book it

[T Park]

Im afraid of Camby as well.

Dude went for 22 rebounds last night.

If Duncan can go at him and get him in foul trouble early, that could change things.

[T Park]

Actually, it might be just what they need. Remember the St. Louis Cardinals last year? Playing absolutely horrible going into the post-season, almost missing the playoffs in an historic slide, then winning it all.

I've noticed that teams heading into the playoffs with a lot of steam soon start running out unless they are very mentally tough. Teams who are playing poorly sometimes turn it all around with the start of the post-season.


Damn you for using my cardinals in an analogy with the hated Jazz :lol

[powerpower]

i just can't wait.....i think it will be like 05 ...let's hope so...

[bdictjames]

We beat Phoenix, we could beat Denver. The only problem for the Spurs are Dallas and Chicago because they can play either halfcourt or running pace.

[Supergirl]

The only team that scares me at ALL is the Mavs. That goes for the East as well as the West. The reason why the Mavs scare me a little is that they are capable of getting some defensive stops, they are deep, and they can play a variety of styles. Ultimately, I still don't think they play good enough defense to grind it out in a 7 game series, so I still think the Spurs would/will win, but I think it will be as close as it was last year in every game.

That being said, I think every match up in the West will be tough - the #4-#8 seeds are better than almost anyone in the East, except maybe Detroit. Utah has a very good, very disciplined roster (but they are also inconsistent and young in many ways) Houston is just one Tracy McGrady back spasm away from a good playoff run (but that one back spasm is likely to come at some point). Denver has two superstars and some athletic big men (but they don't play defense well enough to win a 7 game series). The Warriers are the same way, minus the two superstars. Mavs will have a tough time with them, but they should still prevail. Lakers have Phil and Kobe who are the most experienced, clutch playoff performers the game has ever known (but they can't win on the road reliably, so they they should lose ultimately).

Between Denver, Warriors, Clips, Lakers, Houston, Utah, Suns and the Mavs, only the Mavs really scare me. After the Mavs I think the toughest match ups for this Spurs team would be:

1. Lakers
2. Houston
3. Clippers
4. Suns
5. Denver
6. Warriors
7. Utah

[mardigan]

You got to be kidding me. The Lakers 1st? And the Jazz last? You got some stuff way mixed up on that list

[bdictjames]

You got it all wrong. The toughest match-ups for the Spurs other than Dallas would be

1. Milwaukee (swept us)
2. Cleveland (yep, swept again)

3-29. Rest of the NBA

[Supergirl]

Well, here's the reason I think the Lakers are the toughest match up - because even if Bowen covers Kobe reasonably well, which he does, that still leaves Odom, who is a tough match up. They are capable of playing excellent D, and Phil and Kobe together in the playoffs invariably means everything gets turned up a notch. I think they'd be a tough first round match up for anyone they play.

As for regular season records against teams, don't put too much stock in that. So much of that depends on current injuries, whether it was a back to back, psychological factors, etc. Spurs have played worse against sub-quality teams, but this has a lot to do with the Spurs than it does with those teams themselves.

[TurkishTimDuncan]

I prefer to lakers rather than denver which is a reaaly good teem and now is the top of perfonmance.
Altough they cant elimated us but we become tired after this series and effect ot other series

Remenber last year Wehile we was fighting spurs dallas elimated to memphies easily and they were so col against us

[mardigan]

Well, here's the reason I think the Lakers are the toughest match up - because even if Bowen covers Kobe reasonably well, which he does, that still leaves Odom, who is a tough match up. They are capable of playing excellent D, and Phil and Kobe together in the playoffs invariably means everything gets turned up a notch. I think they'd be a tough first round match up for anyone they play.

As for regular season records against teams, don't put too much stock in that. So much of that depends on current injuries, whether it was a back to back, psychological factors, etc. Spurs have played worse against sub-quality teams, but this has a lot to do with the Spurs than it does with those teams themselves.
I dont put stock in much, except for the fact that Utah matches up extemely well with us and Okur always goes off on us. Luckily we wont be having to play them this year. The Lakers on the other hand are falling apart. Odom looks lost, Walton has reverted back to 2 years ago, Smush is fighting with Phil, and Kwame still sucks. They dont scare me at all. Let Kobe get his 40, no one else is going to score

[Supergirl]

I dont put stock in much, except for the fact that Utah matches up extemely well with us and Okur always goes off on us. Luckily we wont be having to play them this year. The Lakers on the other hand are falling apart. Odom looks lost, Walton has reverted back to 2 years ago, Smush is fighting with Phil, and Kwame still sucks. They dont scare me at all. Let Kobe get his 40, no one else is going to score

You make a good point about Okur - he has been really strong against the Spurs and made Utah tought at times. I may have underestimated Utah.

However, I think you underestimate the Lakers. They have alternately looked like they are falling apart and like they can't be stopped all year. It's that inconsistency that has put them where they are now. But come playoff time, I think they're going to get themselves together pretty fast, much like Miami. They are both much better than their record shows, and any team that doubts that will risk an upset.

[mardigan]

You make a good point about Okur - he has been really strong against the Spurs and made Utah tought at times. I may have underestimated Utah.

However, I think you underestimate the Lakers. They have alternately looked like they are falling apart and like they can't be stopped all year. It's that inconsistency that has put them where they are now. But come playoff time, I think they're going to get themselves together pretty fast, much like Miami. They are both much better than their record shows, and any team that doubts that will risk an upset.
Well, you could be right as well. Earlier in the year when we played them and they where healthy and clicking they were really tough for us to match up with and Odom always does really well against us. If they can pull theselves back together, I can see where you are coming from, they do have a hard team to matchup with. I guess we shall see if they can get it together

[Jimcs50]

This is good:

All season long, it's been said here (and elsewhere) that the Nuggets and the Lakers are dangerous teams that none of the Western Conference's big three (Dallas, Phoenix, and San Antonio) want to face in the opening round of the playoffs. But, with the season rapidly approaching the finish line, is this forecast still in effect?

Are both Denver and L.A. potent enough to frighten their betters? Or have both squads deteriorated to the point where the Nuggets and the Lakers only scare themselves?
Denver emerged with a 115-111 victory on Monday night, as time is running out for these two foes to answer those questions.


OVERALL DEFENSE
Neither ball club plays top-notch 'D'.

The Lakers depend on clogging the middle and swiping at the ball, plus jumping into passing lanes. But the Lakers are vulnerable to dive-cuts originating from both the weak side and the foul line, and their baseline rotations are seldom on time.

The Nuggets' defense is totally reliant on Marcus Camby's ability to protect their basket. But high screen/rolls can move Camby too far from the paint to be a factor. Denver is also susceptible to draw-and-kick maneuvers, particularly since Camby is always drawn to the ball like a wolf to a pork chop. And when Camby is on the bench, the Nuggets' defense is strictly imaginary.

A slight (very slight) edge here to L.A.


INDIVIDUAL DEFENSE
Denver's primary defensive chumps include Allen Iverson (who was repeatedly posted and iso'd by Smush Parker!), Carmelo Anthony (who frequently lost track of Luke Walton), and Steve Blake (who was caught in several mismatches).

In the same category, the Lakers offer Walton (who was eaten alive by 'Melo), Parker (who was roasted like a turkey by A.I.), Brian Cook, and Ronny Turiaf. While Andrew Bynum has the quickness, the length, and the range to someday be an outstanding defender, the nineteen year old is routinely confused by all the cuts, screens, and ball penetrations, and makes too many erroneous decisions on 'D'.

The Nuggets best defenders are Camby (who is much better coming to the ball from the weak side than he is playing straight-up 'D'), and Eduardo Najera (a bruising, stalwart presence).

For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant can 'D'-up, and so can Lamar Odom, and Mo Evans. There's no advantage in this department since both teams are equally inept.


OVERALL OFFENSE
Denver can attack a defense from several angles: A.I.'s penetrations and pull-ups; 'Melo's postings and perimeter shooting, as well as the remarkable progress he's made in his passing game; the long-range bombing of J. R. Smith and Linas Kleiza. And while Nene is crude in the low post, his sheer power often makes him effective.

There are several cautions here, however. The Nuggets tend to stop moving when they feel they have control of a game and subsequently begin to settle for jump shots. While the Nuggets can easily establish a free-flowing offensive rhythm, they have trouble sustaining it. Also, zone defenses can set the Nuggets back on their heels and make them depend on their outside shooting.

The Lakers, of course, employ their triangle offense, which, when executed with precision, always generates good shots. Ah, but too many of the Lakers are more comfortable running isos than moving in a coordinated fashion. Like Parker, Evans, and Odom. And whenever a game is on the line, the Lakers are likely to run high screen/rolls for Kobe. The Lakers' bottom line is that Kobe needs to score points by the dozen for them to win. While he's certainly capable of doing this, he just as certainly can't be Superman every night.

If the triangle isn't executed properly, then doubling Kobe puts a severe crimp in the Lakers' offense. On the other hand, it's virtually impossible for opponents to double-team both Iverson and Anthony.

The Nuggets are also much more proficient in the running game than are the Lakers.

The theoretical advantage here goes to L.A. The practical advantage goes to Denver.


PENETRATORS
Iverson can get into the paint against anybody. But, when he's subsequently walled in by the opponents' bigs, the 5-10 Iverson is often forced to make out-passes while he's levitated. And this is why he commits so many turnovers.

The Lakers' best and most frequent penetrator is Kobe, who has the size, awareness, and skill to see and deliver.

Another critical factor here is that the refs protect Iverson much more than Bryant.

Slight edge to L.A.


BIG MEN
Camby blocks shots and takes too many bad ones of his own. Nene is a bull in a china shop.

Bynum is still a stranger in paradise. Kwame Brown is the best straight-up post-defender of the lot. Ronny Turiaf can be counted on to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Nuggets hit the offensive glass harder than the Lakers, although none of either team's bigs has mastered boxing out.

Nene and Odom are the only adequate screeners, with the latter's mobility more effective than the former's brawn.

Slight advantage to Denver.


BENCH PLAYERS
Smith, Najera, and Kleiza versus Cook, Evans, Turiaf, and Sasha Vujacic.

Significant advantage to Denver.


ROLE PLAYERS
Najera is one of the best in the business. He can defend, run (when healthy), hit an occasional jumper, and power his way to the hoop in straight lines.

Walton can pass, make a few treys, and force too many shots.

Slight edge to Denver.


WEAK SPOTS
For Denver it's Iverson's defense, turnovers and erratic outside shooting; Camby's selfishness; Anthony's defense; Blake's defense; Nene's penchant for committing fouls; and Smith's over-eagerness to launch 3-balls.

For LA it's Parker's incredibly poor decision-making; Bynum's inexperience; Walton's defense; Turiaf's defense; Evans' inconsistency; and Cook's defense.

The disadvantages here are equitable.


COACHING
With the sole exception of the Sonics in 1996, all of George Karl's squads have under-performed in the playoffs. Conversely, all of Phil Jackson's teams have raised their games in the money season.

Huge advantage to L.A.


DANGER QUOTIENT
The Nuggets are infinitely more explosive on offense than L.A. So much so that Denver can conceivably extend any playoff series against any playoff opponent.

In the real world, Denver's game plan resembles the Suns' mad-cap all-'O'-no-'D' assault on the scoreboard. That's why Phoenix should be worried if they do wind up facing the Nuggets in the first round. San Antonio is too smart at both ends of the court to be overly concerned about Denver.

The Lakers are a threat to steal an extra game or two in their opening series only because of Kobe's individual brilliance in the clutch, and Jackson's ability to fashion effective game plans. Indeed, the Lakers are better off securing the 7th seed than the 6th seed because they, too, match up best against Phoenix.

The final and deciding factor that makes Denver a marginally more dangerous playoff opponent is that while the Nuggets are peaking, the Lakers are valleying.

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 13 books about hoops, the current one being "The pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA

[Supergirl]

This is good:


INDIVIDUAL DEFENSE
Denver's primary defensive chumps include Allen Iverson (who was repeatedly posted and iso'd by Smush Parker!), Carmelo Anthony (who frequently lost track of Luke Walton), and Steve Blake (who was caught in several mismatches).

In the same category, the Lakers offer Walton (who was eaten alive by 'Melo), Parker (who was roasted like a turkey by A.I.), Brian Cook, and Ronny Turiaf. While Andrew Bynum has the quickness, the length, and the range to someday be an outstanding defender, the nineteen year old is routinely confused by all the cuts, screens, and ball penetrations, and makes too many erroneous decisions on 'D'.

The Nuggets best defenders are Camby (who is much better coming to the ball from the weak side than he is playing straight-up 'D'), and Eduardo Najera (a bruising, stalwart presence).

For the Lakers, Kobe Bryant can 'D'-up, and so can Lamar Odom, and Mo Evans. There's no advantage in this department since both teams are equally inept.

Charley Rosen is FOXSports.com's NBA analyst and author of 13 books about hoops, the current one being "The pivotal season — How the 1971-72 L.A. Lakers changed the NBA

Overall Rosen makes a really good analysis, but I think he misses the fundamental point: Kobe Bryant is EASILY the best defender on either squad. There's a reason he has not only been the MVP, but also All-Defensive Team for many years. He's a very, very underrated defender, only because his offense is so spectacular.

[ShoogarBear]

Not to nitpick, but when was Kobe the MVP of anything?

[T Park]

Overall Rosen makes a really good analysis, but I think he misses the fundamental point: Kobe Bryant is EASILY the best defender on either squad. There's a reason he has not only been the MVP, but also All-Defensive Team for many years. He's a very, very underrated defender, only because his offense is so spectacular.

When did Kobe win the MVP?

Link to the annoucement please?

[dbreiden83080]

Nuggets don't play much D they are not going to be that tough for the Spurs to handle. Won't be a cakewalk but i go with Spurs in a competitive 5 game series.

[pad300]

Overall Rosen makes a really good analysis, but I think he misses the fundamental point: Kobe Bryant is EASILY the best defender on either squad. There's a reason he has not only been the MVP, but also All-Defensive Team for many years. He's a very, very underrated defender, only because his offense is so spectacular.

No Supergirl, Kobe is a very OVERRATED defender. Why? He almost never puts in the effort these days. He doesn't have the energy while doing his offensive thing. Without Shaq carrying the load for 3 quarters, he's got to conserve energy.

[Tek_XX]

the Spurs win the usual 4-1 or 4-2 to the inferior team.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

the Spurs win the usual 4-1 or 4-2 to the inferior team.


i agree

[Pugglekicker_21]

I like the Spur sin 5, maybe six. We cant run with these guys, but we stopped the suns, and certainly we can stop another running team. unless their's a difference in the two offenses.

[SpursFanFirst]

From Sports Illustrated...
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jack_mccallum/04/10/choosing.sides.suns.spurs/index.html

[01Snake]

We got the surging Kings last year and looks like we get the surging McNuggets this year.

[conversekid]

afraid of the nuggets? :rolleyes

[milkyway21]

I'm thinking what team the Lakers or Denver would rather have-the Spurs or the Suns?

from the point of view of CNNSI.com's McCallum:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jack_mccallum/04/10/choosing.sides.suns.spurs/index.html

WHICH POWER IS MORE VULNERABLE IN THE FIRST ROUND?

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers, holding sixth and seventh place, respectively, in the Western Conference, are looking not only at each other but also behind them (at the L.A. Clippers and Golden State Warriors) and especially above them (at the Phoenix Suns and San Antonio Spurs, their probable playoff rivals). The Nuggets kept the edge on Monday night with a win over the Lakers in Denver. That only added more intensity to the purple-and-gold's intracity battle against the Clippers on Thursday night at the Staples Center.

Whatever the final order, it's a fairly safe bet that both the Nuggets and Lakers will make the playoffs, while Golden State and the Clips are still battling for the eighth and final spot. Whichever team ends up eighth will play Dallas in the first round -- in a world gone mad, thank heaven for the Mavs.

Today's question is: Which powerhouse -- Phoenix or San Antonio -- would the Nuggets and Lakers prefer to meet in the first round? The Suns will probably -- emphasis on probably since their edge on second-place San Antonio is only two games -- finish second and the Spurs third, but that doesn't necessarily mean San Antonio would look like the more appetizing entree.

Let's start with the Nuggets, who are Phoenix Lite. They want to push the ball and feel they're most effective when they score about 110 points. Tellingly, in two losses to the Spurs this season, they've scored 83 and 80 points. Denver twice scored 108 points in losses to the Suns and put up a whopping 131 in beating Phoenix recently.

Kobe Bryant's scoring explosions notwithstanding, the Lakers actually play at a Spurs-like controlled tempo, and twice beat San Antonio, 106-99 and 100-96. (They also lost by a 96-94 margin.) On the other hand, the Lakers are 1-2 against Phoenix this season, including a home loss last Sunday in which they gave up 115 points.

So, one might conclude that the Nugs would want the Suns, and the Lakers would want the Spurs.

Probably not the case. I'm almost certain that Denver would rather play the Suns, try to gun them down in a running game rather than gnash their teeth in a grind-it-out war of attrition against San Antonio. In particular, the thought of Carmelo Anthony trying to extricate himself from the web of the Spurs' ace defender, Bruce Bowen, is particularly unpleasant.(:D)

As for the Lakers, well, they took the Suns to seven games in a memorable first-rounder last season, and my guess is that Bryant will want another shot at them this year. He now has motivation since his Suns' tormentor, Raja Bell, had a big game in Phoenix's win on Sunday.

"Both Phoenix and San Antonio are vastly superior to either of these two teams," said one opposing coach(?) who knows both teams well. "But the prevailing logic is that the Spurs are tougher in a series. They do more things defensively and they can find a way to shut you down. Phoenix can just come out and blow you away early, but, with [Tim] Duncan, [Tony] Parker and [Manu] Ginobili, it's not like the Spurs can't score."

I agree: At this point, the SUNS, by the slightest of margins, look like the more positive prospect. But I don't see a first-round upset in any case.

[T Park]

Im shocked at how many people think the Spurs will just walk over the Nuggets.

Damn't they are damn good up front along with a bitch to guard Anthony and AI.

IMO its going 7.

Spurs will be damn lucky to make it out.

[milkyway21]

we can never under rate the Nuggets(Anthony/AI->NBA's top scorers +Camby a top DPOY candidate), but bec PhilJackson>Karl + Kobe/Odom, I'll take them over the Lakers.

and it's nice to see the Suns face the Lakers.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Im shocked at how many people think the Spurs will just walk over the Nuggets.

Damn't they are damn good up front along with a bitch to guard Anthony and AI.

IMO its going 7.

Spurs will be damn lucky to make it out.


uhhh if that's the case then there is no way in hell we are getting past rd 2 if we're gonna struggle that badly with the nuggets

they always choke in the playoffs, and when the going gets tough, the nuggets crumble

[T Park]

The Suns are alot easier matchup than the Nuggets.

The Suns have squat for rebounding and toughness up front.

The Nuggets have tought good defenders and rebounders in Nene, Camby, Evans, Kleiza.


Im sorry I just think this will be a matchup that will be tougher than the second round but second toughest to the western finals.

[Voice of Truth]

The Suns are alot easier matchup than the Nuggets.

The Suns have squat for rebounding and toughness up front.

The Nuggets have tought good defenders and rebounders in Nene, Camby, Evans, Kleiza.


Im sorry I just think this will be a matchup that will be tougher than the second round but second toughest to the western finals.

Scared?? :lol

[T Park]

Scared = honest?

Whatever.

[Fabbs]

Scared = honest?

Whatever.
concur healthy fear and respect of opponent is fine.

Healthy Spurs should beat healthy Nuggetts.

[bobbyjoe]

I'm worried about the thuggery and someone getting hurt.

Thats probabl the worst part about this series for the Spurs. The Nuggets were very physical with Manu in 05 playoffs and pounded on him.

It's a more physical matchup than the Lakers would be and thus the winner will be a bit more worn down for the next round(s).

[traitoravery]

Ahem....we did not play the Nuggets in the playoffs last year...we played the Kings.
Oops my years are running together. :donkey

We still beat the Surging nuggets in 05. I still say Spurs in 5-6

[mVp]

personally, im not worried at all about denver

[Admidave50]

The Nuggets look really good on paper but they are not that good on the court!

[conversekid]

go 7? not a chance it goes 7... 5 if karl can cry enough to get some calls against the spurs and get timmy in early foul trouble. why do you get so upset that people don't agree with you?

[romain.star]

it's really simple:
if the spurs play good basketball just like they do since the ASG break (which means a consistant TD, a solid bench and great games from TP and Manu one after antoher), it will be a 4-1 4-2 serie for the Spurs.
if they play the way they played early on this season... it will be a 4-2 4-3 serie for the Nuggets.

[nkdlunch]

yes if Spurs keep playing as good as they are playing now. And all healthy. We can win this in 4. no problems. maybe in 5 since spurs are known to lose 1 in the 1st round.

[Supergirl]

The Suns are alot easier matchup than the Nuggets.

The Suns have squat for rebounding and toughness up front.

The Nuggets have tought good defenders and rebounders in Nene, Camby, Evans, Kleiza.


Im sorry I just think this will be a matchup that will be tougher than the second round but second toughest to the western finals.

Um, I'd have to disagree. The only Nugget who plays decent defense is Camby, and his defense largely consists of blocking shots in the paint. As someone else pointed out, the high pick and roll exposes him easily.

Suns defense is pretty weak, but Raja Bell is a better defender than anyone else on the Nuggets, and Amare has the POTENTIAL to be a decent defender, with the right coach.

In regards to Kobe--has he never actually won an MVP, FInals MVP, or ASG MVP award? I was pretty sure he had. And if he hasn't, man that's a major oversight.

[bdictjames]

Its probably a sweep, but mostly 5

If we just play with this mindset we have today, we should have no problem against the Nuggets.

[T Park]

In regards to Kobe--has he never actually won an MVP, FInals MVP, or ASG MVP award? I was pretty sure he had. And if he hasn't, man that's a major oversight.




You feel an asg mvp is as important or along the same lines as a regular season MVP?

No regular season, No Finals, but hes won like 2 All star game MVPs.

So uh, yeah, just cause he won one in the ASG, doesnt classify him as an "mvp"

[degenerate_gambler]

Spurs will make a concerted effort to rebound on the defensive end and stop the fastbreak, so offensive rebounding will suffer some, I suspect.

Bowen has defended Anthony well in the past and there's no reason he won't be up to it again.

Iverson can and has gone off on the Spurs before but the key to him is keeping him out of the lane and letting him and his career 42% shooting percentage jack up shots from the outside.

[T Park]

Bowen has defended Anthony well in the past and there's no reason he won't be up to it again.



actually Melo is one of the few that give Bowen problems due to his size.

[degenerate_gambler]

actually Melo is one of the few that give Bowen problems due to his size.


I'm not saying he wont get his 24-25 pts. he has, but needing 20+ shots to do so is something SA can live with. Much the same way with Kobe.

[ArgSpursFan]

If a serius title contender wants to win it all,it has to be able to beat any team in the league.So i don´t really care who we play in the 1st.round,eather the Nuggets,lakers or whoever.bring them all.

[cambrad]

Um, I'd have to disagree. The only Nugget who plays decent defense is Camby, and his defense largely consists of blocking shots in the paint. As someone else pointed out, the high pick and roll exposes him easily.
=

Hope you can run the pick and roll with Oberto or Frankie, because Nene is going to be on Duncan and is a superb P&R defender.

[I love Tony Parker]

the Spurs win the usual 4-1 or 4-2 to the inferior team.


We will beat tha Nuggets very easy 1. because we are way better and have more to show for it!! 2. we have tha best D!!! 3. We play TEAM BASKETBALL unlike Melo and Iverson!! Melo is too damn selfish and Iverson cries to damn much in tha game!! (while he is whinning about a play we will already have scored 3 times and he will still be crying over a play!!)

[ambchang]

Hope you can run the pick and roll with Oberto or Frankie, because Nene is going to be on Duncan and is a superb P&R defender.
I would have thought Camby would be much better than Nene. Besides, Duncan destroyed pre-injury Nene, what has Nene learned in the pool the last couple of years?

[Supergirl]

I would have thought Camby would be much better than Nene. Besides, Duncan destroyed pre-injury Nene, what has Nene learned in the pool the last couple of years?

Camby IS much better than Nene on defense. But still not enough.

[Rummpd]

"Scared" Gimme a break! Spurs never backed down from the three peat Lakers giving them a spanking on way to 3rd title and took them to a tough 6 games the following year.

I have seen REAL superstars in the NBA and Shaq and Kobe are among a select handful with Duncan among that elite championship credentialed crowd. AI and CA are still wanabees period! Bring em on. Denver will win a game or two when AI or CA gets some calls but not a series - Spurs will be tested and go onto trounce the Suns. Mark it Down!

[T Park]

Hope you can run the pick and roll with Oberto or Frankie, because Nene is going to be on Duncan and is a superb P&R defender

:lmao

Nene is gonna guard Duncan?

bring it on :lmao

[I love Tony Parker]

has Denver even beat us this year?

[mardigan]

:lmao

Nene is gonna guard Duncan?

bring it on :lmao
Hope he doesnt tear his acl again while doing it

[mavsfan1000]

Warriors>Nuggets. Spurs will probably win in 5 or 6.

[NugzFan]

I've just never been that impressed with Nene. He barely plays rotation minutes, and he drops, what, 11p/7r? BFD. Our two headed center is better than that.



um...since around feb hes been a 15/8 type guy shooting well over 50% (almost 60%) in about 30-32 mpg.

[NugzFan]

wasn't this team the worst in the league defensively at one point?

ppg wise yes but only due to our pace. per possession we are an average defensive team.

[NugzFan]

I'm worried about the thuggery and someone getting hurt.

coming from a guy with bruce bowen in his avatar...classic. :lol (sorry but even you guys gotta appreciate that one)

[Amuseddaysleeper]

nene is overrated


the nuggs lack the experience to go far in the playoffs


it won't be a sweep, and i hate to look ahead, but i'm already setting my sights on the phoenix matchup


also nuggets are better than the warriors, easily.

the warriors just matchup better with the mavs

[NugzFan]

We'll beat the Nuggets in 5 or 6. Seriously, how are they different from when we played them two years ago? They aren't even that good, they have no chemistry whatsoever. Anyone watch the Dallas-Denver game? All you saw was Anthony and Iverson chunking up shots.

:wow are you serious? the same team as 2 years ago? no chemistry? basing the nuggets on one game (which oddly enough, the one where we beat the best team in the league? strange.)

[td4mvp21]

:wow are you serious? the same team as 2 years ago? no chemistry? basing the nuggets on one game (which oddly enough, the one where we beat the best team in the league? strange.)

No, I've seen a lot of Nuggets games this year. They do NOT have chemistry, they don't even run a motion offense that much anymore from what I've seen. They are the same-good rebounding team, with a good player or two, but no three point shooting, no bench, no defense, no chemistry, no outside shooting, and no consistency. If the Spurs were to pack the paint or play a zone, the Nuggets would be toast.

[NugzFan]

I'm more afraid of Camby than AI or Carmelo, let them shoot, they will take 90% of the team shots and miss most of them.

Spurs win, book it

hate on the nuggets but dont make up stuff to do it. ai/melo take about 35% of our shots (a fair number) and shoot 46.7%.

[NugzFan]

No, I've seen a lot of Nuggets games this year. They do NOT have chemistry, they don't even run a motion offense that much anymore from what I've seen. They are the same-good rebounding team, with a good player or two, but no three point shooting, no bench, no defense, no chemistry, no outside shooting, and no consistency. If the Spurs were to pack the paint or play a zone, the Nuggets would be toast.

either you watched games early or have no idea what you are talking about - this team is CLICKING (at the right time too).

we have 3 pt shooting from ai, melo, kleiza, jr, blake (not great...but we can hit it better than in the past...and fortunately melo doenst take too many). our bench is also solid (we can go 9 deep - perfect for the playoffs when rotations get smaller anyways)...we do have chemistry despite what a spurs fan think he sees...and consistency ill agree since weve been up and down but fortunatley for us at this point we are playing our best basketball all year (perfect timing). you are very good at making poor generalizations, overexaggerating them, and focusing only the negatives.

[NugzFan]

We will beat tha Nuggets very easy 1. because we are way better and have more to show for it!! 2. we have tha best D!!! 3. We play TEAM BASKETBALL unlike Melo and Iverson!! Melo is too damn selfish and Iverson cries to damn much in tha game!! (while he is whinning about a play we will already have scored 3 times and he will still be crying over a play!!)

yet another fan to file under "lives in the past and works on assumptions that dont even exist anymore)" - welcome to 2007.

[NugzFan]

Warriors>Nuggets. Spurs will probably win in 5 or 6.

yikes - doenst make you look too good.

[td4mvp21]

either you watched games early or have no idea what you are talking about - this team is CLICKING (at the right time too).

we have 3 pt shooting from ai, melo, kleiza, jr, blake (not great...but we can hit it better than in the past...and fortunately melo doenst take too many). our bench is also solid (we can go 9 deep - perfect for the playoffs when rotations get smaller anyways)...we do have chemistry despite what a spurs fan think he sees...and consistency ill agree since weve been up and down but fortunatley for us at this point we are playing our best basketball all year (perfect timing). you are very good at making poor generalizations, overexaggerating them, and focusing only the negatives.

I'm pretty good at NOT being overly optimistic, which is what you are being. AI and Melo THREE POINT SHOOTERS?? :lmao AI is a fucking slasher, he gets hot off of slashing and shooting short jumpers. Melo shoots in the 20% range for threes, he can have all the threes he wants. Ok, maybe the Nuggets have a little chemistry, I'll give you that, but enough to beat the Spurs? I don't think so.

[T Park]

Yeah if Melo wants to shoot the threes, then the series would be easier than I thought.

Go ahead and chuck threes melo.

[NugzFan]

I'm pretty good at NOT being overly optimistic, which is what you are being. AI and Melo THREE POINT SHOOTERS?? :lmao

they arent 3 pt shooters - but they can hit them. of course they wont sit out there and wait like a steve kerr. im not claiming that. but we have guys who CAN hit the shot. nice job with the spin.

besides, no team is great at everything. nor do we have to be.


AI is a fucking slasher, he gets hot off of slashing and shooting short jumpers. Melo shoots in the 20% range for threes, he can have all the threes he wants.

already mentioned he doesnt shoot too many but he CAN hit them at times. thats all


Ok, maybe the Nuggets have a little chemistry, I'll give you that, but enough to beat the Spurs? I don't think so.

chemistry isnt enough to win or lose games. and no we wont be favored at all in the potential series but i would LOVE for the spurs to overlook us like 90% of the fans here. that would be the best.

[NugzFan]

Yeah if Melo wants to shoot the threes, then the series would be easier than I thought.

Go ahead and chuck threes melo.

he takes a whole 2 threes per game. :rolleyes

[T Park]

Then whats your point?

[NugzFan]

Then whats your point?

that melo can hit 3s at time. nothing amazing but he can hit em. and he doesnt jack up em either so it doesnt hurt the team.

[mabber]

they arent 3 pt shooters - but they can hit them. of course they wont sit out there and wait like a steve kerr. im not claiming that. but we have guys who CAN hit the shot. nice job with the spin.

besides, no team is great at everything. nor do we have to be.



already mentioned he doesnt shoot too many but he CAN hit them at times. thats all



chemistry isnt enough to win or lose games. and no we wont be favored at all in the potential series but i would LOVE for the spurs to overlook us like 90% of the fans here. that would be the best.

Your coach would disagree. I just saw George Karl last night being interviewed for 30 minutes on the Chris Meyers (sp?) show and he said the one thing his team lacks is chemistry and that's really the only thing that separates the top teams from the next level of teams.

[NugzFan]

wow. we are playing this well without it? damn we are gonna be even better in the postseason as our chemistry improves! thanks for the good news.

[phyzik]

OK Nugz fan... Its going to be a HARD FOUGHT 4-1 or 4-2 series... there. thats about as good as it gets.

[mardigan]

wow. we are playing this well without it? damn we are gonna be even better in the postseason as our chemistry improves! thanks for the good news.
yea, cause the playoffs are a great time to develop chemistry

[mabber]

wow. we are playing this well without it? damn we are gonna be even better in the postseason as our chemistry improves! thanks for the good news.

I think you're playing fairly well right now. I'm not the one arguing with you. I was just forwarding what I heard Karl say last night. He still seemed to think his team had a decent chance at winning any series they played.

I think the Nuggets would have a great chance against the Rockets or Jazz. It's a shame that injury issues kept them from getting a 4 or 5 seed. I think the Spurs are just better and will not be looking past the Nuggets.

[I love Tony Parker]

yet another fan to file under "lives in the past and works on assumptions that dont even exist anymore)" - welcome to 2007.


its not assumptions its FACTS. do you actually think tha nuggets can beat tha spurs? I mean I know thats your team and all but damn!! please tell me HOW U THINK THEY CAN WIN!!!??? I guess truth hurts!!

Parker is quick and can go to tha hoop every time and score! He has a damn good jump shot!

Duncan is unstopable! even if he has a cold night he is going to get atleast 20+points and 10+boards (at least)

Bowen has tha D and his shooting is improving

Ginobili off tha bench is awsome its giving us that extra spark we want! He can score when you need em he can play tha D and has heart

now last but not least FINLEY!!! theese last games he is AWSOME!!! He can take tha 3 and actually MAKE THA 3!!

can I add we are tha hottest team since tha all star break?!! I will admit Denver is just getting a little spark BUT WE ARE ON FIRE BABY!!!

NO WAY NO HOW WILL DENVER BEAT US!! (UNLESS THA WHOLE TEAM GETS HURT!!)

[I love Tony Parker]

Lets see if Denver can beat Utah tonite? Utah will spank them tonite!! Do me a favor watch Denver play and watch tha Spurs play tonite and tell me if you still feel tha same?

[td4mvp21]

Seems like we get a new dumbass here before each postseason matchup every fucking year. Welcome NugzFan :lol.

[cambrad]

I would have thought Camby would be much better than Nene. Besides, Duncan destroyed pre-injury Nene, what has Nene learned in the pool the last couple of years?

No he didn't. In the 2005 series, we started Kenyon and Duncan sat on his face, even with the bum ankle. We brought Nene in off the bench and he did a much better job against Timmy... even got him three quick fouls in the first half a couple times. You just wait. It's almost definitely pretty much a near-lock right now. :lol

And by the way, Camby is an incredible WEAK-SIDE defender, but his man-to-man defense leaves a lot to be desired. Nene will be matched up on Duncan.

[cambrad]

Lets see if Denver can beat Utah tonite? Utah will spank them tonite!! Do me a favor watch Denver play and watch tha Spurs play tonite and tell me if you still feel tha same?

Are you 12?

[cambrad]

Seems like we get a new dumbass here before each postseason matchup every fucking year. Welcome NugzFan :lol.

lol you guys certainly are privileged. I don't underestimate the Spurs at all. You guys scare the crap out of me and there's no other team that I fear more. I'm just fighting for respect for the nuggets... not trying to diminish your greatness at all.

I hope we're the ones to knock you off your pedestal, whether it be this year or in the future.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

Cam............ only 5% of the fans on here are realists who know it could be a tough series (which most Nuggets fans know it will be). The other 95% think it will be a sweep and that the Spurs will win 16 straight and get the title. :lol

The series will be no less than 6 games.

[cambrad]

Cam............ only 5% of the fans on here are realists who know it could be a tough series (which most Nuggets fans know it will be). The other 95% think it will be a sweep and that the Spurs will win 16 straight and get the title. :lol

The series will be no less than 6 games.


:lol I still can't believe you have 2,000 posts over here. The only reasonable spurs fan I see in this thread is T Park. He is the only one who sees that we're a little dangerous.

[NuGGeTs-FaN]

:lol I still can't believe you have 2,000 posts over here. The only reasonable spurs fan I see in this thread is T Park. He is the only one who sees that we're a little dangerous.

and he is the one who knows Frankie can wipe out the entire Nuggets team with one flying dutch arm :smokin

[ponky]

i'm looking forward to it...definitely won't be a sweep, maybe five....most likely six if 'melo can find a way to stop smiling and laughing whenever he makes a mistake and be serious....that smack he talked about playing the spurs won't help any

[cambrad]

i'm looking forward to it...definitely won't be a sweep, maybe five....most likely six if 'melo can find a way to stop smiling and laughing whenever he makes a mistake and be serious....that smack he talked about playing the spurs won't help any

Carmelo didn't say that stuff.

[J.T.]

The series will be no less than 6 games.

I think you meant to say no less than five. The Nuggets may be playing well now, but in this stretch how many times have they played the Spurs? Zero. It means jack. We've ended Detroit's winstreak twice this season, just recently brought Phoenix back to reality, and have proven that putting points on the board is not really a problem for us. No matter what Denver's gameplan is, we will slow them down, shut them down, outscore them, whatever it takes to win.

Don't be a fool.

[johngateswhiteley]

lol you guys certainly are privileged. I don't underestimate the Spurs at all. You guys scare the crap out of me and there's no other team that I fear more. I'm just fighting for respect for the nuggets... not trying to diminish your greatness at all.

I hope we're the ones to knock you off your pedestal, whether it be this year or in the future.

Cam, Cam, Cam, Cam....Cam...so you're now a spurstalk member. never thought i'd see you cross into the darkside?

[johngateswhiteley]

and he is the one who knows Frankie can wipe out the entire Nuggets team with one flying dutch arm :smokin

:tu

[cambrad]

Cam, Cam, Cam, Cam....Cam...so you're now a spurstalk member. never thought i'd see you cross into the darkside?

Have been ever since 2005. Unlike Dean, I don't like talking to spurs fans any more than I have have to.

[Cara De Dedão]

Im afraid of Camby as well.

Dude went for 22 rebounds last night.

If Duncan can go at him and get him in foul trouble early, that could change things.


Camby won't come near guarding Tim. That would be Nenê's job... And at the shape he's at the moment, he could give Timmy some troubles, provided the refs be fair...

Camby plays goalie... Most of his blocks come from the weakside, after Nenê guards the opponents best offensive big.

[Cry Havoc]

Have been ever since 2005. Unlike Dean, I don't like talking to spurs fans any more than I have have to.

Wow, and we're accused of making generalizations and being unrealistic.

You don't like talking to us as people because we root for different sports franchises?

"Yeah, you know hon, I would really consider marrying you... but you're a Packers fan....."

Come on! That is weak sauce. I suppose if you only want to associate with Nuggets fans, that's your call, but summarily dismissing us from your chatter over something so inconsequential is silly.

[Cara De Dedão]

Camby IS much better than Nene on defense. But still not enough.


Are you serious? I mean: are you talking defense one on one?

[cambrad]

Wow, and we're accused of making generalizations and being unrealistic.

You don't like talking to us as people because we root for different sports franchises?

"Yeah, you know hon, I would really consider marrying you... but you're a Packers fan....."

Come on! That is weak sauce. I suppose if you only want to associate with Nuggets fans, that's your call, but summarily dismissing us from your chatter over something so inconsequential is silly.

:jokesmiley:

This is exactly what I meant. You guys have no sense of humor.

While you guys were out winning Championships, us Nuggets fans were busy in the garage working on our sense of humor.

[Cara De Dedão]

:jokesmiley:

This is exactly what I meant. You guys have no sense of humor.

While you guys were out winning Championships, us Nuggets fans were busy in the garage working on our sense of humor.


And we're damn proud of that! :highfive:

[Kori Ellis]

:lol

Nuggets fans need to learn the SpursTalk emoticons.

[Cara De Dedão]

And we have a CURSE to deal with... We're humorous... yet very grizzled...

[cambrad]

Hey Cara, is my signature working?

[Cara De Dedão]

:lol

Nuggets fans need to learn the SpursTalk emoticons.


Hi there, Kori. Still haven't been able to thank you for that stat book you sent me 2 years ago...

Back to your remark... We have lots and lots of fake smileys... And you know what? They work way better than dancing pink elephants.

[Cara De Dedão]

Now it is.

[T Park]

gheys?

How old are we again? :rolleyes

[Budkin]

It'll be fun to shut up all the "Denver is the hottest team in the league" talk once again.

[T Park]

That would be Nenê's job... And at the shape he's at the moment, he could give Timmy some troubles, provided the refs be fair...

provided the refs be fair?

Christ is Nuggets fan ALREADY warming up the refs bullshit?

This could be 05 all over again....

[Kori Ellis]

Hi there, Kori. Still haven't been able to thank you for that stat book you sent me 2 years ago...

Back to your remark... We have lots and lots of fake smileys... And you know what? They work way better than dancing pink elephants.

Don't be so sure. These are pretty powerful :elephant :madrun :nutkick:

I'm glad you got use from the book.

[T Park]

I don't mind other team's players coming here.

But when they come here to purposly run bullshit like this cambrad. Thats when its friggen annoying.

[Cara De Dedão]

gheys?

How old are we again? :rolleyes

I'm 29 and Cam is 23 I guess... But we're more like 12 or 13 y/o teenagers... I'm not sure...


But the important thing is that we have an IQ of 65!... combined

[cambrad]

gheys?

How old are we again? :rolleyes

Is that better?

[cambrad]

I don't mind other team's players coming here.

But when they come here to purposly run bullshit like this cambrad. Thats when its friggen annoying.

What BS am I running? Almost every single post I have made was relevant to the game of basketball. The last thing I would want to be is an obnoxious troll like johngateswhiteley...

http://nuggets.proboards1.com/index.cgi?action=viewprofile&user=johngateswhiteley

http://nuggets.proboards1.com/index.cgi?board=nba&action=display&thread=1131477174

[Cara De Dedão]

I don't mind other team's players coming here.

But when they come here to purposly run bullshit like this cambrad. Thats when its friggen annoying.


Lighten up, dude... Were pretty amicable... Ask JohnGatesWhiteley, he used to be a regular at NT until he moved to Montana and wasn't able to get smoke-sign internet...

By the way, JGW... Remember this?


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/58934296_de08d0ea51_o.jpg

[T Park]

Look at your sig.

What BS. Homophobic bs with pictures like that?

Come on.

[Kori Ellis]

What BS am I running? Almost every single post I have made was relevant to the game of basketball. The last thing I would want to be is an obnoxious troll like johngateswhiteley...

http://nuggets.proboards1.com/index.cgi?action=viewprofile&user=johngateswhiteley

http://nuggets.proboards1.com/index.cgi?board=nba&action=display&thread=1131477174

Does he post 1,000 pictures of Marissa Miller on your forum too? :)

[Kori Ellis]

T Park - don't beat them up already :) The guy has been (relatively) respectful about the Spurs so far in his posts.

[Cara De Dedão]

Does he post 1,000 pictures of Marissa Miller on your forum too? :)


Yup... That's the one... We prison-style love him.

[Cara De Dedão]

BAck on topic... How do you guys feel about Khouba completely shutting down Gifloppi?

[cambrad]

T Park - don't beat them up already :) The guy has been (relatively) respectful about the Spurs so far in his posts.

Yes! I said that you guys scare the crap out of me... more than any other NBA team. R.E.S.P.E.K.

[T Park]

T Park - don't beat them up already The guy has been (relatively) respectful about the Spurs so far in his posts.

haha

well they've been ok. if they keep the stupid smack to a minimum they'll be ok in my book, not that holds crap for water around here.

The homophobe sig just was childish and uncalled for though.

[T Park]

What curse is there?

[cambrad]

Look at your sig.

What BS. Homophobic bs with pictures like that?

Come on.

Don't you have a special forum for conversations pertaining to this topic?

[Cara De Dedão]

Look at your sig.

What BS. Homophobic bs with pictures like that?

Come on.


He was just exalting the great chemistry and sense of true male testosterone filled camaraderie your team has... We envy you...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/31/58931025_1cd62196aa_o.jpg


I concurr that homophobic bs should not be alowed at any cost, though... Just as people should refrain to make fun of mentally challenged poor blind kids... C'mon they may get offended for being compared to Mr. Beano. :)

[T Park]

See whats funny you use that picture.

They are looking at championship rings.

Thats about as close as you guys will get to em, so enjoy it.


Yes the offending or hurting of some blind kids may be done with the sig, but it has to be done :lol

[Cara De Dedão]

What curse is there?


C'Mon man... We're the Nuggets... We're cursed! Some call it the Star-PF-Blown-Knees curse... Some call it the DT curse... Some call it the Dan Issel drafting curse... But since we're intimate... We call it just the Curse...

Rock (NugzFan) could elaborate more on that... He's riding the subject as his PhD thesis...

[Cara De Dedão]

They are looking at championship rings.
l

Lies!


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/27/58932829_d5f11e9c69_o.jpg

[cambrad]

What curse is there?

The Curse was discovered by our home-forum's creater, rock. He's Nugzfan here. Basically, the Curse is a he and is responsible for us having the worst luck out of all the NBA franchises.

We've lost a major contributor early in the season each of the past 3 seasons. In 04-05 it was Voshon Lenard on the season opener... our starting shooting guard. 05-06, season opener vs you, Timothy Duncan twisted Nene's knee. Torn ACL, MCL, lateral miniscus. Thanks for that one. This season, Kenyon had season ending surgery in the first week of the season. He's a POS, but was still our starting PF.

Every single one of power forwards has blown out a knee. Nene, Kenyon, Eddie, Laphonso Ellis, Antonio McDyess, Raef Lafrentz... etc and many more.

We've had GM's that had the IQ of a four-year-old. We signed Kenyon Martin to a 7 year 92 million dollar contract. That's near max dollars. Then there were the countless draft pick busts. etc etc.

I'll have nugzfan add more...

[Cara De Dedão]

And we had to endure being torched buy this guy last playoffs.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/136401537_3c07b1f930_o.gif

[T Park]

Duncan twisted Nene's knee. Torn ACL, MCL, lateral miniscus. Thanks for that one

how exactly did Duncan do that.....

[CannotArrestManu]

The Nuggets scare me a lot. I think they have a great shot at beating us.

[Cara De Dedão]

The Nuggets scare me a lot. I think they have a great shot at beating us.


LOL

[Cara De Dedão]

how exactly did Duncan do that.....


He whined Nenê's knee to oblivion... That's how!

[cambrad]

how exactly did Duncan do that.....

I don't have the video handy. But he did it. :depressed

And then our bigmen had an average weight of 230 pounds and heavyweights Elton Brand and Chris Kaman killed us in the playoffs.

[cambrad]

And we had to endure being torched buy this guy last playoffs.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/54/136401537_3c07b1f930_o.gif

Nice..... uh... make a banner for NT now?

[Cara De Dedão]

I don't have the video handy. But he did it. :depressed

And then our bigmen had an average weight of 230 pounds and heavyweights Elton Brand and Chris Kaman killed us in the playoffs.


That if you can call Martin a bigman...

[Cara De Dedão]

Nice..... uh... make a banner for NT now?


I'm superstitious... I don't want to mess with anything right now...

[mardigan]

I don't have the video handy. But he did it. :depressed

And then our bigmen had an average weight of 230 pounds and heavyweights Elton Brand and Chris Kaman killed us in the playoffs.
Duncan didnt do shit, he didnt push Nene, Nene didnt come down on his foot, nothing like that. He just planted wrong. Where in the f did all these Nuggets fans come from?

[Cara De Dedão]

Duncan didnt do shit, he didnt push Nene, Nene didnt come down on his foot, nothing like that. He just planted wrong. Where in the f did all these Nuggets fans come from?


One might think we came from Denver... But one might be wrong... We came from everywhere... Watch out... We're like a swarm of locusts... Only more handsome... but with skinnier legs...

[mardigan]

One might think we came from Denver... But one might be wrong... We came from everywhere... Watch out... We're like a swarm of locusts... Only more handsome... but with skinnier legs...
Well I will be going to the Spurs games in Denver wearing my Willie Anderson jersey and drunk off a handle of whiskey. Everyone better just stay out of my way :devil

[cambrad]

Where did all of these Spurs fans come from? :elephant

[bdictjames]

Nuggets seem to be having fun when they're on the court. That gets rid of the chemistry problem.

A tough match-up for sure, but Spurs will come up in 5 or 6.

[T Park]

:lol

I changed my mind I like these guys.

They are harmless. Welcome aboard guys.

Anyone that can come up with that Duncan one, gets my welcome :lol


If we beat Denver, can we at least expect your support vs Phoenix and Dallas?

[T Park]

Well I will be going to the Spurs games in Denver wearing my Willie Anderson jersey and drunk off a handle of whiskey

wow you have a Willie Anderson jersey?

Ive been one uped :depressed

[Cara De Dedão]

:lol

I changed my mind I like these guys.

They are harmless. Welcome aboard guys.

Anyone that can come up with that Duncan one, gets my welcome :lol


If we beat Denver, can we at least expect your support vs Phoenix and Dallas?


Harmless? We're the thuggets, man! We have Kenyon Martin, who can pop his collar, thump his chest and do an enormous amount of nasty stuff like this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/107831999_081714b445_o.gif


Seriously, though... You have that image of us as thugs... But we're not as bad as you think we are... Specially since you guys stole ThatEasonGuy™ from us...

[mardigan]

wow you have a Willie Anderson jersey?

Ive been one uped :depressed
Dont feel to bad, I had to have it made, couldnt find one anywhere else :lol

[cambrad]

:lol

I changed my mind I like these guys.

They are harmless. Welcome aboard guys.

Anyone that can come up with that Duncan one, gets my welcome :lol


If we beat Denver, can we at least expect your support vs Phoenix and Dallas?

You're easily swayed. Does this mean I can start posting even stronger homophobic stuff?

Wait I see what's going on here. You want our support! I'm sorry but I could never support the San Antonio Dancing Elephants.

[Cara De Dedão]

You're easily swayed. Does this mean I can start posting even stronger homophobic stuff?

Wait I see what's going on here. You want our support! I'm sorry but I could never support the San Antonio Dancing Elephants.


That's even better than the Helena Ladybugs!

[T Park]

You have that image of us as thugs... But we're not as bad as you think we are... Specially since you guys stole ThatEasonGuy™ from us...

uhhh the hits they put on manu were pretty out of line.....

[Cara De Dedão]

uhhh the hits they put on manu were pretty out of line.....


Hitting on argies is not thuggery it's pest control. :waitingforthehermanostorepresent:

:)

[cambrad]

uhhh the hits they put on manu were pretty out of line.....

I'll admit that if you admit that he flops waaaaaay too much.

And I'm actually a pretty big manu fan. Pretty much all other Nugget fans hate him to death.

[T Park]

Well in all honesty one of the things the Nuggets don't have this time around that gave the Spurs problems last time was Earl Boykins.

Dude killed the Spurs. Now you'll say well we got AI. Yeah but I don't think AI shoots as good as little old earl did.

We shall see.

[T Park]

I'll admit that if you admit that he flops waaaaaay too much.



He flops less than Devin harris, how about that :lol

[T Park]

actually in all honesty, I've prob not seen it, im sure i'll be corrected, but I've hardly seen Manu flop this year. It seems like he doesn't do it anymore, but myself personally, I haven't seen it as much as in the past.

[Kori Ellis]

Well in all honesty one of the things the Nuggets don't have this time around that gave the Spurs problems last time was Earl Boykins.

Dude killed the Spurs. Now you'll say well we got AI. Yeah but I don't think AI shoots as good as little old earl did.

We shall see.

Boykins shot sub 40% against the Spurs if I remember correctly.

[cambrad]

:lol

Nuggets fans need to learn the SpursTalk emoticons.

I think your emoticons are pretty pathetic. No offense.

I use these http://forums.offtopic.com/misc.php?do=getsmilies&editorid=vB_Editor_QR

[T Park]

Maybe it just seemed like the little shit couldn't miss :lol

If thats true I apologize.

Hopefully AI does the same :)

[T Park]

emoticon smack?

Oh its on now mfer :lol

[cambrad]

Boykins shot sub 40% against the Spurs if I remember correctly.

Boykins is/was terrible for us. We are much more dangerous without that little punk.

[Kori Ellis]

...
I use these http://forums.offtopic.com/misc.php?do=getsmilies&editorid=vB_Editor_QR

I hate 90% of those emoticons :lol Guess it's a good thing I run this place and not that one. :guin

[T Park]

God all those things blow :lol

[Cara De Dedão]

Well in all honesty one of the things the Nuggets don't have this time around that gave the Spurs problems last time was Earl Boykins.

Dude killed the Spurs. Now you'll say well we got AI. Yeah but I don't think AI shoots as good as little old earl did.

We shall see.


LOL!

You know the funniest thing about talking to other teams' fans about their perception of our team? Is that pretty much every time they knock on a player we think it's great (like Nenê, who does a lot of things defensively that do not show up on boxscores) and exalt players we hate.

T, Boykins is total crap... He was a liability on BOTH ends of the court, even when he was hot because for every point he scored the other guard would score 3x as much... He was a ballhog, his teamates hated him as the Denver Nuggets fans who actually cared about this team ...

Only pre teen boys and girls loved him... With the exception of George Karl and Kiki... We actually think he won them with his SNL's Mango ways...

One of the brightest spots of our early season turmoil was Boykins being shipped out of town... Godspeed Earl... May Shaq step on your head.

[cambrad]

I hate 90% of those emoticons :lol Guess it's a good thing I run this place and not that one. :guin

Best emoticons ever! http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/dancinggreddy2.gif

[T Park]

Well Boykins was a matchup problem and the little fucker may not have made alot but he made "key" shots.

I can remember many times in Denver him making big threes to cut leads down or give them a lead.

[Cara De Dedão]

Well Boykins was a matchup problem and the little fucker may not have made alot but he made "key" shots.

I can remember many times in Denver him making big threes to cut leads down or give them a lead.

And then, you'd post him up, three posessions in a row... Karl would refuse to take him out... Even on crunch time when we needed a stop... Seriously... How do you expect to win when you're defending with a 5'5" guard with the game on the line...

Ok... Shoot me, I'm depressed... Earl and Karl do that to me.

[cambrad]

Whenever we'd play Dallas, they'd pick and roll until Earl was matched-up on Dirk. You could actually hear him laughing in his goofy German accent from one mile away. "HAHAhaha ahhh I make basket."

[Cara De Dedão]

hear him laughing in his goofy German accent from one mile away

Damn, Cam... Your seats are that crappy?

[ponky]

Wow, and we're accused of making generalizations and being unrealistic.

You don't like talking to us as people because we root for different sports franchises?

"Yeah, you know hon, I would really consider marrying you... but you're a Packers fan....."

Come on! That is weak sauce. I suppose if you only want to associate with Nuggets fans, that's your call, but summarily dismissing us from your chatter over something so inconsequential is silly.


uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...well, i don't know about you but i don't think i could go through with it.....sports and politics are huge deal breakers for me :lol

[aaronstampler]

I don't know where you get this bad matchup stuff T-Park. If anything, we're a horrible match-up for them.

Bowen bothers Carmelo like no other. Tony has the speed to harass Iverson and to punish him for being so lax on defense. They can't shoot the 3 worth a piss so we can cheat in the lane a bit on D. They won't get their easy junk because we get back in transition. If they have to work for everything in half court, they're screwed.

On offense none of our big three will be intimidated by the thug tactics and we know the refs will knock that stuff out really early, particularly if past offenders like Evans or 'Melo are involved. They don't really have anyone who can guard Tony or Manu and the threes will be there all day against their scrambling, clumsy efforts on defense.

[Dre>Parker]

Should be fun. Ginobalding scares me though, I hate to say.

[Infamous]

Just some of my thoughts..

The X-Factor in this series will be Marcus Camby. he's a force in the lane and he can do everything for Denver to scoring, rebounding, blocking, and stopping fast breaks.

Parker and AI match-up will be fun to watch. They'll both be burning each other as none of them can play much defense. Iverson also has a lot of trouble against the shorter and quicker guards.

We'll see if Bowen can lock-down Melo, or not. Bruce Bowen also has to spread the floor and make the Denver Nuggets pay for double teaming Duncan by hitting that open corner three he usually almost gets. Hopefully his back is doing fine and won't mess up how he shoots the three. Melo can be really aggressive when he wants to, but my bet is Bowen forces him to fall in love with his 18 foot jumpshot he shoots so much.

Tim Duncan WILL be a force in this series. I'm expecting maybe a 19 point 11 rebound average for him.

Hopefully Manu continues to give us nice production off the bench and carries the load once he comes in with the energy he usually almost has.

Finley has been heating up as of late, going back to his old roots shooting the fadeaway jumper in the face of the person that's guarding him and connecting, and of course burying his three point shots.

Brent Barry, Matt Bonner, Jaque Vaughn, Oberto, and the rest of our bunch has to step up and destroy the Denver reserves and allow rest for the starters of this team.

Denver likes to shoot the three, and they don't have nowhere as near as good as sharpshooters as the Suns have, and what have we been doing to the Suns the past couple of games we've played them? We shut them down.

I've got tickets to Game 1 of this series as well, should be fun.

[cambrad]

They can't shoot the 3 worth a piss so we can cheat in the lane a bit on D.

We didn't have these guys before.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/cambrad/yeehawhha.jpg

[wildbill2u]

I went through the last 3 or four pages and didn't see shit about serious basketball analysis of the two teams, just a lot of smack, talking down the players or team.

Any team in the West is dangerous this year. It's gonna be a long damn road to whoever gets out of the West into the championship.

We might see some series that are closer than the seedings and maybe an upset. I hope we aren't one of them.

[T Park]

I'm expecting maybe a 19 point 11 rebound average for him.



:lmao

I think itll be a little bit more than that....

[T Park]

Bowen bothers Carmelo like no other. Tony has the speed to harass Iverson and to punish him for being so lax on defense. They can't shoot the 3 worth a piss so we can cheat in the lane a bit on D. They won't get their easy junk because we get back in transition. If they have to work for everything in half court, they're screwed.

On offense none of our big three will be intimidated by the thug tactics and we know the refs will knock that stuff out really early, particularly if past offenders like Evans or 'Melo are involved. They don't really have anyone who can guard Tony or Manu and the threes will be there all day against their scrambling, clumsy efforts on defense.

Thats the problem, one of Bowen's biggest weaknesses is big 3s. lebron. Carmello. Guys of that ilk. Melo usually beats bowen pretty good.

[Dre>Parker]

Melo figured Bowen out a couple years ago, during the first series. Bowen has the rep of a great defender, so hes naturally going to get a lot of calls, but I don't think thats going to be the key of this series.

[cambrad]

Bowen always gave Carmelo problems until the 2005 playoffs. That's when something seemed to click in Carmelo's head. He became a man. He started demanding the ball and taking it right at Bowen. Hopefully he can be aggressive while playing under control at the same time.

[ShoogarBear]

I hate 90% of those emoticons :lol Guess it's a good thing I run this place and not that one. :guin:manny:

http://forums.offtopic.com/images/smilies/fawkdance.gif

[ShoogarBear]

It's going to be a very tough first-round matchup for the spurs, but then they always seem to draw these peaking-at-the-right-time first-rounders.

AI is good for at least one playoff game a year that he wins all by himself.

Carmelo is no longer a favorable matchup for Bruce as long as he attacks Bruce where he is weakest, in post-ups.

Camby seems to have better-than-average offensive games against the Spurs, and no way can either Elson or Oberto keep him off the boards.

Karl can be a good coach in short spurts, but he still doesn't have these guys playing any defense.

The Spurs will get their points, but they're going to have to win this series on team defense, and hopefully somebody (Horry?) will step up to help on the boards.

Spurs in 6.

[bdictjames]

GO SPURS GO!!! Another title run this year!!!

[Cara De Dedão]

The only player we're affraid of on the Spurs is ThatEasonGuy™.

[midgetonadonkey]

Overly optimistic homer statements!

[Budkin]

This will be a fun, physical series, but Manu will ultimately shut up the Denver fans just like he did in 2005.

[Phonzie20]

And I'm actually a pretty big manu fan. Pretty much all other Nugget fans hate him to death.

I don't :)

[T Park]

PHONZIE!!!

How the hell are you?!?!

Hows life in paradise? :)

[Cara De Dedão]

Beware of Phonzie... He's a registered sex offender... Hmmm... That or a Magic, The Gathering regional champ...

Can't remember...

[T Park]

I thought he mastered that game Warcraft or whater....

[DarrinS]

Is there a misprint on nba.com? Did the Nuggets really get beat down by the mighty Grizz? OMFG.

[boutons_]

The Nuggets suck, as their late-season defense in the last few games proves.

Nuggets score 104 PPG, while allowing 103 PPG, 5th worst allowed PPG in NBA.

Spurs score 99 PPG, allowing 90 PPG, lowest in NBA, and best diff in NBA.

Nuggs are a weak road team, a shitty 21 - 19, vs. Spurs 27 - 12.

I expect the Spurs to take both games in SA, split in Denver, finish SA, 4 - 1.

[T Park]

The only thing I see the Nuggets having over the Spurs is rebounding.

If Oberto, elson, Horry, and Bonner can crash the boards and collectively rebound well, then the series is a definate easier one than I thought.


Bowen hopefully can keep anthony from going nuts and parker and Vaughn can do a good job on AI.


Im sure the coaches are already breaking down the tape.

At least, I hope they are :lol

[Cara De Dedão]

People always forget the pace factor while looking our defense... It's not even close to stellar but adjusted for points allowed per 100 posessions we rank 8th-10th give or take (after a game like last night's)...

Let's see what happens..

[T Park]

People always forget the pace factor while looking our defense

???

:lol

What because you play a fast paced that means the D is better?

Well afraid to tell you, its gonna slooooowwww dowwwnnnnnn.

[Cara De Dedão]

???

:lol

What because you play a fast paced that means the D is better?

Well afraid to tell you, its gonna slooooowwww dowwwnnnnnn.


Nope... I meant that we give up a lot of points pecause we play at break neck pace... If (or when) it slows down (I don't know how you guys like that) it's not like we're gonna keep allowing that much points...

[ATXSPUR]

I am dissapointed. I wanted the lakers so bad. That would of been a marquee matchup. Instead...we get the nuggets. Oh well I guess we better make the best of it. There will be plenty of marquee with Dallas and Phoenix.

[Cara De Dedão]

It is set then.