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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.
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
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.
Kobe and Phil in the playoffs scare me way more than the Thuggets. We have nothing to fear.
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.
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.
Id agree with Utah, but damn, I watched them get smoked at one time down 30 to the Warriors.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.
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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
Damn you for using my cardinals in an analogy with the hated JazzActually, 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.
i just can't wait.....i think it will be like 05 ...let's hope so...
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.
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
You got to be kidding me. The Lakers 1st? And the Jazz last? You got some stuff way mixed up on that list
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
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 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
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.
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
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
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.
Not to nitpick, but when was Kobe the MVP of anything?
When did Kobe win the MVP?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.
Link to the annoucement please?
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