Does Denver have a shot at the title?

[tsherkin]

if you want to critique the team...talk about their lack of 3 point shooting and a consistent offense, because that's the real issue, and the real reason they lose 85% of the games they lose. kleiza/smith/atkins are the teams only real shooters...but i'm not sure kleiza's hit a shot in the playoffs, jr smith is always in karl's doghouse, and atkins is atrocious defensively and is currently injured. and they're 14th in the league in offensive efficiency.

I have been harping on this for several years now... they have huge problems from outside and that kills them in the playoffs.

EDIT: Also, last year, AI was worthless in the playoffs and that hurt a lot. If he repeats that performance, they're done. He's traditionally a low-percentage playoff guy, worse than in the regular season. We'll see this year.

[LiquidFire]

-= original quote snipped =-



Is Kobe a PG? Guess I missed that.

iverson is a pg? sorry, missed that aswell

[Scrub Sura]

Denver is not even a sure bet for the playoffs

[RRFB]

you can throw out every stat you want about their regular season defense, until they get stops in the playoffs, im not going to think of them as a good defensive team

Any Nuggets fan will tell you we lost to the Spurs in the playoffs last year because of our inconsistent offense, not poor defense. We were more physical and did a better job guarding Duncan than any other team they faced in the playoffs.

[tsherkin]

-= original quote snipped =-


Any Nuggets fan will tell you we lost to the Spurs in the playoffs last year because of our inconsistent offense, not poor defense. We were more physical and did a better job guarding Duncan than any other team they faced in the playoffs.

QFT; I remember Nene doing a very nice job.

Duncan went for 7/17, 9/17, 9/21, 9/19 and 10/19 from the field. He had a couple of garishly bad games around a solid game and two very good games. The Nuggets did about as good a job on him as can be done.

Problem? 7, 5, 4, 6 and 5 assists. Duncan averaged 5.4 apg in that series, hitting guys for easy looks that they knocked down, options that really weren't open to the Nuggets.

FYI, Finley was 3/7 from 3 in Game One and Horry was 2/5. 5/12 ~ 42% shooting from downtown from those two, their volume shooters. Bowen was 3/4 the next game and Barry hit his only three (other guys struggled but still). Finley was 5/7, Horry 2/5 in game three. 2/5 from Bowen, 3/8 from Manu in game 4, though Finley was 2/8. Finley was then 8/9 in the final game.

The Spurs were connecting on lots of jumpers, lots of threes. Duncan had reams of help from his roleplayers, to say nothing of the overall scoring impact of his regulars. He had 3 or 4 double digit scorers besides himself in each of the first 4 games and in game 5 when he only had 2 other double-digit scorers (Finley and Parker), he got 22 points from the bench (almost a quarter of the team's scoring output).

[Ballings7]

No. I don't think they do.

Their 3PT shooting is poor.

Their legitimate/tradtional defense isn't consistent enough or at a playoff level. Partial personnel and the mind-set defensively, is also lacking, and two specifics of this. Nene being out will only hurt their defense. Going and gambling for steals and blocks a lot, I understand, but they lack discipline in going for them. Regular disadvantages and holes are created when the attempt is unsuccessful. Forcing TOs can't be relied on so much, as your main defense and as a result what you thrive on offensively.

Denver's still an offensive-minded team, that relies on easy baskets and running. AI/Carmelo isolation offense aren't regularily successful, and can't be relied on because of the other lesser areas of their offense. No Nene doesn't help, who's a pretty skilled offensive player.

Denver's not a team that's going to win games with defense and half-court offensive execution. That's not what they're known for, and thus not solid/a strength.

They're a mentally combustible team.

Their back-court size is too small outside of JR Smith (who's an inconsistent player, and not a respetcable defender) and Diawara (who gets erratic minutes, I think, and is a 2nd year player with no PO experience). The perimeter defense, unless Diawara's playing regular minutes, is not passable. Specifically the starting back-court of Carter/AI (reversed for defense) is much too small. Also specifically, for Diawara's defense to really matter, he has to play late in games, or else it's limited in it's effectiveness. This means AI has to play point guard, and I don't know if Denver wants to do this.

They're too much of a perimeter offensive team without Nene - and one that is not a decent 3PT shooting team. Regardless, these two things are needed most offensively.

All of this doesn't favor too well for the playoffs.

Denver has some issues they need to address to become a title contender. They need to get more balanced.

Also these rumors about Ron Artest (without giving up Kleiza) doesn't really put them up to legitimate contender status, IMO, if they got him. Overall, I just don't think he's a good fit there, other than adding versatility offensively, and great defense. But Ron isn't a top-level 3PT shooter, he is clutch, and decent overall, though. Also not sure how he'd mesh with Karl. Would probably be okay with the rest of the players, though.

edit: Also in getting Artest, Denver would be giving up Kleiza or Nene (which I doubt the Kings would take Nene), who are both key players for Denver. You're losing in what Kleiza brings with his shooting and athleticism-related contributions, and Nene's post defense, rebounding, athleticism, and offensive ability.

They're still too perimeter-reliant with Artest or Mike Miller added. And Nene is questionable at best to be back with his situation.

Their defensive-mindset as a team has to change where they play consistent, disciplined, solid defense, and win games with defense. The typical kind of defense. Then, get bigger in the back-court, get Nene back and he's able to play on both ends, improve the 3PT shooting, and control their emotions with what goes on in a game against them.

Then I'd consider Denver a title contender.

[Powder Blue]

With our current roster and injuries we don't have a title shot...if we had Chucky and Nene we'd be much more of a threat. Adding mike miller or artest makes this topic more debatable.

[yunggunz]

Right now they have no chance at a championship, but I say wait until the trade deadline.

If they can address one of their two primary weaknesses (perimeter defense and perimeter shooting) via a trade, then they have to be considered.

Also mind you that 2 projected starters have been out all season and could be back a month before the playoffs. If they can get Atkins to hit a couple threes and Nene to provide post scoring and post D for just 15 minutes a game, they become a much better team.

[yunggunz]

The funniest thing though is that if you look at all the stats, they have a very good defense and a relatively poor offense. People just look at the PPg and PPg against and jump to irrational conclusions about a team they dont watch play.

[corona]

Denver is not even a sure bet for the playoffs

then no current western playoff team is.
heck...san antonio, who most would say is a favorite to repeat, are just 1.5 games ahead of denver...and there's no word on parker's return. a quick losing streak and they could be outside looking in. 5 games separate 1st from 9th.

[nesta]

They start Anthony Carter...

[yunggunz]

-= original quote snipped =-

And....?

The Spurs started elson/oberto and won a championship.

[Powder Blue]

Its worth pointing out this topic wasn't started by a nuggets fan. Nobody on the nugs board would say we have a shot at the title with our current roster. Kind of a pointless argument if not even the teams own fans think they have a shot.

[Ballings7]

and there's no word on parker's return

Actually, he's returning after the all-star break. I would guess that means within 1-2 weeks after it.

Kobe didn't guard him until the 4th, and he scored 2 in the 4th.

Ariza guarded AI before Kobe took over guarding AI for the last 5 minutes of the 4th.

[yunggunz]

-= original quote snipped =-



Actually, he's returning after the all-star break. I would guess that means within 1-2 weeks after it.

I think its all speculation right now. Its impossible to tell with bone spurs....remember, Bobby Simmons went down for the season with bone spurs.

[Ballings7]

I think its all speculation right now. Its impossible to tell with bone spurs....remember, Bobby Simmons went down for the season with bone spurs.

It's just what was reported a couple times lately during Spurs games. So I'm pointing out what I've learned.

[exkonvict]

Of course they have a shot. As for how big a shot, it's a long shot.

[Ballings7]

The funniest thing though is that if you look at all the stats, they have a very good defense and a relatively poor offense. People just look at the PPg and PPg against and jump to irrational conclusions about a team they dont watch play.

Well, Denver actually doesn't rank decently in opp. offensive rebs, opp. 3PM/%, and opp. points in the paint.

Also, George Karl was quoted recently as saying "we're schizophrenic defensively". An announcer said he said this a couple weeks ago when they played at Dallas (was on ESPN). Now, obviously that doesn't mean the creation of turnovers, because that's always been a constant for Denver. It's relating to the more typical and legitimate form of playing defense. Which doesn't involve much gambling, going for steals and blocks, but of course involving rotations, altering shots, staying with your man.

From the several games I've seen of Denver this year, I don't come away thinking they're a solid, proven defensive team. Which can win games with defense, and play defense at a title-contending-level.

That's one half of it, though.

[JordansBulls]

I look at their team and I am amazed. They are built the right way. With Melo and AI you have two superstars who can score, Camby gives defensive presence and rebounding, Nene (when healthy) is a above average big man and Kleiza can shoot the if you leave him open.

I know the reponses I am going to get are "The West is deep" but I look at this team and there is no reason why they cannot beat any team in the NBA. I think this is the year the step it up in the playoffs and advance a round or two.

I've always said this team is built like the 90's Bulls. They have two elite perimeter players, a good rebounder/defender up front, good scorer off the bench. They just need the defense.

[Ballings7]

-= original quote snipped =-



I've always said this team is built like the 90's Bulls. They have two elite perimeter players, a good rebounder/defender up front, good scorer off the bench. They just need the defense.

And 3PT shooting, and better mental toughness (emotions).