Does Denver have a shot at the title?

[Ballings7]

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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).

[Patterns]

Nuggets have no chance of winning the tittle.

The Jazz, Spurs, Lakers, Mavericks all have a big advantage over them. They might even sweep the Nuggets. Phx, NO, GSW, Houston can easily beat them too.

Even if they get to the Finals, they have no chance against DET or BOS.

[corona]

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.

i think Karl was just referring to their consistency and effort of playing defense, which wavers dramatically...and typically drops off to nothing when the team collectively thinks they can win a game off talent alone. (see: giving up 46 1st quarter points to indiana, of all teams....and then holding them to 32 in the entire second half)

fortunately that's not a big issue come playoff time. everyone knows they have to play defense to beat the spurs/suns/jazz/hornets...or any team in the western playoffs for that matter. and effort/determination/focus will not waver in those games for that reason.

did denver have an awful defensive period against san antonio last year? i don't recall one. i do recall multiple quarters where they couldn't even get 20 points.
edit: stats to back that up:
denver gave up two 30+ point quarters in the series. and one was the last quarter of game 5 where they essentially threw in the towel.
they only gave up three quarters of over 26 points to san antonio. in 5 games against a team with duncan/parker/ginobili/finley/barry, i think that's pretty darn good....and realistically, it should be enough to win more than 1 game.
on the other hand...denver had 6 quarters in the series where they failed to crack 20 points, one where they scored 11 points, one with 15 points, and one with 16 (in 12 minutes! with iverson and melo!). the only game in which they scored 20+ in all 4 quarters...they won. in games that are consistently decided by 5 points or less, you can't afford to have a quarter where you score 1 point for every minute....or even a 6 minute stretch where you score 5 points.

that's what happens with denver, that's what happened last year.

that's the real issue.

[big123]

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.

Good analysis.

[Rasheeed!!!]

Denver needs to drastically fix hteir offense. Maybe it's just me, but all i see out there for about 40mins is 'your turn my turn'.

Also, it would help if AI actually played the slightest bit of defence.

[KobeFarmarEra]

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iverson just list up kobe the other night for 51 or whatever, does that mean hes not all nba defender worthy?

Bold faced lie.

Kobe was rarely even guarding AI the first 3 quarters of that game (where AI scored most of his points). Ariza then comes him and clamps him up during the start of the 4th. After that, Kobe guarded AI and clamped him again during crunch time.

But hey, keep lying.

[thamadkant]

Nuggets have the talent.

But they don't have the identity.

Some nights they play high octane offense.
Some nights they play slow down defense.

They aren't consistent enough playing high octane offense to be considered "elite" in that category.

They aren't consistend enough playing good defense to be considered
"elite" in that category either.


If they can be mor efficient in offense, while increase discipline in defense... yes they can.

But most of the time, they look disorganised, which works for sme teams as ball movement is effiicient and fast (Suns etc). But Nuggets they have this inconsistency in their offense flow... and again inconsistent defense too.

[manchambo]

I agree with everyone who says the Nuggets don't play a lick of defense, and probably would get swept by most of the playoff teams in the West.

In addition to playing defense, the Nuggets need to get better rebounding effort out of Melo (say around 7 rebs per night) and he needs to stop being such a chucker (he needs to average at least 46% shooting). Also, AI needs to learn to share the ball (I don't see any reason he can't be a top-10 assist man, say around 7 assists a game).

[ffz2000]

everytime i watch the nuggets it's basically this...

AI playing off his man and trying to get steals.
Everyone else not giving a damn and letting their man get past him because they think camby will save their arses.

Maybe thats a good defensive plan, but if you do that in the playoffs against spurs suns mavs jazz... Camby will foul out by start of 4th and it's going to be a layup.

And if you think nuggets will magically turn up the defensive energy and remain alert every play in the playoffs, then you'r dilusional because habits are carried into the playoffs, good and bad. The bad ones are often exposed by the other team in the playoffs.

[black06eclipse]

I agree with everyone who says the Nuggets don't play a lick of defense, and probably would get swept by most of the playoff teams in the West.

In addition to playing defense, the Nuggets need to get better rebounding effort out of Melo (say around 7 rebs per night) and he needs to stop being such a chucker (he needs to average at least 46% shooting). Also, AI needs to learn to share the ball (I don't see any reason he can't be a top-10 assist man, say around 7 assists a game).

if im not mistaken Iverson IS top 10 in assists, and he's getting well over 7 a game. also Melo is averaging over 7 rebounds a game and is shooting around 46 or 47%. Where are you getting your stats from?

Denver at 31-19 is doing great for the injurys theyve had. They've lost 2 starters for the whole season already. No one is going to get swept in the West. They're only 4 games out from the #1 seed.

[JDubJazz]

I think Denver could be right there in the championship hunt . . . but they need some tweaking. I really don't like what K-Mart brings to this group, and their point guard situation is just sad. I think Denver would bebetter off playing Kleiza and Najera at PF and find a way to get Andre Miller back from Philly. Failing that, they should talk to Memphis about getting Lowry from them, because AC just isn't working.

[pace31]

This has always been my concern with Denver is that they are a very good team, but are they a championship team? That's what it's all about right? I just see the team as one that's built for a solid 50-win season and a 1st or 2nd round exit with no room to really improve. Melo and some of the supporting cast will obviously get better, but as they improve AI and Camby will likely decline. I don't think this team is good enough to win the championship and some of their key players windows are closing. They need to make moves and make them right now.

[elbowthrower]

They're not a championship team, but not for the reasons many of you cite.

corona had it right; the D is there when they need it. The Spurs series was actually a lot closer than people are remembering- and last year's Spurs were a buzz saw that ran through the entire playoffs.

The problem, again and again, is injuries, 3 point shooting and (to a lesser degree) post offense. More than anything the lack of versatility on offense is what kills them. If Iverson has a bad night, it's easy to throw the double on Carmelo and force the rest of the team to step up. Sometimes they do, but too often they don't.

[The_Believer]

The Nugs have the star power to win a title, but for some reason, they can't pan out.
They need to improve their perimeter defense since AI and Melo are at best average defenders. Also, their ability to mesh and stay motivated is somewhat questionable.
To answer the question, they don't have a shot at the title since the other top West teams could easily beat them.

[carrottop12]

Here is my problem with the Nuggets.

They are too reliant on AI and Melo to score to be a truly efficient basketball team.

If those guys show up and do their job they can combine for 60 points and be competetive, but they don't have anyone else who scores every night and their bench leaves a lot to be desired offensively.

[manchambo]

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if im not mistaken Iverson IS top 10 in assists, and he's getting well over 7 a game. also Melo is averaging over 7 rebounds a game and is shooting around 46 or 47%. Where are you getting your stats from?

Denver at 31-19 is doing great for the injurys theyve had. They've lost 2 starters for the whole season already. No one is going to get swept in the West. They're only 4 games out from the #1 seed.

Are you saying that my criticisms are completely outdated and make it appear as if I haven't watched the Nuggets all year?

[LiquidFire]

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Bold faced lie.

Kobe was rarely even guarding AI the first 3 quarters of that game (where AI scored most of his points). Ariza then comes him and clamps him up during the start of the 4th. After that, Kobe guarded AI and clamped him again during crunch time.

But hey, keep lying.

That other guy was saying why didnt lebron man up and play melo for the whole game, now that doesnt make very much sense to do, and thats also why kobe didnt guard the oposing best wing player.
lebron didnt even guard him in the 4th becuase bron wasnt playing (melo was tho) and im sure he would deffinatly have shut him down in the 4th

[hermes]

of course they have a shot
not a great one
but it's still a shot

[greenbeans]

if they get hot going in, then yes. theyll be able to hang with anybody

[High 5]

None at all. Which is a shame because there's a lot of talent wasting away there. Players that don't have many years left like AI, Camby and K-Mart.

I mean, I guess if they started hitting on all cylinders then they could go far and make it close, but I'd pick about 7 or 8 teams to win it before them.