08 Jazz vs 09 Nuggets

[HouseofBoozer]

I'd argue that this years Nuggets were little if any better than last years Jazz. My reasoning is identical records, which I'm pretty sure a Jazz team with a home series against the Hornets and Mavs would have advanced to the Conference finals as well. The fight that the Nuggets put up against the Lakers lasted six games as did the Jazz fight against the Lakers last year. The difference was the Nuggets actually won in LA. The Nuggets also seemed to be better defensively, but overall I think the Jazz were a better offensive team. Thoughts?

[carrottop12]

I agree. I think it would be a pretty even match up.

Deron is one player who always tends to give Billups a hard time so he wouldn't dominate like he had been doing.

The length of Denver would be hard on the Jazz with Birdman and Nene and Martin, but Melo also tends to struggle against the Jazz.

It'd be a very good series. I am excited to see how the Nuggets do next year.

[tdownwa]

After living in Utah and being a Jazz fan all my life, I recently moved to Denver and watched most of the 08-09 Nuggets games. I have a little different opinion that both teams are equal. Mainly Denver's bench this year was stronger then Utah's in 07-08. Denver had Kleiza, JR Smith, AC and Chris Anderson coming off the bench. Utah had Sap, Korver, and Harpring getting the bulk non-starter minutes. That said the 4 Denver players played equal minutes to many of their starting teammates which kept this team fresh to closeout the season. IMO Utah played well down the stretch in 07-08 but seemed to be running on empty for to long in the playoffs. I wont compare the starters between the two teams because the play different styles but while both teams are close I give the 08-09 Nuggs the advantage only because of the bench.

In addition, JR Smith was a 15/4/3 guy this year and a high energy guy for the Nuggets off the bench. While he played more minutes then starter Daunte Jones it was a luxury for the Nuggets to have this type of offensive talent coming in with the "B-team". George Karl learned how to use his offensive skills and there where many games this year the lead the team in scoring. It was few and far between if at all that Sap, Korver, or Harpring lead the Jazz in scoring during the 07-08 campaign. Advantage Denvers bench again.

GO JAZZ!

[outerspacefella]

This postseson Nugget's version would eat 2008 Jazz for breakfast. Stats really don't matter here. Denver's much, and I meen VERY VERY MUCH, tougher and talented. In an imaginary postseason series they'd probably would have swept the 2008 Jazz easily.
Lakers are where they are because they have this monster 24 guy who's the obvoius MVP and probably the most complete and talented player to ever play the game.

[HammerDunk]

I think Carmelo grew up a bit this year, but I stress A BIT. It was impressive what he did against Kobe in the first few games, but he really fell off and wasn't great. I feel like Kobe took all the wind out of his sails, and it was sad what he became. Well, not really sad since it was looking very foreboding for the Jazz, but I'm still not sweating him. I am glad the Nuggets had limited (yes, it was very limited) success against LA. If it weren't for LA not giving a damn about things half the time, they would have swept them. JR Smith is an incredible talent, but also a douche. Really reminds me of younger Kobe, not as good, but WAY too cocky for his own good. They also have mammoth problems with salary cap this year as well. I think it will be so tough for them to repeat what they did this season. They won't be a surprise anymore.

As for the topic, I think it would be a tough series, but I think the Jazz would win. We play the Nuggets well. I think we would, just like the Lakers did, get into their heads and ware them down quickly. It seems that the problem with energy players, is that if they are young and inexperienced, their energy seems to overwhelm them during the playoffs. Smith had some monster games, but also had some bad ones, especially when Kobe was smoking him.

But then again, I'm just a silly Jazz homer who won't praise the Nuggets like the rest of the world has. Oh yeah, their coach sucks...

[HouseofBoozer]

This postseson Nugget's version would eat 2008 Jazz for breakfast. Stats really don't matter here. Denver's much, and I meen VERY VERY MUCH, tougher and talented. In an imaginary postseason series they'd probably would have swept the 2008 Jazz easily.
Lakers are where they are because they have this monster 24 guy who's the obvoius MVP and probably the most complete and talented player to ever play the game.

Just a few other ideas that goes against what you just said. The Lakers didn't sweep the Jazz, neither would the Nuggets. I'm not saying that last years team would have won, though think they would have, but to be swept? I don't think so. Also just to make a point about what tdowna said. I agree with many of your points, but I think the Jazz offense down low would trump the Nuggets D down low, because they didn't have much consistent offense coming from their bigs. Deron would have also continued to play well against Billups, and a healthier Matt Harpring would have still given Melo a headache. Just some counter points to what you guys said. I'm glad to hear what others think though.

[tdownwa]

I think Carmelo grew up a bit this year, but I stress A BIT. It was impressive what he did against Kobe in the first few games, but he really fell off and wasn't great. I feel like Kobe took all the wind out of his sails, and it was sad what he became.

Agreed - Melo hasnt played any defense in the 4-5 years his been in the league. It was amazing to see him man up against Kobe for the first few games, but it really hurt him offensively over the rest of the series. I feel obligated to say he was also dealing with a stomach thing for the past few games, but still waist energy hes never put out before had an impact on his game.

I am glad the Nuggets had limited (yes, it was very limited) success against LA. If it weren't for LA not giving a damn about things half the time, they would have swept them.

We must not have been watching the same game. Kobe was hurting trying to find oxygen the first 4 games. I wouldn't call it not giving a damn by LA but Denver showed up to play in the first 4 games, and LA was struggling to keep up after a drawn out Houston series. Really Denver should have swept them. If the team would have had more experience and if Melo or Billups would have stepped up in the last few minutes of games one and three this could be a different conversation. On another thought Billups was pretty disappointing this past series.

JR Smith is an incredible talent, but also a douche.

LOL!!! Agreed

They also have mammoth problems with salary cap this year as well. I think it will be so tough for them to repeat what they did this season. They won't be a surprise anymore.

I just read a local article about this. Right now Kleiza is a RFA, Birdman is a FA with no Bird rights, AC, and Daunte Jones are also both FA's. They have 8 of their current players under contract and those 8 players will make about $69mil next year. Most fans here in Denver dont care to see AC or Jones back in a Nuggets uni. However if the price is right they will likely resign both. You can expect Kleiza and Anderson to both be resigned but for how much? Kleiza could get more then the team would want to match via FA. Also might Anderson want a full MLE? I totally agree that this team is in a world of hurt trying to find the extra piece to make them more competitive next year. I expect them to look pretty much the same next year this previous season which as you said will not be a surprise to anyone playing them.

[HammerDunk]

It's easy to see it two different ways. You saw that Denver should have swept the series. I didn't. You also can't discount the inexperience of the team in the playoffs, and yes, Billups was a letdown considering his playoff history. I think he is definitely getting past his prime. I think the Lakers experience simply trumped the energy of the Nuggets.

I look at it this way. Had the Lakers not had a drawn out series against the Rockets (again, they have a problem giving a damn half the time), they might have very well swept the Nuggets. Kobe was absolutely winded after some of the games, but had he been able to get some rest, who knows.

I guess what I'm saying, is that I'm still not that worried about Denver. I may be absolutely wrong, and I really wanted to see them slay the Lakers, but I really think the Jazz can have their number next season (assuming we don't get completely screwed over this off season). Here's to hoping this Jazz team can get more than 5 games of playoff experience next year.

[leventuysal]

If my aunt had some more down there, she'd be my uncle.

This year's Denver would kick the Jazz's butt. We won't see any mismatches to our advantage next year.