2021 Western Conference race to the playoff

skywalker33 · Post #41 » by **skywalker33** » Sun Apr 25, 2021 2:41 pm

psimanic1 wrote:With Dallas ein over LAL, looks like we could potentially play them in first round.. Would KP be back for the PO? Do we have enough fire power for that series? Can Malone outplay Carlisle?

I’d definitely rather start off against the Mavs than a LAL club unless LBJ is still nursing that injury. Would be a nice battle to watch, Jokic vs. Doncic, there’s some fireworks for ya. Easily think MPJ will step up in the playoffs, there’s one for fire power

psimanic1 · Post #42 » by **psimanic1** » Sun Apr 25, 2021 4:15 pm

skywalker33 wrote:
psimanic1 wrote:With Dallas ein over LAL, looks like we could potentially play them in first round.. Would KP be back for the PO? Do we have enough fire power for that series? Can Malone outplay Carlisle?

I’d definitely rather start off against the Mavs than a LAL club unless LBJ is still nursing that injury. Would be a nice battle to watch, Jokic vs. Doncic, there’s some fireworks for ya. Easily think MPJ will step up in the playoffs, there’s one for fire power

Im not concerned about Jokic and MPJ, but rather our guards.. They are not constant 3pt threats, they can go off one game and then shoot 2-14 combined other game.. I would say Dallas have more fire power from 3pt range.. And we are not really good against teams like those.. I mean, Rondo was Curry lite against us last year xD

TunaFish · Post #43 » by **TunaFish** » Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:14 pm

psimanic1 wrote:
skywalker33 wrote:
psimanic1 wrote:With Dallas ein over LAL, looks like we could potentially play them in first round.. Would KP be back for the PO? Do we have enough fire power for that series? Can Malone outplay Carlisle?

I’d definitely rather start off against the Mavs than a LAL club unless LBJ is still nursing that injury. Would be a nice battle to watch, Jokic vs. Doncic, there’s some fireworks for ya. Easily think MPJ will step up in the playoffs, there’s one for fire power

Im not concerned about Jokic and MPJ, but rather our guards.. They are not constant 3pt threats, they can go off one game and then shoot 2-14 combined other game.. I would say Dallas have more fire power from 3pt range.. And we are not really good against teams like those.. I mean, Rondo was Curry lite against us last year xD

A legitimate concern as injuries have taken a toll. Our best hope for this season is with a full return of Morris and Barton. But when?

Our other hope is that Dozier breaks out as a full time starter.

I think we will see Morris soon enough but Barton will probably be out for a long while based on his history. Morris returning may come at an opportune time for this team as we are getting closer to the playoffs. I am less comfortable with Dozier because of his periods of inconsistency particularly his shooting. Inconsistency is still a problem with Barton as well but just like Dozier, he can get hot and both like to drive to the basket. Along with Morris, Barton and Dozier are quality role players and will be needed.

I haven't given up on the Nuggets' chances in the playoffs. Injuries have effected everyone. Jokic may be the cog for how far Denver can go but MPJ is the key.

Post #44 » by **The Rebel** » Mon Apr 26, 2021 1:24 am

psimanic1 wrote:With Dallas ein over LAL, looks like we could potentially play them in first round.. Would KP be back for the PO? Do we have enough fire power for that series? Can Malone outplay Carlisle?

How well we play them is going to depend heavily on Gordon's defense against Doncic and MPJ. If he can slow Doncic down than we can win that series. The thing is that team really does not have good shot creators. They have shooters and finishers, but not a lot of guys that can really create for themselves.

Call me crazy but I think if the games are called right by the refs than I think we can beat the Lakers as well if we have Morris and Barton both back healthy.

MPJ had a very good series against the Lakers last year, on both ends for a rookie. They do not have the size to handle Jokic and MPJ (MPJ measured just under 6'11" predraft), nobody really does.

The issue is going to be our guard defense. I am not sure we could beat the Trailblazers or Warriors and the Grizzlies also scare me a little. We really do not have the defenders to stop their stars, and we don't have the firepower to just outscore them without 1 of Morris or Barton back.

skywalker33 · Post #45 » by **skywalker33** » Tue Apr 27, 2021 3:07 pm

With 11 games left, we're just two games back of LAC for #3 seed. The Clippers have a pretty brutal schedule over the next few weeks including H2H matchup with PHX and our own Nuggets the next two games. Clips have a tendency to falter, can we get that 3rd seed ? Or do we want to take on the Lakers in the 1st round while they're still recovering from their bout with injuries, can we pick our 1st round matchup ?

FilNugsFan · Post #46 » by **FilNugsFan** » Tue Apr 27, 2021 8:32 pm

skywalker33 wrote:With 11 games left, we're just two games back of LAC for #3 seed. The Clippers have a pretty brutal schedule over the next few weeks including H2H matchup with PHX and our own Nuggets the next two games. Clips have a tendency to falter, can we get that 3rd seed ? Or do we want to take on the Lakers in the 1st round while they're still recovering from their bout with injuries, can we pick our 1st round matchup ?

I'd go for that 3rd seed, take our chances against whichever team gets the 6th seed and let the 2 LA teams slug it out in the 1st round. For all we know, the Clippers might also want to position themselves to face and eliminate the Lakers early in the 1st round.

What I'm worried about if we clinch the 3rd seed is if the Warriors find a way to rack up wins and climb up to #6. If the last 2 games against GSW were any indications, I'd rather face anyone among Luka/Dame/Morant than Curry.

Post #47 » by **NuggetsWY** » Tue Apr 27, 2021 10:57 pm

I suspect Malone wants to win every single game from now to the end of the year and not worry about who we match up against --- and I'll agree with him on that. I'm not worried about matchups (well, maybe a little). I believe if we can get the team pulling together with a slightly improved defense and a very improved bench --- then we can beat anyone we face.

TunaFish · Post #48 » by **TunaFish** » Wed Apr 28, 2021 12:55 am

Dozier is having an effect defensively. What is the bigger surprise is that Rivers is getting 6th man minutes. That would not have happened except for so many injuries in the guard position. Ironically in Denver, Rivers is being handed a prime opportunity and he has enough skill to be effective. Like Dozier he has been plagued by inconsistency. The question here is whether Rivers will revert to his prior poor play with the Knicks or flash back to his good play with the Clippers?

Post #49 » by **The Rebel** » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:13 am

With our win tonight and the Clippers/Suns game we are bound to move up 1 spot on 1 of them, either 1 game back of the 3 or 2 games back of the 2 and 3. If we can get healthier and stay healthy we maybe able to climb up into that 2 seed and get 1 of the playin teams. We have to win against the Clippers this weekend and I believe we will have the tiebreaker over both the Suns and Clippers.

skywalker33 · Post #50 » by **skywalker33** » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:45 am

Well, we're now ONE game behind the 3rd seed in the WC playoff race and guess who we play Saturday....those same LA Clippers who are on a 2 game losing streak. The season tiebreaker is at stake as the series is 1-1 right now so BIG game coming up. They will have time to regroup as they're off until the game while we play TOR tomorrow, makes for a tough B2B but we should be able to handle them. If we are STILL contenders, this team with it's new defensive attitude supported by our own Batman and Robin will respond to take down the Clips again.

Post #51 » by **THE J0KER** » Thu Apr 29, 2021 5:18 am

The same standings for long in Western Conference without any TOP7 changes last 3-4 weeks, but LA teams playing without their biggest stars LeBron and Kawhi inflated their #3 and #5 positions, so both are under attack right now. If Denver beats the Raptors tomorrow as expected, the Nuggets will be in a position to reach the WC TOP3 spot for the first time this season despite the ruined backcourt line this month!

skywalker33 · Post #52 » by **skywalker33** » Thu Apr 29, 2021 4:00 pm

Is it just me but do the Clippers always start strong and then fade during playoff time ?

TunaFish · Post #53 » by **TunaFish** » Thu Apr 29, 2021 7:27 pm

Read on Twitter

skywalker33 · Post #54 » by **skywalker33** » Fri Apr 30, 2021 3:43 am

Time to take on the big, bad Clips, time for us to take down LA ( Lakers after the Clips). Only 9 games before the playoffs, two wins in LA would set a strong pathway, send a strong message to the West

skywalker33 · Post #55 » by **skywalker33** » Sat May 1, 2021 12:44 am

Interesting game tonight to watch, UTH vs PHX, let's see who comes out on top there.

skywalker33 · Post #56 » by **skywalker33** » Sat May 1, 2021 8:22 pm

PHX took out BOTH LAC and UTH B2B, quite impressive. Chris Paul finally leading his team to a contender level.

Post #57 » by **The Rebel** » Sat May 1, 2021 10:55 pm

skywalker33 wrote:PHX took out BOTH LAC and UTH B2B, quite impressive. Chris Paul finally leading his team to a contender level.

Until Paul holds up and leads a team past the 2nd round in the playoffs than I refuse to consider the Suns contenders. Very few people remember that Paul was always soft, when teams get physical in the playoffs he has a long history of folding, going back to Dahntay Jones absolutely owning him all those years ago.

Post #58 » by **NuggetsWY** » Sun May 2, 2021 9:08 am

Denver Nuggets:

43-21 - impressive
24-10 at home - solid
19-11 on the road - 2nd best in WC
8-1 in our division - best in WC
25-13 in WC - outstanding

skywalker33 · Post #59 » by **skywalker33** » Mon May 3, 2021 5:52 am

Laker lost AGAIN tonight, down to the 7th seed (vs UTH right now), could they get bounced and miss the playoffs ? They have a murderers row their next 5 game (DEN, LAC, POR, PHX and NYK) not inconceivable that's 5 lossing their last 3,

LBJ just came back and AD has been back those last 3 games, could the reigning Champs miss the playoffs ?? Anyone else love to see that ?? Of course it they do, seems predictable the LAL would "conveniently" move up into the high lottery, didn't the NBA gift them 3 #2 picks in a row ??

Post #60 » by **THE J0KER** » Mon May 3, 2021 7:04 am

skywalker33 wrote:Laker lost AGAIN tonight, down to the 7th seed (vs UTH right now), could they get bounced and miss the playoffs ? They have a murderers row their next 5 game (DEN, LAC, POR, PHX and NYK) not inconceivable that's 5 lossing their last 3,

LBJ just came back and AD has been back those last 3 games, could the reigning Champs miss the playoffs ?? Anyone else love to see that ?? Of course it they do, seems predictable the LAL would "conveniently" move up into the high lottery, didn't the NBA gift them 3 #2 picks in a row ??

36y old LeBron is not interested in anything else than "winning now" with basically the same team which won the title last season. Even if they drop as bad as #7 or even #8 they can miss the playoff only if losing both play-in games (vs GSW and Memphis probably) which would be a miracle if LBJ and AD stay healthy. Both stars have enough time to be back into TOP10 mode, which will actually make them favorites against Utah or Phoenix in the 1st round. If they start to play on a high level already this week they will finish RS 5th or maybe 6th.