Are Nuggets a contender?

[Fenix]

C: Marcus Camby
PF: Kenyon Martin
SF: Carmelo Anthony
SG: Ruben Patterson
PG: Andre Miller

I just finished watching the Detroit@Denver match, which was my third or fourth time I saw the Nuggets play this season and the first time since the trade for terrible duo of Patterson and Evans. As you already know, Denver won this one and I started to question myself if the Nuggets truly are a contender for the NBA title?

The roster Kiki has succeded to assemble looks pretty good on the court. Marcus Camby revived his career and is playing ball of his life, providing game-changing D with his rebounding and blocking. In this particular game you could really see the effect he has on the game, how players were actually scared of driving for easy layups because of his presence. On offense he isn't limited only with putbacks and alley-ops, but he added a dangerous but ugly looking midrange jumper. The offseason microfracture knee surgery hasn't limited as much of Martin's athleticism as I would it will and he still has great quickness and elevation on his dunks and there's always a chance that he'll punish you with a 17 footer if you don't defend him closely enough. Too bad both of these big men are made out of glass and you never know if they'll last untill the playoffs in one piece. Carmelo got himself fit and it really shows, especially athleticism-wise. He's still incosistent jump shooter, showed on several occasions that he's unwilling to pass the ball and plays passive defence. Patterson doesn't really deserve to be called a 'shooting guard' while he can't shoot, but is all hustle and energy. He's not integrated into Denver's halfcourt offense yet and the majority of points he gets are either putbacks or alley-oops. He can post his man up, though, as can Andre Miller, who posseses the right amount of passing ability and court vision to run the whole thing.

On the bench, you have Earl Boykins, who is smartly used by Karl and doesn't stay in game nearly enough to become a liability on D. Reggie Evans becomes the dominating rebounder once Camby leaves the court and is also underrated defender. Too bad he doesn't have Rodman's basketball IQ to be as effective as he was on both sides of the court. Najera is - like Patterson - pure energy. Derrmar Johnson is a decent backup SG and a great offensive talent. Too bad he never got his career moving.

Their offense relies on fast break opportunities, foorays to the basket, some post-up game and a lot of easy baskets caused by good off the ball movement of the players. But there's no one in the starting five (or on the bench, for that matter) who can shoot from any distance with reliability, and that is what haunts him for the past years. Their bench has no size and only Miller, Anthony and Boykins can consistently create their own shots, everything else goes through team offense, which is still a bit shaky.

The point of this thread is this question: will and can the Nuggets present a serious threat in the playoffs?

[Riot]

No, they won't even win the Northwest division.

[Axel]

I agree with Riot. Utah is going to pass Denver for the lead in the Northwest. Boozer has been playing great since his return, and now with Okur, Boozer and Kirilenko, they have one of the biggest front courts in the entire league (if not the biggest). They'll come on strong and pass Denver... only way they will make the playoffs is if they can pass the Lakers.

[Anthony15]

No, they won't even win the Northwest division.

Who is gonna win it then? Ur T-Puppets? Or the Jizzers from Utah?

[Pera]

Vank on which chanel do you watch NBA games?

[Fenix]

Vank on which chanel do you watch NBA games?

Heh, I don't watch them on TV.

They'll can ban you for for these kind of things.

[Pera]

Vank on which chanel do you watch NBA games?

Heh, I don't watch them on TV.

They'll can ban you for for these kind of things.

Then give me a link or something

[Riot]

No, they won't even win the Northwest division.

Who is gonna win it then? Ur T-Puppets? Or the Jizzers from Utah?

The Timberwolves will win the Northwest Division this year. Book it.

[Anthony15]

No, they won't even win the Northwest division.

Who is gonna win it then? Ur T-Puppets? Or the Jizzers from Utah?

The Timberwolves will win the Northwest Division this year. Book it.

Yea? 5.5 games ehind Denver...Nuggets have to have all of their starters injured and Minny to play very good to get to the first place! I doubt it though.

[Its_asdf]

Denver is a playoff team. Not a contender.

[j.23]

Denver is a playoff team. Not a contender.

that pretty much sums up the entire NBA with the exception of dallas, san antonio and detroit.

im torn with phoenix though.

having said that, i think the odds on favourite to win this year is detroit, but i think dallas will definitely give them a run for their money.

[Laxation]

its between detroit, miami, dallas, spurs and phoenix (still dont have amare, remember)

every other team should just tank the season and save their players for the next one

(even miami is pushing it)

[Riot]

No, they won't even win the Northwest division.

Who is gonna win it then? Ur T-Puppets? Or the Jizzers from Utah?

The Timberwolves will win the Northwest Division this year. Book it.

Yea? 5.5 games ehind Denver...Nuggets have to have all of their starters injured and Minny to play very good to get to the first place! I doubt it though.

Wolves are going to make a rally, I can feel it. I'm with this team until the end!

[Buckley]

i think denver is gonna make the playoffs, and lose in the first round to memphis.

denver will finish 44-38

[Fresh8]

Denver still needs an outside shooting threat to be able to contend in my opinion. Since Voshon never really recovered and al that... maybe this offseason will see them pick up a shooter?

[Matt]

2 true contenders.... SAS & Detroit.

[Axel]

2 true contenders.... SAS & Detroit.

and Phoenix.. unless 9 wins in a row without Kurt Thomas and Amare Stoudemire is a fluke.

[kevC]

The Nuggets will not have much success in the play-offs. They are a good running team but seem too one-dimensional on a half-set (Through what I've seen in yesterday's game against the Rockets) which will be a problem in the play-offs.

[Axel]

How has Ruben Patterson since coming to Denver? His defense will really help them out... he'll fit right in with his bad shooting though.

[Anthony15]

I think Ruben is finally a player the nuggets needed at SG. Even though he is struggling with his shooting, he can get us 10-12 PPG. His defense is great, he battles for loose balls a lot.

[Its_asdf]

Ruben Patterson trade was shit. It took away even more minutes from Dermarr Johnson and he's one of the main reasons why I like the Nuggets.

[Matt]

and Phoenix

no.

[kinokong]

phx maybe next year with amare... but no doubt they'll make a deep playoff run

[Amphatoast]

no love for dallas and avery johnson job on putting the "D" in Dallas?

[Matt]

Dallas still doesn't play good defense. They are deff better than previously, but not good enough to win a playoff series based on it. There offense isn't nearly great enough to overcome SAS's defense.

I pose ths question.....when was the last time we had a champ that wasn't an excellent defensive team? which leaves you with the answer to who's a contender.....Detroit & SAS.