***2012-13 NBA THREAD!!! New Season/New Thread - LET'S GO!!!!!***

[stevemcqueen1]

Yeah the Nuggets are easy to root for. They kind of follow the Gregg Poppovich mold in some ways: get a bunch of role players that play within themselves and can do a couple of things at a high level--with the right mix, you can eventually field a complete team.

The only problem is, can that team make it all the way? Overwhelming talent tends to trump all in a seven game series, as Miami and OKC proved last year.

---------- Post added January-31st-2013 at 09:33 AM ----------

In the end, you have to have a player that can create points either by scoring or assisting in crunch time against a set defense.

The Mavs beat the overwhelmingly talented Heat with mostly a collection of role players and one true star who was one of the best crunch time scorers in the game at the time. So it only takes one if you've got everything else clicking.

Who is that guy going to be for Denver? I don't see anyone.

[youngchew]

Yeah the Nuggets are easy to root for. They kind of follow the Gregg Poppovich mold in some ways: get a bunch of role players that play within themselves and can do a couple of things at a high level--with the right mix, you can eventually field a complete team.

The only problem is, can that team make it all the way? Overwhelming talent tends to trump all in a seven game series, as Miami and OKC proved last year.

---------- Post added January-31st-2013 at 09:33 AM ----------

In the end, you have to have a player that can create points either by scoring or assisting in crunch time against a set defense.

The Mavs beat the overwhelmingly talented Heat with mostly a collection of role players and one true star who was one of the best crunch time scorers in the game at the time. So it only takes one if you've got everything else clicking.

Who is that guy going to be for Denver? I don't see anyone.

ya know, that's been the topic of conversation a lot here lately. While they've still got a good record (29-18) and made the playoffs every year since Melo left, they've yet to get over that hump. They always get that 6th or 7th seed, and then lose out in the first round (though they took the Lakers to game 7 last year).

Just like you said Steve, the Nuggets have lost so many close games this season because they DON'T have that one go to guy late in the game. They've blown several 2-3 possession leads in the last 90 seconds this season because they haven't been able to score in clutch situations. George Karl wants Ty Lawson or Deniro Gallinari to be that dude, but they've yet to fully take on the role. And with Denver's lack of a big name perimeter shooter, when Ty drives and collapses the lane late in the game, everybody crashes on him because they don't respect Denver's shooters, usually ending in Ty taking a really tough shot or having it blocked. There's nobody for him to kick it out to.

Nuggets are in kind of a weird situation. Being a perennial playoff team, Denver is never bad enough to have a chance at the lottery and land a top 5 draft pick. And because Denver is a small(er) market than your Miamis and LAs, big name stars like Melo, Lebron, etc don't want to come here. It's like they're stuck in no man's land. the nuggets ALWAYS make the playoffs, but they never make any noise.

[stevemcqueen1]

ya know, that's been the topic of conversation a lot here lately. While they've still got a good record (29-18) and made the playoffs every year since Melo left, they've yet to get over that hump. They always get that 6th or 7th seed, and then lose out in the first round (though they took the Lakers to game 7 last year).

Just like you said Steve, the Nuggets have lost so many close games this season because they DON'T have that one go to guy late in the game. They've blown several 2-3 possession leads in the last 90 seconds this season because they haven't been able to score in clutch situations. George Karl wants Ty Lawson or Deniro Gallinari to be that dude, but they've yet to fully take on the role. And with Denver's lack of a big name perimeter shooter, when Ty drives and collapses the lane late in the game, everybody crashes on him because they don't respect Denver's shooters, usually ending in Ty taking a really tough shot or having it blocked. There's nobody for him to kick it out to.

Nuggets are in kind of a weird situation. Being a perennial playoff team, Denver is never bad enough to have a chance at the lottery and land a top 5 draft pick. And because Denver is a small(er) market than your Miamis and LAs, big name stars like Melo, Lebron, etc don't want to come here. It's like they're stuck in no man's land. the nuggets ALWAYS make the playoffs, but they never make any noise.

They've got an interesting roster. Lots to work with already in place and I don't think it would take them long to get really good.

I think they're ultimately about one piece away, but the problem is that one piece is a star scorer which is worth its weight in gold.

You've got Lawson as pretty much the ideal PG to run that transition heavy offense.
You've got Iggy who runs the floor very well and is a terrific stopper.
You've got Manimal as the ideal rebounder you need to get the break started plus he can run the floor and finish too.
You've got JaVale to protect the rim because Manimal is undersized plus JaVale runs the floor too.
Not really sure what you've got in Koufos yet because he hasn't lived up to all of his potential. He's not been more than a big banger yet, but it seems like he's still got some growing to do.
Wilson Chandler can guard multiple positions and hit the transition 3. Health has been an issue.

I'm not a big believer in Danilo. I think he's definitely a good player, but Denver really needs a great player at his spot. An elite crunch time scorer. If they had that, they'd be one of the most complete teams in the league. Iggy can play SG or SF. I think Denver needs a Shabazz Muhammad type from the draft or someone similar.

I think the team will also have guys who mature into good shooters in time. Jordan Hamilton and Quincy Miller were good shooters as prospects and might get there eventually. Evan Fournier is a creative player that can be dynamic at times. Maybe you all will get the crunch time scoring by committee, although that can be unreliable.

The team is still very young though, most guys are only in their fourth or fifth years.

And you never know, maybe Ty Lawson eventually grows into something really special like Tony Parker did.

[Destino]

The thing people forget is that depth sees less of the court in the post season. Star players and starting lineups see extended minutes if they are needed. At the end of games it's always starting lineups on the floor. The point is depth is a bigger deal in the regular season, unless there is an injury.

The other thing that happens in the playoffs is that transition offense is slowed down and virtually the entire game is played at a slower pace in the half court. This is where having the best player on the floor becomes a huge advantage. When defenses start cranking up the energy the question is, who do you have that they can't guard? Who do they have that they have to double? Then you add one more guy like that, the second star, and suddenly your team can score even when the opposing squad is throwing all of its energy into defense.

What I would like to see however is one of these no star teams with a ton of talent run the triangle offense. In theory it doesn't need stars just a lot of players that are able to score where they traditionally should that can pass the basketball well.

[DM72]

Yeah the Nuggets are easy to root for. They kind of follow the Gregg Poppovich mold in some ways: get a bunch of role players that play within themselves and can do a couple of things at a high level--with the right mix, you can eventually field a complete team.

The only problem is, can that team make it all the way? Overwhelming talent tends to trump all in a seven game series, as Miami and OKC proved last year.

---------- Post added January-31st-2013 at 09:33 AM ----------

In the end, you have to have a player that can create points either by scoring or assisting in crunch time against a set defense.

The Mavs beat the overwhelmingly talented Heat with mostly a collection of role players and one true star who was one of the best crunch time scorers in the game at the time. So it only takes one if you've got everything else clicking.

Who is that guy going to be for Denver? I don't see anyone.

It's been proven for decades. You don't win without a superstar. Denver's good, but they will fall short.

The only exception to the rule that I can remember is the Piston team that beat the Kobe/Shaq Lakers.

[ixcuincle]

[Bubble Screen]

double post

---------- Post added February-1st-2013 at 03:06 AM ----------

Look like this new pass happy Kobe is here to stay. Even when the Hornets cut it to a one score game in the final 3 minutes he was still looking for his man. Hate to say it, but if this trend stays the same then the Lakers may be the best team in the NBA. Lebron does a good finding his man as well, but Kobe has much more lethal weapons to work with. The Lake Show has officially arrived ladies and gentlemen. I will even go out on the limb and say they will go 6-1 this upcoming road trip.

Still think they are going 6-1?

[Destino]

How does Russ have those anger issues and dress like this?

[burgundyrush]

double post

---------- Post added February-1st-2013 at 03:06 AM ----------

Still think they are going 6-1?

Bryant seemed well on his way to another double-digit assist total Thursday at Phoenix, racking up nine over the first two-plus quarters in helping the Lakers grab the lead. However, he had none over the final 21 minutes and went 2 for 7 with two turnovers in the last 7:57 as Los Angeles squandered a 13-point lead in the final 10 minutes of a 92-86 defeat.

Tough to go 6-1 with Dwight injured and Kobe abandoning his pass first philosophy during the second half. Allow me to clarify my original prediction. The Lakers will win 85% of their games when Kobe dishes out 10+ assists.

[DM72]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2102825/madruss.gif

Dudes a selfish idiot.

[Mr. Sinister]

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp...llic-Shirt.jpg

How does Russ have those anger issues and dress like this?

This has just gone too far...

[DCranon21]

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/wp...llic-Shirt.jpg

How does Russ have those anger issues and dress like this?

SMH. When I seen that on Sunday, I thought of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

---------- Post added February-1st-2013 at 11:20 AM ----------

Bryant seemed well on his way to another double-digit assist total Thursday at Phoenix, racking up nine over the first two-plus quarters in helping the Lakers grab the lead. However, he had none over the final 21 minutes and went 2 for 7 with two turnovers in the last 7:57 as Los Angeles squandered a 13-point lead in the final 10 minutes of a 92-86 defeat.

Tough to go 6-1 with Dwight injured and Kobe abandoning his pass first philosophy during the second half. Allow me to clarify my original prediction. The Lakers will win 85% of their games when Kobe dishes out 10+ assists.

Dwight is going to have to pull his panties up and play. Kobe played through a torn labrum, and I think he can. But hopefully during this Grammy road trip, they can take the rest. It starts in Minny tonight.

[Mr. Sinister]

SMH. When I seen that on Sunday, I thought of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.[COLOR="Gold"]
.

So did I

Either that, or a space suit from a 1950's sci-fi flick. My man looks ready for blastoff.

[Destino]

SMH. When I seen that on Sunday, I thought of the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz.

Shaq said the same thing on Shaqtin A Fool. Also pointed out the man purse.

Dwight is going to have to pull his panties up and play. Kobe played through a torn labrum, and I think he can. But hopefully during this Grammy road trip, they can take the rest. It starts in Minny tonight.

Dwight is soft and that's never going to change. He just doesn't seem to have any fire in him. Even when he gets a tech he looks like he's whining more than angry. It's sad because physically he is damn near ideal for an NBA center.

[MLSKINS]