Prowess In The Palace | Detroit Pistons

[ZSmit88]

League News » NBA.com
Nuggets rally on to Western Conference Finals

With a round one upset, the Nuggets decided they weren't done just quite yet.

Denver swept the Jazz in round two to move on to the Conference Finals in which they'll be matched up with the Spurs. The Spurs were able to surpass the Houston Rockets in round two, taking six games to do so.

On the other side of the nation, the Eastern Conference boasted no surprises with its top two dogs, Cleveland and Toronto, set to square up in the Conference Finals.

Here are the results of the second round:

• 1. Cavaliers (4)
• 4. Jazz (0)


• 5. Wizards (0)
• 8. Nuggets (4)



• 2. Raptors (4)
• 2. Spurs (4)


• 3. Celtics (3)
• 3. Rockets (2)

[ZSmit88]

League News » NBA.com
Unfathomable run in Denver continues, shock Spurs and the world

The Nuggets have shocked the world twice with upsets over the top two seeds in the Western Conference in the Golden State Warriors and now the San Antonio Spurs.

Denver is on an incredible run right now and one has to wonder if they can do it one more time as they are slated to face off with the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

LeBron and the Cavs took six games to beat out the Toronto Raptors and now will move on in attempt to cut the Nuggets' incredible run short.

It's hard to imagine that the Nuggets can run through all three Warriors, Spurs, and Cleveland — let alone one of them…


Here are the results of the third round:

• 1. Cavaliers (4)
• 2. Spurs (2)


• 2. Raptors (2)
• 8. Nuggets (4)

[ZSmit88]

League News » NBA.com
Cavs taste gold once again, repeat as champs

The Cleveland Cavaliers took home the trophy last night, as they wiped the floor clean with the cinderella story that was the Denver Nuggets.

LeBron James notched his fourth NBA championship ring, though it was Kyrie Irving who brought home the Finals MVP honors.

After running through juggernauts in the Warriors and Spurs, with a sweep of the Utah Jazz in between, the Nuggets' incredible run finally came to a halt against the overpowering Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

It took six games for the Cavs to close out the series, but taking a closer look at the box-score, this matchup was far from competitive. The Cavs outscored the Nuggets by a total of 687 to 556, and in the final game of the series left it all on the floor with a 71 point shellacking of the lowly Nuggets.


Here are the results of the NBA Finals:

Game 1

• 8. Nuggets 113
• 1. Cavaliers 96


Game 2

• 8. Nuggets 107
• 1. Cavaliers 111


Game 3

• 1. Cavaliers 125
• 8. Nuggets 81


Game 4

• 1. Cavaliers 96
• 8. Nuggets 99


Game 5

• 8. Nuggets 72
• 1. Cavaliers 104


Game 6

• 8. Nuggets 84
• 1. Cavaliers 155

NBA Finals MVP - CLE Kyrie Irving

30.7 PPG, 9.0 APG, 3.7 RPG, 1.8 SPG, .547 FG%, .628 3P%

[ZSmit88]

How crazy was that Nuggets run!? Glad to see the Cavs kill that cheese off though. Now on to the offseason!

There's a lot of stages in the offseason, but I'm focused on bringing in some players to better fit my system and move up a few spots in the standings next year. As I said before with Drummond, he'll most likely be moved because there are a ton of decent big men in the draft, as well as some good upcoming free agents and "getable" bigs through trade.

With that said, I will be in the market to improve our depth, athleticism, and it wouldn't hurt to add another playmaker in the backcourt.

Stay tuned for retirements and the draft lottery next!

[ZSmit88]

League News » NBA.com
Offseason Report: Dirk, Pierce hangs 'em up, Magic win lottery

We'll be saying bye to a few great players this year as they ride off into the sunset.

Headlining the 2017 class of retirees are names like Paul Pierce, Dirk Nowitzki, Manu Ginobili, and Zach Randolph, as well as a few others.

Here's a list of notable retirements:

Paul Pierce, 39 - 19 yrs (Hall of Fame inductee)
Boston Celtics will retire #34 jersey in his honor - 1998-2013

Dirk Nowitzki, 39 - 19 yrs (Hall of Fame inductee)
Dallas Mavericks will retire #41 jersey in his honor - 1998-2017

Jason Terry, 39 - 19 yrs
Zach Randolph, 35 - 16 yrs
Joe Johnson, 35 - 16 yrs
Manu Ginobili, 39 - 15 yrs
San Antonio Spurs will retire #20 jersey in his honor - 2002-2017

Tayshaun Prince, 37 - 14 yrs

Magic win the draft lottery and own the rights to the first overall selection in the NBA Draft…

The top three selections in the draft will be made by Orlando, Charlotte, and Minnesota, if they choose to not trade those picks.

Since the Lakers pick fell out of the top three, the Philadelphia 76ers own its rights.

Here's the official NBA Draft order:

1. Magic
2. Hornets
3. T'Wolves
4. Celtics (via BK)
5. 76ers (via LAL)

6. Suns
7. Pelicans
8. Knicks
9. Heat
10. 76ers

11. Mavs
12. Pistons
13. Bulls (via SAC)
14. Blazers
15. Bucks

16. Pacers
17. Bulls
18. Nuggets
19. Wizards
20. Thunder

21. Raptors (via LAC)
22. Nuggets (via MEM)
23. Hawks
24. Jazz
25. Raptors

26. Nets (via BOS)
27. Rockets
28. Spurs
29. Jazz (via GS)
30. Cavs