Off-Season West Conf Discussion

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Damn, just looking at that roster reminds me of the Nets' so called "Roster". It's like the ugliest chick in the world dressed up in all the big name clothing brands. The chick is still ugly regardless of what she has on lol.

[GSW]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

He started a few games at PF but I was talking about different lineups and rotations where Nelson put him out there as a PF. He spent more time on the floor at PF than he did at SG. But who knows who will be starting this year cause you never know what Nelson will do and the lineup could change on a daily basis.

You right playing them together won't be enought to warrent them losing it will just add to the already list of problems that they have. The teams defense as a whole and mostly individually is horrible.

I watch them play and will watch them play some this year. Don't get me wrong they are fun to watch but when it comes to playing defense and winning games they aren't good at it. Thier coach and style of play is not going to lead to many at all this year. I say that top out at around 40 wins at best.

that was last year and it was done out of necessity and he wasnt starting at PF randolph and wright were...

last year was an abbaration becuase everyone was injured and we were missing our best player.

Jack played SF last year..nellie hates him at PF because jack cant even rebound good for a SF.

[chrisc50]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

My 8 picks

LA
SA (new additions and if they stay healty)
POR (good bench, brandon roy will be hungry, and 3 big man who can stand tall)
DAL (shawn marion is a good player that can help, only player that can play D)
NO (watch for chris paul to work with okafor, good pick ups in the draft)
DEN (lost some players but can pull to together)
Utah (same team for 2 to 3 seasons now and with the boozer trade talks will hurt locker room)
PHX (you can say they are a running team again losing Shaq, good pick ups and draft picks)

[J.R. Locke]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

JR, what makes you think Nene won't be healthy? He's been healthy his whole career aside from the cancer scare (nothing anyone can do about that) and the isolated incident with his ACL. He's built like a rock... I think he'll play 75+ next year again, as will K-Mart. Just a feeling?

Nene has had nagging shoulder, ankle issues every year too. He is a physical player who gets banged up.

I just think everything went right for the Nuggets last year and I can't see that happening again. They didn't really improve in the offseason, especially after losing Kleiza who was a major force off the bench in the regular season.

I just like Utah (after they trade Boozer) and New Orleans better than Denver. Even Dallas should be much improved.

Denver is going to have to have everything go right again and with guys like J.R. Smith, Birdman and Kmart I just don't see the type of consistency needed to yield homecourt again and then in the playoffs they are limited because of matchups. They need a wing like Shane Battier. A shooter/defender.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Definitely need a shooter off the bench, which is why I'm kinda feelin' Wally World right now. I really think you're overstating the value of Kleiza though... the best thing he did was run on breaks and rebound from the SF spot, both of which Balkman does better. His "shooting" was suspect and SO streaky, and literally all he'd give you in a set offense was a guy standing in the corner ready to chuck it at an astounding 34% haha... seriously screw that guy. Have fun in Greece, chucker.

The additions of Afflalo and Lawson will make up for Kleiza's 10 PPG, as will the extra minutes that JR will get without Kleiza around taking up his minutes/shots. They'll have to run a bit of a tighter rotation this year, but the Nugs were one of the few teams that regularly went 10 deep during the season last year. This could have a negative impact on the health of our bigs, but I'm not worried about Nene at all... K-Mart is more of my concern simply because he's older and has a very long injury history beyond just freak accidents and cancer.

They'll be making some sort of moves before the season though, if for no other reason than to fill those 2 roster spots to get to the minimum. I hope they try to sign Johan Petro (whi is still 24, 7 feet tall, and athletic) for less than he was due to make (they didn't pick up his option but he's still in consideration), sign Coby Karl (who looked quietly spectacular in summer league), and do something with all or part of their trade exception(s). They can find someone in the damn D-League to shoot 34% from deep and not play defense to replace Kleiza, I'm not worried about that in the least.

[ProjectRipCity]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

1. Lakers
2. Spurs
3. Blazers
4. Denver
5. New Orleans
6. Dallas
7. Utah
8. Thunder (Do I stutter?)

[ZB9]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

8. Thunder (Do I stutter?)

Hahahahaha

Ha

props for going out on a limb....but noooo way, not this season. Durant is going to become a superstar this season, but there is no way the Thunder make the playoffs in the west. I will be willing to eat a big ol plate of crow if you are right

[Bornindamecca]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Denver does not want to see the Lakers. The Lakers figured them out last year, and waltzed out of that series with ease after going back and forth. Andrew Bynum was not healthy, and yes, Ron makes them better.

I'm not going to get into all of the back and forth about Ron vs. Trevor, even though every important statistic backs up the idea that Ron is a better player and a better fit, but I have to address one point. The people who think Trevor is a better fit all think that he makes their offense better. I don't agree, but I will concede that. Ron makes their defense better. Not only because he is still a better defender than Ariza, but also because he can defend a position that the Lakers previously did not match up with. You guys are severely underestimating the effect of being able to put Bryant on the 2nd and 3rd perimeter threat for the entire 48.

The only X-factor for Denver is if Ty Lawson is bananas, and can give Denver the advantage when the second unit comes out. The Lakers' X-factor is a full season Bynum. And I, along with every smart Lakers fan, will hope and pray that Karl puts Balkman on Kobe for most of the minutes. If Balkman had any kind of jumper, this would be a different conversation, but he can't slow Kobe down enough to justify his lack of offensive production, especially with the Ron Factor. And Kobe owns JR for free.


Re: everything else...Poppovich is very accurate in assessing his team. He didn't get flat out better than the Lakers this summer, but they put themselves in the conversation. If San Antonio wins it all, I wouldn't even be mildly surprised. San Antonio matches up very favorably with the Eastern contenders as well. Even if Denver accomplished the improbable and got to the Finals, they have some very difficult match ups out East.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

You guys are severely underestimating the effect of being able to put Bryant on the 2nd and 3rd perimeter threat for the entire 48.

I co-sign this. That will be a HUGE factor. To allow Kobe to focus the majority and on some night nights all of his energy on the offensive end will make for some long nights against the lakers and at the same time conserve some of his legs for the playoffs.

I'm with you on the Ron is better than Ariza by a long shot and does nothing but help the Lakers. Unless Ron goes crazy and powerbombs a fan or something I don't see how it can be a bad move for the Lakers.

[KG]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

To be fair, KB wasn't checking the other team's best players for all 48 anyways. He might check them during key stretches or critical possessions but it wasn't like he was locking up on Brandon Roy every time down the court.

I do agree with you on the fact that now Kobe won't even have to guard the other teams best swingman, not even for those crucial stretches unless Ron Ron is in foul trouble.

[Stumbleweed]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Birdman now has a beard. The Lakers are screwed.

Grizzly Bird he says.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13041192

[PrettyT11]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

To be fair, KB wasn't checking the other team's best players for all 48 anyways. He might check them during key stretches or critical possessions but it wasn't like he was locking up on Brandon Roy every time down the court.

I do agree with you on the fact that now Kobe won't even have to guard the other teams best swingman, not even for those crucial stretches unless Ron Ron is in foul trouble.

Very Ture But like you said now he won't have to at all unless there is foul trouble. So he can focus his energy mostly and some nights all on the offensive end. He won't have to be thinking "damn I got to go guard Melo or Roy late in the fourth so I need to hold some back" anymore. That could spell alot of trouble for opposing teams.

[PrettyT11]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Birdman now has a beard. The Lakers are screwed.

Grizzly Bird he says.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13041192

He said he ain't shaving til next June. He going to look like a damn caveman during the season.

[Altimus]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Birdman = badass.

[GSW]

Re: Off-Season West Conf Discussion

Birdman now has a beard. The Lakers are screwed.

Grizzly Bird he says.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_13041192

That dude look like he need to be in a 12 step program.

wait a minute....