2010 NBA Playoffs

[PosImpos]

I had a feeling the worst defensive team to make the playoffs was going to struggle.

You know, I'm not so sure Denver isn't the worst defensive team in the playoffs....

Denver have some defensive talent on their roster. There is no good reason for that team not to be to be an above average defensive team. Somewhere in the 8th-to-12th range.

The Nuggets are just lazy. Still focusing too much on their offense.

They have the talent; it doesn't mean it shows on the floor.  The Suns were better defensively yesterday than the Nuggets have been in either of their games so far.

[Bahku]

Great game ... never seen so many charges in such a short time.

[PosImpos]

Great game ... never seen so many charges in such a short time.

Yeah it was a pretty good game but it felt a little sloppy late with all of the turnovers.  I'm impressed that Utah was able to score as much as they did without Okur or Kirilenko, but once again I wasn't particularly impressed by either team overall. 

Don't really see either team beating the Lakers the way they're playing at the moment.

[jdpapa3]

Thought Korver hit some huge shots to stop that huge Denver momentum swing and calm Utah.

And Pos, Denver happens to be the 2nd worst defensive team in the playoffs so good eye, but there's a pretty big gap between them and Phx.

Hated that Melo foul with about 24 seconds left. That's a possession where you don't want to foul and can possibly get the ball back down 1 with 7 seconds left in the frontcourt.

[Who]

Denver were 8th in defensive efficiency + 5th in defensive eFG% last season.

This year they have only ranked 16th and 14th in those respective categories ... despite only one/two changes to their first choice rotation (Dahntay Jones to Arron Afflalo + Lawson taking most of Anthony Carter's playing time).

There is no good reason for that type of decline. There is still way too much defensive talent on the floor for the Nuggets.

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Are they playing below average defense at the moment? Yes, they have been for some time, since the Kenyon Martin injury. Haven't got back in gear yet.

Have they been playing good defense most of the season? No, mediocre defense most of the way alongside some spells of slightly above average defense + the poor defense they played while Martin is out.

Does that mean Denver isn't able to play very good defense? I don't think so. Too much defensive talent on that roster to say that. They're a squad that is capable of upping their defensive performance in a considerable way during these playoffs.

[PosImpos]

Denver were 8th in defensive efficiency + 5th in defensive eFG% last season.

This year they have only ranked 16th and 14th in those respective categories ... despite only one/two changes to their first choice rotation (Dahntay Jones to Arron Afflalo + Lawson taking most of Anthony Carter's playing time).

There is no good reason for that type of decline. There is still way too much defensive talent on the floor for the Nuggets.

---------------------------------------------

Are they playing below average defense at the moment? Yes, they have been for some time, since the Kenyon Martin injury. Haven't got back in gear yet.

Have they been playing good defense most of the season? No, mediocre defense most of the way alongside some spells of slightly above average defense + the poor defense they played while Martin is out.

Does that mean Denver isn't able to play very good defense? I don't think so. Too much defensive talent on that roster to say that. They're a squad that is capable of upping their defensive performance in a considerable way during these playoffs.

I agree.  Over the course of the year, PHX was definitely worse defensively than Denver.  But right now I think PHX is playing better defense (even better if / when Lopez comes back).  Denver definitely has a higher ceiling for their defensive potential though.

It's all about discipline.  Phoenix lost on Sunday more because their offense broke down; it had less to do with their average-at-best defense (which is why it was so shocking).

[Fafnir]

Phoenix is beating up the Trailblazers in the first quarter. I wonder if this will end up like those Nuggets series when they had Iverson, one or two good games in a 5 game series....

[Who]

Phoenix is beating up the Trailblazers in the first quarter. I wonder if this will end up like those Nuggets series when they had Iverson, one or two good games in a 5 game series....

Andre Miller hasn't played well here in the first. That is the main reason Portland are losing.

Aldridge hasn't been much of a factor either.

[Fafnir]

Phoenix is beating up the Trailblazers in the first quarter. I wonder if this will end up like those Nuggets series when they had Iverson, one or two good games in a 5 game series....

Andre Miller hasn't played well here in the first. That is the main reason Portland are losing.

Aldridge hasn't been much of a factor either.

Those are the two that have to perform to keep Portland in it.

Anyone know how much Portland extended Camby for?

[Who]

Phoenix is beating up the Trailblazers in the first quarter. I wonder if this will end up like those Nuggets series when they had Iverson, one or two good games in a 5 game series....

Andre Miller hasn't played well here in the first. That is the main reason Portland are losing.

Aldridge hasn't been much of a factor either.

Those are the two that have to perform to keep Portland in it.

Anyone know how much Portland extended Camby for?

The ESPN article from yesterday said it was a two year deal in excess of $20 million.

Edit: The official figure is $17.7 million for two years with another $5 million worth of incentives.

[Who]

Portland needs Bayless to catch fire here.

They need some offense, a go-to scorer, to get their confidence back. They're on the ropes right now and Phoenix is pummeling them.

[PosImpos]

J-Rich scored 19 in the first half.  Safe to say PHX is probably going to win.

[Who]

Transition play is a big advantage for Oklahoma

The Thunder's ability to beat LA in transition will allow them to make runs all series long. They'll be down 8-11 points and then suddenly they'll rack up a few easy baskets and make it a close game again.

[CelticSooner]

The Thunder can steal this sucker. They just gotta keep up the intensity and run off rebounds. They are playing pretty good defense for having a bad matchup in the post.

[rav123]

Dude. I love Ron Artest's hairstyles.