Starless but winning Denver

[guava_wrench]

Denver continues to look better now that they have traded Anthony with only an overtime loss blemishing their record despite 3 of 4 opponents being playoff teams.

It remains to be seen how their season plays out, but it seems hard to accept the claims of a minority of fans that Melo wasn't surrounded by good talent. Perhaps opponents are still adjusting to the new style of play (now that Melo is no longer forcing bad shots) and that the success won't last, but they have been looking pretty good.

[Megatron]

The team has no clear alpha-dog. They remind me alot of a college team right now.

Sooner or later they are going to need someone to step up and claim leadership of the team. Who on that roster can do that though? They dont have a player that is clearly better than another.

[guava_wrench]

The team has no clear alpha-dog. They remind me alot of a college team right now.

Sooner or later they are going to need someone to step up and claim leadership of the team. Who on that roster can do that though? They dont have a player that is clearly better than another.

Better no alpha-dog than an alpha-dog like Melo.

We don't have a player that is clearly better than another for the last two years. That isn't a problem. That's why teams have coaches.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I both hate and like the team. Possible?

[guava_wrench]

Crazy ending against Utah. Refs missed Martin's touch of the ball from out of bounds after his turnover. AK47's shot should not have matter and Utah should have been inbounding the ball for a final shot.

Shameful move by K-Mart to lose that ball.

[Who]

Denver have a good team. A lot of quality players and very good depth (well, on the perimeter, big man depth isn't impressive). They should make the playoffs.

Not enough elite talent to be much more than that though.

[Who]

I thought they were a better squad with Melo and Billups.

I thought they were the fourth best team in the West + probably the seventh best team in the NBA overall prior to this trade.

They have dropped down a tier since their departures.  A quality playoff side but not a team capable of making a run to the Conference Finals.

[wdleehi]

Denver has badly underperformed up till the trade. 


The team was checked out because of the uncertainty surrounding Melo, and the trickle down effect it could have on all the other players being possible moved in a blow up effect. 



Now, that distraction is over and players are focused.



1 and done team in the playoffs.

[Q_FBE]

Denver has badly underperformed up till the trade. 


The team was checked out because of the uncertainty surrounding Melo, and the trickle down effect it could have on all the other players being possible moved in a blow up effect. 



Now, that distraction is over and players are focused.



1 and done team in the playoffs.

I am not so sure about that wdleehi, this is a team that is reborn and re-energized and led by Ty Lawson, Aaron Affalo, the former NYK Whiz Kids, Nene and Birdman at Center..... Lots of fun to watch and clearly George Karl looks a lot less stressed without Melo Yellow. This is starting to remind me of the 1987 Seattle Sonics team that went to the WC finals by beating powerhouse Dallas and Defending Conference Champion Houston before losing to eventual Champion Lakers.

I am not so sure about one and done here.... We did get beat rather badly in Denver recently after The Trade.

[Mike-Dub]

Better chance to pull off a first round upset Denver or Utah?

[wdleehi]

Denver has badly underperformed up till the trade. 


The team was checked out because of the uncertainty surrounding Melo, and the trickle down effect it could have on all the other players being possible moved in a blow up effect. 



Now, that distraction is over and players are focused.



1 and done team in the playoffs.

I am not so sure about that wdleehi, this is a team that is reborn and re-energized and led by Ty Lawson, Aaron Affalo, the former NYK Whiz Kids, Nene and Birdman at Center..... Lots of fun to watch and clearly George Karl looks a lot less stressed without Melo Yellow. This is starting to remind me of the 1987 Seattle Sonics team that went to the WC finals by beating powerhouse Dallas and Defending Conference Champion Houston before losing to eventual Champion Lakers.

I am not so sure about one and done here.... We did get beat rather badly in Denver recently after The Trade.

They are not beating Dallas or SA or LA in a 7 game series. 


(Neither is Utah)

[Mike-Dub]

Denver has badly underperformed up till the trade. 


The team was checked out because of the uncertainty surrounding Melo, and the trickle down effect it could have on all the other players being possible moved in a blow up effect. 



Now, that distraction is over and players are focused.



1 and done team in the playoffs.

I am not so sure about that wdleehi, this is a team that is reborn and re-energized and led by Ty Lawson, Aaron Affalo, the former NYK Whiz Kids, Nene and Birdman at Center..... Lots of fun to watch and clearly George Karl looks a lot less stressed without Melo Yellow. This is starting to remind me of the 1987 Seattle Sonics team that went to the WC finals by beating powerhouse Dallas and Defending Conference Champion Houston before losing to eventual Champion Lakers.

I am not so sure about one and done here.... We did get beat rather badly in Denver recently after The Trade.

That game should be thrown out for both teams with the way our lineup was depleted after the deal.

[Who]

Denver has badly underperformed up till the trade. 


The team was checked out because of the uncertainty surrounding Melo, and the trickle down effect it could have on all the other players being possible moved in a blow up effect. 



Now, that distraction is over and players are focused.



1 and done team in the playoffs.

I am not so sure about that wdleehi, this is a team that is reborn and re-energized and led by Ty Lawson, Aaron Affalo, the former NYK Whiz Kids, Nene and Birdman at Center..... Lots of fun to watch and clearly George Karl looks a lot less stressed without Melo Yellow. This is starting to remind me of the 1987 Seattle Sonics team that went to the WC finals by beating powerhouse Dallas and Defending Conference Champion Houston before losing to eventual Champion Lakers.

I am not so sure about one and done here.... We did get beat rather badly in Denver recently after The Trade.

I think the Nuggets might have a shot against Oklahoma in the first round. They are currently the fifth and fourth seeds respectively.

I can't see Denver beating Dallas, LA or San Antonio though.

[Spilling Green Dye]

George Karl had some great comments in the interview they showed during the Denver/Boston game. 

He basically said that now he has a hungry team, where if someone isn't ready to fully commit defensively he can find a replacement.  When guys become replaceable they try much harder, which is how he likes it. 

He even said that Anthony, while the best offensive player he's ever coached, lacked a lot of focus and committment on the defensive end.

I liked his mention of "replaceable".  Its really showing in their team's performances.

[CeltsAcumen]

They have 10 interchangeable players who can all play multiple positions.  I really love this team bc its UNC-Mountain.  George Karl, Ty Lawson, Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith (signed with UNC but went into the draft).

I would say that Gallanari has a chance to be a really solid, if not all-star caliber player in the future.

I also really like Nene, he is the Brazilian Kendrick Perkins.