The Perpetual NBA Thread

**aubimerc** · July 22nd, 2004 12:16 PM

You guys are forgetting that in terms of low post dominance - few will argue that TIM DUNCAN is the best. Yes Shaq has that physical presence and power in the middle but TD is more complete.

Duncan may not be as flashy as Shaq or Garnett, but he certainly is more effective.

**theveed** · July 22nd, 2004 12:23 PM

TD gets the job done. KG has the heart to lift any team... But im REALLY interested with Denver this year...

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From his ivoryjoehunter tower high atop the arena, on a clear day Stan Kroenke can't see forever, but he can foresee next season.

"I think we're one of the top three teams in the West. You can make that argument," the prophesying potentate of the Nuggets told The Post after Kenyon Martin was acquired from the Nets.

We shall C.C. Rider.

The Nuggets finished eighth in the West the past season. In order to reach (at least) No. 3 they will have to climb over four of the following: Minnesota Timberwolves, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. And they will have to hold off the Phoenix Suns, the Utah Jazz, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Seattle SuperSonics and the Los Angeles Clippers.

One team has gotten worse despite keeping its supercalifragilisticexpialidocious guard.

The Rockets definitely improved with the addition of Tracy McGrady, and the Suns and the Jazz also are on the rise after signing free agents. The Timberwolves still have Kevin Garnett -- remember him from the playoffs? -- and the Spurs still have Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili. The Grizzlies still have a very nice middle-of-the-conference team, and the Mavericks still have a totally messed-up, but talented team. And the Kings still loom as a threat.

So, it doesn't come easy.

The Nuggets will rely heavily on one of the world's natural wonders -- the Grand Kenyon.

If he's a 20-10 on a 24/7, the Nuggets could move right on up -- 10-4?

Kroenke and Denver will not accept a status that is quo.

A puny start in November and December would cause a head to roll. You guess which head? That is, if he remains the head heading into next season.

There have been only four front lines in the history of the franchise that could compete with Martin, Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby and Nene.

I'll wait for a moment until you think about it.

Spencer Haywood and a bunch of guys named Mud & Sludge in 1970.

David Thompson, Bobby Jones, Dan Issel, Paul Silas, Willie Wise and Marvin Webster in 1976-77 (the team's first season in the NBA).

Issel, Alex English and some shooter named Kiki Vandeweghe -- with a fading Thompson -- in 1980-1982.

And the combo of English, Issel, Wayne Cooper, Calvin Natt and Danny Schayes in 1984.

This bunch can't match that English-Vandeweghe-Issel triumvirate for scoring. But this quartet could be the best rebounding and defensive group ever.

The arena is The CAN. The Foursome is The CAN-M (Camby, Anthony, Nene, Martin).

Maybe now the coach will not be afraid to run all the time, will devise stronger defensive concepts and will figure out how to get the ball often to Carmelo (outside) and Kenyon (inside).

The Nuggets continue to be one brick shy of a load, but if they manage to pry Trenton Hassell away from Minnesota, it will be a double play. Strengthen your team while weakening your opponent at the same time.

Because, if Kroenke is correct, the Nuggets' most serious challengers will be the Nanucks of Minnesota in the new Northwest (sounds like a hockey division).

If there had been a Northwest Division last season, it would have looked something -- no, exactly -- like this:

1. Minnesota, 58-24.
2. Denver, 43-39.
3. Utah, 42-40.
4. Portland, 41-41.
5. Seattle, 37-45.

The Nuggets would have ended up 15 games out of first place in the division.

According to a scenario Kroenke apparently would prefer, the 2004-05 season will look sort of like this:

1. Denver, 55-27.
2. Minnesota, 54-28.
3. Utah, 45-37.
4. Portland, 38-44.
5. Seattle, 20-62.

One important thing the Nuggets must do, Stan Nostradamus, is play considerably tougher on the road. Only one playoff team (Miami) had fewer victories away from home than the Nuggets (14).

But Martin is considerably tougher. He will bring some mean and some extreme to the Nuggets.

I agree with Kroenke's assessment that the Nuggets will be expecting, not hoping, to win -- especially every game at home. Nobody should be that all-powerful here, especially with Shaq gone East. (It has not been mentioned that he will be in town just once.)

Yet, there will be more pressure on this club than any of those before it. Those very good ABA and NBA clubs weren't regarded as championship-caliber. If this team loses in the first round, the season will be a flop.

The Nuggets don't want to go from Stan's penthouse to The CAN's outhouse.

**ILuvDetailing** · July 22nd, 2004 12:44 PM

There will be High Expectations at the Mile High City thats for sure. With Kenyon Martin the nuggets have upgraded their defense and if they manage to pry Hassel away from the Wolves they might be one of the top three defensive teams in the West. The West will be a dog fight this season.

Yup TD is one of the best low post players in the game, but we are talking about centers here, TD is a 4 and one of the top players at his position of all time. But when you talk about the best centers of this generation, one name stands out... Shaq. But in the next 5-10 years Yao will be the man.

**kimpOy** · July 23rd, 2004 09:59 AM

i dont know about camby, he's lanky and as the cliche goes
"he just played great because its a contract year"
medyo tamad etong si camby, rememebr nung 99 playoffs ginanahan lang nung coming from 8th seeds tinalo nila lahat ng teams to enter the finals.
before and after that wala na...

my take is that if he went AWOL again (dahil may pera na naman),
nene will the center and Kmart as PF