How good can this team be going forward? They have a very young nucleus in Lawson, Gallinari, Faried, McGee (Who all have all star potential). They also have a good coach and GM. For a young team, they are already fighting home-court advantage in the first round.
Normally, you'd look at tax situation and wonder if they'll manage to maintain this roster and depth until they reach their potential. But their GM has proven to be second to none. I think they'll keep working and changing this roster and i think they'll be one of the top title contenders in a couple years -- though i expect some of those names will be different.
They're gonna make some noise in the playoffs. They're almost unbeatable at home. They have a great point in Lawson, one of the best defenders in the league with Iggy, unlimited range with Gallo, an athletic freak in Faried, a good young center with Javale. All backed up by some ridiculously solid role players with Miller and Chandler. They're gonna get past the 1st round. They'll cause some serious problems for whoever plays them. If I'm OKC, the Spurs, or the Clips, I'd pray not to face Denver.
They are a better version of what the Rockets wanted to be the last few years. A team with no superstars but a bunch of good players. Teams can normally gameplan to stop a particular player but they can't with the Nuggets. On any given night a different player will play well. I don't think they can beat Miami but every other team in the league I'd give them a decent shot at beating.
They don't have that go-to player in crunch time and Iggy will probably leave for FA this summer. Rather have the Rockets future.
having a go-to player is overrated. On a perfect basketball team, every single player on the court should be a "go-to" player. Defenses shouldn't be able know exactly who the last shot is going to be taken by, that gives the defense a huge advantage. The problem most teams have is that they have a go-to player that sucks because there is no one better. On a team like the Nuggets, when they need a basket, shouldn't all 5 players on the court be a threat to take the last shot/make a play?
huh? u act like harden chose to leave thunder. he was traded because he was taking too long to think if he wants to resign with the thunder or not. so what u said is invalid. any competitive players wants to win a championship sometimes in their career, iggy made enough money and if he has competitive spirit, he will wants to stay with a good team and win championship.
Why i point invalid? What do think Harden was thinking about? It wasn't if the Thunder were talented enough to compete. He wanted more money. Presti made an offer, Harden didn't accept in the time frame that was given to him. Presti called Harden's bluff. Simple as that.
I wonder if Iggy would even decline his player option. He would get 15m if he accepts the option whereas in free agency, he will probably get paid around 10m.
It's not an invalid argument that you don't have to have a go to player. You can assemble a team with all really really good players but no super star and win a championship like the Pistons or Adelman Kings (I consider them a championship team). But I don't think the players on the nuggets at the moment can all reach the level needed in order to become a "Pistons" team.
he was barely 23 and making the biggest decision of his life. he wasnt given a week to think, what would u do? also, iggy is a totally different story. he is heading to father time, made enough money and been through FA. what is missing is that shiny jewel.
he has a point tho. why didnt the king win the title? because they didnt have superstar like the lakers. not that superstar win championships, but they are given special treatment.
Presti gave Harden a day to contemplate the offer. In fact, Bill Simmons reported that Harden was willing to take the deal Presti offered only if they added a trade kicker, but Presti denied it. So I don't think it's as black and white as it seems.
Think Nuggets can get past the 1st round. P.S. Watching the Manimal play makes me wish we had him at the 4. Who needs Love, LMA? Manimal + Asik = rebounds galore on both ends of the floor.