Post by Spurs on Nov 14, 2007 15:09:06 GMT -5
Team Overviews
Denver Nuggets
Wow, this team really came to win. They made some big moves that people questioned in the offseason, but they really paid off with their impressive 70 win season. Thats 19 more wins that any other team. You are going to be very hard to beat when you have 3 guys averaging over 20 ppg and 2 with over 10 rpg.
Seattle Sonics
This is a team based on youth. The only guys they have over 25 are two back up PGs. It is impressive that they made such an improvement to get to the playoffs, but it is doubtful they have the experience to go very far. The only thing they really have going for them is that they can score. Their rebounding is poor and defense is average. This team has great potential though as they are well under the salary cap and could go get some real help.
Matchups
Center: Marcus Camby vs Andray Blatche
Blatche starts but Petro and Sene also see a lot of minutes. None of them score much, but they can all board and play D. Camby can do it all better than any of these guys. Advantage Nuggets
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki vs Jeff Green
Nowitzki can also do everything. He would score more, but why take the ball from AI, Artest, or an emerging Smith? Jeff Green's only minor weakness is rebounding. Small advantage Nuggets
Small Forward: Ron Artest vs Kevin Durant
These 2 are about equal right now with scoring and rebounding but Artest gets the nod because of better D. Advantage Nuggets
Shooting Guard: JR. Smith vs Damien Wilkens
Wilkens is solid, but would be better off the bench but the Sonics have no other option. Advantage Nuggets
Point Guard: Allen Iverson vs Chris Paul
This is a rookie vs experience. Paul boards better but AI scores more and moves the ball better. Experience also helps. Small advantage Nuggets.
Bench
The Sonics have capable backups at every position and don't fall off much when one of their starters takes a breather. The 5 starters for the Nuggets play so many minutes that it is tough to tell about their bench. They have performed well when needed though. Advantage split
Outlook
The Nuggets won the season series between the two teams 3-1. Other than a 20-piecing, the Sonics only lost by 7 and 1. They won once by 7. The Nuggets are gonna have to be cold and Sonics hot for the Sonics to have a glimmer of hope.
Prediction
Nuggets in 4
Denver Nuggets
Wow, this team really came to win. They made some big moves that people questioned in the offseason, but they really paid off with their impressive 70 win season. Thats 19 more wins that any other team. You are going to be very hard to beat when you have 3 guys averaging over 20 ppg and 2 with over 10 rpg.
Seattle Sonics
This is a team based on youth. The only guys they have over 25 are two back up PGs. It is impressive that they made such an improvement to get to the playoffs, but it is doubtful they have the experience to go very far. The only thing they really have going for them is that they can score. Their rebounding is poor and defense is average. This team has great potential though as they are well under the salary cap and could go get some real help.
Matchups
Center: Marcus Camby vs Andray Blatche
Blatche starts but Petro and Sene also see a lot of minutes. None of them score much, but they can all board and play D. Camby can do it all better than any of these guys. Advantage Nuggets
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki vs Jeff Green
Nowitzki can also do everything. He would score more, but why take the ball from AI, Artest, or an emerging Smith? Jeff Green's only minor weakness is rebounding. Small advantage Nuggets
Small Forward: Ron Artest vs Kevin Durant
These 2 are about equal right now with scoring and rebounding but Artest gets the nod because of better D. Advantage Nuggets
Shooting Guard: JR. Smith vs Damien Wilkens
Wilkens is solid, but would be better off the bench but the Sonics have no other option. Advantage Nuggets
Point Guard: Allen Iverson vs Chris Paul
This is a rookie vs experience. Paul boards better but AI scores more and moves the ball better. Experience also helps. Small advantage Nuggets.
Bench
The Sonics have capable backups at every position and don't fall off much when one of their starters takes a breather. The 5 starters for the Nuggets play so many minutes that it is tough to tell about their bench. They have performed well when needed though. Advantage split
Outlook
The Nuggets won the season series between the two teams 3-1. Other than a 20-piecing, the Sonics only lost by 7 and 1. They won once by 7. The Nuggets are gonna have to be cold and Sonics hot for the Sonics to have a glimmer of hope.
Prediction
Nuggets in 4
