I wouldn't say there’s absolutely nothing to believe in, yes we will obviously know more after 15 games than 3 games but we can still begin to form a preliminary picture of this team after a few games. After tomorrow we will now have a better idea of where this team is then we did 30 days ago when all we had seen were Pro-Am video's of a fatass Felton, Batum playing for the Nancys and some haphazard charity events.
I was replying mostly to Mags who sounds like he's about ready to start printing a WCF banner if we manage to beat the Nugs tomorrow night. Sure there are little things to be gleaned, but nothing I would extend to the rest of the year ... likewise if the Blazers lose tomorrow night I won't be overly concerned either.
Why 15 games? Heat were 9-8 after 17 games and they reached the Finals. You can put off believing until 15 games, but you could put it off til playoffs, then put it off til we win the title, then putting it off until we repeat. I don't have to wait 15 games to know and believe that we have a great team this year. If we stay healthy, we're a top 4 team in the West and it's gonna be a fun season. Apparently, last year, he went to the line on 19% of his possessions. Which is amazing, by the way. Rudy had 11 pts and 8 assts tonight. Will be interesting to see him at the Rose Garden tomorrow.
Would u want either? I love Nash, not a fan of Jefferson. I think Jefferson will be first. Maybe even used to help Howard go to another team. Orlando would probably want him.
I don't buy Ty Lawson as a star. He got badly outplayed by Sonny Weems in Europe, and he just isn't a pure PG (and if you want short scoring machines, I'd pick Lou Williams over him). Nene, I buy, especially if he plays consistently as he has been. Gallinari's also got a shot. Denver's GM probably should get GM of the year, especially with all the FA craziness they had to deal with. They stole Rudy and Corey Brewer and managed not to lose Afflalo and Nene, and Dre is working out a treat for them (12 assists tonight - is he leading the league yet?)
Remember the Jazz got Jefferson for nothing, which is essentially what he's worth. Except he earns $10M. Nash will go to the Knicks, you can almost guarantee it.
Wow - Blake Griffin was a minus 37 tonight! How soon before people start jumping off that bandwagon? I still say the Clippers should offer Griffin and Jordan for Dwight Howard.
I'm rooting for that to happen. I want a team to knock Miami out of the playoffs. I think adding Nash, without having to give up too much, could do well.
I see Jeremy Pargo had a very good game for Memphis after Conley went down. He was a star in Europe, so it'll be interesting to see if that translates.
Wow, I apologize to Carl Landry: he had 20-10 against Kevin Garnett. But check out Greg Stiemsma: he was famous for manhandling Griffin in the latter's first summer league (before he went down for a year), went off to Europe, and made the Celtics, and he got _6_ blocks tonight. Weren't he and fellow surprising rookie John Leuer (Bucks) teammates?
I dunno - he was AWFUL tonight. But maybe Jrue Holiday is that good (which would be a good excuse for Ray Felton's first game).
Sucks the Jazz were blown out. Nuggets starters only played ~25 minutes. They'll probably be rested for tomorrow.
Nash had just an awful game in PHX. They're expecting him to do way too much. But he'd be an awesome fit here running pick and rolls and initiating fast breaks. Consider both he and Felton have one year deals, I wonder if PHX would be willing to do a swap of the two. I certainly would for us.
