I just realized if Denver wins they will be the first northwest division team to win the title since the Sonics in 1979. And since that barely counts now, the last would be ya boys the 77 Blazers. I would never have thought to ever root for the Nuggets but I think it's about time the Northwest Division represents.
Its obvious that you better have length and strength up front to contend. If we go with small ball it simply wont work to advance in playoffs. Even the Warriors know this now.
length...yes, but strength? I'm thinking mobility is more important. Gordon & Porter have length but they can cover well on the perimeter; Gordon has the strength to defend well in the paint but Porter doesn't Denver just has excellent roster construction and roster balance. And they went about it the smart way, unlike Portland, by developing a core than building around it. Now, they did have the greatest 2nd round luck in modern NBA history by drafting Jokic. There's no template for that but while Portland had a 1 player core while wasting 1st round picks trading for RoCo and Nance and wasting MLE's on Derrick Jones & Payton, Denver was trading for Gordon & KCP, investing the MLE on Bruce Brown, and using picks they didn't trade away on Porter and Braun. great management is critical and the Blazers spent a decade with the shitty-stupid management of Olshey, and the current debatable management of Cronin
Don't forget, Portland was in the Pacific Division with Seattle, LAL, GSW, Clippers and Suns for many, many years. All of the Showtime Lakers titles. But the realignment has not been good to what is now the Northwest Division.
Either we rule the West or Denver does. I get that Denver is there now, but hopefully we can as well after this offseason. The rest of the League can suck it.
Olshey lost Aldridge and rebuilt the team with spare parts into a 2-time #3 seed and a WCF berth. He could’ve done worse. Our greatest memories since Sheed have been because of Olshey.
All the Nuggets starters are under contract next year, only KC-P has an out the season after. KC-P is also the eldest starter at age 29... Jokic is 27. They are 15-4 in these playoffs, decidedly rolling through everyone they've faced. The Western Conference #1 seed is likely to be even better next season, this could be the first of many titles for them STOMP
I would bet Denver doesn't win two more titles in the Jokic/Murray era. Doesn't mean they're not a great team, deserving of the championship; the new rules are going to make becoming a dynasty that much harder.
Winning a single championship is never easy, let alone two more. A team has to be very very good, healthy and often lucky too... I said could not will be. I'm sure you'd have people lined up for miles to place that bet but what rules are you referring to? STOMP
While thats true, no team in the league has as good of a shot at winning a few in the near future as the Nuggets. Their guys are in their primes and already under contract for the next few seasons. which again shouldn't affect the Nuggets for a few more years as their guys are already under contract STOMP