by Shapecity [imgl]http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8797/1118rd.jpg[/imgl] The sugar rush from stuffing your face from leftover candy is nothing compared to the rush us basketball fans get from the opening night of NBA basketball. After an endless summer of player and coaching movement, we all finally get to see the finished product of our favorite teams. How's the new rookie going to play? How's our new guy going to fit in with this team? What's the new coach all about? We've all spent the last several months analyzing and dissecting all these moves and non-moves. Tonight's marquee match-up features two teams who made shrewd moves over the summer and are arguably the top two teams in the West. Tonight San Antonio Spurs defend their hardware at home against the Denver Nuggets. There are plenty of intriguing match-ups tonight in the front and back courts.
<u>The Front Court</u> [imgl]http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39076000/jpg/_39076936_duncan203.jpg[/imgl] The Spurs' frontcourt starts and ends with Tim Duncan. He is the anchor on the inside offensively, and defensively for the Spurs. The ball flows through Duncan in the post and he will have the mismatch advantage all night with Kenyon Martin trying his best to contain Duncan. Generally two things happen in this matchup, one KMart gets two quick fouls and rides pine, or the Nuggets decide to double team and the Spurs switch to plan B and shoot the lights out from the perimeter. Fortunately, for the Nuggets George Karl is creative with his lineups and is great at making adjustments. He's going to use a lot of different looks to confuse Duncan tonight, and will preach for the person guarding Duncan to shade him in the direction of Marcus Camby. One of the best weakside shot blockers in the league is Camby and he can make it tough for Duncan inside by contesting his shots. Keyon Martin will get the first opportunity, but the Nuggets are hoping Nene can be the physical presence inside tonight. Heading into a contract season, Nene is in the best shape of his life and has been outstanding in the preseason. Nene is strong enough to hold position, and make Duncan earn his baskets. He will be the key tonight for the Nuggets. Nene must outplay the Spurs big men off the bench, (Mohammed, Oberto) and hold his own when he's guarding Duncan. <u>The Backcourt</u> [imgr]http://www.nba.com/media/act_andre_miller.jpg[/imgr] Both of these teams have ridiculous depth and skill in their backcourts. Earl Watson returned to his college colors of Baby Blue & Gold, as a key free agent this summer. Last season the Nuggets offense gave up control of the tempo when Andre Miller went to the bench. With Watson, they now have a capable starting point guard coming off the bench with a solid assist/turnover ratio. Watson can get it done defensively as well, and allows George Karl to mix and match his guard rotation all game long. Karl has always enjoyed playing two point guards on the court at once. The Spurs will rely on Tony Parker and the ever improving Beno Udrih tonight. This summer Tony Parker worked with the "shot doctor" to fix his shooting mechanics and make him a consistent perimeter player. Parker has always been able to take his man off the dribble and adding a consistent jumpshot is going to make him even more of a nightmare to guard. Manu Ginobili is a question mark for tonight, but he's a gamer and should be in the starting lineup. If not, the Spurs have plenty of depth with newly acquired veterans, Michael Finley and Nick Van Exel. The Nuggets didn't really address their shooting guard needs in the summer. They are either confident Voshon Lenard has something left in the tank, or will roll the dice with DeMarr Johnson playing the two guard. Either way, the Spurs have a decisive edge at shooting guard tonight. The Nuggets backcourt will try to make this an up and down game all night long, while the Spurs try to slow tempo and run their halfcourt sets. The contrast of styles makes the backcourt the key matchup tonight. <u>Small Forwards</u> [imgl]http://www.nba.com/media/nuggets/anthony_170_040424.jpg[/imgl] Carmelo Anthony has something to prove this season. He's obsessed all summer about being an All-Star and proving he was the best player in his draft class. Hefty goals considering LeBron James and Dwayne Wade have stolen most of the thunder from the 2003 draft. To make the transition from star to superstar, 'Melo spent summer dropping weight and working on his jumpshot. His biggest critic, Coach Karl, has been impressed with his young player and is expecting a career season from 'Melo. In the preseason 'Melo shot 52% from the field and averaged 20.6 PPG in just 29.1 MPG. He really improved his ability to get to the FT line and averaged 9 shots attempts a game from the charity stripe, to delight of his coach. Tonight he will be tested by 1st Team All Defense, Bruce Bowen. Carmelo Anthony has struggled against Bowen in the past, but cannot get caught up in a one-on-one showdown tonight. 'Melo has to realize him and the Nuggets will make a louder statement if they beat the defending champs on opening night in front of a national audience on TNT. <u>Fearless Prediction</u> Don't let all those preseason losses fool you, the Spurs are still the best team in the NBA. Tonight the Spurs and their fans will be fired up after the championship ring ceremony and should take care of business in San Antonio. Spurs will put on a clinic in the 1st Half, the Nuggets will fight back in the 3rd Quarter, but the Spurs will close them out in 4th quarter and win 102-93.
Great game so far, the Nuggets came out on fire and took an early lead. The Spurs were flat, but once Brent Barry entered the game, the ball started flowing and Duncan started scoring with ease. Nugget fans guess who's injured again? His initial is 'N' Earl Boykins has been the offensive spark off the bench leading the team with 10 points.
