With all the talks about two certain teams led by their super rookies, it seems Carmelo Anthony's Nuggets (40-37) are going to the postseason now that LeBron James' Cavaliers (32-43) are fading fast out of the East playoff picture. Denver has been fighting for the final West 8th playoff spot with Portland (39-37), which lost to New Orleans yesterday and the Blazers have very very tough remaining schedule: HOME: -red-hot Warriors (this is a winnable game, but they have to really contain Jason Richardson first, this is a spoiler team that is playing real well as of late) -Spurs (defending champs are trying to make a statement, very tough to beat, even at home) -Lakers (this is a team that is also making a statement by winning 11 straight and counting, and it's still not done, very tough to beat even at home) ROAD -Lakers (no chance) -Spurs (no chance) -Nuggets (there's chance but it'll be tough if the Nugs come into the game extra focused and motivated) I don't think Portland has a better chance than Denver... HOME: -Blazers (in its probably most important game of the season, the Nugs should be ashamed if it comes in not prepared, this is a winnable game but Portland is gonna claw and play hard too, so it's still tough) -Kings (tough team to beat, but the Nugs should take advantage of their recent slump and playing off the homecrowd) ROAD: -Suns (this is a very winnable game, no more excuse not to beat a sub .500 team or the worst team in the West) -Rockets (tough team to beat on their home floor, but Nugs have a chance) -Spurs (very very tough to beat, but it ain't over until the fat lady sings) ...to win most of their remaining games, which means no Portland in the eight and last playoff spot. This leaves Denver with only one obstacle: Utah. Their remaining schedule (HOME: Grizzlies, Rockets, Suns ROAD: Clippers, Mavericks, Timberwolves) isn't any softer or tougher than Denver. I'd say Denver for the West eight spot!!! :bigthumbu :thumbsup: Also, if the Nuggets get to the playoffs and the Cavaliers don't do you guys think it will win Carmelo Anthony the Rookie of the Year award? If this happens, somehow I don't think it will happen the way it happened last year to the pretty tight race between two rookies Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire. I think Carmelo wouldn't win it alone, which means if Denver makes it and Cleveland doesn't IMO LeBron will still win the ROY award to share alongside Carmelo. (If both teams make the playoffs I really think LeBron James will win it alone.) What do you guys think? :mrgreen:
I think the Nuggets have a good chance. They're schedule is much more favorable than Portlands, due to the fact that Portland has to play the Lakers twice and the Spurs twice. But, it could all also depend on what the Jazz do. Though, the Nuggets do own the tie break because they did beat them earlier in the week if I'm correct. But, overall, if the Nuggets can mesh together and play better as a team, especially defensively, I think they can do it.
They have a chance but I think that the veteran-laden Portland and Utah teams will eventually get the last spot in the playoffs. The Nuggets are not very experienced and the Jazz and Blazers are teams that have long playoff streaks, and their players would not want those streaks broken, so they'd work much harder.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">They have a chance but I think that the veteran-laden Portland and Utah teams will eventually get the last spot in the playoffs. The Nuggets are not very experienced and the Jazz and Blazers are teams that have long playoff streaks, and their players would not want those streaks broken, so they'd work much harder.</div> True the Nuggets are not very experienced, but so are Portland and Utah. Remember, Portland is rebuilding this season with total overhauled rosters and a brand new focal offense run in forward stud Zach Randolph. Their old veteran rosters (Rasheed, Bonzi) are traded and a lot of new faces are found on this team (Shareef, Theo, Darius). The other guys who are making strong impact on the team are Damon Stoudamire, Derek Anderson, and Theo Ratliff. I believe Damon can lead the team, but he's no longer a first option on offense and he needs to score a lot to be assertive. DA can be too inconsistent sometimes (as he was yesterday with only 8 points in a loss to the Hornets) and Theo, although highly effective on the defensive end, is new to the team. The only question to the team is how good can these guys build the team's chemistry and play well together? I don't think the time has been enough for them despite their 9 wins in last 13. Time is running out at the wrongest time against this team. Utah no longer has Karl Malone and John Stockton and this team is one of the youngest teams in the league. It says so much about their experience. The only experienced guy on the Jazz may be their coach Jerry Sloan. He can instill that and share it with his players but IF the players cannot relate to his saying then I guess this team even ends up being the most inexperienced of the three teams discussed here. To add insult, there's no definite go-to guy on this team yet. Andrei can really knock down shots but his game is not for offense, this kid is created to play defense. As for Denver, it has Marcus Camby, who helped the Knicks get to the Finals in the lockout 1998-1999 season. His contributions have been big on the defensive end, especially blocking shots and rebounding. That' experience. Their bench guard Jon Barry has played with a lot of winning teams (Lakers, Pistons) and he knows what it takes to win. That's experience. Voshon Lenard has played for Miami in the past and can step up and hit big shots. That's experience. :thumbsup:
Carmelo Antony, Nene and Andre Miller are the three key players that got them this far. Without them three to lead by example the nuggets would be worse than they were last year. I think Denver will make the playoffs but get knocked out in the quarter finals.
The Nuggets should make the playoffs, but they can't slip and lose ones they should win. They have the tiebreaker over both teams. Utah have exceeded all expectations this season, so what's to say they can't do it one more time? They have been playing well since the deadline day trades, Tom Guggliotta brings valuable experience and Gordan Giricek is lighting it up in Utah. The Blazers are a team who can turn it on at any stage of the season, and could win their remaining games although it's unlikely. Either way, someone will step up and lead their team to the playoffs.
I think(and hope) that the Nuggz will make it. The Jazz and Nuggz may tie, and I think Portland will miss it by one or two games, and Denver holds the tiebreaker over Utah. As for the ROY speculation, I think that you're right. Lebron will win it alone if he makes the playoffs, and either Melo will get it or they will share if Bron misses. I think that there is a small chance that Melo will win it alone, which I think he should IF he makes the playoffs and Bron doesn't.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tmac15:</div><div class="quote_post">The Nuggets should make the playoffs, but they can't slip and lose ones they should win. They have the tiebreaker over both teams. Utah have exceeded all expectations this season, so what's to say they can't do it one more time? They have been playing well since the deadline day trades, Tom Guggliotta brings valuable experience and Gordan Giricek is lighting it up in Utah. The Blazers are a team who can turn it on at any stage of the season, and could win their remaining games although it's unlikely. Either way, someone will step up and lead their team to the playoffs.</div> Yeah I agree they can't afford to lose the games they shouldn't lose in the first place. About Utah, I'm not saying they can't do it anymore, but I'm just saying they may be theoretically the least experienced team among these teams. But their plays this season sure suggest otherwise. BTW, Utah is moving into a tie with Denver for the spot after a win today against the Clippers. Andrei Kirilenko played an efficient game, scoring 18 pts to lead six players in double figures for the Jazz. He also buried two three pointers in as many attempts. This guy is very young but he quietly leads his team. Props to AK47.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting KingCarmelo:</div><div class="quote_post">both will win...</div> andd.. who are these "both"? Do you mean Nuggets and Jazz? Yeah I predict the same way Starman85 did, Jazz and Nuggets tied for the 8th spot and Nuggets will be given the spot of the tiebreaker rule advantage they have over the Jazz. But, it's just a prediction, the real comeptition is ongoing and very hot in the next 2 weeks. This is very interesting.
Blazers' update: they won yesterday against the Lakers to move into a tie with Denver at no 9 and just 0.5 game behind the no. 8 Jazz. Today they are battling the red hot Warriors at Rose Garden... it looks like a close game (Por, 66-59, 11:30 left in 4th quarter). If the Blazers win, they're gonna tie the Jazz for no. 8 playoff spot. (Edit: ) Blazers won the game 87-81, which moves them into a tie with Utah and Denver at no.8. Nuggets' update: after taking a 4 day break, the Nuggets are taking on the Suns on the road. Melo is starting hot and scored 23 points after three quarters. The score remains close however with Denver leading 7 pts (80-73) with 8:41 left in the 4th quarter. They can't afford to lose this one. If they lose and Portland wins, they'll fall out of the last spot by one full game. (Edit: ) The Nuggets appear to take this game, the score is 101-87 with 2:46 left in the 4th. Anthony scored 33 pts, Jon Barry drained two threes and scored 14, while Lenard had 3 3s and scored 15, and it's still going. (Edit: ) Nuggets won 111-96! What a great game! Melo scored 36 pts on 12 of 20 shooting, while also grabbing 11 rebounds. Nuggets are top in the L in forcing turnovers and they showed it in this game (23 TO by the Suns, including 8 by Amare). Great game by Voshon too (18 pts) to keep the lead out of reach by hitting those threes.
Big, BIG win for Denver. With Portland beating all the odds, and beating the Lakers in LA, this was almost a must win, because we wouldn't want to drop into 10th.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting cArMeLo15:</div><div class="quote_post">Big, BIG win for Denver. With Portland beating all the odds, and beating the Lakers in LA, this was almost a must win, because we wouldn't want to drop into 10th.</div> Yeah, it's a bummer that they managed a win against the Lakers at Staples. I thought it would be the toughest for them to win, and we can gain some ground from it. Jazz's update: Utah is battling it out against the Mavs on the road. It seems pretty much a very tough game for this team, as Dallas has the best home record in the NBA now. Throughout most of the game, the Jazz've been outmatched, and it's now 110-86, Dallas with 5:27 left in the game. It looks like the Jazz are going to lose this one, that means they will fall out of the last spot behind Denver and Portland by 0.5 game. (Edit: ) Jazz lost 94-117. Each team had its 6 players in double figures, including 27 pts by Dirk Nowitzki and a big effort of 25 pts by Antawn Jamison off the bench. AK finished with only 13 points, Raja Bell led the team with 18. This will be a further step in the right direction for the Nuggets, but they must not take every opponent easy from now on. They must take advantage of Utah falling out of it, and can focus just on the Blazers now.
Nuggets' update: They are playing Houston now on the road (in progress)... it's halftime and the score is 52-42, Nuggets. Anthony isn't off to his usual fast start, scoring just 10 pts, but this team also seems focused on getting everyone else involved in the first half. Nene had 10 pts, Camby 12, and 6 other players have scored. (Edit: ) It's not gonna be an easy night as I thought. Mobley's three with 2:32 left in the third gave the Rockets their first lead of the game, 73-71. Anthony's two free throws, though, tied it up back at 73 :thumbsup: , they gotta keep mentally focused and sharp. Pleaseeee winnn! (Edit: ) End of third quarter, Rockets lead 78-73, guess I gotta leave all this staring at the scorebox... just don't wanna jinx it. Hey hey take note! If the Nuggets win this game, they are going to take a sole possession of no. 8 spot. They will be 0.5 game ahead of Portland and 1 full game ahead of Utah... and, more beautifully, just 1 full game behind no. 7 Houston itself! No. 7 playoff spot!!! Can't you guys imagine we're talking about no.7 when we were sweating like crazy three weeks ago? Rock on, Rocky Mountain warriors! Win win win win! Will update soon with the game final result!!! (Edit: ) Too bad the Nuggets lost 103-106... Miller's tying three pointer bounced off the rim. Steve Francis had his best scoring output of the season with 33 pts. Camby led the Nuggets with 23 pts on 10-11 shooting, 'Melo finished with 20 but made only 5 shots out of a ridiculously 11 attempts. This is one of the most important games of the season (with the most important coming soon tomorrow vs. Blazers) and he only attempted 11 shots? Blazers' update: It's been a tough night for the Blazers. They trail by 16, 57-41, six minutes into the 3rd. They can't contain both Duncan and Ginobili, who has 17 and 18 pts respectively and getting around too easy. (Edit: ) The Blazers lost 74-84. With this loss, Portland and Denver are back into a three-way tie with the Jazz for no. 8 spot. Can't wait for tomorrow's game (Portland @ Denver). :thumbsup:
With the way Houston are playing recently, they might not even make the playoffs. They are losing to the Nuggets right now, and provided the Nuggets don't throw it away they'll only be a whole game ahead of Denver. Utah has them on the schedule, at home once. So if they keep losing, and Denver keep winning we could see two of the following teams make the 7 & 8 spots, Denver, Utah and Portland. Denver has a game against Portland left, and since Portland are getting blown out against San Antonio, it could almost knock Portland out of contention. It's starting to look like Denver will make the playoffs if they win the Rockets game, but where is the question.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tmac15:</div><div class="quote_post">With the way Houston are playing recently, they might not even make the playoffs. They are losing to the Nuggets right now, and provided the Nuggets don't throw it away they'll only be a whole game ahead of Denver. Utah has them on the schedule, at home once. So if they keep losing, and Denver keep winning we could see two of the following teams make the 7 & 8 spots, Denver, Utah and Portland. Denver has a game against Portland left, and since Portland are getting blown out against San Antonio, it could almost knock Portland out of contention. It's starting to look like Denver will make the playoffs if they win the Rockets game, but where is the question.</div> Houston clinched the playoffs after yesterday's win over the Nuggets also coupled with the Portland loss. Nuggets-Blazers game update: The players are probably still sleeping at their hotel right now... I just can't wait! Play the song, "we are the champions"! :thumbsup: (Edit: ) Nuggets win! Nuff said, that's all I wanna know. OK, I'll do a little review here: like the NBA.com said, Carmelo's 30 pt perfromance in the most important game of the year should boost his Rookie of The Year chances while lifting the team's playoff chances. The final score is 110-100, his tough fadeaway 18 foot jumper over Ruben Patterson forced OT, this is a miraculous performance from a 19 year old kid, playing the second of back-to-back games. :thumbsup:
Nuggets' update: We are hosting the Kings, who are coming in after a 102-85 blowout win over the Lakers yesterday. The Kings must be a little tired and we have to take advantage of that, our homecourt and the fact that Utah, the only other team tied with us for no. 8 playoff spot, is going to have a tougher game playing on the road against the west's no. 1 Timberwolves. Jazz's update: Playing on the road against the Timberwolves. This is going to be a very tough game for the Jazz as they try to maintain their no. 8 spot. Blazers' update: If they lose this game (against the Spurs) at home, they are going to be eliminated from the playoff contention. This is the most important game of the season for the Blazers.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting PupMelo:</div><div class="quote_post">Nuggets' update: We are hosting the Kings, who are coming in after a 102-85 blowout win over the Lakers yesterday. The Kings must be a little tired and we have to take advantage of that, our homecourt and the fact that Utah, the only other team tied with us for no. 8 playoff spot, is going to have a tougher game playing on the road against the west's no. 1 Timberwolves. Jazz's update: Playing on the road against the Timberwolves. This is going to be a very tough game for the Jazz as they try to maintain their no. 8 spot. Blazers' update: If they lose this game (against the Spurs) at home, they are going to be eliminated from the playoff contention. This is the most important game of the season for the Blazers.</div> Tough night for the race for 8th seed, huh. I expect them all to lose and Denver to not lose any ground. Of the 3, Denver has the highest chance to upset.
