Gameday 3-on-3: Spurs vs. Nuggets
Neither of these guys are playing for the Nuggets anymore. So, who is? (Photo credit: Keith Allison)
Better late than never, right?
1. Are the Nuggets legit Western Conference contenders in 2012?
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: That has been a point of contention at RMC. I do not believe Denver is a title contender in 2012. I think last year’s team that lost in the first round to the Thunder was a better version of the scrappy, team-first starless squad than this year’s team is. Denver does have incredible depth and will be a regular season juggernaut, but not a real postseason threat.
Timothy Varner, 48 Minutes of Hell: John Hollinger thinks so, and I’m drinking his Kool-Aid. I think Ty Lawson is incredibly underrated and Nene is an All-Star big. The big perk is that Denver is a good bet to re-sign Wilson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin at the conclusion of the Chinese season.
Andrew McNeill, 48 Minutes of Hell: I subscribe to the thinking that you have to win in the NBA, for the most part, with stars. To me, I don’t think this Nuggets roster fills that criteria. There are some definite pieces on this squad, no doubt, but I think they’re missing one major piece.
2. Do the Nuggets have a go-to player that the Spurs defense needs to focus on stopping?
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: The lack of a go-to player makes the Nuggets an interesting matchup. Some teams choose to double team Nene in the post, but the real threat opposing teams must deal with is Ty Lawson. Ty has quietly grown into a multifaceted scoring threat. He is a quality 3-point shooter, is deadly in the lane and possesses an ever-improving midrange game. The most effective way of defending Denver is to pack the lane and hope they continue to heave bricks from behind the arc.
Timothy Varner, 48MoH: Nene. The Nuggets don’t go to him enough, but he’s a great player who quietly dominates games. You can live with the scoring of Afflalo or Lawson, but Nene is a player to limit.
Andrew McNeill, 48MoH: Nene is a fairly solid choice, but I’m going to say Ty Lawson. The Spurs have trouble with quick point guards, as do most NBA teams, and slowing Lawson will really limit the Nuggets attack. You’d hope.
3. Spurs-Nuggets games in the past were always physical affairs, will that be the case in 2012?
Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company: George Karl loves the small ball and with the departure of Kenyon Martin this is a softer, gentler Nuggets team. They do have size with Timofey Mozgov and Kosta Koufos, but Mozgov is still learning how to be an effective NBA big man and Koufos has not yet earned big minutes.
Timothy Varner, 48MoH: The Nuggets are physical, but George Karl and Gregg Popovich are increasingly fond of playing small players at big positions, if you follow. Anymore, this series is more of a track meet than a wrestling match.
Andrew McNeill, 48MoH: Sadly, no. This matchup is missing Manu Ginobili, who seemed to be a magnet for physical altercations, and Kenyon Martin, who’s waiting to return to the NBA after some time in China. Miss you, K-Mart.
