Preview: Spurs vs. Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets, if the rumor mill is to be believed, have been searching for an additional big man since being dispatched by the Lakers in last season’s Western Conference Finals.
While the Nuggets have been sifting through names like Jeff Foster or Brendan Haywood, the Spurs may have settled on a permanent starting frontline partner for Tim Duncan. Ironically, it’s in the same big man that might have pushed Denver over the top last season.
It’s a small sample, but reintroducing Antonio McDyess into the starting lineup has left the Spurs looking like a Gregg Popovich-coached team once again as Tim pointed out in his last recap.
With the gradual return of Matt Bonner and the inclusion of Antonio McDyess into the starting lineup, the Spurs are not featuring as much small-ball. This is a two game sample, and other factors come into play, but their interior defense looks better because of it.
In two games, McDyess the starter has put up a 17-point, four rebound performance and 11 and eight while the Spurs have put away two quality opponents (I know, referring to the Grizzlies as such is still is a bit odd).
The Spurs will need it tomorrow. In Nene, Chris Anderson and Kenyon Martin have an active and underrated front line. How underrated? Admit it, outside of Denver and Brazil, Henry Abbott is probably the only soul who thinks that Nene was snubbed:
According to plus/minus, Nene is a top 10 NBA player. And when you watch the Nuggets play, it’s not hard to understand. He’s enormous, powerful and quick, which lets him influence plays all over both ends of the court. His scoring is efficient, his defense is tenacious and he rebounds like a maniac. He was excellent last season, and is probably even better now.
With all that said, the matchup of the night could come down to a pair of ankles, or which team can best overcome their injured one. Parker, as we know, is out after spraining his. Carmelo Anthony remains day-to-day.
