I'm somewhere in between a basketball fan and a basketball junkie. Games like Bobcats-Kings are completely unwatchable, but a LeBron-Durant marquee in November is better than anything else that could possibly be on TV at that moment (except, of course, a Broncos game). This season changed the nature of my basketball fandom with the rise of my favorite Nuggets team of all time. A true team through and through. One that had to take on a multitude of different identities as the season evolved. With injuries and their schedule, they were handed a pretty bad hand by the basketball gods. And all they did was set the franchise record for wins in a season, and became just the 11th NBA team ever to go 38-3 at home or better.
As I really started to fall in love with basketball (the only time I've ever dominated a basketball court, I was the CP3 of the JCC during my elementary and middle school years) I watched Denver slog through a decade of nothingness, including a 3 season
Fast forward to 2012. A year and a half removed from the greatest player in franchise history skipping town, the Nuggets were viewed as the Houston Rockets West (before they added Harden, Asik and Lin; a consortium of well priced B and C level players). Stan Kroenke must have pissed off David Stern (probably by not inviting him to his private island in the sky over the summer), because the Nuggets began the season with 17 of their first 23 games on the road. A pretty tough start for a team who had to implement a major new piece into its scheme, while already playing from behind, because of the eleven new players added since the Carmelo deal in February of 2010. The Nuggets experimented with a myriad of different lineups and were in the middle of the pack in the West around Christmas.
Asked if he thought in Oct if Den could win 57, Andre Miller said, “Not at all. I thought we’d probably maintain .500 or a little better.”
— Benjamin Hochman (@nuggetsnews) April 17, 2013
Going into the playoffs, much of the focus is on Gallinari's absence. For good reason, he's a very solid defender as well as their 2nd best weapon on offense. But even if Gallo was healthy, this team was living and dying by Ty Lawson (check his pre-post All Star splits to see the Nuggets' season in a nutshell). He's what the engine runs on. They are ferocious fast breakers who will drive the ball down your throat before you even realize that you missed your shot. I love this team. They don't call many set plays. They ebb and flow with the game and ruthlessly attack the rim. It's almost an existential form of basketball. For all the talk of stars in the NBA, basketball games are always won by the best teams. It's why most of the conversation is centered around four members of the NBA (and one trainwreck that somehow made it to the finish line). For the most part, we already know who's going to win.
Can the Nuggets challenge the NBA paradigm by winning a title without a star? Absolutely. Just not this season. Even if Gallinari was healthy. This is the year for them to earn their big game chops. And keep your eyes peeled for the kid wearing the goofy number, Evan Fournier (#morechampagne). Dude can ball.
West
Thunder over Rockets in 6
Because James Harden is going to go bonkers in 2 games.
Spurs over Lakers in 5
Because DO NOT QUESTION THE POPOVICH.
Nuggets over Warriors in 5
Because I'm biased.
Clippers over Grizzlies in 7
Because this series just has to go this far and because Chris Paul.
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Thunder over Clippers in 7
Because the Clippers are one man short.
Spurs over Nuggets in 7
Because that's just how this season has to end.
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Spurs over Thunder in 6
Because OKC is overrated and DO NOT QUESTION THE POPOVICH
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East
Heat over Bucks in 4
Because, my God. Do we really even need to play this series?
Knicks over Celtics in 7
Because of games 3, 4, and 6.
Pacers over Hawks in 5
Becau...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Nets over Bulls in 6
Because Deron Williams vs. Nate Robinson.
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Heat over Nets in 5
Because this is still just a formality.
Pacers over Knicks in 6
Because Indiana is deeper and Paul George can go shot for shot with Melo.
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Heat over Pacers in 6
Because the best team with the best player always wins.
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Heat over Spurs in 7
MVP: LeBron
Because the only thing that trumps a POPOVICH is a King.
Awards
MVP: Come on, I shouldn't have to even say it.
Defensive Player of the Year: Andre Iguodala. Number crunchers like him and the Nuggets went from pretender to contender because of Ty Lawson and Iggy's defense...Whatever, this is my blog, I'll give my fake awards to whomever I want.
Rookie: Damian Lillard. His season is more impressive because had to shoulder more responsibility than all the other contenders.
6th Man: JR Smith. The most entertaining man in the NBA has become a damn good offensive player.
Coach: Erik Spolestra, Greg Popovich, George Karl. This is an impossible award to judge. It's one of those 3 through.
Most Improved: Larry Sanders, Ty Lawson, JR Smith, Grievis Vasquez, Jrue Holiday. Another impossible one to judge since you could make the case for 30 guys.
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