Pau F'ing Gasol
by calvin brodus on Nov 20, 2009 7:57 AM MST
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TGIF Nugg fans! It feels like there has been a drought of games over this past week. The early stages of Nugg withdrawal are starting to set in and it hurts. Thankfully, we have a game tonight against the Clippers and one against the Bulls tomorrow. I see us winning both, and 10-3 sounds pretty sweet to me. However, a black cloud is forming on the horizon. A full, healthy Lakers squad has returned to the NBA.
The reason for this post is Pau Gasol. Last night he made his season debut and the Lakers handled the Bulls by 15 points. Pau had 24 points on 9-14 shooting, 13 boards, 6-6 from the line, and put in 35 minutes of work. He took scoring pressure off Kobe and helped the Laker offense run really smooth. To be honest, Kobe doesn’t scare me that much. At this point, I think his production is neutralized by what Melo does for the Nuggs. However, we have NO response for Pau. Frankly, that guy owns us. I love the Nene/Kmart/Bird front line, but they aren’t going to stop Pau. A constant discussion on this site is the acquisition of a big man, and lots of good ideas have been proposed. I don’t know what the Nugg F.O. office has in mind, but I do know that we play the Lakers twice in February (both in LA). We beat their behind a couple weeks ago, but it will be an entirely different story with Pau in the lineup. I love my Nuggs, LOVE THEM. But I think the Lakers are still the team to beat and I think the Nuggs have to add a decent big to get past them. Hopefully, I’m wrong about this. Or even better, hopefully the F.O. makes a fucking move, Kroenke shells out some luxury cash, and Denver picks up a decent BIG.
NUGGS UP!!
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Remember we took them to six games in the wcf
But you’re right. Lakers with the llama are truly fearsome. As it stands, the Nugs would have to play virtually flawless basketball in order to succeed against them.
In our favor, it seems clear that the Nugs are headed in that direction (demonstrating high level ball on a consistent basis). The Nugs certainly have the potential to beat the Lakers in the playoffs even without adding a new big to the team, even if it takes a magnum-opus type series from them. That’s the kind of event I want to watch.
Clips fan here
and I want to give your team much respect for what they are doing this year. You guys have a solid team and can give the Lakers a tough time getting out of the West…The Nacion expects it to be a cakewalk for your team tonigh, sadly…
Roger Sterling: To my knees, Don. They're bringing to my knees!"
K-Mart
He’s getting the big bucks to hold a guy like Gasol to 20/10 or better just not worse. If Gasol puts up 30/15 type games against us, we lose. Period.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
The Nugs can take the Lakers as is
Gasol won’t put up 30 and 15 if Kmart is guarding him. The problem lies in who Kmart guards when Odom is on the floor. Last year Odom dominated inside because Kmart was so worried about Gasol and Bynum. Hopefully this year the Nugs keep passing the ball well as I think they can beat any team in the league when they are doing that.
Too big in the front court...
If the Lakers get too big in the front court against us, we have to shift gears and just run them out of the gym.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 20, 2009 12:08 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Camby or Najara
I think the Nuggs should bring back either Camby or Najara to take on Portland and the Lakers in the playoffs. Adding Camby as the 4th Big Man would be the best move. He would have to be willing to accept a bench role, but he would give the Nuggs the best matchups against the Lakers. Najara guarded Shaq quite well and can hit the 3. They both know the system and are good locker room guys. Let’s make a run at this thing — With Chauncey and Bird aging, this year is our chance.
by ACEIII on Nov 20, 2009 11:47 AM MST via mobile reply actions
Najera? The guy is 6-8 235, He doesn’t come close to solving our big man problems… When did he ever try to guard Shaq? Pretty sure he would get run over and killed…
Camby brings the same thing to the table that we already have in Birdman. They are both great weak-side shot blockers who play average one on one defense against good scoring big-men. Unless we could get Camby without giving up any contributing players (ie Balkman and down) and still get him at a decent salary, that move is not worth it. Not to mention the fact that Camby felt spurned and betrayed when we ditched him out of the blue…
Agreed on Camby
He doesn’t really address our big man needs. He has no lowpost offense, is best as a shotblocker. On the other hand, his front court mate Kaman might be a better fit for us.
My name is the One...
Well the Lakers
Addressed their weakness last year by exchanging Artest for Ariza. Remember Melo totally destroyed Ariza in the WCF and Phil jackson was forced to put Kobe on to him which took away from his offense. Now that Artest’s on board to man that that task, we see how it plays out this season.
My name is the One...
The Defensive Player of 08/09...
…didn’t defend well against Pau-Pau. As much as Gasol and the Lakers front court are to be feared, I don’t think the remaining big men out there would address how good he is, and are potential risks to team chemistry.
Gotta agree with Big Mickey D, shift it on them, run, drive into the lane, and get Bynum in foul trouble (as he is prone to do). Keep K-Mart actively on Gasol defensively, and I think we have a shot…
Bynum
What makes this 10 times as bad is that Bynum is a hell of a lot better than he was last year. I’m still trying to figure out how we defend Bynum, Gasol, AND Kobe, while still being able to hold Artest and Odom in check.
Pick your poison...
We will hemorrhage points to Kobe or Gasol we just can’t do both. Even as improved as Bynum is this year, he, Odom, Artest and the rest of the Lakers’ bench are a pretty average group compared to us. Calvin Gnat is right: get Bynum in foul trouble and Nene’s strength and speed instantly becomes a mismatch for them. If we let Gasol AND Kobe have big games, we lose. End of story.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 20, 2009 12:53 PM MST up reply actions
Kobe
We just have to continue to shut him out in the second half of every game! (Joke)
I’m among those who think we need another big to beat the Lakers without playing perfect basketball. But Denver did win 2 against them last year, and could have taken another one easily. This team, with Afflalo doing more on offense than Jones last year, and with Lawson putting AC on the bench, is better than last years team and could give them a real run for their money even without adding a big. It’s a long season, we just need to get someone to needle Artest enough that he blows up and destroys their team chemistry prior to the playoffs.
Well the Lakers
Addressed their weakness last year by exchanging Artest for Ariza. Remember Melo totally destroyed Ariza in the WCF and Phil jackson was forced to put Kobe on to him which took away from his offense. Now that Artest’s on board to man that that task, we see how it plays out this season.
My name is the One...
we are concerned as well...
the only thing you guys have over us is speed, which has to last over a series of seven games. not gonna happen… you also have to remember that ronron will get technicals called against nene and kmart. for he is the master of getting under the opponents skin and those two are well documented for blowing up and not keeping the bigger picture in sight. if ty lawson were to actually be given a real chance to play, you guys would be scary good. Laker nightmare scary.
Lakers, Hurricanes, Dolphins
Imagine my sports world in the 80's. They're almost back, 'ceptin the Dolphins
by LAKESHOWrydamee on Nov 24, 2009 12:41 AM MST reply actions
Check Lawson's minutes ... guy is our primary backup now at point guard.
So glad we traded up to get him from Minny.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 25, 2009 8:52 AM MST up reply actions
Yeah Minny's '09 draft.............
Is looking epically bad now.
Billy Mac: "Lamar, can you see yourself actually getting in the (boxing) ring"?
Lamar Odom: "No. My face is too pretty."
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