Can Denver Nuggets Keep Focus Now That They’re on the Radar?
Almost as soon as the Denver Nuggets (49-23) caught national attention for their winning streak, they dropped the contest that should have marked their 16th consecutive victory. The young team can benefit from such a strange loss, and it will have to if it’s going to be a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.
If not for the Miami Heat’s (56-14) historic 27 straight wins, Denver’s 15-game run may have been the focus of the waning NBA regular season. The five teams to clinch a playoff spot in the West are all within six games of one another; the top and bottom of the four Eastern Conference teams with their playoff tickets punched are 15 games apart.
The Nuggets’ streak placed them in position to secure home-court advantage in the first round, where their 32-3 record leads the league. Given that nobody in the West’s playoff picture has beaten them in Denver, that’s kind of important.
A Mar. 25 loss to the New Orleans Hornets served as a wake-up call for the Nuggets. While the defending champion Heat recently erased huge deficits that they granted to inferior competition almost as if for dramatic effect, Denver learned that it could not flip the switch in a similar manner.
Miami was down by 27 to the struggling and ailing Cleveland Cavaliers (22-47) and 17 to the 36-33 Boston Celtics, who are dealing with injuries of their own.
Denver fell behind by 14 in the first quarter to the 25-46 soon-to-be Pelicans and only outscored them in the third quarter—by three points—thereafter. It lost by 24.
This loss was more than strange, for a Western Conference contender to get handled on the road by a lottery team which was 14-21 in its own arena entering the game. It wasn’t even a case of a Nuggets squad playing a back-to-back while New Orleans was on an extended homestand.
Nuggets center and highlight factory JaVale McGee had another word for it:
RT @javalemcgee34 THAT WAS A DUMB LOSS
— JaVale McGee (@JaValeMcGee34) March 26, 2013
Some dude named Brian Roberts came out and had 18 assists against Denver in 41 minutes. His 13 points also gave the 27-year-old rookie from Dayton his first career double-double—in his second career start.
Compounding the loss felt by rising star point guard Ty Lawson’s absence is the fact that Denver hasn’t allowed more than Roberts’ 18 single-game assists to any one guy this season. It’s the most productive distribution outing that any Nuggets opponent has experienced since…Jrue Holiday of the Philadelphia 76ers dropped 15 dimes two games prior.
Lawson missed that game, too.
It could be a valuable lesson for the team that began this season as the NBA’s third youngest.
#Nuggets coach George Karl after N.O. loss: “We win some games, we think we’re a little bit better than we are. We’re human beings.”
— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) March 26, 2013
Even without Lawson, the Nuggets should have taken care of business against New Orleans. Denver elder statesman Andre Miller, 37, is more than capable of handling leadership duties in a pinch.
G. Karl con’t: “I’m not saying we’re in a bad place. I just think the last 3 games we haven’t been the committed team we need to be.”
— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) March 26, 2013
Instead, they learned the hard way that a high degree of real estate separating two teams in the standings doesn’t dictate which one walks away victorious.
More from Karl: “This league has a way of humbling anybody who doesn’t have the right karma or the right approach to playing basketball.”
— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) March 26, 2013
When your opponent shoots 56 percent from deep as the Hornets did, records don’t matter much.
Two of the Nuggets’ final 10 games are against the conference-leading San Antonio Spurs. The final tune-up for the postseason is against the lottery-bound Phoenix Suns.
Five of the remaining seven are against Western Conference bubble teams: the Utah Jazz, Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers and Dallas Mavericks (twice).
Denver was streaking against opponents who have done their fair share of winning, so consistent tests against hungry squads looking to sneak into the playoffs shouldn’t be a problem.
It’s the final matchup with 23-48 Phoenix that the Nuggets should ensure doesn’t send them stumbling into the postseason.
For more Denver Nuggets analysis, follow Jamal on Twitter: Follow @StatManJ
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NBA Rising Stars Challenge 2013: Under the Radar Players Sure to Impress
The NBA Rising Stars Challenge will take place during the NBA’s All-Star weekend and will showcase some of the most talented young players in the sport today.
The All-Star game itself will take place on Sunday, Feb. 17, but the Rising Stars Challenge will tipoff on Friday, Feb. 15.
This year’s version will pit Team Chuck, chosen by Charles Barkley, against Team Shaq that has been picked by Shaquille O’Neal.
Much of the attention will be on rising stars such as Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis to name a few, but there are other young players who are sure to impress.
Let’s take a closer look at who fits the bill.
Chandler Parsons, Houston Rockets, Team Shaq (Sophomore)
Parsons might be well known to Rockets fans, but this potent offensive threat has yet to make a name in the NBA as a whole.
Not only is Parsons scoring the ball effectively, he is also a solid all-around player. On the year, Parsons is averaging 14.4 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game as the Rockets cling to the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
He’s shot at a solid clip from the field (47 percent) and is improving his long range game (36 percent) from his numbers last season (33 percent).
Parson’s season high for points scored in a game is 31 against the New York Knicks, but the 24-year-old forward clearly has the goods to affect this game in multiple ways.
Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards, Team Chuck (Rookie)
When the Wizards drafted Beal, they were hoping he could be a secondary scoring option to take some pressure off of John Wall, and he’s done just that.
Beal is the second leading scorer with the Wizards as he’s averaging 13.3 points per game. On top of that, Beal is adding 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.
Granted, the Wizards would love for his shooting to improve from the field (39 percent) and long distance (37 percent), but there’s no question he’s making an impact in just his first season.
In Washington’s second to last game before the All-Star break, Beal dropped 28 points on the Milwaukee Bucks in a winning effort. He might still be devleoping, but Beal has the abilities to take this game over by putting the rock in the net.
Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors, Team Shaq (Sophomore)
Thompson has been a great addition to the Warriors and is a major reason why his squad is having a successful season thus far.
In his second season, Thompson’s numbers are up in every major statistical category. He’s averaging 16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest.
Thompson’s shooting numbers are down slightly, but that’s mostly a result of more minutes and more attempts. Still, Thompson is shooting 41 percent overall with a near 39 percent success rate from the three-point line.
Not many people are talking about how great of a season Thompson is having, but this game should be a great showcase of his talents. As long as he continues to grow, Thompson should be an important piece to the Warriors’ puzzle for years to come.
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10 Little-Known Coaches Likely on the Radar of Major College Basketball Programs
College basketball coaches get fired. Call it an occupational hazard.
When the coaching carousel begins to spin in the early spring, athletic directors look high and low for candidates who can elevate their hoops programs to new levels of success.
Sometimes, the AD’s short list has big-name coaches who are widely recognized. Other times, they pull up some of the lesser-known coaches who are battling to build their programs at the mid-major level.
Every year, there are quality coaches who are available to come in and be the next Bo Ryan, who moved from UW-Milwaukee to Wisconsin.
Here are 10 lesser-known coaches that very well could be on the radar of major college programs very soon:
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Bracket Briefing: Bucknell’s on the Cinderella radar
This year, Bucknell and not Lehigh, could be wearing a glass slipper in the Big Dance.
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Overrated in the Offseason, the Denver Nuggets Are Back Home Under the Radar
Ironically, the Mile High City’s Denver Nuggets do their best work under the radar. Denver’s 20-16 record is a far cry from the lofty expectations set during the offseason. In August, head coach George Karl saw his squad running its way into a top-four seed in the West. ESPN The Magazine pegged Denver as not the biggest sleeper for the 2012-13 season in the Western Conference, but the best team in the West.
That just wasn’t going to happen.
While Denver’s projected record (by Basketball Prospectus) was 58-24, it comes as little surprise to Nuggets fans that the team is instead headed for a 45-37 season. It hasn’t won more than 54 games in any season since Larry Brown was coaching the squad in the ABA.
Since drafting Carmelo Anthony in 2003, the Nuggets have nevertheless become a perennial playoff team. They have made the postseason nine consecutive times—and counting—while finishing no worse than second in the Northwest Division since 2005. The problem has often been their lack of advancement in the tournament.
Of their last nine playoff appearances, Denver has been dispatched in the first round eight times. Only one of them was a sweep—against the eventual Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers in 2008—but five of the Nuggets’ first-round series losses were five-game ordeals.
Four of those were with Melo manufacturing buckets as a go-to guy, zapping credibility from the idea that Denver has to have a singular offensive priority in the clutch. Regardless, Andre Iguodala restored that option to the Nuggets when they went out last summer and traded for the former Philadelphia 76ers swingman.
Unfortunately, his truncated tenure with the team has temporarily seemed to prevent him from assuming that role. Karl has been on a season-long quest to find a leader for his basketball team: “I think he’s made small steps…but defining leadership on this team is probably going to be a whole year process,” he said via the Denver Post.
When the unquestioned leader, Andre Miller, is neither a starter nor a 30-MPG player, the leadership situation is likely less than ideal.
Karl’s quote still delivers optimism that Iguodala could develop into that consistent vocal presence as the season progresses—if Ty Lawson doesn’t assume the position himself. Both guys are having disappointing seasons through 36 games by their standards as they acclimate themselves to each other’s on-court style. Nuggets fans can only hope that they become more efficient on the floor and effective leaders as the playoffs approach.
Iguodala is shooting 44.8 percent from the field, 33.1 percent from three-point range and 62.7 percent from the free-throw line while turning the ball over 2.8 times per game. His shooting has been trending in the wrong direction, including a woeful 31.3 percent from deep—bolstered by a 3-of-5 performance against the Lakers on Jan. 6—and 43.5 percent from the stripe in four January contests.
Lawson’s career numbers—though tainted by 35 games of action in 2012-13—are indicative of the efficient, slashing point guard that he is: 48.4 percent shooting, 37.5 percent three-point shooting, 77.1 percent on free throws and 1.9 turnovers per game. In his fourth year of NBA experience, the hyper-quick Lawson is shooting a mere 42.0 percent from the field, 31.6 percent from beyond and 70.1 percent from the charity stripe with 2.6 turnovers a night.
The bad news about their shooting woes is that Lawson (12.8) and Iguodala (11.7) are responsible for taking the second- and third-most shots on their team. The good news is: Denver is still a winning ballclub despite their prolonged slump.
The Nuggets aren’t included in the top four positions of the Western Conference standings, but they can make a splash heading into the postseason with improved post All-Star splits from Lawson and Iguodala. Denver’s schedule will eventually turn in its favor—the team with the most unique home-court advantage has played the fewest home games in the NBA thus far.
Thirteen of the Nuggets’ 36 contests have been at home; they have played a league-high 23 tilts on the road, accounting for more than half of their 41 scheduled arena visits this season. It shouldn’t be surprising to hear that Denver is one of the hotter teams as the long nights of winter give way into springtime.
But it will be. The Nuggets may be an unfortunate playoff surprise for their opponents—a dream scenario for a jelling team looking for a deep playoff run.
Statistics used in this article were accurate prior to games played on Jan. 9, 2013. For more Denver Nuggets analysis, follow Jamal on Twitter: Follow @StatManJ
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Tyreke Evans on the Celtics’ radar?
ESPN’s Chad Ford is speculating that Danny Ainge and the Celtics could make a run at out of favor Sacramento King Tyreke Evans. The Kings are a mess and Evans’ style of play doesn’t help things, and, again, his stock is so low, I’m not sure what the value will be. One team to watch is the Celtics — Danny Ainge loved him before the draft. I’m not sure Boston has the assets to get a deal done, but I could see them trying to make something happen. Tyreke is a talent, but the biggest red flag here is that he’s another 2 guard and the Celtics are a team full of 2 guards. Ainge was rumored to have tried to trade Rajon Rondo to move up to draft Evans a few years back, so Ford is correct to mention the Celtics as a possible suitor. Tyreke’s best season was his rookie year, which is never a good sign (See Eric Montross). My guess is that the Kings would ask for Avery Bradley (which the Celtics shouldn’t do) or Jared Sullinger (which would only make sense …
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Under the Radar: Knicks’ Ronnie Brewer to make a splash
Ronnie Brewer Junior was a low key signing for the New York Knicks this off-season, but a HUGE piece of the puzzle towards the ultimate goal. Winning isn’t a hope, but a necessity at this stage. Ronnie will be a far larger piece than people recognize and we will tell you why.
Ronnie Brewer Jr. born in Portland, Oregon in 1985, attended the University of Arkansas and was selected 14th overall by the Utah Jazz. He is listed at 6’ 7” 227lbs. He is a SG/SF and has very good defensive skills. He played 4 years in Utah and eventually took over the starting SG position. In his second and third years, he averaged double figures, however in his 4th year he declined in health due to injuries and only played in only 53 games.
He was traded to Memphis in the 2010 season for the stretch run for the playoffs, but Ronnie had a hamstring injury that limited his playing time and eventually parked him on the Memphis bench. He only played in 5 games with Memphis and became a free agent at the en…
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Vegas Summer League 2012: Players to Keep on Your Radar
The future is now.
With the Vegas Summer League underway, many franchises’ future stars are on display. Some will live up to expectations and others will flop.
Here are three players to keep on your radar this summer.
Harrison Barnes
North Carolina’s Harrison Barnes didn’t get the love I thought he deserved during draft night. Golden State jumped on the opportunity to snag him with its first pick.
Great move.
Barnes has All-Star quality written all over him. When he entered North Carolina as a freshman, the hype surrounding him was unfair and, quite frankly, overwhelming.
With those expectations came a mold that was impossible to live up to. So maybe he wasn’t Michael Jordan-esque, but he did well living up to the hype of being an underclassmen at one of the most prestigious schools in America.
He averaged 15.7 and 17.4 points per game in his first two seasons. He also grabbed five rebounds per game.
With his ability in the mid range—one of the best in the nation—Barnes will find great success in the NBA. Fans will begin to notice in the Vegas Summer League.
Austin Rivers
Clutch, dynamic, quick, speed and a kid who wants to get better are the things I think about when someone mentions Austin Rivers.
A kid who chose Duke to hone his skills so he could be better prepared in the NBA. That decision not only made me respect him as a basketball player more, but it proved that he isn’t just about the name on the back of his jersey.
New Orleans is going to be a great team in the future, but while Anthony Davis is on the Olympic team, Rivers will be holding up his end of the bargain in the Vegas Summer League.
Rivers will be one of the better players this summer. We’ll get a glimpse into what type of a career he is capable of having.
I didn’t rank Bradley Beal as high as others did, but there is no denying his talents.
Regardless of where he landed in the draft, his status as one of the best in the class is apparent.
Beal can knock down the outside shot, drive to the rim, play good defense and his basketball IQ is through the roof.
We are talking about a potential All-Star candidate for years to come. You might as well put him on your radar now.
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NBA Free Agents 2012: Top Target Each Team Has on the Radar
NBA free agency is in full swing.
The league has already seen a number of changes take place, and a number of teams will be sporting different looks heading into the 2012-13 regular season.
With many more moves to be made, here’s a look at who each team is targeting with just a few days remaining in the NBA’s moratorium period.
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Should D.J. Augustin Be on the L.A. Lakers’ Radar?
Los Angeles Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions may not have played himself out of his starting position during the 2012 NBA Playoffs, but he certainly opened the flood-gates of speculation with a horrible performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Granted, it was Sessions’ first taste of the postseason, and as some people point out Sessions was matched against Russell Westbrook, one of the best young lead guards in the NBA.
However, last time I checked the Western Conference is filled with good young point guards and a few great older ones as well, which means if Sessions is rewarded with another season in Los Angeles he can expect that type of competition on a nightly basis.
The Lakers may decide to keep Sessions and try to improve another area of their roster, or based off Sessions’s dismal postseason play they may try to significantly upgrade his position.
What the Lakers shouldn’t do is pursue Charlotte Bobcats point guard D.J. Augustin, as some fans have suggested, under any circumstances since it’s hard to even view the diminutive guard as an upgrade over Sessions.
Augustin is listed at 6’0 but he looks more like he’s 5’9, and he plays closer to 5’7.
Don’t get me wrong. Augustin was as effective as he could be during the 48 games he played for the worst team in NBA history, but how would his 11 points and six assists per game translate in the guard-heavy west?
Forget the west. Augustin would arguably lose every individual point guard matchup in the Pacific division considering his nightly competition would be Steve Nash, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Ray Felton and arena mate Chris Paul.
Not many scrubs there.
I was born and raised in Charlotte and still reside there so you can believe me when I say I’ve had the privilege of viewing Augustin on many occasions. It’s harder to get into some area high school gyms than it is at Time-Warner arena.
I think Augustin is a decent talent, and his quickness and court vision makes him an above average distributor once he penetrates the defense.
Augustin is a better outside shooter than Sessions, and he is more confident when attacking the rim, but it’s Augustine’s defense that scares me.
Westbrook’s dominance over the Lakers’ guards played a major role in the team’s defeat and Augustine is probably just as bad as Sessions.
And Augustin is smaller and not as strong as Sessions.
I’m all for improving the Lakers roster as a whole and if it begins with Sessions then so be it. I’m just not sure Augustin is a real improvement in that category.
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