Thursday, April 12, 2007

Denver Nuggets Clinch Playoff Berth With 7th Straight Win [David Stefanini]

This is the team that should be on every body's radar going into the NBA playoffs.

When the Denver Nuggets first acquires Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony was not available to play due to suspension. Then Anthony came back ready to go, but Iverson got hit with the injury bug. Then when the two of them finally got a chance to play, the third scorer on the team J.R Smith went down with an injury.

Now the Nuggets have Iverson and Anthony healthy, and J.R Smith back and playing. They are the hottest team in the league right now winners of seven games in a row and are looking like the contenders everyone thought they would be. Iverson and 'Melo finally look like they have found something in each other and are playing together like they have been playing with each other for the past decade.

Whoever is unlucky and draws the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs are going to have their hands full.

I feel the Phoenix Suns have no chance at winning the title, or even getting to the NBA Finals. They have no interior defense and Steve Nash can not guard anybody. Offense is great to watch and wins you plenty of games in the regular season but defense wins championships. That is why it is going to come down to the Spurs and the Mavericks.

The Nuggets can beat any of those teams previously mentioned. They have the offensive talent and explosion to keep up with the Suns. The play of Iverson and 'Melo will give them at least a win or two against any of the other top teams in the West, but to pull off wins in 4 of seven games they are going to need everyone else to start contributing at a much higher rate.

Win or lose they are going to be the most exciting team to watch in this years playoffs, unless of course the Lakers get in, then watching Kobe will be the best thing to do.

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