Nuggets Close To Signing Mbenga

[Twin Towers]

https://thehoopsmarket.com/news/denver-nuggets,-close-to-signing-dj-mbenga.aspx

Yes this is Jazz news because according to David Locke we were talking to him. And Denver is upgrading the Front Court (Off the bench). They have added Al Harrington, Sheldon Williams (better than what they had last year), and now Mbenga. I am not saying this makes the Nuggets better than the Jazz but they have improved with talent. The Drama in Denver could make them worse though.

I wish the Jazz could of got Mbenga or Etan Thomas. I honestly don't like any of the other free agent Centers available now.

So who is this Shot Blocking Center that we are going to get KOC?

 

[The Midnight]

So who is this Shot Blocking Center that we are going to get KOC?

Well.. looks like it's gonna be Fesenko..

With all these talks about him not being up to scratch you just have to play him consistent minutes and he'll start to develop.. otherwise he'll always be a rookie..

 

[Twin Towers]

Well.. looks like it's gonna be Fesenko..

With all these talks about him not being up to scratch you just have to play him consistent minutes and he'll start to develop.. otherwise he'll always be a rookie..

I have no Problem with it being Fesenko but we need another big man whether we keep Fesenko or not. We have no idea when Okur will be ready. And having Jefferson, Millsap & Fesenko with no other back ups in dangerous. We need another guy just in case of injury. Have Fesenko and whoever we sign battle it out.

 

[Darkwing Duck]

There goes the championship right there. Mbenga was clearly the missing piece.

 

[Revolution 9]

The Nuggets are going be 3rd place in the NW this year....

 

[honz]

Jeremy Evans will play some at the 5.

 

[royzzz]

Jarron Collins is available

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

The Nuggets are going be 3rd place in the NW this year....

I guess that knocks us down to 4th then.

 

[Fishsticks]

Jeremy Evans will play some at the 5.

All 200 lbs of him? Great.

 

[ncoloradojazz]

Jeremy Evans will play some at the 5.

Its obvious the only time you have played ball in your life is in a video game. Plus Hayward going to be a stud...lmao. You sire are a joke when it comes to basketball iq. Can i just call you booz jr?

 

[Fishsticks]

Its obvious the only time you have played ball in your life is in a video game. Plus Hayward going to be a stud...lmao. You sire are a joke when it comes to basketball iq. Can i just call you booz jr?

Yo! HONZ may not have much experience beyond 2K10, but I disagree with your assement that Hayward will be a bust. There is no way he will be a bust. What are the expectations? I see him as 15pt ,7 reb, 3 ast type of player. If we get that at 9 that is not a bust. Please share what you would define as a bust for Hayward and who would you have selected instead?

 

[Siro]

Yo! HONZ may not have much experience beyond 2K10, but I disagree with your assement that Hayward will be a bust. There is no way he will be a bust. What are the expectations? I see him as 15pt ,7 reb, 3 ast type of player. If we get that at 9 that is not a bust. Please share what you would define as a bust for Hayward and who would you have selected instead?

You should hold a competition over who's the best at blindly guessing.

 

[Twin Towers]

I guess that knocks us down to 4th then.

I still think we will be 1st in the division.
1 - Jazz
2 - Portland
3 - Nuggets (The Melo drama makes things hard for them. If Melo resigns than they will be 2nd)
4 - Thunder (Way overrated and I will debate this with anyone)

Denver getting bigger and more depth doesn't help us beat them though.

 

[Twin Towers]

Yo! HONZ may not have much experience beyond 2K10, but I disagree with your assement that Hayward will be a bust. There is no way he will be a bust. What are the expectations? I see him as 15pt ,7 reb, 3 ast type of player. If we get that at 9 that is not a bust. Please share what you would define as a bust for Hayward and who would you have selected instead?

I see Hayward playing 13-18 Minutes a game. I don't see him starting for years though. And he might not ever start. People that get drafted late in the lottery rarely turn out to be stars in the league. Mostly Role players or Busts. Hayward is a role player and his Basketball IQ will keep him in the league for a long time. But people will call him a bust because he won't get the playing time this year (The fans that want results right way and don't understand development)

I see him in 2 years playing 28-30 Minutes a game. averaging 13 Points 5 Rebounds and 3 assists. I also see him shooting about 46% from the field and 38% from the 3. Good solid role player that will run the offense and understand ball movement and moving without the basketball. Things that stats will never show.

 

[Gyp Rosetti]

I still think we will be 1st in the division.
1 - Jazz
2 - Portland
3 - Nuggets (The Melo drama makes things hard for them. If Melo resigns than they will be 2nd)
4 - Thunder (Way overrated and I will debate this with anyone)

Denver getting bigger and more depth doesn't help us beat them though.

1. OKC
2. Utah
3. Denver
4. Portland

My prediction. OKC will grow organically and it will be enough to win 3-5 more games this year. The argument can be made that they won't be able to sneak up on people this year but I don't think it will matter. The West is always tough and it's gotten to the point that teams know they can never take a night off.

That said, I see them improving from within. Almost every single player is so young, it's impossible not to improve. Add in what I see as an excited group of talented guys who want to win and will work their *** off to get there, and want to follow someone special in Durant and I see 53 or 54 wins this year. Westbrook is getting more and more comfortable running the point every day. Durant wants to be the best player in the world (unlike Lebron who just assumes everyone thinks he is) and is working his *** off, Harden can only get better, ditto that with Ibaka who by the way isn't even 21 yet, "it's been a busy summer for Byron Mullens, working out, bulking up and getting ready for 10-11 season," they added more size and toughness inside with Aldrich as well, and in my opinion have to be hungry as hell after a little taste of success in the playoffs.

JMO.

 

[The Midnight]

1 - Jazz
2 - Portland
3 - Nuggets (The Melo drama makes things hard for them. If Melo resigns than they will be 2nd)
4 - Thunder (Way overrated and I will debate this with anyone)

I cannot agree with that. It would be tough for the Jazz to hit the ground running straight away after all the new pieces - just not realistic. It will take at least 2 months before they start to gel.

You can't expect OKC to be last - not with Durant and Westbrook running the show. Remember that game in Salt Lake last year? If it wasn't for a bad call they would have beaten the Jazz on our home floor with arguably our best team out there. It's hard to see them take a step back ...

.. unless of course either Durant or Westbrook got injured as a result of too much basketball this offseason.. here's hoping.. lol

 

[Twin Towers]

I cannot agree with that. It would be tough for the Jazz to hit the ground running straight away after all the new pieces - just not realistic. It will take at least 2 months before they start to gel.

You can't expect OKC to be last - not with Durant and Westbrook running the show. Remember that game in Salt Lake last year? If it wasn't for a bad call they would have beaten the Jazz on our home floor with arguably our best team out there. It's hard to see them take a step back ...

.. unless of course either Durant or Westbrook got injured as a result of too much basketball this offseason.. here's hoping.. lol

This is what I don't get about what everyone's defense of OKC. They are young? and they played good against the lakers and the Jazz............

Does everyone else forget about the rest of the games during the year?

https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2010/splits/

OKC was 28-24 against the western conference last year. They also collapsed toward the end of the year. Yes they played the Lakers and caught them off guard and matched well against the Lakers but that doesn't change what happens during the regular season. And I remember watching a Jazz game versus the Thunder and they were talking about how the Thunder would play against teams above .500 and it was pretty bad. They were not good against playoff teams. If someone can find that stat that would be awesome.

Westbrook: What else can he improve on? His shot selection sucks and he is a score first point guard. Who has a really bad outside shot? Do you really think that will improve? so far its not looking good.

Durant: I honestly don't know how much better he can get. He is already great.

Thabo: Tapped out in potential. His shot has never improved since being in the league.

Green: Tapped out in potential. Scouts agree with me when he came into the league also. His stats actually got worse last year.

Harden: He could improve a lot but will he get the playing time? when they need Thabo being the go to defender and Durant playing 40 minutes a night? Harden is not a good defender yet to replace Thabo.

Ibaka: He good but he is still very raw. His offensive game is so far from being a factor. He is a hustle player. How often do hustle players improve?

Mullens: Still very raw. Doesn't know how to use his body yet.

Aldrich: Does anyone understand that rookie big man take years to understand the NBA game? It is so rare for guy like Tim Duncan to come into the league and make a big impact or an impact at all. I will say that Aldrich is NBA ready but young big men always get in foul trouble. It happens to the majority of them. They are suppose to play physical but the refs do not allow them to because they are rookies. They take years to understand how to use there body against bigger guys. Aldrich won't be playing against 6-8 6-9 guys who are not athletic. He will be playing against guys 3-4 inches taller and way more athletic.
Mullens has athletic ability but does not know how to use his body yet. Aldrich is not athletic and he will take a year to understand how to use his body against NBA players.

Let me remind everyone who watches ESPN for there opinion.........Thunder finished 4th in our Division last year. and 8th in the western conference. Just because a team is young doesn't mean they will improve. Thunder will make the playoffs but if they get above the 8th spot in the west they improved. If they get the 4th spot in our division that doesn't mean they took a step back. I understand it was only a couple of games between each team. But yes teams catch people off guard. And if you honestly don't think players take games off during a 82 game season? you have to be joking. How often do we take games off when we are on the road? We caught people off guard the year we went to the western conference finals? we have take a step back since then. It happens all the time. Teams don't have time to fully scout players during the season. That is why everyone says the good players add something to there game each year because the scouts find ways to stop players during the off season (or at least improve on something). Age doesn't = development

 

[honz]

Its obvious the only time you have played ball in your life is in a video game. Plus Hayward going to be a stud...lmao. You sire are a joke when it comes to basketball iq. Can i just call you booz jr?

If Evans can get his weight up to 195 he should be able to be a beast down low a la Dwight Howard.

 

[The Midnight]

This is what I don't get about what everyone's defense of OKC... etc..etc..

I'm hearing what you're saying and most of the argument is sensible. Also I am hoping that you're right about the ranking being Jazz = Number 1 in Division and OKC = Number 4 in Division. But somehow I just don't think that that's a sensible/realistic forecast.

On OKC's players assessment
Durant will continue to be great - enough said. I think Westbrook is still underated. He is a player who is strong, can get into the lane and finish. He is also a floor general and everyone forgets about his defensive abilities and work ethic which I think will make him improve. The other players - say you're right in that they're tapped out in potential - I think team chemistry will improve for them next year hence the improvement. Also you're forgeting what the World Champs experience will do to Durant, Westbrook, Green and Krystic - that's an intangible that you forgot to mention.

On taking steps back..
OK Jazz regressed since we went to the western conference finals - but we did lose Fisher. Boozer stopped improving offensively and was exposed defensively. Kirilenko regressed due to whatever reasons and we never added anyone who was more than one dimensional (see - Korver, Brewer) on the wings. We could go on forever if you're wanting to bank your argument about OKC's regression on the Jazz's history but all I can say is you can't really compare one team to another that way. There are just too many factors that need to be factored in.

On the Jazz finishing top of division..
Mentioned this briefly above but I still think they'll take 2-3 months to get Jefferson and Hayward into the mix of things and chemistry will take even longer to come. Losses in those 2-3 months at the beginning will be detrimental to Jazz's chances.. but I'm still hoping it won't take that long.

Any comments? Fire away...

 

[Twin Towers]

I'm hearing what you're saying and most of the argument is sensible. Also I am hoping that you're right about the ranking being Jazz = Number 1 in Division and OKC = Number 4 in Division. But somehow I just don't think that that's a sensible/realistic forecast.

On OKC's players assessment
Durant will continue to be great - enough said. I think Westbrook is still underated. He is a player who is strong, can get into the lane and finish. He is also a floor general and everyone forgets about his defensive abilities and work ethic which I think will make him improve. The other players - say you're right in that they're tapped out in potential - I think team chemistry will improve for them next year hence the improvement. Also you're forgeting what the World Champs experience will do to Durant, Westbrook, Green and Krystic - that's an intangible that you forgot to mention.

On taking steps back..
OK Jazz regressed since we went to the western conference finals - but we did lose Fisher. Boozer stopped improving offensively and was exposed defensively. Kirilenko regressed due to whatever reasons and we never added anyone who was more than one dimensional (see - Korver, Brewer) on the wings. We could go on forever if you're wanting to bank your argument about OKC's regression on the Jazz's history but all I can say is you can't really compare one team to another that way. There are just too many factors that need to be factored in.

On the Jazz finishing top of division..
Mentioned this briefly above but I still think they'll take 2-3 months to get Jefferson and Hayward into the mix of things and chemistry will take even longer to come. Losses in those 2-3 months at the beginning will be detrimental to Jazz's chances.. but I'm still hoping it won't take that long.

Any comments? Fire away...

I can understand why you would think the Jazz won't finish as well because of the beginning of the season. But I honestly am not passionate about the Jazz finishing 1st. I think it could go either way. But I am very passionate about the Thunder being overrated.

All your points about Westbrook were just complements about his game........ I honestly didn't hear about about how he is going to improve on any of his weaknesses (which teams will exploit more next year). And being in the world games does help them develop mentally and maybe that will help but I don't see how it will improve there weaknesses......... The things in the gym that nobody sees. And Westbrook hasn't improved that jumper much. Guys will be going under screens every time.
Chemistry can improve and it probably will but you have to factor in scouting reports on these players. Lets say improvement on there weaknesses are minimal to nothing and the scouting reports show that and teams exploit it........ Will chemistry make up for teams exploiting there weaknesses? I don't think so and that is my point. I don't think they will take a step back but I don't see them dramatically improving when you look at the team in detail like everyone is predicting. My prediction is that they won't improve much. They also have absolutely no inside game. Its slashing and outside shots which I don't think can hold up once teams expose certain players on the team.

I totally can see the Jazz being anywhere from 6-2 in the western conference as a whole. I predict that we will be 2 or 3 (I have been very negative on Jazz predictions every year that Okur and Boozer were in the same front court so I am not a optimist or have Jazz goggles on). I think we are a very improved defensive team with Millsap>Boozer(help defense & man to man) and Jefferson>Okur(help defense). I think protecting the basket is more important for us than man to man. And I don't think Okur is a whole lot better than Jefferson at that. Just a little.
And Okur coming off the bench once healthy and Fesenko playing a little more minutes. Raja Bell's 3 point shooting which is better than Matthews. And Bell I think is equal as a defender to Matthews. I think Bell is underrated and will prove it once the season starts. And I think Miles has improved mentally which was the only thing holding him back IMO. Most importantly we are tougher now. Bell, Jefferson & Millsap on the court together gives us more toughness. Deron is already tough and Miles showed toughness against Melo in the playoffs that I didn't even know he had. We are a feisty team now and I think that is a huge factor with Sloan's offense and defense.