2024 NBA Season

[SquallLeonhart]

I think blazers need a coaching change more so than any player improvement. At one point they had an amazing lineup with Dame-CJ-Evan-Harkless-Aminu-Nurkic and even Collins. That team could have had serious chances of becoming champions if it wasn't the beast years of warriors, same team right now with an amazing coach like Steve Kerr or Greg Pop would be able to get a ring this year I am 100% sure about it.

It all depends on how you play a player more than how a player plays, Steve Kerr saw his team and realized what he had so he made his decision about how they would be playing, Blazers never had a stable coach that would be capable of moving the team into a system that would optimize the talents of their best players to be used, its just pure ISO at this point.

[1714573858]

1714573858

[1714573858]

1714573858

[1714573858]

1714573858

[1714573858]

1714573858

[Golftech]

With that said, I think Blazers should also be in the discussion here, CJ and Lillard are still the top two scoring guards in my opinion.

They will have their time. If Blazers can follow what the Warriors did in adding pieces to their two best backcourt shooters, they will be more dangerous. They badly need some players who can defend well and score at the same time.   

That's important, but what improvements they have done so far?
It seems like there's no big movement within the team and they just rely on their best players to still dictate the future of blazers this coming season.
I'm saying they will not have the same success they had in the last playoffs because it's a different west now, a more improve one.

Agree to that. Blazers needs to add an all-around player who can add up to their  2 super stars. If they wanted to be more competitive, this step is really important to them. NBA teams keep improving their lineups, especially the West side teams are very strong with how those trades happened. Blazers needs to adopt and adjust in order to create a powerhouse squad that will be ready in facing teams like Lakers and Clippers, for example, and those super teams that will be formed eventually.

[dunfida]

With that said, I think Blazers should also be in the discussion here, CJ and Lillard are still the top two scoring guards in my opinion.

They will have their time. If Blazers can follow what the Warriors did in adding pieces to their two best backcourt shooters, they will be more dangerous. They badly need some players who can defend well and score at the same time.   

That's important, but what improvements they have done so far?
It seems like there's no big movement within the team and they just rely on their best players to still dictate the future of blazers this coming season.
I'm saying they will not have the same success they had in the last playoffs because it's a different west now, a more improve one.

Agree to that. Blazers needs to add an all-around player who can add up to their  2 super stars. If they wanted to be more competitive, this step is really important to them. NBA teams keep improving their lineups, especially the West side teams are very strong with how those trades happened. Blazers needs to adopt and adjust in order to create a powerhouse squad that will be ready in facing teams like Lakers and Clippers, for example, and those super teams that will be formed eventually.

Adjustment will really be suggested because same as being said this wont really be the same on last season since there were lots of changes in rosters specially on West teams.
They shouldnt expect that this one would really be an easy path if they wont make any add up-They should took up as a consideration on seeking out that additional that can
able to perform in all aspects scoring-defending member.

[mirakal]

I think blazers need a coaching change more so than any player improvement. At one point they had an amazing lineup with Dame-CJ-Evan-Harkless-Aminu-Nurkic and even Collins. That team could have had serious chances of becoming champions if it wasn't the beast years of warriors, same team right now with an amazing coach like Steve Kerr or Greg Pop would be able to get a ring this year I am 100% sure about it.

It all depends on how you play a player more than how a player plays, Steve Kerr saw his team and realized what he had so he made his decision about how they would be playing, Blazers never had a stable coach that would be capable of moving the team into a system that would optimize the talents of their best players to be used, its just pure ISO at this point.

At some point I think their current coaching staff helps the team to improve, after LA leave the team, I lost my expectation that they will be in playoffs again, but they have proven me wrong, unfortunately, they are not as good as the Warriors.

What they need is to improve their defense, they can score because they have a lot of reliable shooters and all in the floor have confidence to shoot, and even the big man already learn how to shoot 3 points, but like I said, the defense has to be in place as well.

[harizen]

I think blazers need a coaching change more so than any player improvement. At one point they had an amazing lineup with Dame-CJ-Evan-Harkless-Aminu-Nurkic and even Collins.

I'm with the idea of Blazers should change their coach since no positive result happens for 7 years with their current coach. However, even you put Stever Kerr or Coach Pop in the current Blazers team right now, I will bet that they will not be the champion.

What they need to do is to put some strong backup players around the main core. Remove Lillard and CJ on the floor and they are doomed. Blazers are known for not participating in catching big fish or at least have an effort to target a well-good player. They are like that for several seasons wasting the talents of Damian Lillard. Fortunately for them, Lillard already committed that he will not leave the team and will remain loyal. He said that, if I'm not mistaken 2 to 3 years ago.

It all depends on how you play a player more than how a player plays,

Coach is a big factor, no doubt about that. The presence of coaches like Steve Kerr or Coach Pop will boost players morale.

But in today's NBA, morale is not enough. Blazers should overhaul first their lineup and just consider changing coach later on.

[wheelz1200]

Don't sleep on the Denver team. They are silent but they are very deadly  

Yes, they are deadly. Many people are still doubting them because they don't have popular superstar players but they are a tough team to beat.

I have my favorite team but I also like Denver, however, I don't see them beating the favorites this season.
Jokic alone can't give them success in the playoffs, we've seen enough in the last playoffs, Blazers were successful against them because they have a lot of scorers compared to Denver. Also, Jokic already scored his usual scoring, but not enough to help his team, he need someone who is reliable enough to help him score, Blazers had Damian Lillard, CJ, and Kanter (paying with injury), but they can't beat the team.

They don't have to beat your favorite team, someone else might beat them but joking aside, it's not like they were beaten badly by the Blazers. It was a very close series and the loss may also be attributed to the inexperience of Jokic and some of the team members. Things could have been different if he had the same number of high level playing years with Dame.

Denver is only going to get better.  Between jokic and Murray that team is a couple of role players or one more star away from being on the top shelf as well.  Dont sleep on Jamal murray he will be a top 10 player if not next season the season after kid is nice.

[freedomgo]

Denver is only going to get better.  Between jokic and Murray that team is a couple of role players or one more star away from being on the top shelf as well.  Dont sleep on Jamal murray he will be a top 10 player if not next season the season after kid is nice.

Jamal murray needs to be consistent, his stats are improving, so that's good. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html
However, I don't think he will be in the top 10 great players in the NBA, there's more talent in the NBA which is better than Murray, I mean more MVP caliber and more athletic, this guy does not belong to their standing yet.

He also needs to be healthy all the time if possible to help his team wins, but if only Murray and Jokic who will constantly score, I'm not gonna expect they will be in the WCF or even in the playoffs as we've seen them very predictable during the Blazers series. IIRC, they were the favorites to win the series that time but loss in a thrilling game 7.

[wheelz1200]

Denver is only going to get better.  Between jokic and Murray that team is a couple of role players or one more star away from being on the top shelf as well.  Dont sleep on Jamal murray he will be a top 10 player if not next season the season after kid is nice.

Jamal murray needs to be consistent, his stats are improving, so that's good. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html
However, I don't think he will be in the top 10 great players in the NBA, there's more talent in the NBA which is better than Murray, I mean more MVP caliber and more athletic, this guy does not belong to their standing yet.

He also needs to be healthy all the time if possible to help his team wins, but if only Murray and Jokic who will constantly score, I'm not gonna expect they will be in the WCF or even in the playoffs as we've seen them very predictable during the Blazers series. IIRC, they were the favorites to win the series that time but loss in a thrilling game 7.

Denver's was the #2 team in the wcco, on the back of murray and jokic.  I'm not saying he is top 10 today but he is only 22 years old.  I'm not a fan of Denver's but a fan of the way they play.  To say they wont win in the playoffs is crazy those 2 can alone carry them far.

[Reid]

Denver is only going to get better.  Between jokic and Murray that team is a couple of role players or one more star away from being on the top shelf as well.  Dont sleep on Jamal murray he will be a top 10 player if not next season the season after kid is nice.

Jamal murray needs to be consistent, his stats are improving, so that's good. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html
However, I don't think he will be in the top 10 great players in the NBA, there's more talent in the NBA which is better than Murray, I mean more MVP caliber and more athletic, this guy does not belong to their standing yet.

He also needs to be healthy all the time if possible to help his team wins, but if only Murray and Jokic who will constantly score, I'm not gonna expect they will be in the WCF or even in the playoffs as we've seen them very predictable during the Blazers series. IIRC, they were the favorites to win the series that time but loss in a thrilling game 7.

He doesnt need to be on the top 10 to be a champion. Leave that being a star to Jokic and just play hard and win the game again to get that top spot.

We all know that the West is filled with powerhouse team. Somehow, if Denver will be on top again then analysts that are hyping players could have some time for them.

Up until now, I dont see much analayst visitors in ESPN which is rooting for Denver but there is one which shocked them there.
Choices where Clippers, Bucks and Houston but yet he said nothing and chose Denver. (Cannot find the link anymore)

Another thing to consider is chemistry.
Powerhouse teams have players which will play for the first time with them. Not Denver.
Houston could be one since Harden and Westbrook knew each other before.

[wheelz1200]

Denver is only going to get better.  Between jokic and Murray that team is a couple of role players or one more star away from being on the top shelf as well.  Dont sleep on Jamal murray he will be a top 10 player if not next season the season after kid is nice.

Jamal murray needs to be consistent, his stats are improving, so that's good. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html
However, I don't think he will be in the top 10 great players in the NBA, there's more talent in the NBA which is better than Murray, I mean more MVP caliber and more athletic, this guy does not belong to their standing yet.

He also needs to be healthy all the time if possible to help his team wins, but if only Murray and Jokic who will constantly score, I'm not gonna expect they will be in the WCF or even in the playoffs as we've seen them very predictable during the Blazers series. IIRC, they were the favorites to win the series that time but loss in a thrilling game 7.

He doesnt need to be on the top 10 to be a champion. Leave that being a star to Jokic and just play hard and win the game again to get that top spot.

We all know that the West is filled with powerhouse team. Somehow, if Denver will be on top again then analysts that are hyping players could have some time for them.

Up until now, I dont see much analayst visitors in ESPN which is rooting for Denver but there is one which shocked them there.
Choices where Clippers, Bucks and Houston but yet he said nothing and chose Denver. (Cannot find the link anymore)

Another thing to consider is chemistry.
Powerhouse teams have players which will play for the first time with them. Not Denver.
Houston could be one since Harden and Westbrook knew each other before.

I think Houston will struggle a little in the beginning until they figure out how to play together...as far as Denver I think they have a good shot at being a top 3 team in the wcc.  You can stack names on paper but the games still have to be played and the nuggs got a good enough squad to bang with anyone

[Ranly123]

Last season, Denver is already a contender in the playoffs and yes they are one or two superstars away to make it to the finals. Yet I guess it's too early to say they can be a championship contender considering their lack of experience during the playoffs.

[mirakal]

Last season, Denver is already a contender in the playoffs and yes they are one or two superstars away to make it to the finals. Yet I guess it's too early to say they can be a championship contender considering their lack of experience during the playoffs.

I'm not believing either, maybe a playoff contender but not a championship contender.
We can see the ranking in the NBA futures to win the championship.
http://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/futures/

Denver Nuggets is rank at number 8 with 16/1 betting odds, that's a great odds if you believe they will be and win the championship.
Clippers, Lakers, Rockets and Warriors are my top 4 favorites, I believe they will dominate the West this coming season and I believe Denver won't finished as in top 3 in the Western Conference ranking.

[wheelz1200]

Last season, Denver is already a contender in the playoffs and yes they are one or two superstars away to make it to the finals. Yet I guess it's too early to say they can be a championship contender considering their lack of experience during the playoffs.

I'm not believing either, maybe a playoff contender but not a championship contender.
We can see the ranking in the NBA futures to win the championship.
http://www.vegasinsider.com/nba/odds/futures/

Denver Nuggets is rank at number 8 with 16/1 betting odds, that's a great odds if you believe they will be and win the championship.
Clippers, Lakers, Rockets and Warriors are my top 4 favorites, I believe they will dominate the West this coming season and I believe Denver won't finished as in top 3 in the Western Conference ranking.

Odds are fine and all but that doesnt mean they arent going to be a good team.  I'd say Denver's is a top 3 team this year.  Just because superstars were added to some teams doesnt mean it will turn into regular season success.  It will take some time for these teams to get, meanwhile Denver's will kick off day one just like last year. 

[Golftech]

Last season, Denver is already a contender in the playoffs and yes they are one or two superstars away to make it to the finals. Yet I guess it's too early to say they can be a championship contender considering their lack of experience during the playoffs.

With how the west got improved this season it's a big challenge for Denver proving their worth to contend with the ring, though the league is not even started and everyone's opinions counts, teams are adjusting and if Denver  wanted to compete and have much better chance  they will do the same,
Playoffs competitions to win the west side is really hard and challenging, it's  interesting lets wait and see.

[jostorres]

Denver had a chance last season with some injuries, like they lost to blazers in the end but if they beat blazers and than warriors had injures one series earlier than they could have won that series, very difficult and almost impossible but it was at least a bit possible.

They do not have the same chance this season because now there is parity in the league like never was, a lot of great teams, Houston with Westbrook and harden, Lakers with Lebron and AD, clippers with PG13 and Kawhi, Warriors with Curry and Klay, Spurs with Derozan and LMA. I mean there must be other teams I am forgetting and that is just west side, not even mentioning teams from east because they are not going to finals anyway. I think Denver should keep focusing on improving their guys and implementing their system further with players that will be better, doing some trades or signing FA during off-season.

[Reid]

Denver had a chance last season with some injuries, like they lost to blazers in the end but if they beat blazers and than warriors had injures one series earlier than they could have won that series, very difficult and almost impossible but it was at least a bit possible.

If I remember correctly, Denver Nuggets already won in series against a healthy GSW at that time.
It is GSW have a weakness with the Nuggets team and the same thing happened when Nuggets faced the Trail Blazers.

They do not have the same chance this season because now there is parity in the league like never was, a lot of great teams, Houston with Westbrook and harden, Lakers with Lebron and AD, clippers with PG13 and Kawhi, Warriors with Curry and Klay, Spurs with Derozan and LMA. I mean there must be other teams I am forgetting and that is just west side, not even mentioning teams from east because they are not going to finals anyway. I think Denver should keep focusing on improving their guys and implementing their system further with players that will be better, doing some trades or signing FA during off-season.

I would not side on that. As I said earlier here, this powerhouse teams that are being created do not have chemistry. (also might be the reason why they did not join the FIBA world cup USA team.) To somehow create some chemistry even with just a small amount of time.
On the other hand, Nuggets already have it and now needs to strengthen it.
Same goes for Portland, the duo there have the best chemistry ever even though both are doing isolation plays.

[Natalim]

Denver had a chance last season with some injuries, like they lost to blazers in the end but if they beat blazers and than warriors had injures one series earlier than they could have won that series, very difficult and almost impossible but it was at least a bit possible.

They do not have the same chance this season because now there is parity in the league like never was, a lot of great teams, Houston with Westbrook and harden, Lakers with Lebron and AD, clippers with PG13 and Kawhi, Warriors with Curry and Klay, Spurs with Derozan and LMA. I mean there must be other teams I am forgetting and that is just west side, not even mentioning teams from east because they are not going to finals anyway. I think Denver should keep focusing on improving their guys and implementing their system further with players that will be better, doing some trades or signing FA during off-season.

The west is much improve now with the facts you've mentioned.
Reason why Denver had a good standing in the past season is due to Warriors and Rockets struggling from the start but Denver remain consistent.
However, when these struggling teams were able to get back in shape in the later part to the off season, that's the time the Denver Nuggets face a good team and they lost against the Blazers.

We although cannot underestimate Denver Nuggets, but they are still young with lack of star players, Jokic maybe extraordinary, but who would fill his shoes in the event he gets injured, or who will he rely in the event he struggles in scoring.

[TravelMug]

Denver had a chance last season with some injuries, like they lost to blazers in the end but if they beat blazers and than warriors had injures one series earlier than they could have won that series, very difficult and almost impossible but it was at least a bit possible.

That's one possibility, another what if, however, with only one star in the roster, I bet they will continue to struggle with Blazers offense with D. Lilard and CJ.

They do not have the same chance this season because now there is parity in the league like never was, a lot of great teams, Houston with Westbrook and harden, Lakers with Lebron and AD, clippers with PG13 and Kawhi, Warriors with Curry and Klay, Spurs with Derozan and LMA. I mean there must be other teams I am forgetting and that is just west side, not even mentioning teams from east because they are not going to finals anyway. I think Denver should keep focusing on improving their guys and implementing their system further with players that will be better, doing some trades or signing FA during off-season.

Exactly, but who knows, they can still improved a lot and learn from that series with Portland last year. The team is still solid in papers and maybe one or two players will stand out this time to help the scoring load from Jokic and put them in contention and have a good chance to at least play for the WCF.

[stadus]

Denver had a chance last season with some injuries, like they lost to blazers in the end but if they beat blazers and than warriors had injures one series earlier than they could have won that series, very difficult and almost impossible but it was at least a bit possible.

That's one possibility, another what if, however, with only one star in the roster, I bet they will continue to struggle with Blazers offense with D. Lilard and CJ.

Don't you sleep on Jusuf Nurkic, this is one of the reasons of the success of the Denver Nuggets, if he was healthy in the Playoffs, they could end the Nuggets in less than 7 games and might compete at a high level with the Warriors in the WCF.

Look at this guy's stats https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nurkiju01.html
He average a double double in the last season, with 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds, their defense is better with him as he can guard Jokic in the paint and any big man as I don't see him got dominated by a big man in the last season.

[Jating]

Denver had a chance last season with some injuries, like they lost to blazers in the end but if they beat blazers and than warriors had injures one series earlier than they could have won that series, very difficult and almost impossible but it was at least a bit possible.

That's one possibility, another what if, however, with only one star in the roster, I bet they will continue to struggle with Blazers offense with D. Lilard and CJ.

Don't you sleep on Jusuf Nurkic, this is one of the reasons of the success of the Denver Nuggets, if he was healthy in the Playoffs, they could end the Nuggets in less than 7 games and might compete at a high level with the Warriors in the WCF.

Look at this guy's stats https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nurkiju01.html
He average a double double in the last season, with 15.6 points and 10.4 rebounds, their defense is better with him as he can guard Jokic in the paint and any big man as I don't see him got dominated by a big man in the last season.

Yeah, who would forgot Nurkic's injury at the wrong time, one of the worst injury last season. He was really the third scoring option, but fortunately for them, CJ Mccollum and Damian Lillard was able to overcome Denver. I remember previously saying that Portland won't get thru the second round of the playoffs.

But we will have to see if Nurkic can get over that injury as well. No timetable yet, but hopefully he can get back this season.