Horst Report Time Warp:1994 Last Time Michigan was in the Elite 8

     Do you remember the short- shorts basketball players use to wear?!  Like John Stockton, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Dr. J and shit?!  From the beginning of basketball, players just wore basically boxer athletic shorts.  All the way through the 80's and up into the 90's.
Yea those ones!
     Then came The Fab Five.  Five young men, 2 from Detroit, 1 from Chicago, and 2 from Texas, put on some longer ones, and the shorts on basketball players, young and hold you see, began with them.  On Feb. 2 1992, the first basketball game the Fab Five started together, they scored every single point for the University Of Michigan, and they helped change the face of basketball.  Though it is credited to Michael Jordan in the 80's.  He did hem his shorts a few inches longer than the NBA regulation.  But no doubt about it, the Fab Five flaunted it, and that's when that look became popular.  Jalen Rose said, he wasn't trying to make a fashion statement.
"They were comfortable and easier to run in.  Coach (Steve Fisher) never said that I couldn't wear 'em in practice, so we (Chris Weber) left em' on for a game.  Next thing you know, the whole team was wearing them, and we were in the news, not for basketball, but for how our shorts looked!  I was like 'you've gotta be kidding me!'" he stated in a 2007 interview.
A lot of critics said they looked "gangster and thuggish", and that it was setting a bad example for the youth.  Yep there you go!  Tell the kids "no" and the kids love it.  This was the trend so much back then, that this is how the modern day look is now.
     At that time I was all hyped up about basketball, and the Fab Five and Michael Jordan were my favorites to watch and follow.  Yes I was young, 9 at the time, but I was playing and wanted to get better.  So I watched Jalen Rose at Michigan, he was a point guard, and so was I so, he was my favorite player.  Then he got drafted by the Nuggets, and that was awesome!!
     The Fab Five were good, they were fast, alley ooping, nailing 3's and playing great defense.  They seemed unstoppable.  2 years before they arrived at Michigan, the Wolverines won the national championship in basketball, so expectations were high.  Well Jalen and the boys stepped up to the task, and made it all the way to the Final Four, and played in the Championship 2 years in a row.  The first year they got spanked by Duke 71-51.  The next year they played North Carolina.
     That's when Chris Weber called a timeout with seconds left, down by 2, when Michigan didn't have any, resulting in a technical foul.  That sealed it for North Carolina and the Tar Heels won the Championship.  The Wolverines never got that close again, and only one of the Fab Five players won an NBA championship. (Juan Howard w/ Miami 2012).
     Now if you look in the NCAA men's basketball records, that team doesn't exist.  The University of Michigan's men's basketball scandal cost the Wolverines all of there wins that season(1993).  The scandal indicted Chris Weber, and 3 other players for taking over $600,000 from a Michigan booster from 1981-1994.  Jalen Rose, Jimmy King, Juan Howard and Ray Jackson had no part of it, but that team was punished, and they lost almost an entire career built off that team because Weber first lied about receiving money, then later confessed.
     So let's see if this Michigan team led by Trey Burke, and Mitch McGary, can exercise the demons of the past and make it to the Final Four.  We will see today at noon, when they take on the University Of Florida.  My brackets fucked, so let's go Wolverines!!  Shua out!

Broncos Free agency review; Draft Preview

     Whoa!! Whoa ho-ho-ho-hoa!!  Did everyone get a second to catch their breath?!?!?  Jeez!  The biggest free agency class to date and most teams wasted no time grabbing some of these players, and there are still a lot of players still available, and probably will be after the draft.  So let's review,
     Let me start with Elvis Dumervil.  We don't really know what was going on behind all these close doors and fucking discreet text messages, but either someone dropped the ball real bad or, Elvis just never wanted to be here anyway.  The Broncos have only one expectation, and that is to win the Super Bowl at any and all costs.  The Broncos offered Dumervil a $6 million dollar contract, down $6 million from his 12 per year.  Half of his contract, that goes to show what kind of player the Broncos thought of him.  Julius Peppers doesn't make that much and he IS the best defensive end in the game.  Elvis said "no", the Broncos raised to 8, he said no, then they went to 7, he finally said yes.  But wait, an agent who is dealing with millions of dollars on the line for a player he represents,(Dumervil) and the franchise paying him(Broncos), forgets the deadline to turn in the paperwork, so therefore the whole deal is thrown off the table?!?  How the hell did that happen?!?!?  Then for Dumervil to sign with the Ravens for only $500,000 more then what the Broncos offered him?!?!  Good fucking riddance bro!  You just walked away from the No. 1 defense, on a team destined for the Super Bowl!  You're greed will not win you a championship, and you just made a huge career mistake Elvis.  I hope you have dope Super Bowl parties, because you won't be on the field for them!
     Then, the Patriots let Wes Welker fall right into the hands of their enemy, Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos!  Not only is Welker a huge reliable weapon, he knows the Patriots offense.  Don't think they won't be running the Patriots schemes in practice to warm up the best "D" in the league.  Now we just have to deal with Dwight Freeney's headache of a contract, and with that money we were going to give to Elvis, let's go get Brian Urlacher, and get him a ring, Ray Bourque style!!  He just wants to play, bringing him here only helps!  We got some money to spend.  John Abraham, Israel Idonije are still out there, but the Broncos beefed up on the D-line with Terrence Knighton from Jacksonville, and I have a feeling that if in the draft, if it comes down to a really good WR in our slot, the Broncos could take that over a linebacker or safety.  Just keep giving Peyton more and more tools to work with to make the path to the Super Bowl easier.
     If the Broncos don't get a MLB in free agency, then I think that they may go after Mike Minter out of LSU.  But the Broncos are so deep at linebacker, that's why getting rid of DJ Williams was so easy.  The linebackers are so fast on the outside, that they need to get an anchor in the middle to stuff that.  In the first round they should stick to defense, I say Kevin Minter, or Eric Reid safety from LSU, Matt Elam Safety Florida, or Xavier Rhodes CB from Florida St..
     In the 2nd round I say go draft a big kick ass running back, like Montee Ball from Wisconsin, or Stefan Taylor from Stanford.  I bet Tyrion Matheu falls down into the 5th-7th round, and that is probably going to be one of the biggest steals in the draft.  I really think so, those LSU players sure can ball.  The Broncos will show if they have faith in either Knowshon Moreno or Eric Decker by not drafting one of those positions early on in the draft.  Willis McGahee can't go a full season, his body just can't take all that abuse.  Knowshon stepped up but his whole career has just been to inconsistent to rely on.  Ronnie Hillman looks like an explosive back but he needs time to mature, so go get Ahmad Bradshaw or draft a good running back to help the carries, and have a healthy backfield.
     Oh and I almost forgot about the bad ass safety from USC, TJ McDonald.  At 6'3 219 pounds, McDonald can play both strong and free safety.  He has gone over looked, but he was a staple in that secondary for a solid 3 years.  USC does have a history of really good safeties, Ronnie Lott, Troy Polamalu, Dennis Smith.  He could slip into the 3rd or 4th round.  I say take a chance in the 2nd, the way they did with Derek Wolfe.  McDonald would solidify that defense, and quick too.  He was in Monte Kiffen's defense the past 2 years, so he knows pro schemes.  This is a one of a kind player, a playmaker!  We need to pick him before anyone else does!  Don't let him go to New England, that would be bad.
     Of course we won't know until the ink is dry, the pads are straped on, and the whistle blows.  In the meantime we'll wait and see.  Shua out!!

SSSSSHHHHH! But did ya hear? Mile High Basketball kicks ass?!?!

     Who knew that basketball in Colorado could get this exciting?!  Honestly, not me!  But Colorado State made the Final Four tournament, for the 2nd year in a row and made it to the 2nd round.  CU once again made the tournament, but failed to get to the 2nd round for the 2nd straight year.  But that's great to see for both teams, and hopefully with CSU's recent stadium approval, maybe then, could they try to go to the BIG 12 conference.  Wishful thinking, but probably not going to happen.  Good job boys, your state is proud of you!
     Now on to the bigger basketball team in Colorado;
The Denver Nuggets.
     The Streak is now at on all time franchise best 15 wins in a row!  15 fucking Wins!  Maybe I shouldn't use foul language on here.  Meh!  Nobody's reading this shit anyway, to hell with it dammit!  The Nuggets are playing INCREDIBLE basketball right now, the only other team that's playing better is the NBA Champions, the Miami Heat.  In order to be the best, you have got to beat the best.  And the way it could possibly shape up, we just may see that in June.  Now let's not get too far ahead of ourselves right now.  The big key to the Nuggets success, the lack of injuries on the squad.  Everybody has been hampering and nursing their injuries, but the injury bug hasn't hit them at the same time, well let's hope not yet, and that it doesn't happen.
The Nuggets have got to get better at shooting free throws.  Fucking Free throws!  They, as a team, are averaging under 70%.  Under!  That's not good in the playoffs, especially in close games where the other team is going to whack the hell out of them.  Especially Faried and Iguodala.
      Iguodala has got to step up his shit offensively.  His "D" is superb, and that keeps him a starter.  For now.  Two air ball free throws, and multiple fast break points blown, because of him, but the team is winning, and you can't throw a screw into the machine when it's running with the velocity the Nuggets are bringing.
Andre Miller is leading the bench and he is doing so with pride.  For the last few games, the Nuggets have gone only four deep off the bench.  With the beat down in OKC, and exercising the demon that was Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets might as well just be called "The Regulators".  They are slapping bad teams around, and are getting set to make the good teams their bitch.
     The Nuggets played 21 of their first 35 games on the road, playing 3 straight road games on 4 separate occasions.  That is a brutal first half of the season, but the Nuggets were able to keep their head above water, began to get comfortable with each other and now having played a lot of home games, the Nuggets are driving hard at the Number 1 seed.  Right now, they are 3rd, and they own the tiebreaker with OKC(SLAP), but are just a couple games behind in wins.  Ahead at number one are the old ass Spurs, and the Nuggets get to square off against them twice here in the next month.  The Nuggs could pass them and push the Spurs to 3rd, and if they play Golden State they will get their ass run out of the playoffs.  They come into town Wed April 10, get tickets now at tickethorse.com.
    We as Denver Nuggets fans have never seen this, and if they can win tomorrow against New Orleans, it's all record making after that.  But they have got to get over that first round playoff hump.  When they do, they can do some serious damage in the west.  The Nuggets bread and butter has been the bench.  Andre Miller, Javale McGee, Corey Brewer, Wilson Chandler, all have been stepping up their game so much.  These guys could all be starters on other teams, but they shine as one off the bench in George Karl's pass friendly offense.     
    Corey Brewer has turned into my favorite Nugget!  He is so clean, the Pine Sol lady has dreams about him!  His defense is relentless, his hustle never ends, and when he starts to feel his shot, he is next to unstoppable.  Corey Brewer knows what it takes to win a championship, he won 2, back-to-back at University of Florida.  He wears my favorite number, 13, and I believe that he could shine the way Jason Terry did in Dallas, Rip Hamilton in Detroit, but he is his own player.  Those close to me know that I've been saying his name a lot lately, so don't let me down Brewer, you're my boy!  Keep it going, can't let up now!
    Watch out everyone not paying attention, because the Nuggets just may possibly shock the world.  Either way it's a ton of fun.  Come down to Paramount Cafe on Wednesday and watch the Nuggets take on the Spurs.  $3 Miller Lites, and who knows I may even have a food and shot special going for ya!  Until then, Shua out!!

Nuggets win late,big on the road

     Wilson Chandler just keeps proving himself and making a statement that he should be starting.  Last night at the United Center in Chicago, Chandler hit everything from 3's to reverse layups in the land where great basketball has been played.  The Nuggets kept their lead all the way into the 4th quarter, only to watch Nate Robinson bring the Bulls back and tie it to send the game into overtime.  Ty Lawson had a clear shot, but pump faked, and that hesitation cost him the points.  Then in overtime, the Bulls jumped out to a quick lead, and more lead changes followed in overtime then almost the entire game.  Down by 2 with 7 seconds left, Andre Miller passed it outside to Andre Iguodala, and he nailed the game winning 3, helping the Nuggets tie the longest winning streak in franchise history(1982).  This was a fun game to watch, and neither team really had a superstar playing on the court.  Wilson Chandler played like one though.  Since he probably won't be making his way on the starting lineup, then he should see his name in the 6th Man of the Year award finalists.  The biggest key to the Nuggets success: no injuries!  A healthy team is a happy team, and a happy team is a successful team.
     The lack of fouls was due to the refs letting the players get away with a few fouls here and there, and you definitely saw the home court advantage, but with the new replay system in the NBA, they were able to make the right calls.  Especially after the Noah goal tend shot that would have given the Bulls the lead with less then 5 seconds left.  But, just as they have all season long, the Nuggets endured, and head into Oklahoma City only 3 games back in the division, and the 4 seed secured.
If anybody cares, Tiger Woods and Lindsay Vonn just made their relationship public.  Huh, ski poles and golf clubs, that's gonna be a violent Thanksgiving dinner!
     Corey Brewer had another big game off the bench, with 16 points, 3 steals, and 4 rebounds.  The Nuggets bench scored 71 points, Chandler leading the way with 35.  Iguodala only scored 12 points and missed an easy break away alley pop, but had a solid game with 3 blocks, 2 steals, and oh yea, the game winning 3.  If you look at Iguodala's season, missed alley oops, air ball free throws?  These are not traits of a starter.  I think that Iguodala, Gallinari, and Chandler should all rotate in the starting line up, but they don't really need it, the minutes all balance themselves out, especially since the Nuggets have played with only 9 total players in each of the last 4 games.  But who knows, Iggy may drop 35 one game, then score 9 the next.  What is great about the Nuggets, is that they are so fully loaded with talent at all positions, that every night, somebody has the opportunity to step up and contribute big time.  Koufos for instance, was voted the most useless player of the league at the beginning of the season.  Then he comes out and drops 18 points, along with 18 rebounds against the Grizzlies.  Keep that chip on ya shoulder Koufos, the bigger it gets, the bigger the games you will have!
     So with 14 games left in the season, the Nuggets are going into the playoffs strong and they are putting the fear into teams in the west.  The Spurs don't want to play them, the Thunder are cocky and will be sent a message tomorrow night(hopefully).  This is a huge game tonight and if the Nuggets can break a franchise record, they can become a power in the west.  Until they make a serious run, they will remain over looked.  OK, that's fine.  Karl likes to fly in under the radar, and with the Heat on a NBA record winning streak, they will do just that.  This run into the playoffs should be fun, the Nuggets can't afford to let up now.
Spring training is almost over, the hot dog vendors are oiling up the wheels on their cart, and opening day is right around the corner.  These are the teams that I will be following through out the summer:
American League
1. New York Yankees
2. Toronto Blue Jays
3. Texas Rangers
4. Anaheim Angels
5. Detroit Tigers
National League
1. Colorado Rockies
2. San Francisco Giants
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
These are the only teams that I'm really interested in, so I am gonna do what I want, and keep up with them!  Talk back to you soon!  Shua out!

Nuggets SMASH Knicks Top 5 Best Trades in Denver

     And I am not using the term "SMASH" lightly here folks.  The Nuggets gave the Knicks no thoughts at all of even having a chance to be in this game.  Carmelo returned to the Mile High City, a place where he was once cherished, walked into boos and jeers, and quite possibly the worst game of his career.  It was most certainly the worst Carmelo played in his old house, only scoring 9 points, and leaving the game, not to return, at all, in the 3rd quarter.  The fans eventually began to chant, "WHO NEEDS MELO?"!  Well, the Nuggets certainly don't.  The blockbuster trade has paid off in the Nuggets favor, and they showed that it is still a team sport last night.  All around the Nuggets were the better team tonight, they ran, they passed and the jumpers were falling in like a pebble into a pond.
     When Nuggets General Manager Massai Ujiri made the statement, "We are not a championship team yet", the players heard him loud and clear.  That was just after losing to Boston in 3 OT, right before the All Star break.  I'm sure most of you saw my frustration with Ujiri.  I'm sure the players were infuriated.  Since then, they've been playing with a big chip on their shoulder, and a fire under their ass!  
     If the Nuggets want to prove this whole crazy "team" theory they are trying works, they have got to be a serious contender, not only this year, but year in, year out. Not just making the playoffs, that is a standard brought to Denver by Melo and Karl. The Nuggets need to win a series, and a trip to the finals would be of course ideal, but help give the recognition that the Nuggets deserve.
    Thanks Carmelo, we drafted you, you gave us 8 great years, making the playoffs every year (and his rookie was without G.Karl), and helping Nuggets basketball become relevant again, and for trading yourself instead of just walking away and leaving the Nuggets with nothing, like ya boy LeBron did to Cleveland.  Now we can officially move on, both sides, even LaLa (Melo's stupid ass wife).  I think both sides are happier with the results.  Big game Friday night against Memphis, battle for number 4 seed!
So yea, here we go, in my opinion, these are the best trades made in the 4 major sports teams in Denver's history:

5. Carmelo Anthony
  Was traded away, but its impact had a big effect on the team.

4. Champ Bailey
  Broncos got a Hall of Famer for a 2nd tier RB

3. Ray Bourque

  Quite possibly the best scoring Defensive player in Hockey's history came to the Av's to win a championship and he did.
















2. Patrick Roy

  When you think of  the best hockey goalies of all time, he is the first to come to mind.  Astonishingly, traded in the Av's first season of existence, he was a brick wall for the Av's and Denver's first pro sports championship in 1996.


1. John Elway
  Remember he was drafted by the Colts and traded to Denver.  Ummm, I guess it's true, when a Colt grows up it becomes a Bronco!!

NFL Free Agency: First wave

     Wow, that was exciting.  Not even 18 hours deep into the new season and so many players are preparing themselves to wear a different jersey.  This may be the one time during a player's career when he gets to choose where he wants to play.  For most players it may come down to how much money are they worth, and who is willing to spend it on them, and how fast are they are approached.  This is why the NFL is exciting year around.  Not even a down has been played, and everybody already has that excitement in their bellies!  
     Mike Wallace is probably the biggest name of the day, but he and the Miami Dolphins got the ball rolling with a big fat deal.  They had a great first day, also signing Ravens' stud linebacker Doanelle Ellerbe.  The Anquan Boldin trade helped the Niners, and they didin't give away much at all, while the Seahakws gave a first round pick for Percy Harvin.  Seattle should have traded a 2nd round pick for Harvin, then a first round pick for Revis, but whatever!  You can argue the age barrier, but Boldin is the better of the two, and that's a big brother move on John Harbaugh's part.  San Francisco is going to be dangerous for sooo many years to come, and Charles Woodson is scheduled to meet with them.  The Ravens also picked up Chris Canty, from the Giants, that was a good move.  The Titans bulked up their offensive line with Levitre, and also signed Delanie Walker from the Niners. 
     Chip Kelly went and got his boy Patrick Chung, and that is a great signing for Philadelphia.  The Eagles also picked up Isaac Sapogoa, along with starter in St. Louis, Bradley Fletcher.  They need a playmaker on offense with Vick, they could go after Jennings if he's out there in a day or two.  The Browns got into the mix, signing Paul Kruger, but the only way they go to the Super Bowl, is after someone eats Chinese food.  The Colts made some noise signing the most players of the day, signing 3 offensive linemen to help protect Andrew Luck.  They could draft a RB, and a couple of role playing defensive players, and make some serious noise in the AFC South.
     I feel like some of the bigger names, Jake Long, Greg Jennings, Stephan Jackson, and Wes Welker, are all taking their time and waiting for what offers they can get the most out of.  Teams like the Chargers, Raiders, Jets, and the Cowboys are going to see a big downfall year because of the lack of salary space they have.  I could see Mike Shananhan making another blockbuster trade, this time with Darelle Revis, instead of Champ Bailey, but the Buccaneers look to be in talks with the Jets for Revis, and Washington doesn't have draft picks to offer, but they do have Kirk Cousins.  The Jets could use a Kirk Cousins.

     The Broncos signed Luis Vazquez, and are now in talks with Stewart Bradley, and Rashard Mendenhal has a scheduled visit in Denver.  The Broncos cannot let him leave without a deal.  They need another weapon for  Peyton, so expect them to go after Greg Jennings.   The Broncos also need a middle linebacker, and are in talks, well, Peyton Manning is anyway, with Dwight Freeney.  Our ends, and outside guys are so fast, that we need that anchor in the middle.  Stewart Bradley is in talks, and on this team, he would be a good backup, special teams player, but not a starter.  The Broncos need to go after Connor Barwin, or Chase Blackburn.  I think Chase Blackburn would fit perfectly in this defense. Brian Urlacher gave Chicago a two year contact proposal, and they look like they will be turning that down.  Urlacher has never won a ring, and since he can't play his entire career in Chicago, the way he wanted to, he will want to go to a team that has a chance to win it all.  I don't think the Broncos have the money to spend on him, and its been reported he could go to Dallas.  In the meantime, stay with me, and I'll keep posting  Shua Out!                           

Do you see that over the horizon?! It's the beginning of the NFL season!

Awe yes, with free agency just days away, the official beginning of the 2013 NFL season will get underway, and we can begin to wash out the awful memory of Ray Lewis hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy.  Now that the scouting combine is in the books, and all the pens are inking up to write new checks and different faces going to different places, this free agency class is the most deep it has been since free agency began in 1993.  20 years of free agency, and it has certainly helped keep the NFL competitive, with many different teams winning it all.  Who would've thought that the Cardinals, or the Saints, or the Seahawks, or the Buccaneers would be playing in the super bowl.  It's because of free agency that we could possibly see a Browns vs. Lions super bowl.(GOD FORBID) It is rare these days to see a team build to the top using mainly the draft, '02 Buccaneers, '10 Packers.  Let us open up this mysterious box that is free agency and see what we can find!
     Some of the bigger names are gonna go quick, especially with how much they are demanding.  Greg Jennings could end up in San Francisco or Denver, and there is a chance he could stay in Green Bay, but he wants to be the number one on whatever team he goes to, and he wants number one salary.  Brian Urlacher is a free agent, but it would be surprising to see Chicago let go of a top 5 all time linebacker, and Chicago has a history of being loyal to their players.  It looks like the 49ers are gonna let Dashon Goldson walk, he could be a huge asset in Denver, and New Orleans, and New England.  Miami is gonna let go of their stud tackle Jake Long, and Reggie Bush.  Long could get picked up by Chicago, and Bush could go to Detroit.  New England is courting Ed Reed, while Peyton Manning is sending texts over to Dwight Freeney to come to Denver.  Stephan Jackson looks like he is leaving St. Louis, he could end up in Arizona, with Matt Moore, or they could draft Geno Smith, he does have a huge arm.
     The Falcons released John Abraham, and Micheal Turner yesterday, another aging RB, and an aging pass rusher as well!  Osi Umenyoria would be a good fit in the Mile High city, along with Glenn Dorsey.  Sebastian Vullmer from New England is a free agent as well as Chris Canty and Cullen Jenkins.   The Steelers are probably gonna resign Mike Wallace, and something funky is going on in New England with Wes Welker, so don't be surprised to see Welker in a Kansas City uniform.  Either the rumors are true, and he is unhappy there, or its total BS and the Patriots are trying to outsmart everybody.  New England needs secondary help bad.  They, along with courting Reed, could go after Kenny Phillips, Antione Cason, or Quintin Jammer.  If a team is willing to take a chance on Moss, it should be Miami.  Bart Scott and Charles Woodson are the oldest of the group, and if willing to take a backseat could fit in somewhere nicely, like Minnesota, or perhaps Houston.
Those are the biggest names out there, but there are sooo many more.  Dustin Keller, Namdi Asomugha, Conor Barwin, Chad Greenway,  Kenny Phillips, it is a deep free agency class.
    I think the Broncos should go after Jennings, Glenn Dorsey, Dwight Freeney, Ed Reed, Stephan Jackson, Michael Turner,  Amhad Bradshaw and or Nick Barnett.  The nice thing about this draft is that teams can just stock up on the depth chart, because there are so many play makers, but also a lot of early draft busts!  Chris Canty would be a good fit, so would Umenyoria, but Green Bay needs help on defense, and they are not afraid to spend some $$$.  Shoot then try and go for Dallas Clark!  Whoooooo!  The Broncos should beef up the D-line in FA, draft a safety in round one, and try to get either Stephan Jackson or Greg Jennings.  Another play maker on offense would add to the fire power already on the field, but scoring is fun!  If that happens, and Manta Te'o drops to the late 2nd round, draft him!  He may not be the fastest, but with our Defensive ends, and outside linebackers already so fast, we need to anchor up that middle!
    Oh man, how exciting! And Von Miller just guaranteed the Broncos will win the super bowl.  Even though its still nine months away, it feels so close.  Hooray football!!  Stay close, and I'll try to keep everyone posted.
Enjoy the cold sun!  Shua Out!!!

Nuggets picking up the pace; NBA Playoff preview

     So here we go with about 20 or so games left in the season, but the stronger teams are beginning to make some ground over the weaker teams.  Yes, there is still a lot of basketball to be played but let's see what we have to look forward too, shall we?!!
     Yep, starting with the Nuggets.  Right now they hold the 5 seed, behind San Antonio, Oklahoma City, the LA Clippers, and Memphis.  Denver has proven to be very difficult to beat at home, and atrocious on the road.  If they want to make it past the first round, they have to win more games on the road, and have to secure that home court advantage.  The division isn't out of reach, but OKC is the reigning conference champs.  Denver has got to stop letting their opponents stay in the game.  Too many times this season did they blow a lead to lose, or win a close game.  Wilson Chandler needs to be starting.  Whether that is over Gallinari, or Iguodala, Chandler needs to be on the starting five.  You can make a case for Gallo, he can score, but is not consistent enough.  Iguodala is good on defense, but can't seem to find his comfort zone in the offense  You can't airball 2 free throws in one half and expect to keep your starting job, especially with his lack of offense.  Starting Chandler can only help, it may help with the pace as well.
     The Clippers are playing well over their expectations, Chauncey's leadership is paying off there!  Griffen, Paul, and DeAndre Jordan have found a good balance with their veterans, Grant Hill, Billups, even Lamar Odom is getting in on it.  They could pull of an upset in the playoffs.  The team I think to look out for in the west is Golden State.  They have a history of pulling off upsets, and I could see their youth getting past San Antonio.  They hired Marc Jackson for a reason, and he is known for showing results.  Houston could make it a good series with whoever they end up playing, but I don't think they have the defense to go to the 2nd round.
     I can see the Nuggets vs. the Thunder in the western conference finals, there I'm calling it.
     In the East, the Heat are proving why they are the champs, and without Derek Rose in Chicago, it;s gonna be hard to stop them.  Melo and the Knicks match up well against them, and that is going to be a fun series to watch.   Brooklyn is still building, Indiana is terrible on the road, and Boston is old and without Rondo, arguably the best player on the team, no match for Miami.  If Derek Rose can make it back (highly unlikely) for the playoffs, then he could change the aspect, but he also didn't play all season.  He needs more time to feel comfortable again, and the Bulls are willing to wait.  So, I can see the Knicks vs. the Heat in the eastern conference finals.  There, I'm calling it.
     Should be exciting!! Shua out!

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