Post by djmyte on Dec 27, 2005 15:50:55 GMT -5
by BBS Scouting Services
#1 Minnesota Timberwolves versus #6 Denver Nuggets
After finishing under .500 in the regular season the Nuggets find themselves in the Western Final, one step away from the promised land. What has been the key to their success? The Nuggets are stabilized by the strong front court play of active big men Andris Biedrins and Amir Johnson as well as the consistant scoring of forward Sean Banks. Biedrins provides the team with a strong rebounding presence and is someone who also contributes both offensively and defensively. Johnson is an athletic big that is extremely active. He combines with Biedrins to form one of the top rebounding tandums in the league today and also provides a steady defensive presence on the other side of the lane. Neither big is a major scoring threat but they contribute enough in this area to provide balance to the Nuggets attack. Banks is a slick scoring forward that reminds some of younger Tracy McGrady. Banks' inside, outside game has been showcased this post season, where he is among scoring leaders at 25ppg. Banks is extremely efficient and is also an above average rebounder for his position. The Nuggets also boast strong point guard play in the form of Rajon Rondo. Rondo is a capable distributor and a solid scorer that also plays aggressive defense. Denver's bench isn't as deep as some but possesses some solid contributors and is most noteably a strong defensive unit.
As usual, the Timberwolves find themselves in similar surroundings. Year after year they are atop the Western conference and they make their way deep into the playoffs only to land short of the destination. As usual, defense is the key to their success. The Wolves were the stingiest team during the regular season, allowing only 100ppg. They are led by defensive standouts, Tyson Chandler and Andrei Kirilenko. Chandler is a 7 foot center that dominates the lane by contesting and rejecting would-be scorers all night long. Chandler isn't much of an offensive threat but can change games with his defense abilities alone. Like Chandler, Kirilenko intimidates the opposition but from the small forward position. A rare commodity, Kirilenko combines the shotblocking and rebounding ability of a 7 footer in only a 6'9 frame and is also known as a capabale scorer. These two, along with big man Jamaal Magloire, form the leagues toughest froncourt and are the reason the Wolves have been a top defensive team over the past few seasons. Smooth shooting Ray Allen provides the scoring punch and is the teams only 20 point per game scorer. At 35, Allen's skills have diminished but he can still shoot the light outs which is what the Wolves need him to do. Mario Chalmers is the teams point guard and is perhaps one of the most underrated players around. Chalmers is an efficient three point shooter that possesses great vision and ball handling abilities and is usually seen among the leagues elite in assists per game. He is also a tough defender that is relied upon to play heavy minutes. The Wolves also possess one of the better benches in the league, led by former 6th man of the year Zach Randolph. Randolph, along with the rest of the bench, provides the defensive minded starting five the scoring support it needs.
After beating the Jazz and Warriors with relative ease, it is hard to bet against the Nuggets. But they will be facing their toughest test yet in Minnesota. Both teams appear to be evenly matched in many statistical categories with the major difference coming in overall team tendency and player strengths. This series appears to be heading towards the classic battle between offense and defense but with that said, we believe the determining factor in this matchup will be the unmeasureables. Considering their play down the stretch, their playoff performance thus far and the historical performance of the competition we believe the Nuggets will upset the #1 seed and advance to the Finals as this years Western conference representative.
The curse is on.
#1 Minnesota Timberwolves versus #6 Denver Nuggets
After finishing under .500 in the regular season the Nuggets find themselves in the Western Final, one step away from the promised land. What has been the key to their success? The Nuggets are stabilized by the strong front court play of active big men Andris Biedrins and Amir Johnson as well as the consistant scoring of forward Sean Banks. Biedrins provides the team with a strong rebounding presence and is someone who also contributes both offensively and defensively. Johnson is an athletic big that is extremely active. He combines with Biedrins to form one of the top rebounding tandums in the league today and also provides a steady defensive presence on the other side of the lane. Neither big is a major scoring threat but they contribute enough in this area to provide balance to the Nuggets attack. Banks is a slick scoring forward that reminds some of younger Tracy McGrady. Banks' inside, outside game has been showcased this post season, where he is among scoring leaders at 25ppg. Banks is extremely efficient and is also an above average rebounder for his position. The Nuggets also boast strong point guard play in the form of Rajon Rondo. Rondo is a capable distributor and a solid scorer that also plays aggressive defense. Denver's bench isn't as deep as some but possesses some solid contributors and is most noteably a strong defensive unit.
As usual, the Timberwolves find themselves in similar surroundings. Year after year they are atop the Western conference and they make their way deep into the playoffs only to land short of the destination. As usual, defense is the key to their success. The Wolves were the stingiest team during the regular season, allowing only 100ppg. They are led by defensive standouts, Tyson Chandler and Andrei Kirilenko. Chandler is a 7 foot center that dominates the lane by contesting and rejecting would-be scorers all night long. Chandler isn't much of an offensive threat but can change games with his defense abilities alone. Like Chandler, Kirilenko intimidates the opposition but from the small forward position. A rare commodity, Kirilenko combines the shotblocking and rebounding ability of a 7 footer in only a 6'9 frame and is also known as a capabale scorer. These two, along with big man Jamaal Magloire, form the leagues toughest froncourt and are the reason the Wolves have been a top defensive team over the past few seasons. Smooth shooting Ray Allen provides the scoring punch and is the teams only 20 point per game scorer. At 35, Allen's skills have diminished but he can still shoot the light outs which is what the Wolves need him to do. Mario Chalmers is the teams point guard and is perhaps one of the most underrated players around. Chalmers is an efficient three point shooter that possesses great vision and ball handling abilities and is usually seen among the leagues elite in assists per game. He is also a tough defender that is relied upon to play heavy minutes. The Wolves also possess one of the better benches in the league, led by former 6th man of the year Zach Randolph. Randolph, along with the rest of the bench, provides the defensive minded starting five the scoring support it needs.
After beating the Jazz and Warriors with relative ease, it is hard to bet against the Nuggets. But they will be facing their toughest test yet in Minnesota. Both teams appear to be evenly matched in many statistical categories with the major difference coming in overall team tendency and player strengths. This series appears to be heading towards the classic battle between offense and defense but with that said, we believe the determining factor in this matchup will be the unmeasureables. Considering their play down the stretch, their playoff performance thus far and the historical performance of the competition we believe the Nuggets will upset the #1 seed and advance to the Finals as this years Western conference representative.
The curse is on.
Courtney
Minerva
Lesley
Sharona
Telisa
