Because I enjoy lists and putting together key points, here are my two X factors for the Denver Nuggets this season:
1. Nene:
Nene is coming off his bout with testicular cancer. The bruising Brazilian was able to trounce cancer and hit the court at the end of the 07-08 season. And he didn't look that bad.
Nene was quite rusty but his energy and passion were evident. He was just thrilled to be back on the court and out of a hospital bed. It was nice to see some physical defense, which is lacking from every other player on the roster.
The Nuggets are banking on the big guy for big-time numbers this season. If Nene doesn't average 15 points and 10 rebounds , the Nuggets will fall short of the playoffs. We saw glimpses of what is possible from Nene two years ago when he averaged 12 and 7. He was poised for a breakout year until the setback with cancer.
If I were a betting man, I would bank on Nene posting the benchmark of 15 and 10 this season. He has been relentless with Nuggets strength coach Steve Hess in his off season workouts and conditioning. This is huge because, in the past, Nene has been inclined to enjoy one too many donuts in the off season.
Overall, the big fella will end up getting votes for most-improved player or, better yet, comeback player of the year. Nene is strong, physical and in shape.
2. J.R. Smith:
Career year+new contract+willingness to play defense=SUPERSTAR!
Smith has some of the best raw athleticism in the league. When he dropped 27 in the fourth quarter against Chicago last season I knew the guy was legit. And he was handsomely rewarded by the front office this offseason with a three-year deal around $16 million.
But lets be honest; he has never seen a bad shot and his defense is lackluster at best. Smith is without question a premier athlete and I would assume he could learn to play better defense and take smarter shots.
In all the reports this summer Smith has said all the right things. He has also worked hard to improve his defense by training with Team U.S.A in Las Vegas.
The thing about it is Smith could be a helluva defensive player if he put his mind to it. He could be a steals specialist with the kind of quickness he possesses. If he starts anticipating passes better he will start to disrupt passing lanes and put on a highlight film on the other end.
And if Smith can just shoot the way he shot last year (40 percent on 3's), without the occasional bonehead 40-footer, he could vie for the 6th man award.
There are a lot of "ifs" and "maybes" with Smith, but if things go the right way he has the potential to be great.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Ryder Cup Love
Congrats to the Americans, who captured their first Ryder Cup since 1999.
They won in the heart of America, Val Halla Golf Club in Kentucky. They beat the snot out of the Euros, who came in confident after plastering the Americans in recent years.
Three factors that led to the United States' triumphant victory.
1. No Tiger Woods:
You see this in basketball every close game. In the 90's the Chicago Bulls would stand around and watch Michael Jordan at the end of games. It was up to Jordan to bail his team out in difficult situations. The same scenario occurs in Los Angeles when the Lakers watch Kobe Bryant dominate the ball in late game situations. It is human nature to rely on the best teammate.
But the Americans had no Tiger this year, creating a team chemistry that was apparent. They weren't standing around waiting for Tiger to do something; they were taking it upon themselves to make something happen. Without the best player in the planet, the Americans relished the role of underdogs--and took advantage.
2. Paul Azinger:
The captain, who always had Europe Captain Nick Faldo's number in their playing days, shoved it to him again over the weekend. He paired the Americans wisely. Anthony Kim with Phil Mickelson: genius. The young and brash Kim got Mickelson's juices flowing more than I have ever seen out of lefty.
Azinger's pairing of J.B. Holmes with Boo Weekley was perfect. Pairing two small-town country boys who just don't know any better worked out ideally--the two earned one and a half points out of two possible on Friday and Saturday.
And Weekley energized the crowd, making the gallery sound more like a Kentucky football game than one of the premiere golf tournaments in the world.
3. Anthony Kim:
Can you say coming out party?
The southern California native has officially arrived among golf's premier players. Kim paired solidly with Mickelson. He was the perfect teammate, high-fiving at every turn. But Sunday is when Kim made his mark.
He trumped one of Europe's most clutch Ryder Cup players in Sergio Garcia. It wasn't even close--and yet Kim was so focused on the moment he didn't even realize he had won.
Kim will be around for years to come, and with proper direction, could challenge Tiger in two years.
So, good work America. The Cup is back in the states--where it should be.
They won in the heart of America, Val Halla Golf Club in Kentucky. They beat the snot out of the Euros, who came in confident after plastering the Americans in recent years.
Three factors that led to the United States' triumphant victory.
1. No Tiger Woods:
You see this in basketball every close game. In the 90's the Chicago Bulls would stand around and watch Michael Jordan at the end of games. It was up to Jordan to bail his team out in difficult situations. The same scenario occurs in Los Angeles when the Lakers watch Kobe Bryant dominate the ball in late game situations. It is human nature to rely on the best teammate.
But the Americans had no Tiger this year, creating a team chemistry that was apparent. They weren't standing around waiting for Tiger to do something; they were taking it upon themselves to make something happen. Without the best player in the planet, the Americans relished the role of underdogs--and took advantage.
2. Paul Azinger:
The captain, who always had Europe Captain Nick Faldo's number in their playing days, shoved it to him again over the weekend. He paired the Americans wisely. Anthony Kim with Phil Mickelson: genius. The young and brash Kim got Mickelson's juices flowing more than I have ever seen out of lefty.
Azinger's pairing of J.B. Holmes with Boo Weekley was perfect. Pairing two small-town country boys who just don't know any better worked out ideally--the two earned one and a half points out of two possible on Friday and Saturday.
And Weekley energized the crowd, making the gallery sound more like a Kentucky football game than one of the premiere golf tournaments in the world.
3. Anthony Kim:
Can you say coming out party?
The southern California native has officially arrived among golf's premier players. Kim paired solidly with Mickelson. He was the perfect teammate, high-fiving at every turn. But Sunday is when Kim made his mark.
He trumped one of Europe's most clutch Ryder Cup players in Sergio Garcia. It wasn't even close--and yet Kim was so focused on the moment he didn't even realize he had won.
Kim will be around for years to come, and with proper direction, could challenge Tiger in two years.
So, good work America. The Cup is back in the states--where it should be.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Buffs To Nudge Way Into Top 25
A quick prediction for tonight's University of Colorado vs. University of West Virginia Football game: CU 40 WV 37.
This will be a high flying shootout with little defense from either squad. It is quite possible the last team to score will decide the outcome.
CU has a better passing offense with sophomore Cody Hawkins under center, but senior Patrick White is certainly dynamic at the helm for West Virginia in their spread option run attack.
The obvious key: Make White beat you with his arm and not his legs. I have watched White gash defense after defense with his freakish speed and ability to stop on a dime.
Load the box, and if he completes 30 passes, so be it. But that is unlikely.
Hawkins will need some help from blue chip running back Darrell Scott. The kid is a horse, at 215pounds, but he needs to improve his vision and cut back ability. This ain't Eastern Washington, and he will have to grow up in a hurry.
Watch for Hawkins to hit wideout Scottie McKnight all night. The junior McKnight is a master at precise intermediate routes.
When West Virgina crowds McKnight in the slot, look for Hawkins to take a shot at sophomore wideout Josh Smith down the field. Smith's speed is devastating, and one big play out of him can deflate a defense.
So, the game will be close but in the end Buffs fans will be singing "Glory, Glory Colorado!"
And CU will crack the top 25 by next Monday.
~Peter Rossi
This will be a high flying shootout with little defense from either squad. It is quite possible the last team to score will decide the outcome.
CU has a better passing offense with sophomore Cody Hawkins under center, but senior Patrick White is certainly dynamic at the helm for West Virginia in their spread option run attack.
The obvious key: Make White beat you with his arm and not his legs. I have watched White gash defense after defense with his freakish speed and ability to stop on a dime.
Load the box, and if he completes 30 passes, so be it. But that is unlikely.
Hawkins will need some help from blue chip running back Darrell Scott. The kid is a horse, at 215pounds, but he needs to improve his vision and cut back ability. This ain't Eastern Washington, and he will have to grow up in a hurry.
Watch for Hawkins to hit wideout Scottie McKnight all night. The junior McKnight is a master at precise intermediate routes.
When West Virgina crowds McKnight in the slot, look for Hawkins to take a shot at sophomore wideout Josh Smith down the field. Smith's speed is devastating, and one big play out of him can deflate a defense.
So, the game will be close but in the end Buffs fans will be singing "Glory, Glory Colorado!"
And CU will crack the top 25 by next Monday.
~Peter Rossi
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