Of course. Was their any doubt????

 

:laugh::thumb:

 

No doubter I would think....but Barack Obama's presidential picks for the NCAA tourny may finish second in voting then...

Allow me to convince you, 100%, that you're wrong to even consider this.

 

 

 

Denver

'06-07 --> 45-37, #6 seed

'07-08 --> 50-32, #8 seed

'08-09 --> 54-27, #2 seed (to date)

 

The fact is, there are 6 games between Denver at 2 and Utah at 8 in the west. They're 9 games ahead of #9 Phoenix. Last season, Denver was 6 games behind #2 New Orleans and 2 ahead of #9 Golden State.

 

The Nuggets are six games better with Billups.

 

 

 

Miami

'06-07 --> 44-38, #4 seed

'07-08 --> 15-67, worst record in the league by 5 games

'08-09 --> 42-38, #5 (to date)

 

A 27 game swing this year.

 

 

 

False. Neither are championship contenders. The Lakers are a lock out west and the Cavs and Celtics own the east.

 

 

 

 

That stats aren't close. The win differential isn't close. And, neither are contenders. There's no argument to make between Wade and Billups.

 

Great points... I would say that a few things to consider are:

 

1. Looking at what Detroit has become was a part of the original equation, is this fair to consider IYO?

 

2. The turn-around is not as big, but the Nuggets are a better team than the Heat so does this carry some weight?

 

3. If anyone besides the Lakers are considered a contender out west, then the Nuggets have to be at the top of that list IMO. I would say there are 3 contenders, the Lakers, Cavs and Celtics. If you have a second teir or a sleeper list, the Nuggets would have to be at the top along with the Magic.

 

Like I said, not sure if I agree but I think it is interesting to consider.

I think the turn around in Denver can be attributed to addition by subtraction of AI. Granted Chauncey is a very good player but come on he is nowhere near the level of Kobe, Lebron, and Wade.

Great points... I would say that a few things to consider are:

 

1. Looking at what Detroit has become was a part of the original equation, is this fair to consider IYO?

 

2. The turn-around is not as big, but the Nuggets are a better team than the Heat so does this carry some weight?

 

3. If anyone besides the Lakers are considered a contender out west, then the Nuggets have to be at the top of that list IMO. I would say there are 3 contenders, the Lakers, Cavs and Celtics. If you have a second teir or a sleeper list, the Nuggets would have to be at the top along with the Magic.

 

Like I said, not sure if I agree but I think it is interesting to consider.

 

1. IMO, no. Detroit's performance has no impact for me. The Pistons were on the downside

 

2. Again, in this case, my opinion is no.

 

3. The Nuggest are currently one game ahead of Houston, Portland and San Antonio. Personally, I don't think I'd rate their chances any better than at least two of those teams. And, if I had to pick, I'd bet on New Orleans before I would Denver. But, your point is well taken. After the real contenders, Denver is right in the mix with as much a claim as anyone. My point is that they're not real contenders. Everybody knows the Lakers will be facing the Cavs or Celtics in the finals. Everyone else is just a pretender, IMO. (But, injuries can happen. A key player goes down and things could open up, so its good to be in position to take advantage should that situation arise.)

 

And, you don't agree. You're just doing a good job of trying to make an argument.

I think the turn around in Denver can be attributed to addition by subtraction of AI. Granted Chauncey is a very good player but come on he is nowhere near the level of Kobe, Lebron, and Wade.

 

Where is the turnaround in Denver?

 

2007-08

50-32 (33-8 at home) - .610 win percentage, #8 seed in the west, 7 games behind #1 in the conference

 

2008-09

54-27 (33-8 at home) - .667 win percentage, #2 seed currently, 10.5 games behind #1 in the conference, 6.5 games above the #8 seed in the conference

 

Plus, Denver play @ Portland tonight. Should Portland win, those two will finish with the exact same record, 54-28. And, if San Antonio and Houston also win, there will be a 4-way tie for #2 in the west.

 

Basically, this huge turnaround in Denver thanks to Chauncey Billups amounts to 4 or 5 games depending on the outcome in Portland tonight.

 

How on earth did this myth get rolling? And, doesn't some of the credit deserve to go to a more mature Carmelo Anthony returning from his Olympic experience?

 

JMO

Chauncy has a better team around him than Wade. Wade has been "THE" guy for the Heat, and sometimes "THE ONLY" guy.

IMO, this is pretty hilarious, Billups has had a good season, but nothing compared to Wade, I think Wade is only a few steps behind the front runner Lebron.

Chauncy has a better team around him than Wade. Wade has been "THE" guy for the Heat, and sometimes "THE ONLY" guy.

 

True.

 

Ask yourself two questions...who is the best player on the Miami Heat roster? Who is the best player on the Denver Nuggets roster?

 

Or, rephrase them if you like...if you could only keep one guy from each roster, who would you pick?

 

Dwyane Wade & Carmelo Anthony (no Chauncey Billups to be found)

 

Game. Set. Match.

Where is the turnaround in Denver?

 

2007-08

50-32 (33-8 at home) - .610 win percentage, #8 seed in the west, 7 games behind #1 in the conference

 

2008-09

54-27 (33-8 at home) - .667 win percentage, #2 seed currently, 10.5 games behind #1 in the conference, 6.5 games above the #8 seed in the conference

 

Plus, Denver play @ Portland tonight. Should Portland win, those two will finish with the exact same record, 54-28. And, if San Antonio and Houston also win, there will be a 4-way tie for #2 in the west.

 

Basically, this huge turnaround in Denver thanks to Chauncey Billups amounts to 4 or 5 games depending on the outcome in Portland tonight.

 

How on earth did this myth get rolling? And, doesn't some of the credit deserve to go to a more mature Carmelo Anthony returning from his Olympic experience?

 

JMO

Regardless of wins and losses, going from the eight best team in the West to the second best is a pretty big turnaround if you ask me.

Regardless of wins and losses, going from the eight best team in the West to the second best is a pretty big turnaround if you ask me.

 

It's 4 games...and they finished in a three way tie for second and one game ahead of 5th.

 

It's just the state of things out west right now...

 

That's hardly enough to trump D-Wade and the 28 game improvement in Miami from dead least in the whole NBA to #5 in the east.

 

I can't believe this is even being discussed. Is it? Or did b2r just think of this himself?

 

Come clean b2r...did you make this up or did you hear it on a talk show?

 

It's 4 games...and they finished in a three way tie for second and one game ahead of 5th.

 

It's just the state of things out west right now...

 

That's hardly enough to trump D-Wade and the 28 game improvement in Miami from dead least in the whole NBA to #5 in the east.

 

I can't believe this is even being discussed. Is it? Or did b2r just think of this himself?

 

Come clean b2r...did you make this up or did you hear it on a talk show?

 

 

I heard this on a talk show out of Dallas. This was being discussed and the majority was of the opinion that Billups deserved more consideration than Wade.

 

I think the discussion is fine, but he should be 5th in the race to me behind LBJ, Kobe, Wade and Howard.

I heard this on a talk show out of Dallas. This was being discussed and the majority was of the opinion that Billups deserved more consideration than Wade.

 

I think the discussion is fine, but he should be 5th in the race to me behind LBJ, Kobe, Wade and Howard.

 

I'd put him behind Chris Paul as well...maybe others...

 

He's not even the Nuggets MVP, much less deserving of consideration for the MVP of the whole league.

I think LeBron is the MVP, he's having his best year, and is on the best team (record wise).

 

I agree King James for MVP, what in the world was the Pistions thinking getting AI for CB, really changed both teams, but, only one he Nuggets for the better.

Not even an argument.

I agree King James for MVP, what in the world was the Pistions thinking getting AI for CB, really changed both teams, but, only one he Nuggets for the better.

 

The Pistons were on the way down...they weren't going to contend in the east with what they had. I think they took a shot on AI paying off big and it didn't.

 

And, again, the Nuggets improved by a mind boggling 4 games from last year. You guys make it sound like the Spurs turnaround when Duncan was a rookie and David Robinson returned healthy after missing the previous season. Would it surprise anyone if New Orleans wins the series against Denver?