Game 7: Hornets vs. Nuggets
by Rohan on Jan 6, 2012 3:47 PM CST
in Game Threads
Email
Print| 2011-12 NBA Regular Season | ||
|---|---|---|
|
|
 |
|
| 2-4 | vs | 5-2 |
| January 6th, 2012 |
||
| New Orleans Seafood Arena Seasoned by Zatarain's |
||
| 7:00 PM CST | ||
| TV: CST, NBALP |
||
| Probable starters: | ||
| Jarrett Jack |
< | Ty Lawson |
| Marco Belinelli |
< |
Arron Afflalo |
| Al-Farouq Aminu | < | Danilo Gallinari |
| Carl Landry |
< | Nene Hilario |
| Emeka Okafor | > | Timofey Mozgov |
Your Pregame Moment of Zen
Eric Gordon Out "2-3 Weeks"
The injury news continues to be a major negative for the Hornets early in 2011-12. After returning to action for just one game, Eric Gordon will now miss the next 2-3 weeks with a bruised right knee. Marco Belinelli will replace Gordon at starting shooting guard. "It’s part of the game," Monty Williams said of dealing with injuries. "We’d love to have (Gordon on the court), but right now he’s not right. … It’s unfortunate, but it’s (part of) the NBA."
Trevor Ariza is also out.
On the Nuggets
I love this team. It's deep, it's talented, and it does things so refreshingly differently from the majority of today's NBA.
Let's start with the depth then. Nene Hilario - recently re-signed to an extension - is a gametime decision for tonight, but their starting lineup normally goes something like this:
Ty Lawson - Arron Afflalo - Danilo Gallinari - Nene Hilario - Timofey Mozgov.
That's one of the NBA's brightest young lead guards (119 ORtg on 21.4% usage in the early season), one of the league's top perimeter defenders who also happens to be a career 40% three point shooter, a 6'10" forward that handles and shoots like a guard and just turned 23, and an All-Star level power forward in the starting lineup. But that's just the beginning. Their bench is comprised of:
Andre Miller - Rudy Fernandez - Al Harrington - Kosta Koufos - Chris Andersen.
That's a unit that, if it started, would have a decent enough shot at beating our starters tonight. Toss in "spare" pieces like Corey Brewer and rookie Kenneth Faried (who I love, but hasn't been given a big role yet), and Denver is the deepest team in the league. In this ridiculous 66 game, frenzied sprint of a season, coupled with Denver's mile high altitude, the Nuggets are going to destroy fatigued teams. And indeed, they've already begun to do so, sporting the Western Conference's best efficiency differential in the young season.
They're also a very intriguing team in another sense - Denver is the league's fastest team so far, by pace (99 possessions a night), which isn't all that surprising. But they're also the league's most efficient defense, allowing just 94 points per 100 possessions (New Orleans is allowing 103 for comparison). Sure, it's a figure that is perhaps a bit unsustainable. Team offense has been down tremendously in these first few games, and as both offenses pick it up league-wide and as Denver's own defense begins to regress, it's likely that Denver moves out of the top defensive spot.
Nonetheless, the Nuggets have a real shot at a top-10 defensive finish. Teams that run up and down the floor very rarely have elite defenses, so what's happening in Denver now is extremely unique.
Teams like Utah and New Orleans have begun their post-superstar eras with wholesale rebuilding efforts, opting to burn everything to the ground. As we saw the other night, the result is staggeringly poor basketball in the short term. The Nuggets have opted for a vastly different strategy, stockpiling current talent and assets and are poised to make a run during a huge transition season in the Western Conference. Will it pay off? We shall see.
Other Notes
- Your opposing team blog for the evening is Denver Stiffs. Some cool bros over there.
- Minnesota hosts Cleveland, and David West plays Ray Allen tonight.
- GO HORNETS
70 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Jim E. seemed optimistic on him yesterday
http://neworleanshornetsblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/henry-expects-to-play-within-two-weeks.html
"I think I’ll be out there in the next two weeks," Henry said. "I have a good estimation of 10 days. I’ve been doing running, cutting, things like that."
Yeah
but I heard today Speights isn’t allowed to play yet because Henry has to undergo more tests?
http://blogs.commercialappeal.com/the_memphis_edge/2012/01/speights-might-not-play-tonight.html
Doesn't Seem
Like anything major from that. But I guess we’ll see in due time if the Hornets clear him. Like the guy mentioned in the article, it’s strange that the Hornets themselves issued a release announcing the trade if they’re still having reservations about it.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
Probably
they thought everything would check out but some abnormality showed up on a test result or some doctor had raised an issue later? Either way, it’s not standard operating procedure stuff so there should be some alarm.
Especially since all three teams announced it officially
I’m a bit worried… really, really want Henry. Awesome trade if it ends up going through
I Hope
That David West takes it to the Celtics tonight honestly. Allen had no business getting involved in West’s personal matters and the entire Celtics organization did nothing but complain the whole off season. Allen’s a punk for going after West like that.
Onto our game, it’s something I’m looking forward to! As I’ve always maintained, the Hornets can play with anybody and they can get blown out by anybody. Especially at home, it’s important for the Hornets to control the pace and keep the Nuggets from running up and down the floor too much. They’re going to get into transition on some of our (many) missed shots but the Hornets can try not to get caught up in it. Chris Paul was the best in the league at controlling the pace and I kind of miss that. The team needs big games from everybody in order to win tonight so it’s unlikely but I don’t care. I’m going to watch them anyways. It should be noted that, while everyone is mad at the team thus far, they’ve yet to play at full strength this season. Jack missed the first game due to the suspension, Gordon’s only played a couple games and Ariza was out against Philadelphia. They’re still growing as a unit and have yet to play collectively. We’re not good but we’re not awful and I refuse to joke about the team as if they are.
Go Hornets!
"You play to win the game."
I
can’t believe Allen even made those comments. Completely idiotic.
I wish I was as optimistic about tonight as you are though. Haven’t felt this hopeless before a game in a … while
Not Really Optimistic
I don’t think they’ll win but I also think that a lot of the negative comments used by the team should be reserved for teams that don’t try. It’s tough for me to dog them when they’re competing I guess. It must be the coach in me.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:09 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think
many of us are negative because of emotional reasons. Rather it’s just simply being really objective.
True
but I heard something like 19 out of 30 teams are dealing with at least 1 significant injury on their rosters. I feel we basically have to be injury free to have a chance against most teams.
Yeah, I saw the Clips' announcer tweeted that out
Not sure how accurate it is… but seems about right haha
It's Fair
But the Hornets have only had their best player for two games this season. It’s had a big impact on the team. I thought they’d be one of the worst teams all along this off season, I just still want to see how the team can compete at full mass.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:07 PM CST up reply actions
A Question
As good as Nene is (I think he’s a really good player), does his contract not have “Emeka Okafor” written all over it? Not a definite albatross (think Rashard Lewis, Gilbert Arenas, etc.) but a good player with an enormous contract that will be called one of the worst in the league in the next two to three seasons.
"You play to win the game."
Possible, but I feel like the amnesty provision essentially eliminates
albatross contracts, at least the way we’ve thought of them through the 2000s
No
I feel Nene brings a little more than Okafor. While Emeka can control the paint better, it seems like Nene does everything else a bit better. He just seems to have a bigger positive effect on the game for his team. Now if that energy were to disappear, then yes, he’d probably be an overpaid average big.
Is Energy
Worth 13 million a season?
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
More than just energy
Can play both the 4/5, serves as one of the team’s glue guys and brings the most toughness?
We’ve easily heard of much worse contracts.
His age (30 I think?) is troubling thing I guess
But agreed, he’s such an excellent fit on offense and defense
Yeah
age isn’t as much of a concern here. He doesn’t play a wing and doesn’t rely on crazy athleticism
Oh For Sure
We’ve heard worse contracts. That’s why I mentioned him in the Emeka category. I wasn’t comparing him to Okafor as a player, I was comparing the contracts both were given. Good players given great player contracts. I was just throwing it out there that in the next two or three years we could see public sentiment turn on him because of his salary (as it has to Okafor).
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
Haha
That’s fair. It was just a question I threw out there.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:43 PM CST up reply actions
Nene
Is a far more polished player than Okafor offensively, couple that with solid defense and rebounding, and throw in his energy and leadership and you see why he’s making that money. Also hes a big man, that alone can get you $7M a year (see: Brown, Kwame)
"I've been big ever since I was little." - William "The Refrigerator" Perry
Follow me on the twitter machine @zacleto
by 504life on Jan 6, 2012 4:40 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
This is depressing
Tota ShooRk Player Season Tm Lg 3P 3PA 3P%
1 Jason Smith 2011-12 NOH NBA 1 3 .333
2 Marco Belinelli 2011-12 NOH NBA 8 28 .286
3 Trevor Ariza 2011-12 NOH NBA 3 11 .273
4 Greivis Vasquez 2011-12 NOH NBA 1 8 .125
5 Jarrett Jack 2011-12 NOH NBA 1 11 .091
6 Eric Gordon 2011-12 NOH NBA 1 12 .083
7 Al-Farouq Aminu 2011-12 NOH NBA 0 4 .000
lol
Goodness. Peja, come back!
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:26 PM CST up reply actions
Denver and Portland
are my picks to be in the WC Finals
"I've been big ever since I was little." - William "The Refrigerator" Perry
Follow me on the twitter machine @zacleto
Spurs
Pre-Manu injury have been my pick all along. Maybe if Manu gets that injury out of the way early he’ll actually stay healthy for once for the postseason. But too many people sleep on the Spurs. I think it’ll be them and the Heat in the finals. The only teams I really see making it out of the West are either San Antonio or Oklahoma City.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
Haha
screw you Ray Allen:
Even my cab driver is talking about David West. He said West made right call to sign w Indy because the Celtics are “too old.”
The Celtics
Had nothing to offer West. He’d been underpaid his whole career and didn’t owe it to Boston to stay underpaid for them. There’s no guarantee the Celtics are even better than the Pacers this season.
"You play to win the game."
by MrWayneKeller on Jan 6, 2012 4:51 PM CST up reply actions
How many reverse dunks
does Carl Landry have this season so far?
Reppin' the Lafayette Hornets fans.
i have to live by the yahoo sports scoreboard
theyre not airing the game here, living in a third world country sucks
I got an idea for fans going to the games.....
Leave at the end of the 3rd quarter so you can have a good time…
this is ridiculous
Eric Gordon was one fo the best 4th quarter scorers last season(accordign to NBA2k12 haha) and holy crap do we need that, our team stinks in the 4th
Trade Aminu for a vet..
At least the vet would be more agressive and probably/definitely play better D. All this talk about having a team of youngsters is bull. By the 4 qtr, our guys are tired & stop driving to the rim and think they have the #1 jump shot in the league and shoot themselves out of the game. If we would’ve split the last 4 games, I prob would’ve gotten the League Pass but thats too much $ to spend to watch them lose the exact same way each game. Entertaining to watch my azz….
Eh
Growing pains. Vet would do absolutely nothing for our future so who cares for the few seconds of possible bliss.
like I said, pesky 4th quarters...
I think the NBA should do the Hornets a solid and let them end the game at the 3rd quarter. if so #HornetsUndefeated!!!!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qais_eGMnWk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39GH-nzrY_I&feature=relatde
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on At The Hive
Related FanShots on At The Hive
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Nazr Mohammed films Oklahoma City Thunder fans welcoming the team back at 5:30 in the morning (VIDEO)
- The Orlando Magic finally part ways with both Stan Van Gundy and GM Otis Smith
- Mike D’Antoni breaks silence on New York Knicks exit: ‘An obstacle had to be removed’
- Adam Morrison looks great, everyone
- Create-a-Caption: Tim Duncan puts some stank on it
