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| There's a lot to cheer about in Denver and Ty Lawson's a big reason why (Credits: Justin Edmons/Getty Images North America) |
Denver has won nine out of its last 10, beating the Celtics, Hawks, Clippers, Lakers and Thunder on the way. They are a scintillating 25-7 since the start of 2013 and are silly good 14-3 vs. playoff teams in that stretch as well. You want to know why? They're third in points per game, second in rebounds and second in assists. Right now there is no team playing more with more cohesion than the Nuggets, and they're having some real fun doing so.
This team comes at you in a myriad of ways, but it all starts with Ty Lawson. He's the engine that makes the Nuggets go. At 5'11" he seems to have his work cut out for him, but his ability to push the ball with quickness and precision really makes him one of the best in the game. With the athleticism on the floor in Andre Iguodala, Kenneth Faried and off the bench Javale McGee, this team might even run the break better the Clippers. Lawson's averaging career highs in assists (7.1) and points (17) on an efficient 46% for the season. Denver is clicking on all cylinders and he's the catalyst that has them second in the league in assists
But you can't forget that the rest of the team has elevated it's game as well. Kenneth Faried is coming into his own providing solid rebounding, physicality and athleticism. Javale McGee has been a little less clown and a little bit more professional. Danilo Gallinari is finally assuming his role as the team's scorer averaging a career high 16.6 points and shooting a solid 38.3% from down town. Corey Brewer, Andre Miller, McGee and Wilson Chandler have made their bench a formidable entity. Then there's Andre Iguodala.
When Iguodala played for the Sixers, he was wrongly pegged as a superstar. There was too much pressure on him to score and be dominant on the offensive end, but he never materialized as that player. Out here in Denver he has been thriving in a much more relaxed role. While he still probably is the best player on the team, he's playing much more comfortably in the role he should've be, an athletic wing defender who does the small things on offense, but isn't necessarily a scorer. There's no pressure on him to carry this team offensively and that allows for him to focus his energy on defense, rebounding and moving the ball through the offense. You can just see it in Iguodala's mannerisms that he's enjoying himself out on the court and everything is becoming fluid for him. Under George Karl's tutelage he has taken his game to the next level.
Sometimes with a team like the Nuggets, everything comes together at the right time and I think that time is right now. Are they as talented as OKC, the Clippers or San Antonio? No, but are they playing with the type of chemistry that can offset talent? Absolutely. This team is dangerous, like an ugly orange bull running through a china shop with the right balance of speed, strength and insanity. I predicted for them to be playing for the Western Conference Finals, and if they play like they are now in the playoffs then they'll be right there battling all these teams for West supremacy.
It's time to stop sleeping on the Nuggets.
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