George Karl Believes He’s Coaching an MVP Point Guard
I think it’s fair to say that George Karl is enjoying the Chauncey Billups Experience. I think it’s even fair to say that he’s ecstatic about it. And why shouldn’t he be? Prior to last night’s loss against the Spurs, Denver had won 12 of 15 since it acquired Billups in the trade for Allen Iverson.
George Karl has been so impressed by Chauncey’s effect on his team, that he’s already campaigning for his point guard to grab some hardware by season’s end.
From the Denver Post:
“The trade,” Nuggets coach George Karl said, “had a very positive karma, from wherever you want to stand — from a fan standpoint, from an organization standpoint, from a coaching standpoint, from a locker room standpoint. Every place, there is a karma that’s good. I think MVP candidates are those type of guys.”
“It’s not that they’re the best player — it’s that they’re the most valuable player.”
Billups, a former Finals MVP, has no doubt been spectacular in his return to Denver, and could very well contend for the award. He’s the main reason why the Nuggets are off to their best start in three decades. But a 16-game stretch, no matter how scintillating, does not an MVP make.
The season is still in its infancy; let’s wait until March (at the very earliest) before we start counting the votes.
Chris, if the Nuggets win 55 games that is an increase of 10% which is pretty huge in this league.
ie they thought (or said they thought) that the one-year infusion of energy called AI could help them make it out of the ECFinals.
But by the (again admittedly limited) looks of it, they’ll struggle to make it back *into* the ECFinals.
Cleveland and Boston seem like the class of the conference (same caveat applies).
So not “done”, just worse rather than better off.
Your thoughts?
mine is that they won’t make it into the ECF.
yours?
ps don’t take it personal though, please…
When motivated and competing the Pistons appear good. My only concern is how badly they got smashed by Boston the last two times. That is troubling considering that is the team to beat in the East.
Last year’s Denver team had the organization’s best record in the past 20 years. Sure they were maddening and didn’t reach their potential, but I think that had to do with mismatched personnel, poor player rotations and the coach quitting.
I’m glad Chauncey is succeeding, but I haven’t failed to notice that the Nuggets seem to lose to top tier teams. If they win more than 50 games, more power to them.
The Pistons could lose in the second round, or they could make it to the Finals. Depends on how they do with effort. I think they still have shot and McDyess will only help that.
i what is said was (and i quote) ”
pistons are doing this with their eyes on 2010. they took a gamble and - on the basis of the admittedly small sample of 13 games - they lost, as far as 08-09 is concerned…
” like you i believe that if you don’t make the finals or win it when you have the talent to it’s not a succesful year. but no they’re not done for ‘08. i said they made the deal with more focus on ‘10 than on ‘08.
big diffenrence…
You make a good point.
My feeling is that with Chauncey, even if the Pistons played their best, they were not going to beat Cleveland or Boston. That was my feeling way before the trade.
With the trade, if they play their best, I think they can beat Cleveland, and POSSIBLY beat Boston. I’m wavering on Boston, but I think they have a better shot then they had with Billups.
Now, with Iverson, the Pistons could also implode by the All-Star break and squeak out of the first round to get killed in the second round. That would have never happened with Billups.
Billups was the steadying force on the Pistons, but if he’s a team’s best player, that team is going to struggle to beat elite teams.
Iverson doens’t bring the same leadership or complete skill set, but if he’s your best player and your other players are talented, you can get to the Finals in the East.
That’s what my gut tells me.
TAD, the Broncos are going to be in the AFC Championship game.
@TADOne&Allenp…:the only way the pistons get to the Finals with the cartoon playing serious minutes is…well,….there is no-way!!!(o.k. ,only if we have a Man.United type of accidentt to BOTH Celtics,Cleaveland AND Orlando…)
yeah, cause the cartoon’s never been to the Finals?
He’s been there more often than some of your favorite players.
Lenny Wilkens has over 1,000 career wins.
@the kids….:i won’t get into detail again for the reasons why the cartoon (meaning:fun for the kids and nothing more.And it’s true cause all kids love it!!) accidentally made it to the finals cause there are much more peolpe with real bball knowledge visiting this forum than you think and they would definitely get bored by someone stating the obvious…By the way:”SLAMONLINE:the place where you can feel like a bball genious just by observing the obvious!!!”.
@Ryne(3:53pm)…:simple as that!!!!
And to sum it up once again: Because of their overall negative BOTH cartoons are two of the worst players in the history of this game.
@Hursty!!! where have you been my little friend..?!! to much homework, e…? Are you at the same classroom with Teddy,Jukai,Eboy,TADOne and the other kids..??!! I’d love to have a photo of you little kids singing christmas songs!!!
@davidR….:unfortunatelly you do…
ps- i sent another invite to bet, and asked dp to send an email invite. somtething is wrong….
Comments