RSS
Home
Lawson makes Nuggets glass half full
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Ty Lawson hits the burners.
Tuesday in Chicago, JR Smith makes his return to the Nuggets lineup after missing the first seven games because of a suspension. The Nuggets will try to break a two game losing streak after opening the season 5-0.
John Hollinger detailed how Smith's suspension and Kenyon Martin's injury left the Nuggets very thin, and paved the way for their first two losses. The lack of depth on the Nuggets bench could prove to be a big problem this season, he explained.
Yes, the Nuggets might not have the depth of say, Orlando or Boston. But going 5-2 without one of their top scorers tells me the Nuggets aren't going anywhere, especially after wins against division rivals Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers. The biggest threat to their season, as Hollinger said, would be a major injury.
But just because they didn't pick up a big name free agent this off-season doesn't mean the Nuggets didn't have an important summer.
Not only did they re-sign the Birdman, but they picked up Ty Lawson in a draft day trade with the Timberwolves.
Lawson won't be replacing Chauncey Billups as the starting point guard any time soon. But by the end of the season, he almost certainly will be seeing most of the backup minutes at the point, over veteran Anthony Carter.
The Lawson pickup is huge because of this: Remember how much trouble a small, quick point guard (Aaron Brooks) gave the eventual champion Lakers in last years playoffs? Say the Nuggets enter the post-season healthy, and Lawson shows enough during the season to earn big minutes.
If the Nuggets face the Lakers, Lawson can exploit Los Angeles' biggest defensive liability- point guard. Derek Fisher can't stay in front of Lawson. Neither can Jordan Farmar, or Shannon Brown. Lawson is just too fast. While he's on the court, if he can take advantage of his speed, he can create open shots for teammates by getting into the lane, and then dishing to who ever was left open by the help defender collapsing in on Lawson.
The Nuggets would still have problems matching the Lakers size inside (not to mention guarding number 24), but Lawson gives the Denver offense a dimension it did not have in last year's playoffs, one that targets the Laker's weakness.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
