I understand the comparison.. Melo even at his worst was slightly better than DD at his best but the reason for the comparison was to show that a player like DD could take a team to the WCF. DD may not be as clutch but if you surround a player like him with adequate pieces then who's says that Toronto couldn't also succeed like Denver did that year?
That team also consisted of Billups, Nene, Martin, Smith and a bench of Kleiza, Birdman, Jones, Carter and Balkman.
That team was 7th in offense and 8th in defense.
Billups/Nene/Martin/Smith or Lowry/JV/Amir/Ross?
Kleiza/Birdman/Jones/Balkman or Johnson/Patterson/Williams/Vasquez?
If JV and Ross grow like we all expect them too, and the team takes a step forward in both offense and defense, I don't think the comparison is that much of a reach.
I will say though that Denver has an advantage that not many other teams do.. and that is their huge home court advantage. Playing in Denver is tough with their thin air. Raptors need some kind of a system where if you are an opponent you get punched in the balls as you leave the visiting locker room or something.. but outside of that advantage looking at just the rosters I don't think it's far fetched to say that we could become a contender with the same team that we had last year especially since they play in the East and in the Atlantic division which is advantageous enough.
That team also consisted of Billups, Nene, Martin, Smith and a bench of Kleiza, Birdman, Jones, Carter and Balkman.
That team was 7th in offense and 8th in defense.
Billups/Nene/Martin/Smith or Lowry/JV/Amir/Ross?
Kleiza/Birdman/Jones/Balkman or Johnson/Patterson/Williams/Vasquez?
If JV and Ross grow like we all expect them too, and the team takes a step forward in both offense and defense, I don't think the comparison is that much of a reach.
I will say though that Denver has an advantage that not many other teams do.. and that is their huge home court advantage. Playing in Denver is tough with their thin air. Raptors need some kind of a system where if you are an opponent you get punched in the balls as you leave the visiting locker room or something.. but outside of that advantage looking at just the rosters I don't think it's far fetched to say that we could become a contender with the same team that we had last year especially since they play in the East and in the Atlantic division which is advantageous enough.
Comment