New Orleans vs. Denver

 

An NSL first round playoff story: a review of the New Orleans Pelicans and the Denver Nugget�s first round series.

How did we get here?

These two veterans, skilled general managers have been working their lineups and the phones all year to get themselves into a position to make a run at the NSL title, and both teams found themselves sputtering into the playoffs at 5-5 in their last ten. Not exactly what these two savvy guys were hoping for, but a playoff berth nonetheless.

The young guns in New Orleans found themselves off to an extremely hot start, and in a great position for the future as well with no key players over the age of 27.

Led by a dynamic guard tandem of Ja Morant and Donovan Mitchell, the back court in NOLA will give NSL General Managers nightmares for years and years to come.

The aforementioned back court, and front court stars in John Collins and Brook Lopez powered New Orleans to the three seed in the West behind balanced scoring, and underrated defense. Leeroy really has something here.

On the contrary, Denver relies a bit on veterans to make an instant impact to his team and will likely be an even higher seed next year when Klay comes back. Led by MVP candidate Stephen Curry, the Nuggets live and die by the Baby-Faced Assassins� play.

Front court mate Gary Trent Jr. has helped keep the scoring attack formidable as much as he can in Klay�s absence, but I am not sure his effort will be enough in the playoffs as Myles Turner and Taurean Prince are both out for Digga and the Nuggets.

 

 Let�s look into how each game went for these Western Conference playoff hopefuls.

Game 1: Denver 150 � New Orleans 144

What an offensive explosion! Or lack of defense? These teams combined for an electric 294 points on a cumulative 60% shooting night from the floor� wild numbers regardless of a video game or not. The Pelicans managed 92 points in the paint � and somehow lost? How did that happen? Steph Curry went bananas, that is how. Curry gave his Nuggets 65 (SIXTY FIVE!?) and 10 in an incredible 4^th quarter that saw the Nuggets down by 7 at the start. Heartbreaking loss for New Orleans to start the series, and a foreshadow of things to come in round one?

 

Game 2: New Orleans 142 � Denver 122

In the words of Lee Corso� �Not so fast, my friend!� First storyline of game 2 is: Gary Trent Jr. gets the start at SG for Denver? NSL legend will have a bunch of theories as to why Digga made this switch after his game one win, but it is in the history books now. New Orleans took the high rode and just assumed that if Curry were going to score 65 every game, they would just accept their fate. The New Kids on the Block in New Orleans stuck with their strategy, and Robert Williams decided to show up in dominate fashion. Williams was a difference maker in game two, giving Leeroy 18 and 25 while leading the Pelicans to a win, even with Curry giving Denver 50 and 10. What a terrible game for Curry.

 

Game 3: New Orleans 131 � Denver 99

A theme is developing here, and it�s not one on that favors Denver�s favorite character. Another game, and another lineup change may have bit Denver here, and again they�ll just have to live with it going forward. This time, Grant Hill moved back to the starting lineup, but Doug McDermott was bounced to the bench. More of the same from New Orleans allowed them to limit Curry massively, only allowing 29 and 11 while their starting backcourt combined for 47 in their second win in a row. Will Denver go back to the starting lineup that exploded in game one?

Game 4: Denver 126 � New Orleans 116

Digga must have watched some film, because the Nuggets came out like gangbusters again in game 4, with their lineup that put up 150 in game one. Curry wasn�t able to provide 65 and 10, but 39 and 9 coupled with a team effort of 42% from deep would be enough to keep Spida and Ja in check. Also of note: Dwight Powell was benched for Hernangomez in this one, and Robert Williams wasn�t able to dominate quite as much. We�ve got a knotted-up series, headed back to NOLA!

Game 5: New Orleans 140 � Denver 123

With all of the momentum, Denver kept Curry, Trent and McDermott in the starting lineup hoping to take the edge back to Denver for game 6 and a possible closeout in the Mile High City. John Collins had other ideas. In what had previously been a pretty even series between Collins and Porter Jr. Collins decided to have a career game. Collins gave the reeling Pelicans 35 and 8 on 16-17 shooting. What an efficient night for the highflyer. Spida gets forgotten here, but a masterful 39 helped put Denver out of their misery.

Game 6: New Orleans 144 � Denver 133

Everyone loves a game seven! Except New Orleans� Leeroy and the Pelicans decided to rob NSL fans of a coveted game 7 by doing� absolutely nothing different. Why fix what is not broken, right? After a knotted-up series at two games, New Orleans again decided to just let Curry beat them and live with the result if it happened. Curry did all he could, giving ANOTHER 60-point performance, but the depth in New Orleans was just too much. Two doubles-doubles from Spida and Ja led the way and allowed New Orleans to escape even while shooting 33% as a unit from three. Once again, a very impressive paint performance (94 PIP) lifted the Pelicans over the fighting Denver Steph Currys.

Where do we go from here?

After a well fought series, Denver looks to just be a piece away from being a legitimate contender next year. With Klay coming back, hopefully in elite form, the team shouldn�t be a 6 seed next year. The Nuggs also have two first round picks in the coming NSL Rookie Draft. Look out, Western Conference.

For New Orleans, they get to take on the death saw that is the San Antonio Spurs and Damian Lilliard. Not only does SAS have the elite guard, they have great role players that are healthy around him. Ultimately, New Orleans just needs their players to mature a bit before they are ready to take on the true super teams. Unfortunately for Leeroy, he can�t really control how fast that happens. It will be interesting to see if Leeroy moves some of his young guns for a super star to push his team over the top.