We can be honest here. There is nothing super about the SuperSonics.
If you think you've had a tough year as a Nuggets fan, just be glad you're not a Sonics supporter. These two teams began the season by playing one another and since that night in October, both teams have gone in separate directions.
The Nuggets are 33-23 while the Sonics are 15-41. They are separated by 18 games in the NBA's Northwest Division, although, those numbers are misleading. Denver was expected to be great, instead, they are merely good and maybe headed in the wrong direction. Speaking of wrong direction, we bring you the Sonics. Their record is terrible and they were expected to be terrible. So let's make one thing clear: Tonight's game between the two is ALL ABOUT the Nuggets and very little about the Sonics.
I took the last five days off from writing this blog and the Nuggets apparently were also on vacation in that span. They actually played two games, both losses, and both could come back to haunt them.
A loss to the Bulls on Friday night in which they trailed by as many as 23 points. That was followed up by a loss to Milwaukee on Saturday night in which they led by as many as 23 points before folding like a blackjack player with a bad hand in Las Vegas.
The team wants to put those losses behind them but as much as it pains Nuggets fans to do, it might be beneficial to reflect for a moment on those two defeats, since they are a microscosm of what this team's season has been all about.
They went into Chicago on Friday night, two days removed from a giant home win against the Boston Celtics, one of the best teams in the NBA. After a night in the Windy City, in which they gave up 135 points to one of the most disappointing teams in the East, you could be upset, though, hardly surprised by their performance.
Right there, in that two game span, the team's two biggest problems surfaced, as they have all season long: Defensive intensity and inconsistency.
After giving up 118 points to the Celtics, they give up 135 points to the Bulls. No defense and totally inconsistent play and that's no bull.
Saturday night in Milwaukee, more of the same. Then, on Monday, they take the Pistons to the wire before losing. So a quick review: They give supreme effort and split against the two best teams in the East and self-destruct against the lower echelon of the East.
They play hard against the best and seem to wilt against the rest. In an ironic way, that may help the Nuggets. After all, anybody who Denver plays in the postseason, by virtue of getting there, will be a good team. However, if Denver can't beat Chicago and Milwaukee, can they even get to the Playoffs this season?
Seattle stands in the way tonight. Sounds easy, right? Then again, weren't you thinking the same thing last Friday night when they took the floor in Chicago?
Have a great day and hope to see you Thursday.
"z"
