(2) Nuggets Vs. (7) Hornets

[Lamrock]

Another playoff match-up solidified. Both of these teams have surprised me this season, Nawlins in a bad way, Denver in a good. With homecourt advantage and the way they have been playing, I predict Nuggets in 6.

[JaoSming]

Hornets in 5, continuing my awesome predictions

I do see the Hornets winning this riding on the back of CP.

[mvpshaq32]

I didn't catch the Hornets-Spurs game, but I've been hearing that the Hornets threw the game so they won't have to face the Spurs in the first round.
Does anyone think this is possibly true?

[bee-boy]

Nuggs in 6

[Petro]

Nuggets in 7.Hornets are a little disappointment this year.Maybe they will be better in playoffs.But even they will play better nuggets are really greats since iverson/billups trade and they will not let hornets to win the series

[Dan's Brain]

Denver in 6. They've got more than enough firepower to dominate a weakened Hornets team.

[shadowgrin]

Denver in 5. They finally have a court general in Billups that can orchestrate that firepower and not shoot blanks like the Nuggets did for the past playoffs.

[homicide1550]

I think Nuggets will win this in 5 games..

[diddy]

nuggs in 7, NOK would show teeth!

[Martti.]

Going with Hornets in 6, but it will happen only if Chandler, Posey and Stojakovic are healthy. CP3 will dominate.

[kibaxx7]

Honestly I don't know because both Billups and Paul are outstanding, I'm gonna go with Nuggets in 6.

[Valor]

Hornets in 4!! CP3 > Billups anyday

[Andrew]

I'm going with the Nuggets in seven. The Hornets haven't exactly been mediocre but I thought they'd be pushing 60 wins again and in the pre-season I had them pegged as a candidate to possibly get to the NBA Finals. I guess anything's possible but I don't see that as being likely now, while the Nuggets have had a good season in the wake of the Billups/Iverson swap and have homecourt advantage.

[Scotty]

Yeah Nuggets in 7 was my pick, because the Nuggets will make it hard for themselves... Either Nuggz in 7 or Hornets win. We wont win in 4,5,6 imo...

My prediction:
Game 1: Nuggz
Game 2: Nuggz
Game 3: Hornets
Game 4: Hornets
Game 5: Nuggz
Game 6: Hornets
Game 7: Nuggz

All home wins...

[CMJ3]

Nuggets in 6. Lets just hope Karl gets the rotation right and gives time to players who deserve it *cough* Balkman *cough*, looking forward to the Billups vs Paul matchup should make for an exciting and close series.

Go Nuggets!

[benji]

Billups is hardcore.

[Oakrhum]

Hornets in 4!! CP3 > Billups anyday

Anyday except playoffs perhaps.

Nuggets in 6 or 7. Depends on the weather.

[shadowgrin]

Hornets in 4!! CP3 > Billups anyday

Billups is better than CP3 because Billups has a Finals MVP award. That thing alone trumps all arguments.

Billups >>>>>>>>> Chris Paul

[diddy]

cp3 is a bit overrated in fact! and from what we saw this season, billups is hell of a player in nuggets, he's better than cp3! and hornets have no chance to win against nuggs! they need to change some players to bring real difference makers in their team, not Peja, Mo Pete or Chandler, someone like shaq or amare!

[Modifly]

Damn Billups had the hot hands today, going 8-9 from the arc is intensed. I doubt he's going to be that hot for the rest of the series though.
A lot of people seems to be having a great game 1 of the playoffs this year.

cp3 is a bit overrated in fact! and from what we saw this season, billups is hell of a player in nuggets, he's better than cp3! and hornets have no chance to win against nuggs! they need to change some players to bring real difference makers in their team, not Peja, Mo Pete or Chandler, someone like shaq or amare!

Chris Paul is overrated? 22 points a game to go with 11 assists and almost 3 steals? He aint overrated, Paul is one hell of a point guard and he's already a superstar player caliber. Billups never racked up 22 points and 11 assists a game but the thing is he doesn't have to. He helps his team in many ways that his stats doesn't show. That's the main difference, Billups makes his 4 other teammates better while Paul probably make only 1 or 2 of his teammates better but that's something he'll improve upon in the next couple of years. You gotta give Paul a lot of credits, without Paul David West would never be where he is at now. David West sucks without Chris Paul, he cant do shit when Paul's not there. Take CP3 away and the Hornets will collasped. And I dont think adding players like Shaq or Amare will help the Hornets. I think they need a player who can actually play defense. They already got a great point guard so a great center wont be necessary to get the job done.

[benji]

Billups makes his 4 other teammates better while Paul probably make only 1 or 2 of his teammates better

What? Where's the evidence for any of this?

He helps his team in many ways that his stats doesn't show.

His stats show exactly how he helps the team, and game one was a perfect example, by being the best offensive guard of the last five years. (Paul will surpass him after next season.) Yeah, Billups shot 8/9 from three, but he only took 15 field goals total while adding 8/8 at the line and had zero turnovers. The eight assists were just gravy. This is what he does every game, combines one of the best shooting percentages in the league with perfect shot selection and low turnover rates. Paul does the same thing without the three pointers.

You gotta give Paul a lot of credits, without Paul David West would never be where he is at now.

There's just as much evidence to say "without West, Paul would never be where he is at now."

I think they need a player who can actually play defense.

They were a top ten defensive team each of the last two years? What they need is health and, like we knew going into this season, a bench.

Pairing Amare with Chris Paul is a scary thought however.

[Lamrock]

Billups is better than Chris Paul because the Nuggets beat the Hornets last night. I think that renders all other arguments completely irrelevant.

[benji]

No, it doesn't. We know that's far too little of a sample size. Shadowgrin has it right:

Billups is better than CP3 because Billups has a Finals MVP award. That thing alone trumps all arguments.

Now that's an argument an NBA analysis expert can get behind.

[Lamrock]

Derrick Rose is the best Point Guard in the league anyway. He averages 36 and 11 in the playoffs.

[benji]

He still has zero Finals MVP awards.