Some morning links for you to browse through ...
The Denver Post's Chris Dempsey talks about Ty Lawson turning heads with his play ...
Lawson figures to turn heads all season long in his NBA debut, including that of his coach, who detests the reputation he has for not playing rookies, although three weeks ago he defended his right not to play Lawson.
Chris Dempsey was busy last night ... Catching up with Eduardo Najera
Chris Dempsey: What were your emotions facing the Nuggets?
Eduardo Najera: It’s actually the first time I played against them. Obviously I have feelings about the Nuggets. I still know most of the guys on the team, coaches, organization. Playing against the Nuggets was weird at the beginning, but I was excited.
A couple days old, but Dempsey talks about Renaldo "The Crimestopper" Balksman's extension:
(This is a pretty good article ... talks with George Karl and Balkman about his role with the team ... essentially the Nuggets seem him as a "rookie-ish" player ... for now.)
In a moment of honesty, Balkman admitted he was a bit surprised that he was extended. His new deal is three years, more than $5 million.
"It was a surprise that they did it because I haven’t been playing," Balkman said. "My minutes do go up and down at times. But they know, too, that whenever I get on the court I give my all. Anytime he calls my name I play basketball to my fullest potential. Whatever I do on the court, it’s always at 100 percent and they know that. I’m the type of guy that all I want to do is win. I hate to lose. So, I’m a fighter till the end. And if all I do is get my teammates hyped up to win the game, then that’s what I will do."
David Thrope of ESPN ranks the rookies (you have to have insider I think to view this) and has Ty Lawson ranked #3 behind fellow point guards Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee and Jonny Flynn of Minnesota.
3. Ty Lawson, Nuggets
The truth is, a few of the point guards on this list could do what Lawson is doing, if they were on the Nuggets. Well, almost. Lawson's time at North Carolina has him well-prepared for how he needs to play in Denver. But he does not have to apologize for his good fortune' after all, he has made much of it himself.Watching him rush up the floor, being quick while not hurrying (it's a John Wooden reference), is to see exactly what most NBA coaches want in their backup PG. Make easy plays, help teammates get good shots, and do not ever turn the ball over.
It likely won't happen this season, but Lawson has the makings of a perennial Sixth Man of the Year award winner.
Chris Tomasson of Fanhouse discusses the possibility of the first female NBA head coach ... Nancy Lieberman?
If there ever will be a female NBA head coach in my lifetime, I'm thinking Nancy Lieberman has got a shot. Lieberman took the first step toward that Thursday when she was named head coach of the Dallas Mavericks' D-League team in Frisco, Texas, that will begin play next year.
NBA Game Previews on InsideHoops.com ... Nuggets vs. Heat
Carmelo Anthony has cooled off since his red-hot start, but the Denver Nuggets keep winning. As they continue a season-high six-game road trip, the Nuggets look to match their best start in 24 years by extending their dominance over the Miami Heat on Friday night. Anthony averaged a league-best 37.7 points on 53.6 percent shooting for Denver (5-0) in its first three wins but shot 34.1 percent over the past two games, scoring a combined 47 points... The Nuggets, who haven’t started 6-0 since 1985-86, play a winning team for the first time Friday in the third game of their trip. They also face the league scoring leader from last season, Dwyane Wade. The Heat (4-1) bounced back from their first loss as Wade had a season-high 40 points in a 93-89 victory at Washington on Wednesday night.
