NBA: Denver Nuggets and the Top 10 Balanced Scoring Teams
More so than in past years, this season has been dominated by top scoring duos and trios, which works well for some of the elite teams.
But where are the basketball "teams"?
The big three in Miami of Wade, James, and Bosh combine for 71 PPG.
In Chicago Rose, Boozer, and Deng average 60.5 PPG, and the talented backcourt of Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma City torch their opponents for 49.5 PPG.
With all the talent top loaded it is difficult for some organizations to play “team” basketball, but here are the top 10 NBA teams that still share the love.
10. Washington Wizards
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Record: 20-56
Playoff Seed: Eliminated
Double Digit Scorers: 7
Nick Young - 17.4 PPG
Jordan Crawford - 16.6 PPG
Andre Blatche - 16.3 PPG
John Wall - 16.1 PPG
Rashard Lewis - 11.4 PPG
JaVale McGee - 10.1 PPG
Maurice Evans - 10.0 PPG
Had the Wizards played every game at home they might have had a chance to make the playoffs at the bottom of the weak Eastern Conference. Alas every team has to play road games, and the Wizards are 3-35 on the road.
Rashard Lewis being out for the season did not help the matter. Though he might have attempted to continue to play through his injury if he wasn't on the Wizards.
This was a lost season for the Wizards, but the good news is they have an extremely talented young roster.
If John Wall can live up to the hype, and Nick Young can continue to grow as a scorer the Wizards will not be picking in the lottery for long.
9. Milwaukee Bucks
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Record: 31-45
Playoff Seed: (10) 3.0 games out - Eastern Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 6
Brandon Jennings - 16.1 PPG
John Salmons - 13.7 PPG
Andrew Bogut - 13.0 PPG
Corey Maggette - 12.5 PPG
Carlos Delfino - 12.3 PPG
Drew Gooden 10.8 PPG
The 2010-2011 Bucks are a typical Scott Skiles team, great on defense, lacking on offense.
They are third in the league on defense allowing only 92.59 PPG, but they are dead last in offense at 91.59 PPG.
Both John Salmons and Corey Maggette have come short of expectations as they were brought in to lead the offense.
This team is very offensively balanced, except for the total they score every night.
The Bucks are still technically alive in the playoff race, but will need a lot of help to get in.
8. Phoenix Suns
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Record: 37-39
Playoff Seed: Eliminated - Western Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 7
Steve Nash - 15.3 PPG
Vince Carter - 13.6 PPG
Grant Hill - 13.1 PPG
Channing Frye - 12.6 PPG
Marcin Gortat - 12.6 PPG
Jared Dudley - 10.2 PPG
Aaron Brooks - 10.0 PPG
The Suns have struggled this season without Amar'e Stoudemire, and would probably trade some of their balanced scoring to have their star back, but nonetheless they are a very balanced scoring unit.
The Suns have the talent to be a playoff contender in the Western Conference, but they could never find balance between their older and younger players. Nash and Carter have been the scoring leaders, but they are far too old to do so.
Their are some very talented scorers on this Suns roster, and they have the talent to blossom into stars.
7. New Orleans Hornets
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Record: 44-33
Playoff Seed: (7) - Western Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 6
David West - 18.9 PPG
Chris Paul - 16.1 PPG
Carl Landy - 12.4 PPG
Trevor Ariza - 10.9 PPG
Emeka Okafor - 10.5 PPG
Marco Belinelli - 10.4 PPG
The New Orleans Hornets will have to adapt because their leading scorer David West will be sidelined for the rest of the season and playoffs with a knee injury.
West going down will solidify the Hornets being a first round exit which will ultimately spark up the Chris Paul to New York rumors.
The Hornets will look to Paul, Landry, and underachieving Ariza to pick up the scoring with West out.
6. Memphis Grizzlies
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Record: 44-33
Playoff Seed: (8) - Western Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 5
Zach Randolph - 20.1 PPG
Rudy Gay - 19.8 PPG
Mike Conley - 13.7 PPG
Marc Gasol - 11.6 PPG
O.J. Mayo - 11.3 PPG
The Grizzlies are another Western Conference playoff contender who lost a top scorer. Rudy Gay has been sidelined since the end of March due to a dislocated shoulder, and will not return this season.
The Grizzlies have Darrell Arther and Tony Allen who contribute 9.3 PPG and 9.0 PPG to lighten the scoring load for the starters.
The Grizzlies might have had a chance to be more than a one and done in the playoffs if they still had Gay, but regardless they are moving in the right direction.
5. Atlanta Hawks
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Record: 44-33
Playoff Seed: (5) - Eastern Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 5
Joe Johnson - 18.6 PPG
Josh Smith - 16.7 PPG
Al Horford - 15.6 PPG
Jamal Crawford - 14.1 PPG
Marvin Williams - 10.6 PPG
The Hawks are one of the few teams in the NBA that have found balance among their All-Stars. Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Al Horford are one of the most talented trios in the NBA.
They all contribute every night, and any of them can take over the scoring load if another star is struggling., but come crunch time the ball is going to Joe Johnson.
The ability to have a balanced scoring offense coupled with a go-to player is the reason why they are in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
4. Philadelphia 76ers
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Record: 40-37
Playoff Seed: (6) - Eastern Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 6
Elton Brand - 14.9 PPG
Andre Iguodala - 14.1 PPG
Jrue Holiday - 13.9 PPG
Louis Williams - 13.7 PPG
Thaddeus Young - 12.6 PPG
Jodie Meeks - 10.6 PPG
The 76ers have been quietly playing great basketball.
In February and March the 76ers went 18-10 with only three losses in February, and have taken the sixth seed away from Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
Lou Williams is out for the rest of the regular season with hamstring issues, but is hopeful for the post season.
The 76ers are currently matched up with the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Do not be surprised if Andre Iguodala and the Sixers give the Celtics a run for their money.
3. Orlando Magic
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Record: 48-29
Playoff Seed: (4) - Eastern Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 7
Dwight Howard - 23.2 PPG
Jason Richardson - 14.0 PPG
Jameer Nelson - 13.0 PPG
Hedo Turkoglu- 11.4 PPG
Brandon Bass - 11.2 PPG
Ryan Anderson - 10.2 PPG
J.J. Redick - 10.1 PPG
MVP candidate Dwight Howard has been doing all he can to get the Magic a higher playoff seed and back to the NBA finals.
The Magic do a great job distributing the ball; they have Howard to provide low post scoring, and Richardson to take the tough clutch shots.
The concern for the Magic heading towards the playoffs is J.J. Redick's health. He has missed five games do to abdominal issues, and may miss the remainder of the season.
If the Magic can get their whole team healthy and fresh their ability to have five scorers on the court at any time could carry them deep in the playoffs.
2. Portland Trailblazers
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Record: 45-32
Playoff Seed: (6) - Western Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 6
LaMarcus Aldridge - 22.0 PPG
Wesley Matthews - 15.8 PPG
Gerald Wallace - 15.4 PPG
Andre Miller - 13.0 PPG
Brandon Roy - 12.8 PPG
Nicolas Batum - 12.2 PPG
The Trailblazers were a dark-horse pick to make the Finals in the preseason. Unfortunately, they were decimated by injuries, most notably Greg Oden and Brandon Roy.
Roy is a shell of what he once was because of all his knee injuries, but do not sleep on Roy . If the Blazers are down by one with just seconds left on the clock big shot Brandon will be more than ready to shoot.
Acquiring the Bobcat's number one scoring option in Gerald Wallace was one of the best moves any team made all year. It greatly strengthens their depth and scoring as they head into the playoffs.
The Blazers still have the talent to make a deep playoff run, and I believe they will be in the Western Conference Finals this year.
1. Denver Nuggets
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Record: 47-29
Playoff Seed: (5) Western Conference
Double Digit Scorers: 8
Danilo Gallinari - 15.9 PPG
Nene - 14.8 PPG
Arron Afflalo - 12.6
Wilson Chandler - 12.5 PPG
J.R. Smith - 12.1 PPG
Ty Lawson 11.3 PPG
Raymond Felton - 11.1 PPG
Al Harrington - 10.5 PPG
No Melo, No Problem. The Nuggets were written out of the playoffs when Carmelo Anthony jumped ship to play with Amar'e in the Big City, but it has been just the opposite.
The Nuggets are playing better basketball than almost any team in the NBA as they storm into the playoffs.
No team in the NBA has a more balanced offense than the Nuggets, which is the only team with eight players that average double figures.
Coach of the Year candidate George Karl has been able to get all of his players to embody the definition of a team.
Their game tonight vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder could decide which team will get the home court advantage as they are likely to meet again in the first round of the playoffs with the 4 vs. 5 match up.
Does a Balanced Offense Lead to Wins?
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A balanced offense will most likely lead to wins, but there has to be a go-to-guy for a team to have a real shot at making any noise in the post season.
Seven of the ten teams I listed are playoff bound with the slight chance of Milwaukee sneaking in as the eighth. Realistically only the Magic, Trailblazers, and Nuggets have a change to make a legitimate Conference Finals or NBA Finals run.
A basketball team needs balance to have consistent success, but they need at least one star to make a run for the crown.
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