The Newest NBA Rivalry

The newest and questionably the biggest rival in the up and coming NBA season is the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers.  The two teams are projected to go third and fourth in the West and both play with getting 60 wins.

The Nuggets had a quiet yet productive off season with upgrading at both the starting and back up shooting guard positions.  They will insert JR Smith into the starting role which is a huge upgrade offensively over Dahntay Jones but could be a loss defensively.  With the loss of Jones the Nuggets acquired Arron Afflalo from Detroit who possesses defensive skills like Jones but also poses a three ball threat which will be huge off the bench.

The Nuggets also lost swing man Linas Kleiza but many people (myself included) believe this move actually helps Denver because Kleiza was a liability with the ball in his hands as well as a streaky shooter.  The Nuggets are expecting to replace Kleiza with Wally Szczerbiak who is a better shooter, defender and has much more experience to bring to the table for Denver's bench. 

The Nuggets traded for Ty Lawson and also retained point guard Anthony Carter.  Lawson is arguably the best point guard in the 2009 draft with his speed and three point shot to go with his great leadership that took North Carolina to an NCAA championship.  His size is what lead him to drop to the 18th pick where the Nuggets selected him.  Lawson will learn from one of the best in the game in Chauncey Billups which gives the Nuggets a great young nucleus for the next decade.

The Portland Trail Blazers improved at the point guard position significantly this off season by signing Andre Miller.  Miller will bring great leadership and floor control to the young start studded duo of Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. 

The Blazers also expect to get Greg Oden back from his injury plagued 2009 season.  If Oden can give Portland 65+ games and everyone else stays healthy Portland could seriously challenge Denver, Los Angeles and San Antonio for the number one spot in the West.

Now to go along with two young, talented and deep teams come two towns with some of the most passionate fans in basketball.  I have been on many Nugget and Blazer chat rooms and I have never seen so much hate and trash talking between any two teams in the NBA.  The Nuggets and Blazer fans fight....

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