NBA Preview: The Denver Nuggets
I am getting extremely slow at putting these up, but I promise that in the next couple of days I will work hard to put myself back on pace. After all, the season starts Oct. 31, so what kind of sense would it make for me to do the Wizards preview on Jan. 12?
Back to the grind with the Denver Nuggets.
Fondest Nugget Memory: My first trip to McDonald's was a great one. Okay, glad I got that out of my system. I guess the best memory I have of Denver was when they upset the Seattle Supersonics in the first round of the 1994 playoffs, becoming the first eight seed to beat a number one. I just picture Dikembe Mutumbo laying on the parquet floor in Key Arena, grasping a basketball while screaming in joy. He may speak seven languages or so, but I bet that picture had a universal translation.
Last Year: There was a ton of optimism in Denver coming into the 2005-2006 season. After all, the Nuggets had the best record after the all-star break in the NBA, and played the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs tougher than any team did in the playoffs. But, thanks to a combination of injuries and poor chemistry, the Nuggets were just like that hot girl in math class who led you on all year long but on the last day of first period in Ms. Roberts' room told you that you were a great friend but that it just wouldn't work out (phew, that felt good). Kenyon Martin (see my post on busts), Nene (I cannot believe he can get away without using a last name; he's not even close to Prince or Ichiro status), Earl Boykins and Marcus Camby all missed significant time, although Camby was undoubtedly all-star caliber when he was on the floor. Carmelo Anthony had to put this team on his back, and in turn had his best season as a pro, scoring at will and yet also shooting at a high percentage. Andre Miller spear-headed the Nuggets run-and-gun attack and quietly put up better all-around numbers than any point guard not named Chris Paul or Steve Nash. Despite utter brilliance from Anthony, Miller, and, in brief stretches, Boykins, they couldn't mask Denver's achilles' heel: lack of outside shooting. How's this for sad: Greg Buckner, primarily known for his hustle and defense, was the Nuggets' "assassin". So, in simple arithmetic, injuries plus poor chemistry plus NO outside shooting whatsoever equaled a first round exit.
This Year: Sure, the US earned the bronze medal in the FIBA championships, and Chris Broussard will tell you that the Americans have lost their grip on the game and blah, blah,blah. However, whatever you do, don't blame Anthony. He had by far the best tournament out of anyone on that team. If his performance is a preface of things to come this season, then the rest of the league needs to watch out. The Nuggets made two key moves this summer. No. 1, of course, was giving Anthony the max extension. No. 2 was trading for J.R. Smith, which could end up being a brilliant move at best, and at worst they at least have a shooting guard who can shoot. He spent most of last year in Byron Scott's doghouse in New Orleans/Oklahoma City, but the sky is the limit for this kid. In terms of the front-court, it's obvious that Camby is going to miss some games (I say 21 this year sounds about right), but having a healthy Nene will help offset that. The question is what will Martin give them this year, either on the court or through a trade? I'm honestly shocked that he hasn't been traded yet. At least they brought in Joe Smith as an insurance policy.
Player on the Rise: J.R. Smith is turning heads this pre-season for the Nuggets, both in good and bad ways with Coach George Karl. Talent wise, there's no questioning who the starting shooting guard should be on this team. He was in Byron Scott's doghouse for a reason, but in Karl's system he should flourish.
Player on the Decline: With J.R. Smith coming into town, Linas Kleiza having a killer pre-season, and Yakhouba Diawara creating buzz with his defense, where does that leave Julius Hodge? I think Hodge has a future in the NBA somewhere, but Denver is a tough situation for him. The players ahead of him aren't all-stars, but they are all better than he is. Oh, and did I mention they re-signed DerMarr Johnson too?
Justin's Take: Tough to say. At press time there are a ton of unanswered questions, but this team does have talent. Luckily, they're in a weak division and they have enough talent to win the Northwest by accident. Unfortunately for the Nuggets (and fortunately for Dallas/San Antonio fans), winning that division will no longer guarantee them the number three seed. I think this season will be a better version of last season for the Nuggets, with the difference being Smith's impact and Anthony's continued improvement. Other than those two things, expect a fun-and-gun team with injury problems and a first round exit likely.
Projected Record: 46-36
Back to the grind with the Denver Nuggets.
Fondest Nugget Memory: My first trip to McDonald's was a great one. Okay, glad I got that out of my system. I guess the best memory I have of Denver was when they upset the Seattle Supersonics in the first round of the 1994 playoffs, becoming the first eight seed to beat a number one. I just picture Dikembe Mutumbo laying on the parquet floor in Key Arena, grasping a basketball while screaming in joy. He may speak seven languages or so, but I bet that picture had a universal translation.
Last Year: There was a ton of optimism in Denver coming into the 2005-2006 season. After all, the Nuggets had the best record after the all-star break in the NBA, and played the eventual champion San Antonio Spurs tougher than any team did in the playoffs. But, thanks to a combination of injuries and poor chemistry, the Nuggets were just like that hot girl in math class who led you on all year long but on the last day of first period in Ms. Roberts' room told you that you were a great friend but that it just wouldn't work out (phew, that felt good). Kenyon Martin (see my post on busts), Nene (I cannot believe he can get away without using a last name; he's not even close to Prince or Ichiro status), Earl Boykins and Marcus Camby all missed significant time, although Camby was undoubtedly all-star caliber when he was on the floor. Carmelo Anthony had to put this team on his back, and in turn had his best season as a pro, scoring at will and yet also shooting at a high percentage. Andre Miller spear-headed the Nuggets run-and-gun attack and quietly put up better all-around numbers than any point guard not named Chris Paul or Steve Nash. Despite utter brilliance from Anthony, Miller, and, in brief stretches, Boykins, they couldn't mask Denver's achilles' heel: lack of outside shooting. How's this for sad: Greg Buckner, primarily known for his hustle and defense, was the Nuggets' "assassin". So, in simple arithmetic, injuries plus poor chemistry plus NO outside shooting whatsoever equaled a first round exit.
This Year: Sure, the US earned the bronze medal in the FIBA championships, and Chris Broussard will tell you that the Americans have lost their grip on the game and blah, blah,blah. However, whatever you do, don't blame Anthony. He had by far the best tournament out of anyone on that team. If his performance is a preface of things to come this season, then the rest of the league needs to watch out. The Nuggets made two key moves this summer. No. 1, of course, was giving Anthony the max extension. No. 2 was trading for J.R. Smith, which could end up being a brilliant move at best, and at worst they at least have a shooting guard who can shoot. He spent most of last year in Byron Scott's doghouse in New Orleans/Oklahoma City, but the sky is the limit for this kid. In terms of the front-court, it's obvious that Camby is going to miss some games (I say 21 this year sounds about right), but having a healthy Nene will help offset that. The question is what will Martin give them this year, either on the court or through a trade? I'm honestly shocked that he hasn't been traded yet. At least they brought in Joe Smith as an insurance policy.
Player on the Rise: J.R. Smith is turning heads this pre-season for the Nuggets, both in good and bad ways with Coach George Karl. Talent wise, there's no questioning who the starting shooting guard should be on this team. He was in Byron Scott's doghouse for a reason, but in Karl's system he should flourish.
Player on the Decline: With J.R. Smith coming into town, Linas Kleiza having a killer pre-season, and Yakhouba Diawara creating buzz with his defense, where does that leave Julius Hodge? I think Hodge has a future in the NBA somewhere, but Denver is a tough situation for him. The players ahead of him aren't all-stars, but they are all better than he is. Oh, and did I mention they re-signed DerMarr Johnson too?
Justin's Take: Tough to say. At press time there are a ton of unanswered questions, but this team does have talent. Luckily, they're in a weak division and they have enough talent to win the Northwest by accident. Unfortunately for the Nuggets (and fortunately for Dallas/San Antonio fans), winning that division will no longer guarantee them the number three seed. I think this season will be a better version of last season for the Nuggets, with the difference being Smith's impact and Anthony's continued improvement. Other than those two things, expect a fun-and-gun team with injury problems and a first round exit likely.
Projected Record: 46-36
posted by Justin Cherot @ 12:56 AM
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