2013-2014 Denver Nuggets Preview: Part 1

The Denver Nuggets begin their 2013-2014 campaign on October 30^th, and there is much speculation about their prospects after a tumultuous offseason.  After a very successful regular season that resulted in a club record 57 wins, the Nuggets fell to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs, and numerous flaws were exposed in the lopsided series.  

Last season’s squad had high expectations entering the aforementioned playoff series, and yet another first round exit prompted the team’s ownership to orchestrate a significant overhaul in personnel.  Less than a month after garnering NBA Executive of the Year honors, general manager Masai Ujiri chose to join our neighbors to the North in Toronto.  Ujiri had been praised for putting together a Nuggets team that was successful without having a big-name superstar, and it is generally thought that he is one of the smartest young talent evaluators throughout all of the front offices in the NBA. 

Despite leading the team to the playoffs in nine straight seasons and winning the 2013 NBA Coach of the Year Award, Hall of Fame-bound George Karl was fired.  Karl leaves Denver as the second-winningest coach in club history, and he was equally praised and criticized throughout his tenure with the Nuggets.  Many thought having a veteran coach like Karl benefited the Nuggets greatly as his influence and experience led the team to a plethora of wins, and he certainly helped bring a thrilling, fast-paced game back to the Mile-High city.  Detractors pointed to an often hands-off coaching style, his lack of playoff success, and his much-publicized penchant for clashing with star players.  Indeed, it is no secret that one of the reasons Karl was shown the door was his refusal to start young center Javale McGee, a player who has been lauded for his tremendous potential and denounced for his often poor fundamental play. 

In addition to the front office and coaching vacancies, the Nuggets also lost three significant contributors on the court.  Kosta Koufos, starting center under Karl’s direction last year, was moved in a draft day trade.  Corey Brewer, an energetic swingman who provided a spark off the bench, left in free agency.  Andre Iguodala, last year’s celebrated acquisition, chose to sign with the Golden State Warriors, yes, the team that took down Denver in the playoffs this past season.

Iguodala turned his nose up at the Nuggets’ offer, which was reportedly more lucrative than Golden State’s.  Iguodala, surely one of the best on-ball defenders in the league, was not as effective defensively in the playoffs, where he was shredded to bits by lights-out shooting Stephen Curry.  Iguodala was instantly designated as Denver's best player going into last season; while he is known as a defensive specialist, he also has commendable all-around offensive skills.  It became apparent during the season that Iquodala was not particularly spectacular on the offensive end despite his abilities, and he never made himself stand out as a premier go-to option.  While the Nuggets wanted to re-sign him, it could be viewed as a blessing in disguise in the long run given his hefty contract and the limited talents that came with the exorbitant salary.  Denver, however, lost Iguodala late in the summer free agency game, and they were left scrambling after other teams snatched up most of the high-end free agents on the market.

 

2011-2012 Nuggets Preview

The NBA is back, and that's good news for Nuggets fans, Pepsi Center employees, Denver businesses, and, that's right, the actual players on the team. This year presents a Nuggets squad that has a distinctly different vibe than the teams of seasons past.

Without former franchise players Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, Denver is commonly deemed as a team "lacking star power". While that may be true in the grand scheme of shoe deals, jersey sales, and nationally televised games, Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, and recently re-signed big man Nene are certainly not slouches on the court. Free agent Arron Afflalo has yet to ink his name on a shiny new contract, but he would provide an excellent boost to the Nuggets' fortunes as a brilliant defender and an efficient shooter.

A more free-flowing offensive system will surely be in place without the aforementioned "star power", which basically means one player probably won't be holding the ball for most of the possession. Passing and finding the open man will be regarded highly by head coach George Karl, and the Nuggets will continue a fast-break heavy, run-and-gun offense whenever possible. This style will surely be effective in a shortened season with 66 games being played in 123 days. The mile-high altitude will benefit the Nuggets in Denver and on the road, and opposing teams will have a hard time keeping up.

In addition to last year's players, some new faces and one familiar one will have opportunities to show off their game. Andre Miller, who played with the Nuggets from 2003-2006, will be backing Ty Lawson up at the point guard position, and will likely be played alongside Lawson at times in the backcourt. Recently acquired Spanish guard Rudy Fernandez will provide J.R. Smith-like scoring off the bench (presumably as Afflalo's backup) without the tattoos and attitude. Rookies Kenneth Faried and Jordan Hamilton will provide depth but might see little playing time under George Karl's direction. Corey Brewer can be counted on for defense and hustle if he ever plays.

Nene will have more scoring opportunities sans Carmelo and slotted into the power forward spot instead of playing center, a position that will be filled by Timofey Mozgov. Many might consider Nene's new contract to be too much of a financial commitment, but Nene's presence affords the team a talented veteran big man to compete against All-Star forwards and centers in the Western Conference.

Learning on the fly and growing team chemistry will be important for Ty Lawson, who will be in his first full season (sort of) as the starting point guard. Despite hitting ten consecutive three pointers in a game last season, Lawson will be extremely effective penetrating and passing or finishing near the hoop and not settling for jump shots. There will be plenty of people around the perimeter to take open shots once Lawson drives and dishes, and Lawson's unparalleled speed should be utilized as much as possible. Ty is the key to the Nuggets future success, and this season will be his opportunity to join the elite point guards in the league.

The Nuggets will be able to compete in a changing NBA environment if their personnel live up to their individual potentials and meld as a cohesive unit. Western Conference powerhouses have gained and lost big name free agents, and the Nuggets have as good a chance as many teams to crack the top teams if everything comes together as hoped.

Nuggets' Nation in Limbo Due to Lockout

This summer was supposed to be a time when the Denver Nuggets could build off of the positive momentum that came from the team's undeniable success after the Carmelo Anthony trade. While many skeptics might instead deem it re-building, the fact remains that the current roster seems at the very least capable of making the playoffs for an astounding ninth straight season despite the recent shakeup in personnel. That is not even considering the fact that the team actually has the financial flexibility to add significant help through free agency. After what appeared to be a successful draft and a dynamic late-season run in the spring, the Nuggets prospects were looking up.

Then the buzzkill known as the NBA lockout decided to mess with the psyches of basketball fans by posing the possibility of a lost season altogether, or what will likely be at least a shortened season with little time for a young team to build chemistry or cohesion during the season, much less during training camps or preseason. Coach George Karl's squad could certainly use practice time, really, any time to mesh as a group, even if it means playing video games or chumming it up at the local tattoo parlor.

Nuggets free agents Wilson Chandler, Kenyon Martin, and J.R. Smith have all opted to play the upcoming season in The People's Republic of China. The Chinese Basketball Association is different from the other international basketball leagues that current players are flocking to because it is not allowing players to opt out of their contracts and come back to the NBA if a season is salvaged.

While there was a general likelihood that Martin and Smith might not have re-signed with Denver, Chandler was a restricted free-agent and seemed destined to be wearing Nuggets powder blue for the foreseeable future. The talented young swingman didn't show a lot to fans in the Pepsi Center last season, particularly in the playoffs, but he is only getting better and his defensive effort alone is enough to create significant playing time in an offense heavy system.

Nobody can blame these players for wanting to play the game they love for millions of dollars overseas, and it is actually a good thing for young players to develop their games in a competitive setting. Nuggets players Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, and Timofey Mozgov are all bringing their talents across the Atlantic, although without the hubbub of a cable television special a la The Decision. They should be encouraged to play somewhere at this point in their careers, but all three would be quick to jump back to play for the Nuggets if the NBA decides to get itself together for the 2011-2012 season. Nevertheless, the fortunes of the Denver Nuggets have and will be seriously impacted by the work stoppage, and one can only hope that something happens in labor negotiations sooner than later. A summer of excitement has gradually become a time of chaos and havoc in the Mile-High city.

Nuggets Score Impact Players on Draft Night

The 2011 NBA Draft was not dominated by big names. In fact, it is hard to say whether or not any bona fide superstars were selected in the draft at all (not that you ever really know, but, yeah, sometimes you know). While many teams will seemingly be unaffected by their actions/inactions on draft night in Newark, New Jersey, the Nuggets came away with a significant draft pick and a noteworthy trade that will certainly alter their team in upcoming seasons.

The Denver Nuggets scored big with the 22nd pick by selecting a ferocious defender in the awesomely dreadlocked Kenneth Faried, who left Morehead State University as one of the most prolific rebounders in college history. With the possible departure of Kenyon Martin, Faried could thrive at power forward whether it be in a starting role, or more likely coming off the bench. While it is difficult to gauge the immediate future of the squad due to a high number of free agents on the team, it is conceivable that Kenyon Martin may not be coming back, sliding Nene to his natural position at power forward and Timofey Mozgov in as a starting center. In this scenario, Faried would be a tremendous asset off the bench, especially considering he could be played in an ultra high-energy frontcourt alongside Chris "The Birdman" Andersen.

Denver also pulled off what appears to be a beneficial trade, acquiring former Nugget Andre Miller and 26th overall pick Jordan Hamilton in exchange for Raymond Felton. Although the younger Felton is in the prime of his career and is arguably more skilled than Andre Miller in his current form, this trade accomplished three important things for the Nuggets:

They got rid of the looming issue of having two capable starting point guards in their prime (Felton and Ty Lawson) on the same team, a factor that left a justifiably unhappy camper in Felton coming off the bench. With Lawson being younger, having a lower salary, and showing signs of a bright future and possible stardom, it was obvious who eventually had to go. To his credit, Felton played his short time with the Nuggets with class and character, providing a spark off the bench with his adept passing and leadership. The Nuggets avoided more "Melodrama" by dealing Felton, who was in his last year of his contract and deserves to be a starting point guard elsewhere. Nuggets fans can only hope that he doesn't come back to bite them in the rear too much while suiting up for the division rival Portland Trailblazers.

Denver acquired a more than capable backup to fill the void left by Felton. While Miller is getting long in the tooth (I know, weird expression, I'm just gonna roll with it), he still put up similar statistics to Felton last year with Portland and will get significant playing time with the high-octane Denver team that he knows well from previous years. Also, there won't be a problem with Miller coming off the bench at this point in his career, and coach George Karl is a big fan of him, so Andre will be a large contributor to the Nuggets this season. Miller's strong points are his passing, leadership, control of the game, alley-oop passing, free-throw shooting, and character. His weakest (virtually nonexistent) quality is his inability to make three-pointers.

Lastly, the Nuggets acquired Texas swingman Jordan Hamilton in the deal, who will contribute three-point shooting and rebounding from the shooting guard/small forward spots. With J.R. Smith likely heading out of Denver, Hamilton could possibly back up Arron Afflalo by providing his shooting touch and his fastbreak ability to the aforementioned high-energy second unit, a quality that could help the Nuggets use their energy and the mile-high altitude to remain the highest scoring team in the NBA.

The Nuggets also acquired Chukwudiebere Maduabum, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers after playing in the NBA Development League last year. Maduabum will certainly have an easy transition as he will be playing in the D-League again this year.

Overall, the Nuggets gained three contributors and lost one in this year's draft, and the front office succeeded most in addressing the specific needs and positions on the team. While it is always possible that any one of our acquisitions could not live up to expectations, the possible rewards seem to outweigh the risks after the draft day dust has settled.

Nuggets Game 3 Thoughts

The Thunder now lead the Nuggets 3-0 in their first round playoff series largely due to a pathetic offensive 4th quarter by Denver. No team has ever come back to win a seven game NBA playoff series down 3-0. I don't think my sanity would be best served to write any more.

Nuggets vs. Thunder: Game 1 Thoughts

The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Denver Nuggets 107-103 in the first round of the NBA playoffs on Sunday night. Both teams played exceptional basketball in most areas, but the home team prevailed late in the game thanks to some clutch shots and an obvious missed call by the officials.

The Nuggets led by one late in the game. Russell Westbrook then took a contested mid-range shot that rattled around on the rim and was tipped in while it was still on the rim. Replays confirmed what was apparent to the naked eye and most of the Nugget players: that the call should have been offensive basket interference. The referees also called an unfortunate technical on Raymond Felton earlier in the quarter.

Nevertheless, the Nuggets, trailing by three, still had a chance to come back with over twenty seconds left in the game. It would have certainly been advisable to only shoot a three if not contested and go for a quick two-pointer otherwise, but Felton missed most of the basket on a rushed shot with the Thunder defender up in his grill. Poor execution combined with a terrible call doomed the Nuggets after making a ferocious run to gain the lead late in the game.

The Nuggets would have had a more substantial lead late in the game if it wasn't for some poor free-throw shooting throughout. It seemed as though every Denver player missed a few freebies, and improving in this specific area is a must in the upcoming playoff matches. Arron Afflalo's eventual return will certainly help defend against Russell Westbrook who, call or no call, was the Nuggets' downfall late in the game. Fastbreaking and a keen defensive concentration on Westbrook and Kevin Durant could be keys to the Nuggets for the rest of the series. The Thunder will eventually need to rely on other offensive threats than their two stars, and George Karl may roll with a strategy to give open shots to other Thunder players who may not be as offensively efficient as Westrbrook and Durant.

Anxious Excitement

It's NUGGETS Time!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's go guys, get mean out there and hit that 3 Ball!!!

Nuggets vs. Thunder: Round 1 Preview

The Denver Nuggets will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a highly anticipated first-round series against the two division rivals. The matchup pits young teams against each other with fascinating stories about their respective paths to this point. The Thunder moved from Seattle and have risen from an NBA cellar-dweller to a feel-good story of a talent filled organization blossoming in a small market. The Nuggets have fought injuries, incessant trade talk, and an eventual reorganization of much of their squad to reach the playoffs for the eighth straight year.

Oklahoma City, led by a versatile scoring threat in Kevin Durant, have a bevy of offensive and defensive weapons (not to mention a home-court advantage that will feature an undoubtedly frenzied crowd of wild Oklahomans). Russell Westbook, Serge Ibaka, and Kendrick Perkins will surely provide tough matchups on both ends of the floor in addition to the megastar power of Durant. Denver lost two games down the stretch to the Thunder, who reportedly provided no shortage of trash-talking. Fans will be advised to closely watch the not-so-buddy buddy relationship between centers Nene and Perkins, who literally butted heads in the last few weeks.

The Nuggets, while certainly facing a tall task ahead, can beat the Thunder if a few key elements come together. First of all, injuries to important players could be a detriment to Denver. Basically every player on the team has had his fair share of injuries throughout the long NBA season, but the injury monster seems to be rearing its ugly head again at a very unfortunate time. If certain Nuggets players, especially Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo, Danilo Gallinari, and Nene, all who have suffered injuries as of late, can remain healthy during the series, it would be highly beneficial to the franchise and its fans.

Secondly, the Nuggets can gain confidence and swagger by defeating their foes at least once in the first two games played in the Sooner state, thus giving the men from mile high a home-court advantage, especially significant because of their prowess for consistently high caliber play at the Pepsi Center.

Finally, the Nuggets can prevail by developing a successful plan of attack and executing it flawlessly. For instance, the Nuggets could play a similar strategy that they utilized against a playoff series against Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks two years ago in the second round of the playoffs. The Nuggets surprised many NBA experts by simply not double-teaming the deft shooting German power forward. This resulted in Nowitzki having several high scoring games, but in turn allowed the Nuggets defense to focus more on his capable counterparts. Perhaps the Nuggets could employ a similar defensive scheme in regards to Durant. By playing tenacious defense against the Thunder as a whole, the Nuggets can box-out their individual defensive assignments or create turnovers and flow into their highly effective run-and-gun fastbreak offense and possibly do a little trash-talking of their own while defeating the Thunder.

Maybe the Third Time is the Charm

As I wait for the Nuggets/Spurs game tonight my mind keeps wandering back to February and the day after the big Carmelo trade. I had my only tickets to a Nuggets game for this season, as I don’t live in Colorado anymore. I had gotten very good seats for myself and two of my friends. It should have been an exciting day for us, but we were all so depressed and unsure about the team we were actually dreading the impending experience. My friend Tomas texted me before Alex and I began the drive down from Ft. Collins, “Are you ready for the weirdest game of the season?” Turns out weird was only partly right in describing the game and the post-Melo trade team to this point. Weird usually implies some sort of off putting aspect, but in reality it simply means out of the ordinary. That night certainly did end up being “weird”. When we arrived I could tell my friends and I weren’t the only fans feeling a certain apprehension. We sat in our seats then went to grab some beers. As the lights dimmed and the line-ups sans Melo and Chauncey were announced, the crowd was putting on their own show of support. I was starting to come around myself, realizing as the starters were announced we still had a pretty good team and this was without the Knicks included in the trade.

The game began and right off the bat the Nuggets were dominating. They were sharing the ball and playing the best team defense I had seen from them in a very long time. Mind you, this was against the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that before the all-star break had been surging and playing their own brand of team ball. I believed that as the game wore on the Nuggets’ lead would dwindle as they stopped playing as hard as was necessary. This had happened on many occasions previous, but this night was “weird”. The Nuggets continued their gritty style of hustle play and I was really getting into this game. The Melo trade blues were slipping further and further from my mind. As the first half begun, the new Nuggets were introduced during a time out. Truly spontaneously, with no prodding by the PA guy, the crowd gave the new players a standing ovation and from across the arena I could tell they really appreciated it and were surprised by the outpouring. As the Nuggets continued to lay it on, packaged t-shirts parachuted down from the rafters. I looked up and realized one was heading my direction. As it came closer I began to believe I could actually grab it. I had never received any free swag at a Nuggets game before. I reached up and my above average height proved advantageous as I snagged it away from my best friend Alex at the apex. Then with the onslaught well in hand, Rocky began his routine of behind the back, half-court shots. I quipped to Alex, “I’ll bet he makes the third one.” Low and behold, his third attempt went in. I knew then that something special was going on. I just hoped the new Nuggets could buy into Karl’s system and put in the effort for winning to continue what had begun that night.

Now, almost a month since then, I’m realizing the third time might just be the charm. Since Carmelo came to Denver there have been three major trades. First for Iverson, then Chauncey, and then the one that sent Melo to New York. Who would have thought it might be the final one that would get them over the hump to being an elite team? Certainly not me. It is my hope the Nuggets keep their attitudes positive and their focus in the right direction. Tonight will be another real test of just how good they are compared to other elite teams in the Western Conference. The Spurs have been playing the style of basketball the Nuggets have been for the entire season and truly have each other’s backs. They may not have Tim Duncan tonight, but I’m sure they will rally to get this win. The Nuggets will have to play their best and not take anything for granted. A little bit of divine intervention and magic couldn’t hurt either. LET’S GO NUGETTS, BEAT THE SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Victory over Atlanta No Cause for Excitement

The Nuggets defeated the Atlanta Hawks 100-90 on Monday night, and the new-look squad is now 3-1 without the dynamic duo of Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. While their recent play might have even exceeded some analyst's expectations, one must look at the circumstances of Denver's recent victories before jumping to conclusions about the Nuggets' recent achievements.

While there certainly should be some admiration paid to the boys in powder blue (not to mention Coach George Karl who has handled the transition magnificently), the recent wins can be taken with a grain of salt. All wins count the same, but expert analysis here at Nuggets Fandom (har har) will provide readers with a true picture of what has transpired in the last four games.

The first game after the trade involved none of the newly acquired players. The Memphis Grizzlies were in town the day after the Nuggets' two biggest stars were shipped to the Big Apple. The Nuggets played with a very limited amount of bodies. All seemed to point the visitors to victory except a few important factors. One, the Grizzlies were playing without their star player, Rudy Gay, a difference-maker in any NBA game. Two, the Nuggets were playing at home, where they have succeeded all season and for many years (despite injuries/absences of Melo). Finally, the Nuggets were playing with the rest of the All-Star Break in which none of their players participated and with a grudge. Never underestimate the grudge factor in the NBA; once a team has defeated you handily in the last game, revenge seems to happen more often than not.

A nationally televised game against the Boston Celtics seemed like a tough task. However, the Celtics had also gotten a taste of trade fever. Their man in the middle Kendrick Perkins and their man that was never in the middle Nate Robinson had gotten traded to Oklahoma City at the deadline and their new swingman Jeff Green was not in Celtic's green yet. Additionally, the Nuggets were at full force with the addition of Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari (is it wrong to leave Timofey Mozgov and Kosta Koufos out of that sentence? I don't think so, really). With the added adrenaline of the new players at home, the fans fired-up, and the Celtics not at full force playing at altitude, the win may not actually have been as impressive as it originally appeared.

The Nuggets best game since the trade might have actually come against the Portland Trailblazers the night after their defeat of the Boston Celtics. After playing late into the night and traveling to Oregon, Denver was an obvious underdog. With fatigue and a lack of practice with the new team playing a part, the Nuggets put up a valiant effort at the Rose Garden. While a disappointing finish in regulation and in overtime was upsetting, it showed the Nuggets have the guts and pieces to compete against formidable foes on the road.

Monday's game against the Hawks showed the Nuggets as a slightly lackluster team at times. With a few games rest and extra practice with the new contributors, Denver had a huge advantage over a team playing their second of back-to-back road games. Denver players, with the exception of maybe Kenyon Martin and Raymond Felton, seemed content to walk through the game and hopefully win it at the end. Apparently nobody provided an adequate scouting report for Hawk's center Al Horford, who has shown a propensity for hitting mid-range jumpers all season.

Nevertheless, the Nuggets eked out a victory at the Pepsi Center, and are in the thick of the Western Conferene playoff race. It can be assured that the Nuggets won't have favorable circumstances in all of their important upcoming games, so it will be imperative that they develop the chemistry and aggressiveness needed in the next couple of weeks.

New-Look Nuggets 2-0 Without Chauncey, Melo

The Denver Nuggets, fresh off an 89-75 victory over the Eastern Conference leading Boston Celtics, do not seem to be writing themselves out of contention in their own respective conference. Some have predicted a tough road ahead for the Nuggets due to chemistry issues and a supposed lack of 'star power'. The Nuggets, though, appear determined to quiet the critics and show the NBA that a smaller market team without someone like Carmelo Anthony can succeed.

New faces Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari all debuted at the Pepsi Center on Thursday night against an elite opponent on national television. Chandler contributed with a sharp three-point stroke, Felton dished out six assists and coexisted with his point guard counterpart Ty Lawson, and Gallinari showed hustle and notched three blocked shots despite a poor shooting night.

Nuggets fans can take note of a few important components of their reassembled team. First and foremost, Denver seems to have become a better defensive team seemingly overnight, holding the Celtics' offense at bay in only the first game with the newcomers in the trade with New York.

Secondly, the Nuggets can rely on a much more balanced attack without having to play through Anthony and Chauncey Billups at such a high rate. This dynamic could help players like J.R. Smith and Ty Lawson get offensive opportunities in a more consistent way throughout the course of the game instead of only in short spurts (i.e. not having to force shots as much).

This points to the last point: Coach George Karl does not have to deal with balancing egos as much with Carmelo's obvious need to shoot a multitude of shots to be successful. The Nuggets have a plethora of capable scorers and can spread the ball around. Parity in the offense will make the individual players happy and should make Nuggets fans happy with less one-on-one play and more ball movement and efficiency. The new offensive situation and a defensive focus should help translate into wins and a playoff berth.

Carmelo Anthony Trade Leaves Question Marks

The Denver Nuggets finalized a blockbuster trade deal on Monday night that will send Carmelo Anthony to the team and the city he has always wanted to play for. The trade will also send Chauncey Billups away from his hometown team that he wanted to finish his career with. With the Nuggets' two biggest stars headed to the Big Apple, basketball in Denver won't be the same, although that doesn't mean that the Nuggets will not be successful.

The Nuggets will receive considerable returns for Anthony, Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, and Renaldo Balkman. Heading to Denver (for now) are Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, three draft picks and $3 million (which the Nuggets organization will in turn give to the Garrett Holtz Foundation For Awesome Usage).

Okay, enough trade information. Nuggets executives Masai Ujiri and Josh Kroenke were certainly smart to get such valuable assets for Carmelo Anthony, the superstar forward who had led the Nuggets to playoff berths in each of his years with the squad. Losing Melo in the summer as a free agent would give the Nuggets nothing in return, and their insistence on reviving discussions with the New Jersey Nets caused the Knicks to give up more assess to insure that they got their man.

While the Nuggets executives certainly deserve credit for getting this deal done, it is disturbing that they felt the need to include Chauncey Billups in the deal. Billups never wanted to be traded. Additionally, it seems as though Billups was included in order to receive the basketball services of one Raymond Felton, who is a very talented younger point guard. Felton is having an excellent season and should benefit the Nuggets in the short-term. The real question is how this moves affects Denver's backup point guard Ty Lawson. Chauncey is a veteran and was 'grooming' (I don't like that term, like he's taking him to a dog show or something. . . oh well) Lawson to be the team's next starter. Introducing Felton into the mix seems to clash with the intention of having Lawson, the second-year speedster, be the starter in the next couple of years. This issue will certainly need to be worked out because Ty Lawson is not bench material and could possibly be the Nugget with the most potential and upside. This could be seen as 'a good problem to have' because talented players can only help you.

President's Day 2011 will be remembered in Denver as the day Carmelo left town, but it could mean the introduction of a younger and different generation of Nuggets players that might actually change the team for the better in the long run. Assessments of the new Nuggets players and how they fit in Denver will follow in future blogs.

Patience Young Grasshopper

As I write this the Nuggets just handed the Portland Trailblazers a double digit loss and looked pretty darn good doing it. The first half was a little tough with the Nuggets turning it over too much and the Blazers being hot from the three point line. Still, the Nuggets looked fresher and simply have better players compared to the injury riddled Portland team. Watching a game like this where Carmelo Anthony doesn’t necessarily have a good game, but other players step up to create a blowout victory makes me wonder if Melo would really want to go somewhere else by this point. Ok, Amare Stoudemire might be a “better” player than Nene, but other than him, who else on the Knicks can challenge position by position talent wise?

I started out imagining I would write this article trying to focus on other things besides the Melo-drama. It is just too hard to do. It is always on the minds of any Nuggets fan and will be until the trade deadline has passed. I personally have just gotten tickets to the Memphis game on the 22nd of February. I’m hoping everything will be resolved by that point and Melo will still be with us. I believe if he is on the team and everything is settled by the All-Star break, the Nuggets could come out and be the hottest team in the NBA. They have all the right pieces and are quietly playing really good ball over the last month. If everyone has bought in to winning by that point, the road wins will start coming and everyone will gel.

However, if the Nuggets do make a trade, and God forbid include Chauncey Billups in it, what could have been a great season with a chance for a great playoff run will be cut short and there will always be the what ifs. Patience is a virtue and sometimes the waiting is the hardest part (wink). Still, sometimes if you can hang on long enough and keep giving it your all, things will turn out better than you could have imagined. What if Hakeem Olajuwon had demanded a trade from the Rockets? It took him almost ten years, but his talent, hard work, and patience paid off with two championships in the end. The same thing happened for Elway and I am betting can still happen for Melo. If he is serious about wanting a Championship like he says he is, he owes it to himself and the fans to give it one more chance for the rest of this season. STICK IT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Endless Melodrama Overshadows Nuggets' Success

Mikhail Prokhorov, the New Jersey Nets' billionaire owner (for some reason you have to say billionaire owner with Prokhorov, why not the same for Stan Kroenke?), recently shook up the Carmelo Anthony trade saga with the news that he had pulled the cord on trade discussions concerning Denver's star forward. This led to more endless speculation as to the Nuggets next move; would they amp up talks with the New York Knicks, a team Melo would certainly want to sign a contract extension with? Would they consider trading him to another team that might only have Carmelo as a rental for a half-season? Other possibilities include keeping him and risk losing him for nothing in free agency or trying to revive talks with the Nets, who certainly have the best package to offer.

That being said, the Nuggets are still playing games and are currently only 2 and a half games out of first place in the Northwest division despite all of the trade talk distractions and a constant stream of injuries. The Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, and Carmelo had one of his best scoring games all year. Other Nuggets, notably Ty Lawson, J.R. Smith, and Nene have also been stepping up as of late, pointing to the fact that the team will undoubtedly not be starting from scratch if and when a deal for Melo takes place.

The sad thing is the way that Nuggets fans have turned on Melo throughout the whole ordeal. Melo has given Denver seven and a half tremendous years of hard work and taken his team to the playoffs every year. Melo is not required to sign the contract extension that the Nuggets have offered, and since he has made it clear that he probably isn't interested in the extension, then it is in the front office's best interest to trade him and get something for him. The same scenario happened with the Colorado Rockies and Matt Holliday a few years ago, and the Rockies got Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street out of the deal, two of the baseball team's best players. The Nuggets may certainly get some good players from whatever deal happens, either straight from another team or through draft picks, or even both. Nuggets fans should enjoy Melo and cheer him on while he still suits up in blue and yellow at the Pepsi Center. He never did anything to deserve the ill sentiment.

One positive about the possibility (not necessarily probability) that the trade with the Nets has been squelched is that hometown hero Chauncey Billups will remain in Denver, at least for the moment. Mr. Big Shot has made it clear that he wants to finish his NBA career in a Nuggets uniform, not to mention guide them to bigger and better places, namely an NBA title. For everything that Billups has done for the Nuggets and the Denver community, he should be respected and not sent off into a basketball and cultural wasteland with the likes of Brook Lopez, Bon Jovi, and Snooki.

Hopefully the Nuggets can pull the trigger on some kind of a trade soon so that the team can build some chemistry with its new pieces before the playoffs start. It seems reasonable that the Nuggets can get some reasonable talent in a deal involving Melo only and not have to give up any more in return. While Melo is still a Nugget, however, there can still be a sense of enjoyment and appreciation from Nuggets faithful around the world.

Embarrassing

Back to back blowout losses against the Clippers and the Kings=embarrassing. 'Nuff said.

Old Pangs Time

The holidays are just about over and it’s time to get serious again. No more snacking on cookies or putting things off, whence this delayed article. The Nuggets didn’t really get to have any kind of a relaxing Christmas. They played a game on the 25th and another on the 26th losing both and receiving no gifts from the refs. Without Melo for the past four games the Nuggies had had a hard time manufacturing points and hutzpah. It was looking pretty bleak in Melo’s absence, and I came closer than I have all season to pushing the panic button.

Luckily they have survived the latest losing streak to come out with a two game winning streak and improve to five games over fifty percent. Somehow with everything that has gone on during the first half of the Nuggets’ season, I just can’t bring myself to profess the doom so many others are attesting to. Without their star, the Nuggets are a worse team. Still, they are not the worst team in the division, let alone the league. Unlike the Cavaliers and LeBron James, the Nuggets don’t operate with Anthony as their leader and distributor. Carmelo is more akin to the best role player on the team. He scores the most points, is our go-to guy in the clutch, and is the face of the franchise. If Melo isn’t there it is much harder to put a finger on the identity of the team. Yet, in the end, the Nuggets can win without him and have plenty of other players to provide points and plays. Chauncey Billups is the team’s real leader and he does a good job at it when he can back up his words with his play. Earl Smith Jr is fast becoming a bonafide, consistent threat on the floor capable of good defense and rebounding. Nene has been the most aggressive I have ever seen him. Ty Lawson is the future of the Nuggets and is capable of becoming one of the top three point guards in the West.

It comes down to this. With the Nuggets finally, just about healthy and all together, the team owes it to themselves and the fans to try and play as well as they can for the next month before moving Carmelo. If Denver can put together another lengthy win streak and see exactly how they stack up presently versus what they could get for Melo in a trade, it may make more sense to end the season with him and try for another playoff run. Who knows? If they could make it to the conference finals or even the championship maybe Melo would stick around and other players would want to join. Sometimes leaving things up to destiny can create the best outcomes. The Nuggets have done better than any of the experts had predicted up to this point and maybe the New Year will bring new possibilities.

So here’s to the New Year and a new future for the Nuggets. Whatever it ends up being, I’m sure it will be interesting and certainly not the end of excitement in Denver. LET’S GO NEW POSSIBILITIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nuggets Feel at Home for the Holidays in the Pepsi Center

After an uninspiring road trip, the Nuggets have returned to the Pepsi Center for a three game homestand. While there is no question that injuries and illnesses have definitely taken a toll, it has become commonplace for Denver to look like a different team when playing in other team's arenas.

Carmelo and crew defeated the Orlando Magic on Tuesday night upon their return from an East Coast road swing that saw the Nuggets lose three out of four. Melo's scoring led the way with Ty Lawson's speed and general intangibles complementing the small forward. It may only be a matter of time before we check the internet or get a text message from a friend informing us that Carmelo has been traded, therefore this is the perfect opportunity to relish his talents and reflect on what he has meant to this team.

While attending the Nuggets game in Boston this past week, I learned that Melo would not be playing due to soreness in his knee. Without Melo, Denver looked lost offensively and seemed to have nowhere to turn in many situations. The win against Orlando solidified Melo's offensive importance and versatility in my mind, and simultaneously made me cringe to think about what life might be like post-Melo. With trade rumors always swirling about, it is hard not to assume that Melo will be playing in a different uniform in the near future, and the Nuggets should not be blamed for wanting to get something for him rather than lose him to free agency.

Alas, Denver will have to figure out a way to reformulate its offensive dynamic sans Carmelo Anthony if he is traded, and it seems that a heavy dose of Ty Lawson and a fast-paced, fastbreak offense will certainly be a key component. While K-Mart and Birdman won't provide a huge boost offensively, they certainly will help with offensive boards when they get back from their respective injuries. The Nuggets will also be receiving at least one player if they do execute a trade this season, and hopefully that player could provide Denver with a new offensive threat.

It won't seem the same without Melo, though. Denver seems like home for him, and the Nuggets have gradually been formulated into a solid team that contends for the playoffs yearly. The main thing that has helped the Nuggets through all of Melo's years here is their ability to be dominant at home. . .even when he has been injured or ill. It seems like the Nuggets might still be able to rack up the wins without Melo in the Pepsi Center, the real question would be their ability to do the same on the road.

999 and Counting

It could happen tonight. GK may get his thousandth win and the Nuggets would get their second eight game winning streak since last January. At that point in the year, the Nuggets were second in the West and looking like they could make another run at the Western Conference Finals. Then K-Mart’s knee went out and Karl was diagnosed with cancer. Bummer. Anyway, I think it’s time to take up where we left off and get back to one of those top spots in the West. This could also help convince our resident superstar to take another look at his team and imagine winning multiple chamionships right here.

In order to accomplish these dreams the Nuggets must overcome a tendency for selfish play on the road and more injuries to their top energy guy, the Birdman. As he was just getting the wind beneath his wings he was cut down from below and broke his tail feather. I feel this is actually more disappointing than some are making it out to be. Chris Andersen was helping the Nuggets to have fun out there again and was providing valuable time off the bench. Without him, the slumping Harrington will need to step it up and give the Nuggets some great defense and inside scoring.

Al Harrington truly is the key to a great Nuggets season. He was the team’s biggest pick up in the summer and when he gets it going he adds a dimension Denver hasn’t seen before. Karl said in an interview a month ago, he felt having a shooting power forward is an asset a lot of other championship teams have (think Lamar Odom, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan… sort of). With Harrington’s ability to space the floor and go inside, the Nuggets are harder to predict. Couple that with Melo’s scoring, Nene’s renewed vigor, a focused J.R. Smith, and a much improved Arron Afflalo and you have a very dangerous squad.

So here’s to the Nuggets and hopefully a thousandth win for George Karl. It would be a nice early Christmas gift for GK and one well deserved. After fighting and winning yet another battle with cancer, it is the least his team could do to go out in Charlotte and hustle their butts off. GO GET 1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Only Thing to Fear is No Contract Extension

It might just be me, but it feels like the Nuggets have a little momentum and good vibe to them. I’m not just talking about the recent winning streak either. They won one at the buzzer courtesy of Melo, they finished out one against a Phoenix team intent on spoiling the vibe for the Nuggets sans Melo, and Karl is on pace to get his one thousandth win before Christmas.

Beyond all this, however, is the attitude carried by all the Nuggets right now. Everyone is speaking in the press like the season has true purpose and of a desire to get better. Kenyon Martin even recently expressed his desire to come back earlier than he thought possible. This is certainly a difference from the interview earlier this season in which he said he had no desire to rush his return as he had no contract extension offered to him yet.

My theory is the Nuggets front office strategy of keeping people out of the know and on their toes is actually paying off in terms of team effort. J.R. Smith is in a contract year as are Chauncey, Afflalo, Martin, and some of the other bench players. Fear is a great motivator. Even George Karl is no stranger right now to the tension and a looming career decision. Everyone is playing for something more than pride and wins. Security is a tough thing to grasp in this life for most people and with things in this country as unsure as ever it only seems appropriate our sports stars should feel the grip of unease as well.

It is only right for guys like Martin to understand the organization’s position with the team’s future considering Melo’s situation, the impending CBA, and his history of injuries. It is time for the players to earn their salaries and get some wins with extra effort and selflessness.

On a lighter note, it certainly helps to have your guys come back from injury with renewed senses of competition flowing through their veins. The Birdman has returned and none too soon. Without his presence the Nuggets just seemed a little flat. He injects the crowd with frenzy and the floor with energy. His always freshly inked body screams Nuggets. Though I believe his abandoned style of play gets him in trouble sometimes, specifically when going for blocks and leaving the other side of the rim to opposing players, it inspires other Nuggets to lay themselves on the line a bit more.

In conclusion, I feel these Nuggets are on the verge of great things. The vibe is just right. They must take it one game at time, continuing tonight with the Milwaukee Bucks. This is a team that beat the Nuggets both times last year and though they are not doing well, so far, are completely capable of upsetting Denver on its home floor. Let’s keep up the intensity and keep winning games we are supposed to win. THIS IS ONE HELL OF A VIBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Nuggets Roller Coaster...of Love

The Nuggets have taken us on this roller coaster ride before. We’ve barfed when the ride was over (see: embarrassing loss to the Indiana Pacers) and we’ve gotten back in the front seat and giddily screamed as we rolled over the highest peak (see: triumphant victory over the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers). This week isn’t the first ride Denver faithful have been taken on, and it certainly won’t be the last.

Unfortunately, the Nuggets are adept at playing down to their competition, and the loss to the Pacers highlights a continuing trend that has made the David and Goliath cliché get old fast. Perhaps it had something to do with injuries. Maybe it had something to do with playing on the road. Possibly it was playing four games in five days. Excuses are always made for losses, but reasons are never clear for the Nuggets' propensity to let opposing players like Mike Dunleavy Jr. look like classy stars and not this: http://drunkathlete.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mike-dunleavy-indiana-pacers-9-drunk-pictures1.jpg. There there, Mike, there there.

While playing in Denver has made the Nuggets nearly invincible in recent years, it is frustrating that it appears to be a different team when donning the baby blue road jerseys (maybe they need to wear the dark blue alternate road uniforms more). Nevertheless, a Nuggets fan cannot help but be ecstatic after a gutsy come-from-behind win against the undefeated Lakers on national television.

After losing to Kobe and crew in the playoffs two years ago, it was apparent that the Nuggets had a good core of players that could get a boost from key additions. While the front office hasn’t added a plethora of big men to contend with the Lakers since then, it was great to see the contributions of the acquisitions we have made during that span, notably Ty Lawson, Al Harrington, Gary Forbes, and Arron Afflalo.

The NBA season has many ups and downs for any squad, but the Nuggets have been making every couple weeks feel like a ride on the Twister at Elitch’s for years now. The right centripetal force could give Denver the turnaround they need against the NBA’s bottom-feeders.