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.