Denver Nuggets

2006-07 record: 45-37 2^nd in the Nortwest

Added: Chucky Atkins, Steven Hunter, Bobby Jones, Von Wafer, Mike Wilks

Lost: Steve Blake, Reggie Evans, DerMarr Johnson

PG: Allen Iverson, Chucky Atkins, Mike Wilks, Anthony Carter

SG: Yakhouba Diawara, J.R. Smith, Von Wafer

SF: Carmelo Anthony, Linas Kleiza, Bobby Jones

PF: Nene, Kenyon Martin, Eduardo Najera

C: Marcus Camby, Steven Hunter

Versus Bulls

2006-07

Away Tue. November 21, L 109-113

Home Thur. March 22, W 109-108

2007-08

Away Tue. November 20, 8PM

Home Fri. February 22, 7PM

Overview:

If any team was to emerge as a surprise champion, it will be the Denver Nuggets. It will require a little luck when it comes to the health of Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby, but if they hold together the Nuggets will have what it takes to battle the Spurs, Mavericks, and Suns in the West. Allen Iverson continues to defy doubters who think he won’t be an effective player into his thirties, and playing alongside Carmelo Anthony and having the likes of Camby, Nene, and K-Mart behind him will only elongate his career. Carmelo Anthony, already a star, is only starting to hit his prime at the age of 23. He averaged 29 PPG, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists last season, and learned what it means to be a star in the league. I give George Karl a lot of credit for challenging Carmelo to be a better all around player and give better effort on the defensive end. He’s coming into this season in phenomenal shape, and poised for an even better 2008 campaign.

It took Iverson, Anthony, and the rest of the team a month or so to acclimate themselves to one another. When Iverson first arrived, Anthony was suspended, so they first went from being Melo’s team, then Iverson’s team, then figuring out the chain of command. It was a bumpy ride, but winning 10 of 11 to close the season with wins over Dallas, Utah, Lakers twice, and San Antonio, although in a game where neither team played their stars, give hope for great things to come. Clearly, Iverson and Melo will combine for 50+ points and both have the potential to go for 40 or 50 on any given night, but they also have Nene and Camby picking up the garbage. If he stays healthy, Martin offers another dimension to the team on both sides of the court. They also have a number of little known scrappers, Eduardo Najera, Yakhouba Diawara, and Steven Hunter, who will do the little things that don’t show up in the stat book.

My only concern with the Nuggets is whether George Karl can harness the immense talent of J.R. Smith. The team does not have many perimeter shooters. Beyond their Big 2 scorers, they really only have J.R. Smith, Chucky Atkins, and Von Wafer with the ability to spread a defense. Of that group, Smith should get the most minutes and have the biggest impact. Adding to the intrigue is that Karl has already announced that Yakhouba Diawara will start at shooting guard until Chucky Atkins gets healthy. The up-and-down relationship between coach and player can really sour if Smith is not willing to accept a specialized role off the bench. If not, the Nuggets will be need to look for a trade to bring in another shooter or risk another year of being one-and-done in the West.

What they mean for the Bulls?

On this year’s version of the circus trip, the Bulls make their annual trip to elevation. The Bulls historically are terrible on the trip and the game in Denver is usually no exception. When Iverson and Anthony are clicking, they can outscore anyone. With the Bulls playing in Denver as the fourth game in six days, it should not be surprising if Denver plays it’s part as a Circus trip assassin once again. The game in February should be more interesting because by that time we should know what kind of team the Nuggets and Bulls really are.  

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