HE’s BACK

Denverites are used to it by now.  Rockies who? 

Regarding the past few seasons for the Denver Nuggets, much is misperception.   Casual analysis of this squad leads to conclusions that Denver is destined for yet another early exit.   Sure, even a hard-core Nugget fan will admit much about the current core is an enigma. 

You can make a sound argument that the 2007-2008 Nuggets are the most talented team in the NBA.  More importantly however, there is reason to believe that Denver, much like the baseball team there is destined to surprise.

Turmoil, inconsistency and unfortunate circumstances have beset this squad over the past 3 years.  No other team has lost a starter in the first week of the season the last 3 campaigns like Denver has and no other squad has consistently competed like the Nuggets with simliar upheavel.  The team has averaged 46 wins in the last 3 years and during that time span has had more than 30 different starting line-ups, 3 different coaches,  numerous and varying philosophies. 

Consider that Denver managed 45 wins last year after losing Martin in the second game of the year, only getting a half-healthy season from Nene, losing an MVP candidate for 15 games, their best shooter for ten and completely overhauling the point guard position mid-season.  All of this in the mighty West of course.  

Incredibly, the casual observer says that Denver underachieved.  The reason is that the roster has the apperance of an all-star squad.  Denver played like one much of ’07-08.  There is reason to believe that will change as well.

Last year King George emphasized pace in an effort to help maximize the talents of his best player and to avoid the court-spacing nightmare that was the 2006 playoff series against the underrated half-court defense of the Clippers.   Ovbiously heeding to the altitude was secondary justification.   What was lost was defensive identity and effort (Though the numbers indicate that Denver was above average defensively and only adequate offensively, much of that has to do with the style of play). 

This year’s training camp has been the polar opposite.  With Iverson and Anthony, Denver will always be able to score in the half-court.  Unlike last year, the Nuggz head into the opener with more than 4 players who can make a three-point shoot.  Atkins, Smith, Klieza and Wafer will all get their chance to extend the defense and make teams pay for sinking against the aforementioned Iverson-Anthony duo.   No need to speed up the game for that kind of half-court attack.

Now Karl has the athletes to play his gambling, pressure and trapping style of defense without losing focus of his offense.   Much to the chagrin of K-haters, the genetic mutant  Kenyon Martin appears as healthy and springy as he has ever been in a Denver uniform.    A heathy Martin can tenaciously guard the opponent’s best player from 2 to 4.  While Martin is Denver’s best man-defender, he can also shore up Denver’s peremiter defense when they go big.  Nene showed in the Spurs series (much like he did against Minny in 04) that he can be a beast inside when he wants to.   All of that will help keep the pressure of one of the most overrated defenders in the NBA in Marcus Camby, who had better make a rotation in 2007-08.  How Denver plays defensively however will most be attributed to how commited Carmelo Anthony is.   Early indications seem positive that Melo finnaly gets it.   There is no question that when motivated Melo is a superb man defender, highlighted by some brief stints against Kobe, Dirk and T-Mac.  If Melo decides to give the effort on his off-ball movement and awarness his teammates will follow and Denver could be a defensive juggernaut despite it’s poor back-court duo (Atkins Iverson).    Kuba-D, Athony Carter, Bobby Jones, and Najera give Denver great defensive re-enforcements  off the bench.

Denver arguably has the most roster versatility in the NBA (dependent on Crazy George).  They can play big and dominate the boards with Nene, K-mart/Najera Camby/Hunter.  They can play the old- Philly in Iverson philosophy (W/Melo on the bench) with Ivy and a quartet of hustle and defensive minded players. They can play small-ball up-tempo Suns ball Melo at 4 or 5, Wafer, Smith, Klieza Atkins/Iverson/Roberson. They can go with two shot blockers and a couple scorers like Dallas (Hunter and Camby).  Karl is virtually unlimited in how he can attack the opp.  There is no doubt Karl will tinker, but will he obsessively stick with a set hiearchy that limits him? (see Boykins and Blake) Will his bench buy in? The great depth has much downside as up.  

One of many un-revealed secrets heading into this year is the new-found 3 point shot of Anthony.  AS seen in the playoffs and World Championships, if Melo has a respected 3 point shot (he should stroke 35% this year) he is as unstoppable an offensive force in the NBA and that includes the Bean.    The extra 5 feet on his J makes his first step even quicker and his explosiveness at the rim more pronounced.  Reports indicate that Melo’s handle has improved as well as his passing ( avery underrated aspect is his court vision and feel out of the double team), he could be Denver’s second best playmaker on the peremiter. Given his improvements and desire to be an offensive rebounder (a combination of Moses Malone and Shawn Marion according to the Sprus), Melo has a chance to be the best player in the NBA next year. Yeah, I said it.  Of course that is contingent upon his defense.

Bubba-Chuck not only can take over game offensively, but more importantly it’s his leadership that most postively effects Denver.  It’s clear that he has established a great rapport with his team and finnaly gives Denver an identity(tough and can handle all adversity / consistent effort). Iverson can create when it stalls against the best defense and he would have givern Denver a legit chance of upsetting the Spurs if he would have converted his normal % of lay-ups.  Look for Iverson to continue to improve his offensive effieciency, but more importantly he will help Melo and guys like K-mart who feed off an alpha-dog.            

 The biggest ?’s heading are 1) Will the team be defensively commited? Is Wafer for real? Can Klieza and Nene perform like they did in the second half last season?  In which way will the depth go? Can Carmelo play to his potential? Will A.I. play within the team like last year?

         All the elements are apparent for a championship run.  The hunger.  AI  and Camby: vets who want a ring.  Carmelo’s continued desire to be the best, K-mart out to prove the naysayers (always been his motivation) the intra-squad competiton. 

There is finnaly some stability, the chemistry is as good as it has ever been.  Denver is the most dangerous team heading into 2007-08 season but they play in one of the best conferences in NBA history.