First Thoughts
Writing about the Nuggets has been one of the hardest things to do since the end of the basketball season. A promising Nuggets team during the regular season turned out to be very disappointing once the playoffs started. Yes, the Nuggets beat the Spurs in the first game of the series, but the game itself was not one of the best games the Nuggets played, but they did figure out how to beat a good team in a tough way. That, of course, did not last long, losing the next four games to be beaten out of the playoffs by the Spurs yet again. I want to blame the referees, but that is useless. I want to blame the commissioner, but that is impossible. Most of all I want to blame the coach and that is much easier. Out of all the teams that made the playoffs in the West, George Karl is by far the most incompetent of them all. I have to admit that Avery Johnson did one of the worst playoff coaching jobs in the history of basketball, but I still believe George Karl had a better team to play with anyway. I love watching a coach who sits on the bench, in his nice comfy chair, while his team runs the team. I always thought you hired a coach so he could control the team, but not George Karl. I also love a coach who not just throws, but openly chucks one of his players under the bus. If you have a problem with a member of the team don’t go and complain to the media, tell him to his face and let the media figure it out for themselves. I know J.R. has a little bit of an attitude problem, but young players have a tough time handling something like that, it was just a bad coaching move on his part.
All this built up anger and hatred has a cure, though, the dawn of a new season. It’s a fresh start in a world that doesn’t have many. So now I can clear my head and write positively about the team I love, in the city I love.
The recent acquisition of Chucky Atkins has helped me calm a little as well. It released some of my built up readiness to sign a shooter. Don’t get me wrong J.R. is a great outside shooter, but his shot selection along with his attitude is questionable, not to mention the recent loss his has to suffer with throughout the rest of his life. It is his time to decide whether he wants to grow from this tragedy, or let it haunt him for the remainder of his career. So with his mental game in question, the signing of Atkins was a great leap forward toward a championship coming to Colorado. I can’t believe I just said that, but I really do believe that it can happen. A few things would have to drop into place for that to happen, such as the revival of Kenyon Martin, the restructure of J.R., the confidence rebuilding of Kleiza, and the coming together of a great group of talent. Can the Nuggets play defense? Of course they can. Any team in the NBA can play defense, it’s all about passion and the willingness to try that one percent harder than the other guy. Can Carmelo and AI share the same ball on the same court on the same night? Definitely. It worked last year better than most people thought, and with a whole offseason to work together, their bond will be stronger than ever. Last, can the young players, like J.R., Kleiza, Yakhouba, and even Von Wafer have a positive effect on this season? That question is a little harder to answer. Kleiza grew so much last year, just to see it all fall apart in the playoffs. Hopefully he can regain his swagger, and start shooting the tre’ again. Yakhouba and Wafer will not see much playing time, but they could end up being a huge part, especially if the injury bug happens to visit the Mile High City. And J.R. will come back a grown up, and will have his best season yet. I don’t care how he does it, or how much it hurts his pride, George Karl needs to get over himself and play this young man. He has as much talent has Melo or AI; he just needs a little guidance George.
Anger is subsiding, hatred fading, and happiness and excitement returning. It must be getting closer to another Nuggets season. But hey, I have the whole season to get that anger back, so beware because the Nuggets always find a way to make me upset.
Good starting article. And way to admit that Avery Johnson blew a favorable playoff matchup worse than George Karl did. I think Karl deserves one more season to see if he can manage this very young very fiery team. There are few teams in the league with as much young talent as the Nuggets, and it’s not an easy job to get that kind of talent to play consistent team ball. Here’s some sunny news for Nuggetland. A quote from SI’s Truth and Rumors.
“Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is promising that his troubles of the past are a thing of the past and he is more mature. His focus is on becoming a great NBA player, an outstanding father and a role model. “I’m introducing the new Melo. I’m a new person. A new attitude. A businessman now. I’m happy. I probably tell you this every year, but I’m more happy than I’ve ever been. It’s nothing in general. It’s just life, period. I don’t know why. I just woke up one day and felt this way, somehow.” “No more drama, baby. No more drama for me. I’m done with it.”
Just a few things:
1. I noticed you didn’t mention anything on Marcus Camby. Has your hatred subsided or is it just to great to cover in a couple fleeting sentences? I expect an article praising or damning Camby by the end of the week.
2. Chucky Atkins was necessity. His APG and RPG needs to go up. He also needs to drive to the hoop more, as the few times I watched him last season he was almost exclusively pass first. Long story short, I’ll believe it when I see it.
3. J. R. does not have as much talent as Melo or A.I. A.I. is a Hall of Famer and Melo probably will be in about 5 years. J. R. will not make the HOF. Melo beats everyone one on one. A. I. charges in against certain death and walks away with 2 points and a FT. J. R. is a 3rd shooter who benifits from the fact that shooters 1 and 2 must be double teamed at all times. Nothing against J. R., his outside shot is beautiful and he has a great move to the hoop. If he learns better defence and how to pass he will be a point guard of the Cassell varity. But comparing J. R. to Melo or A. I. is like comparing ground chuck to Filet Migon or New York Strip.
4. Ian, I’ve heard this before from Melo, and, once again, I’ll believe it when I see it.
You think the Nuggets are frustrating… I spent the last 20 years living in trailblazers territory. Now that will make you want to gouge your eyes out with a dull garden tool.
I’m curious to see what the Nuggets will do, because with Oden and Durant landing in their division, Portland and Seattle, though not guaranteed to be good, have the opportunity to develop excellent long-term success, and the Nuggets could be left in the cold if they don’t make a strong move now, and then think hard about the future and what/who it holds.