A Duke Blue Devil, one of the best perimeter defenders in the country, a slasher, and a threat in the passing lanes. Who is it? Here's a hint, its not Greg Paulus.
The player is Demarcus Nelson.
Nelson had career highs in points, assists, field goal percentage, and steals in his senior season at Duke and helped them maintain NCAA Tournament berths in each of his four seasons.
In his senior season, Demarcus Nelson averaged 14.5 PPG, 2.9 APG, 5.8 RPG, and1.6 SPG.
Look who he has defended in their recent season
Held Sam Young to 17 points
Held Stephon Curry to 20 points
Held Wayne Ellington to 8 points on 3-14 shooting
After being eliminated early in the tournament, he declared for the 2008 NBA Draft and is valued as a bottom 1st-Early 2nd round pick.
Well the Nuggets have the 20th pick.
Here are reasons why he would be a great match in Denver
1. He's hardnosed and a good perimeter defender. Nelson is also extremely versatile and can guard positions 1-4 with ease. Demarcus will become invaluable when called upon to defend a Kobe Bryant or a Manu Ginobili in the playoffs.
2. He's a replacement for J.R. Smith and brings size that Smith does not have. Demarcus has a compact put together body that somewhat resembles a linebacker while J.R.'s is far more leaner. In the Nuggets-Lakers series, Bryant is able to back down Smith and have his way with him on the post, Nelson would not allow it and can throw his weight around.
3. #21 is a great rebounder for a guard, 12 times pulling more then 7+ rebounds in the 2007-08 season. Currently, Denver is a terrible defensive team and a extra hand on the glass will take pressure off of Marcus Camby and create 2nd chance shots for Carmelo and Iverson.
4. Another player like Michael Flowers, who Denver Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke and coach George Karl can select to at least mask the pain of not trading for Ron Artest. Bottomline, Nelson will flourish as being the team's premiere defender and will adapt to the high altitude and fast pace tempo in Denver.
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5 months ago
You really need to do your research. Demarcus nelson is 6'4. How can he guard positions 1-4? Jr Smith is 6'6 so he is clearly bigger. Kobe would destroy him and so would just about every other allstar guard. Jr would destroy him. He is a second rounder at best but I do like his game. Are you a relative or something if so than I understand.
from 5 months ago
Actually, if you read it correctly I said Nelson was 6-4.
2ndly I mentioned how Nelson's weight is to his advantage over J.R. Smith's.
5 months ago
I've looked at several mock drafts and player rankings and I haven't seen DeMarcus Nelson's name anywhere. He wasn't even in Chad Ford's Top 100. I'm as big of a Duke fan as any but to say Nelson will be an impact player in the NBA is crazy. He is an excellent rebounder and can get to the basket but is an inconsistent shooter and is far, far from being the lockdown defender you claim.
from 5 months ago
I never said Demarcus Nelson was a impact player. What I said was thar Demarcus Nelson could give the Nuggets a much needed boost on the defensive side and would be a nice fit there.
5 months ago
DeMarcus didn't really "declare." He was a senior this year. He'll be an undersized NBA player and a "tweener" since he can't run the point and isn't really a shooting guard. If he gets drafted, it should be late in the second half.
from 5 months ago
Unfortuanelty, the Nuggets don't have a 2nd round pick. Nelson may be converted to a point guard or stay a scrappy SG/SF. Nonetheless, he maybe the best suited player left in the draft, when Denver is on the board.
5 months ago
I find it hard to believe that Nelson will,be in the NBA EVER. He is a poor perimeter shooter, undersized for anything except a point guard and no point guard skills. He disappeared in the NCAA tournament, yet showed an inability to make good decisions at crunch time. He has gotten a great deal of ink because he is a dookie, but his best bet to play post Duke, is in Europe. I always felt that he was vastly overrated.
5 months ago
Sean, if you mean Nelson as the possible best available at No. 20, you're mistaken. No way Nelson is a first-rounder, let along SG/SF at the next level.
from 5 months ago
The best available that would fit in the Nuggets scheme.
5 months ago
Is that what you're saying? Nelson will/might be the best available at No. 20 that fits the Nuggets' scheme?
3 months ago
first of all NELSON is one of my friends from school. and he is an awesome ball player!! h will do great in the NBA. i went to highschool with the man. he is very determined!!! GO HEAD MARQY!!!!!
USMC
JOE FAIRGOOD!!
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