Iverson’s toughness is well documented, but he was so flustered by San Antonio’s defense that he missed practically every layup and short jumper he attempted in the Nuggets' first-round loss.
Camby may be a great help-side shot blocker, but he can be roughed around in the post by bigger, stronger opponents, and his hunger for blocked shots often leaves him so far out of position that simple drives and dishes can lead to opposing dunks.
Camby and Steven Hunter have no chance to defend the stronger post players in the league, and Nene is too injury-prone to be relied upon.
Many think that Kenyon Martin can help solve the Nuggets' toughness problem. The same Kenyon Martin whose only skills involve running, dunking, and yelling? The same Kenyon Martin who’s a lion at home but a poodle on the road? The same Kenyon Martin who’ll bully the ugly kid sisters of the league, but who when matched up against prime competition will cower on the bench?
When the season starts, it seems almost certain that K-Mart will retake his customary spot on the injured list.
And unfortunately for Nuggets fans, when the season progresses into June, the Nuggets will retake their customary spots in front of their TVs.
3) Seattle Supersonics
Amidst all the turmoil surrounding the Sonics, this much is certain: There won't be any playoff berth this season.
But that doesn’t mean the future isn’t promising.
If Kevin Durant is the once-in-a-generation scorer and rebounder he’s projected to be, he’ll have every opportunity to showcase his talents, learn from his mistakes, and develop his game in order to be a force in the league.
Durant is still woefully thin, but a year of grinding, combined with the diet and weight regimens administered by Seattle's training staff, should allow the youngster to greatly increase his physical capabilities.
He already has the leaping ability to be a fantastic rebounder. Now it’s just about developing his body, and learning the proper techniques.
Scoring shouldn’t be an issue; Durant's already projected to become a 20-PPG scorer. The only question is how he'll get his points.
Will he earn them by successfully attacking the rim? Or because of his lack of strength, will he be unsuccessful or unwilling to score tough points in the paint? Will he become strictly a jump-shooter? Can he play without the ball? Can he pass? Can he learn how to attack in complicated sets?
He’ll have an entire year to figure these things out.
As for the rest of the roster, Luke Ridnour is smart enough to know how to run an offense, and athletic enough to get to the basket and to knock down jumpers. Earl Watson is a much better defender and open-court player than Ridnour, but much less effective in a half-court setting.
Delonte West, Mickael Gelabale, Damien Wilkins, and Jeff Green are all youngsters who’ll vie for the wing spots when Durant isn’t playing the three.
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