To Whom It May Concern:
It has come to my attention that the Denver Nuggets look to make it through another off season where they make no upgrade. Don't tell me stories about Sonny Weems, he won't even make it into the rotation.
I can't believe the Nuggets didn't draft or try to trade for a true point guard. Although Derrick Rose was out of their reach unless they were willing to give up one of their two enigmatic superstars, DJ Augustine and Brandon Rush were within reach for them.
But past that, I think I have a solution for them.
Trade for either Kirk Hinrich, Raymond Felton, or Mike Conley Jr.
All they would have to do to acquire any of these three players is to give up over rated post Marcus Camby.
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Say we got Conley, our starting line up would look something like this:
PG: Mike Conley Jr.
SG: Allen Iverson
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Kenyon Martin
C: Nene Hilario
Now, another solution so the problem would be to break the team apart. We would still make the trade for Conley, then trade Anthony out for a PF like, say, LaMarcus Aldridge, a backup point in Steve Blake, and a second round draft pick.
Iverson on the other hand, along with Kenyon Martin, would be traded to the Sacramento Kings for Ron Artest and a first round draft pick.
That would leave the line up looking something like this. I will also give my projected numbers for each starter.
PG: Mike Conley Jr. 12 ppg, 6 assists.
SG: JR Smith 20 ppg.
SF: Ron Artest 23 ppg.
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge: 18 ppg, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks.
C: Nene Hilario: 8 ppg, 10 rebounds.
Key reserves on this team would be Chucky Atkins and Linas Kleiza.
Even though I think Artest would lead the team in scoring the first year, it would be JR Smith's team in a year. Tell me if you think you either of these lineups would win games.
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about 1 month ago
THE FRANCHISE IS NOT INTERESTED IN WINNING. KARL WILL GO AT THE END OF NEXT YEAR AT THE LATEST-CAN'T COACH DEFENSE AND HAS LOST THE RESPECT OF THE PLAYERS. IVERSON HAS TWO GOOD YEARS IN WHICH HE WILL BE ABLE TO DOMINATE AT TIMES. I FEEL SO BAD FOR HIM..
ANTHONY IS NOT MATURE AND WILL BE HEAD CASE--WORSE IF HE WINS A GOLD IN BEIJING.
WHO PAYS THE FRONT OFFICE EMPLOYEES--THE OWNERS ARE "PLAYING BUSINESSS"--THEY WANT MAKE MONEY BUT NOT LEAD THEIR SECTOR.
WHAT A WASTE.
from about 1 month ago
FRANCHISE NOT INTERESTED IN WINNING....another stupid uniformed remark. The Nuggets and their owner, Stan "blank-check" Kroenke are SERIOUSLY committed to winning and not making money, why else would they be so over the salary cap. Why did they go out an acquire AI in the first place. Your comments are a waste
about 1 month ago
Iverson and Martin for Artest? The numbers are not even close to matching up, besides K-mart's contract makes him the most untradable player in the league. You also suggest trading Anthony for Aldridge, are you smoking crack? Look at your final roster, that team wouldn't win more 40 games. Say what you want about the current team and the beating they took in the playoffs, but they won 50. The only reasonable thing you say is that they should trade Camby for a point gaurd. That is not only the best move they can make it is the only move they can make.
about 1 month ago
Okay you idiots, youtube Chris Lofton who they just picked up!!! He's the all time SEC three point scorer!!
about 1 month ago
The Nuggets are on the right track for the "Win, Now!!" theory and approach.
Which does mean ---stack your team with proven vets!--- however...it's just not working out too well right now.
So, since 'Melo Iversen Camby Martin, are great keys to unlock that path of good fortune, then...
THE NUGGETS NEED TO BRING IN, Sam Cassell!
*He's not staying in Boston
*He knows how to run a team, right into good fortunes
*He knows how to structure the (+) aspects of his game around, OR complimentary to, more celebrated vets on a team
*Unlike Conley, he doesn't ~need months~ to establish his mark/solidify his presence, as integral
*He's a proven winner ---known to change a team's direction--- when he's made their primary PG
*He's preserved, thanks to not playing very much since he guided the Clips to the playoffs, so his age shouldn't be an achilles heel for next season.
*He's one of George Karl's favorites!
Why is he one of Karl's favorites?
Because he's already done the *turn-a-team-around thing* for a quick second, for Karl, during their Milwaukee days.
about 1 month ago
Cassel is a scorer, not much of a defender.
about 1 month ago
Dallas,
Steve Nash is a scorer, and NOT AT ALL a defender, whatsoever.
Plus, Cassell is a scorer, and can run a half-court offense. Something Nash hates to ever even think about doing.
Now, look at what that has gotten Nash, in only one place. Look at what being a scorer or floor general ---whichever is needed that night--- has gotten Cassell...in New Jersy, in Milwaukee, in Clipper land.
It's called *a proven resume* the last time I checked. And it's also, exact-kalackal-ly, what the Nuggets need right now. Plus, there is the intangible that Cassell excels even higher, when playing for a coach that loves him to death and shows extra confidence in him...ala George Karl.
from about 1 month ago
Cassell has been a great player, but at his age he doesn't exactly fit into the long range plans of the Nuggets. He might bring some leadership, but I have faith that the Nuggets will find the right piece to the puzzle....it just might not be this off-season.
about 1 month ago
Why do I keep reading Bleacher Report writers who think Denver is going to trade Melo...it ain't going to happen. Melo has increased his scoring every year, he's one of the top scorers each year and the kid just turned 24. No, I don't like his gangster attitude, but I think the franchise is going to be patience with him a couple of more years.
I agreed with everything Brian wrote. The only real viable trade this off-season might be Camby for a point guard. Chucky Atkins was penciled in to be last years starting point guard, but got hurt. In relief Anthony Carter did a good job. Yes, Aktins is small and I agree that this is still the missing piece, but why is everyone so down on the Nuggets. They have tons of young talent in Melo, JR, Kleiza & Nene. They won 50 games in an extremely competitive western conference and with Nene being out the majority of the year. Obviously AI isn't long term, but what a great foundation of players to build around. There is so much pressure to "win now". I have to compliment Kroenke and the organization for making a huge financial commitment to the franchise. Maybe the AI piece isn't a great fit, but give the team another year and then seriously consider making significant changes. I think George deserves another year.
about 1 month ago
I wsnt suggesting they trade him... i ws saying they cud
about 1 month ago
David,
please realize that you only reinforced my assertion, regarding Cassell. He is more of a "Win, NOW!!" solution, and they can get him for a very economical value, versus what they're going to pay for any long-term solution who's likely not going solidify his presence for another 2-3 years.
Again, Cassell can come in next season, and immediately = a better playoff performance for the Nuggets' org ---let alone regular season--- where a long-term solution could get some experience/while saving Cassell, from time to time, for the playoff run.
It just makes too much sense, to pick him up, since he won't command much loot at this point in time...and will pay dividends, handsomely.
from about 1 month ago
win now solution? Did you see Cassell in the playoffs for Boston?? He was horrible! He didn't help Boston in the playoffs at all. I'd rather have AC than a 50 year old Cassell. The only addition he would make to the nuggets is in his off the court leadership.
As far as trades, I agree... trade camby for pg or younger center, his trade value will never be higher.
That second trade though is the dumbest thing i've ever heard. Melo for Aldridge and Steve Blake??!! Come on, they already turned down billups and tayshaun who would bring way more to the team. David's right, Melo isn't going anywhere.
about 1 month ago
Doc didn't properly use Cassell, until The NBA Finals. Period.
Then, Cassell came in and did exactly what he was asked ---flip, trip, and perplex the Lakers--- keep them off-guard/from establishing any defensive continuity. He even brought some defensive intensity, for a few spells!
He was "role-playing" it extra superbly in the first few away-games. Where he came in/hit them jumpers, for a few minutes, until they could get Eddie House into the game, to disrupt things from a far more different angle of intensity...then, Doc didn't play Cassell in games that he wasn't needed, so to let the youngsters establish their mental toughness for '09 playoffs. That was the plan all along. It kept Sam fresh, and hungry, for next season. He was to retire, now he's not. Doc Rivers looked like a genius, in the Finals.
And Sam, got him another ring, plus kept his resume intact...a resume, proving, he's exactly what Denver needs in order to ---Win, NOW!!
about 1 month ago
yea i guess you're right.....sam is the best flipper, tripper, and perplexer in the league, he's unmatched. And yes, he's definitely the hungriest disrupter out there. Now if only he could play defense and go for more than 6 minutes a game......WOW can you imagine? He'd be unstoppable!
about 1 month ago
***the 'peculiarly silent' types made Steve Nash, quintessential PG to gauge other vet-guards against;
*Sam has 3-rings, Steve Nash has none.
*Sam can plays some defense, Steve Nash plays none, whatsoever.
*Sam can run a half-court offense, Steve Nash has no clue of how to do that.
*Sam can score on anybody in the half-court set, Steve Nash can't, and he mainly only scores off of the 'slow-down' created when transaction traffic is ceasing. When defenders are off balance.
*Sam was brought Boston, to help win a championship. Period.
And that purpose, was mainly for Sam to instill mental-toughness in young guys, from the bench. You should research Coach River's thoughts on Cassell. He said, after the Cavaliers series, "if Sam retires this year and decides to coach? He's got a spot on this bench if he wants it." Period.
Plus throw in what he brought ---on the court--- in Game 1 or Game 2 or Game 3? Against, some team called, the Lakers? Then, Mick my friend, it looks like you have to let covet out of your heart and just accept the uniquely-unmatched positivity that Sam brings, which exceeds just about any other guard you'll ignorantly put before him.
29 days ago
I don't think the Blazers will ever part with LaMarcus Aldridge or Steve Blake, they are part of that loaded young team. Blake and Pryzbilla are the oldest on the team, and Pritchard will not part with them because he and Nate McMillan desire veterans to help the youngest.
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