30 Teams in 30 Days: Denver Nuggets

2007-08 in Review

Record: 50-32
Western Conference Seed: 8
Playoff Results: Lost to LAL in Western Conference Quarterfinals (4-0)

Summer of 2008

Key Additions: Renaldo Balkman (via trade), Chris Andersen (via free agency), Dahntay Jones (via free agency), Mateen Cleaves.

Key Losses: Marcus Camby (via trade), Eduardo Najera (via free agency), Yakhouba Diawara (via free agency), Bobby Jones (via free agency).

“Haha, shut up.”

“Stop playing around.”

“Are you kidding me?”

That was my reaction in mid-July when I found out that the Denver Nuggets had traded Marcus Camby to the Clippers for the right to swap 2010 second-round draft picks.

I understand that this team was in need of a shake-up or two, and I fully understand the organization’s desire to create future financial flexibility. But giving away a player like Marcus Camby for a figurative bag of Spaldings is inexcusable to the highest degree.

It’s baffling. Hell, the Clippers look like they’ll have a better record than Denver in 2010 as it is, making the right to swap picks moot.

This move demotes Denver’s defense from bad to utterly embarrassing. It lowers the credibility of the men upstairs’ amongst the fans of Colorado even more than it already had been before this deal went down. Most of all, it makes the Nuggets an inferior basketball team.

The club was able to retain J.R. Smith to a multi-year deal, acquire Renaldo Balkman via trade in exchange for Taurean Green and Bobby Jones, and even bring back Chris “Birdman” Anderson. But the subtractions of both Camby and veteran forward Eduardo Najera—who signed with New Jersey—will leave a quite a mark.

These facts, along with the warranted frustration within the team’s fan base, make it difficult for me to classify Denver’s offseason as a positive one.

Depth Chart

C: Nene / Steven Hunter
PF: Kenyon Martin / Chris Andersen
SF: Carmelo Anthony / Linas Kleiza / Renaldo Balkman
SG: Allen Iverson / J.R. Smith / Dahntay Jones / Sonny Seems
PG: Anthony Carter / Chucky Atkins / Mateen Cleaves

Biggest Strength: Offensive Firepower

Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson are two of the most prolific one-on-one scorers in the game, and their combined scoring average of 52.1 points per outing easily led all NBA duos in 2007-08.

These two high-point men can hurt you off the dribble, in transition, in the post, from midrange, at the free-throw line, and can even knock down long balls at a combined 35-percent clip. In other words, they are the total package on the offensive end of the floor.

Add to this tandem a high-flying volume scorer like J.R. Smith, a powerful finisher in Kenyon Martin, fundamentally sound forward Linas Kleiza, and the return of interior beast Nene, and you’ve got yourself one of the most deadly offensive matchups in the league. Last season’s 110.7 points per game average solidifies that notion.

Biggest Weakness: Defense

All right, the Nuggets can score as many points as any other team in the NBA, but the problem is that they can also give up as many points as anyone else in the process. By handing an annual Defensive Player of the Year candidate like Marcus Camby to the Clippers, Denver is now left without an anchor on perhaps the most important end of the floor.

Granted, Camby is more of an active roamer than a lock-down post defender—but that’s saying a hell of a lot more than you can speak of anybody else on this roster.

The 2008-09 Denver Nuggets have the potential to be the absolute worst defensive team in the history of this league, and I’m not trying to exaggerating or cracking an joke by noting that. I’m dead serious. Unless this team goes on to break countless offensive records this coming season, little hope is preserved for the men in baby blue.

X-Factor: Nene

Last year was a “lost season” for Nene, as he battled through the removing of a testicular tumor, and was only able to suit up for 16 regular-season games. However, the Brazilian product is said to have worked hard this past summer, and is ready to accept a larger role in Denver.

As long as he can stay healthy, don’t sleep on the abilities of Nene. As a starter in 42 regular-season games for the Nuggets two seasons ago, the 6’11’’ big man held respectable averages of 14.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per contest, and also tallied 12 double-doubles throughout the 64-game campaign.

Once again, physical wellness is the major factor, but a healthy and motivated Nene can do some damage inside on both ends of the floor. The length and activity of a Marcus Camby cannot be replaced, but getting Nene back would at least help cover up the wound.

What to Expect in 2008-09

By my estimation, another 50-win season is out of the question for Denver. Carmelo can continue preaching the optimism of 60 victories, but unless the ‘Melo man is an avid NBA 2k "Association Mode" fanatic, that’s just not going to happen.

With Northwest Division rivals like Portland and potentially Minnesota expected to exceed their '07-08 records, don’t be surprised if the Nuggets roster finds themselves watching the first round of the 2009 NBA Playoffs from their respective living rooms.

2008-2009 Predictions
Record: 38-44
3rd in Northwest Division
11th in Western Conference

Tomorrow: Detroit Pistons