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The Baseline Sees All: Denver Nuggets
SportingNews
Elsewhere in our web of basketball knowledge, you'll find comprehensive team previews by experts intimately acquainted with what makes these NBA teams tick, where they've been, and what might be next for them. So why another set of previews? Because sometimes, it's worth listening to your crazy uncle about that broken leg before you take a second trip to the doctor's office.
The Nuggets have worked their way up, not to mention totally become productive members of society. It's too easy and unfair to chalk that up to Allen Iverson's departure. The man spends enough time being a scapegoat; the last place he needs it from is a team that was once seemingly made in his image.
But even if Iverson's time in Denver was just that club's encounter with its darkest side (no, that wasn't racist), there's no mistaking that since he left, the team's been a totally different animal. Sure, there's still swagger, energy and exhilarating craziness to their play. Unlike in past years, though, 2008-09 proved that the Nuggets were 1000% legit. They're serious with a side of nuts, not the other way around.
And yes, it's simplistic to say that everyone buckled down for business when Chauncey Billups came to town. Carmelo Anthony has been fighting a battle with himself over the years and only needed the slightest nudge to step up, play the game on all levels and carry himself like a vet (most of the time, at least). Kenyon Martin's too old to be a thug; now he's a high-flying answer to Oakley. It's on us to recognize and respect that. Nene had some surreal ups and downs over his six seasons in the league, except now all is past, and he's a springy, powerful force around the basket. Nene may not block so many shots, but that's where the Birdman comes in. You know his name and story of redemption.
In the 2008-09, the Nuggets made it to the conference finals, where the Lakers bounced them on their way to the top. No shame in that. This was a major leap for a team that formerly couldn't get out of the first round. And with a team that's got equal parts scoring punch and physical furor, Denver may be a dark horse contender if they can continue to refine their formula. If you even want to call it that.
Most Likely Breakout: Let's go with one perfectly predictable choice, and a long shot. Yes, J.R. Smith belongs in this slot, as he does every year. Smith's on an upward trend, getting more consistent, causing less trouble and even working on his defense and ball-handling. Dahntay Jones, the team's defensive specialist from last year, is gone; so is front office favorite Lina Kleiza, a gunner who refused to use his thick body inside, took minutes from the far more promising Smith, and got a free pass for everything because he was Lithuanian.
Now, J.R. looks to have the starting SG position on lock. Hopefully he'll put on some weight, and it might help everyone involved if his "meet me halfway" deal with George Karl drifted a little more toward the entire team's needs. Listen to me, I sound like a banker. Smith's time will come, and at least now, the opportunity is really there.
Another Nugget to closely observe: UNC rookie Ty Lawson. They had targeted him a year ago, before he pulled out of the draft following some sort of minor car/drinking incident (like, he'd had a beer, was underaged and was in a car. That is a Drew Barrymore movie, if I'm not mistaken). I thought Lawson was good enough to join the likes of Flynn and Jennings as immediate starters, but maybe that would've just been setting him up for some serious Felton-ism.
Instead, he gets to back up Billups, learn from the master, and hopefully spell the aging team leader as he saves his energy for the playoffs. Lawson can push the ball, sink threes and should fit in just fine. At worst, he's a younger, faster, more inventive, less awkward version of Chucky Atkins or Anthony Carter, one of whom is on the Nuggets every year.
Most Likely Letdown: During long stretches of 2008-09, the Nuggets had the league's best record, or at least the best out West. Then came the playoffs, where we saw that this wasn't a transcendent squad, tromping or toying with others, occasionally waiting around for their own fire to catch. The Nuggets, despite their new lease on basketball, are streaky, explosive, emotional and at times stupid. This now fuels a far more respectable machine, but in the playoffs all truths are exposed, and we need to be wary of expecting this team to roll through the spring like anything resembling clockwork.
Then again, the Lakers have Ron Artest to deal with, so maybe the Nuggets end up being trendsetters. All I'm saying is, at any point, all this could implode, leaving Billups shaking his head in disappointment. They just need to figure out how to bounce back quickly and ride again like nothing happened, rather than wallowing and getting defensive. And hope that those watching are equally forgiving.
Blog superstar: James White needs to stick around this roster. He's the most famous American player not in the NBA and could be pure marketing gold on the viral/social media front. Plus, it doesn't seem gimmicky, or require any explanation, to have the former Bearcat hanging around all season. What team, if any, would incubate this guy's pro career just to prove a point? White vs. J.R. in practice would be a great way to raise money for cancer via YouTube.
Signature game: The Lakers eliminated them last season in a clear "separate the men from the boys" series. They play four times this year, and if the Nuggets can come off as worthy opponents, by no means one step behind or consistently outsmarted, it bodes well for Denver as more than just a team that keeps growing. At some point, you grow up, and then it's time to get stuff done.
Why else you should care: Because I don't think I've ever seen a dull Nuggets game in my life.
