Mid -Season Player Grades

[Vietbrah]

Now that we're at the mid way point of the season, what grades would you give each player based on their play and give a description.

[eathy]

thought i'll have a go.... tear it down all u want.

Chauncey Billups, A
There's a reason why this team has gone from a team that was struggling to make the #8 seed to division champs level (/jinx) and it's because of this man. Added basically what we've needed for a long time in leadership, a top tier PG, someone who can shoot the 3, someone who has been there and won it, and a new motion in offense.

Nene, A-
Leading the league in FG%, has improved his midrange jumper and free-throws, and plays very good defense. Hell he needs more touches on offense. Would be an All-star player if he got more boards. Comeback player of the year.

Kenyon Martin, B+
The same old Kenyon as last season who plays great defense and scores efficiently... except this season he also has improved his midrange jumper somewhat, and is also shooting a few 3s and there as well.

Carmelo Anthony, B
Has been cursed with injuries thus far, hence why he's not scoring as he used to. Still our best player, and he makes up for it with his energy and effort that he provides and tries on defense now. Improved his rebounding as well. Probably doesn't deserve to be an All-Star this season.

JR Smith, B
Has improved in his shot selection and defense... and is rewarded by more minutes from Karl and even a few starting spots when Melo is out. Still makes those occasional dumb plays, but at least he's not in the doghouse anymore.

Chris Andersen, B
Leads the league in blocks per 48 minutes... Marcus who? Has become a very serviceable backup center who brings lots of energy off the bench. Basically a Camby clone without the constant need to take a midrange jumper.

Linas Kleiza, B
Started off the season like shithouse, where he was jacking shots and bricking them at a high rate. Has improved each month and his shots in the past few games have been falling. Obviously still only can do 2 things on offense, which is sit in one spot, receive the ball and shoot the 3; or attack the ring with his right hand. Has however improved a lot on D this year.

Renaldo Balkman, B-
He needs more minutes. A very smart player who plays good defense, knows what shots not to take, and dramatically improved his midrange shot this season. Too bad he only plays when KMart is out or if it's garbage time.

Dahntay Jones, C-
Ok... he plays hardnosed physical agressive defense, and is quite a good shot blocker for a guard. Still he does not warrant a starting position, and should be coming off the bench. He is very limited on offense where the only thing he could do is slash, and shoot the occasional midrange jumpers.. he also seems to never pass the ball.

Anthony Carter, D+
****... terrible player. Cannot shoot the ball, cannot run the PG spot, only plays good in 5 minute spurts, and his turnovers and passing to opposition players always seem to be remembered. Waay too overplayed, and wouldn't be in many (if any) Nuggets fans rotations i would think. Very lucky to have Karl as coach. Ok he does play decent defense for his size and does nail those clutch FTs.

everyone else don't play enough to warrant a grade.

[eslr]

I'd give Birdman/Cauncey/Nene A's and pretty much the rest of the team a B or B-.

[el loco]

You guys are always ready to take a cheap shot at AC, but he has been playing well as a backup pg for us this season. I agree that too much is a bad thing, but I don't mind him the way he is being used. I will give AC a C+

Billups A- His shooting percentage keeps him from a solid A IMO

Nene B+ He plays good for 3 or 4 games and then disappears in a game or two and his rebound could be better

Melo B Scoring is down, fg% is down, but he has shown some improvement in other areas

D. Jones D- The guy is no starter, he has no handle, he misses dunks/layups and the other team cheats off of him every-time he is on the floor.

KMart B He needs to rebound better and at times he settles for too many jumpshots

Kleiza C He is still pretty one dimensional in his abilities

JR B Probably more of a C+, but I like him and he has improved his game in other areas this season, he passes well, and is playing a lot better defense

Birdman A- IMO he has been the most pleasant surprise for the team this season, he rebounds well, blocks shots at an alarming rate, moves without the basketball, finishes strong around the basket and he knocks down his free throws well for a big man.

Balkman B He has looked good in limited minutes

[denvers_finest]

You guys are always ready to take a cheap shot at AC, but he has been playing well as a backup pg for us this season. I agree that too much is a bad thing, but I don't mind him the way he is being used. I will give AC a C+

Agreed. AC gets a bad rap. I think most of it stems from him being over used last year. But he is playing more of a backup point guard role this year, and has done a fairly good job at it. Yeah, Karl plays him too much with Billups, but thats not really his fault. I like what AC bring to this team off the bench, and its nice to know we have an insurance policy for Chancey. We could do alot worse with a backup PG than AC.