Are the Nuggets doomed in 08-09??

Powder Blue · Post #1 » by **Powder Blue** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:09 am

The survey of 25 ESPN experts says ... that the Denver Nuggets are the most likely team to descend into turmoil....

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-3 ... ollow.html

Pretty hard hitting article that rips into all the flaws and situations that could cause the Nuggets to implode this year. Give it a read, while you may not agree realistically it's possible. I know we here on REALGM are usually optimistic about this teams future but if we get off to a slow start it could get nasty.

Post #2 » by **corona** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 3:18 am

DaFan334 · Post #3 » by **DaFan334** » Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:10 pm

Karl should be the fall guy if this year goes to turmoil.... Too much defending him for some reason in that article. And would national media get over the camby deal. He was not helping this team at all by playoff time last year and it was obvious for anyone who watched the games.

realfung · Post #4 » by **realfung** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:36 pm

I think the nuggets. Will not pass first round but to give up iverson then try to find a sidekick to memo. Melo is a better clebrity than a player

realfung · Post #5 » by **realfung** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:38 pm

Iverson must go

RRFB · Post #6 » by **RRFB** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:48 pm

I'm so sick of hearing about how the Camby trade is going to hurt us so much.
I think we're in agreement in that we'll be a better team not only offensively, but defensively as well with a healthy Nene in his place.

Kevlo_911 · Post #7 » by **Kevlo_911** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:04 pm

Send AI back to philly lol

Bukcic3 · Post #8 » by **Bukcic3** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:45 pm

DaFan334 wrote:Karl should be the fall guy if this year goes to turmoil.... Too much defending him for some reason in that article. And would national media get over the camby deal. He was not helping this team at all by playoff time last year and it was obvious for anyone who watched the games.

Thank you! Finally someone that actually watches the games. Camby is not worth his salary. Karl should have been gone by May.
IF i were the nuggets organization, before November i would
1) replace Karl
2) pick up/trade for a good shooter/defender ... a couple million more in tax is not gonna hurt Kroenke for **** sake.
3) Have a solid team meeting to discuss the upcoming season, and get everyone on the same page

ambiglight · Post #9 » by **ambiglight** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 5:39 am

Kind of hard to be positive, with a major piece like AI being a lame duck. Whether the team has the potential to contend, they won't cause its clear that management has already conceded the team needs to be rebuilt. With no expectations from the top, I dont see the team being able to focus. I also think people are underestimating the leadership that camby brought to the team ... i dont really see to many guys on that team with any real credibility as leaders. Like i said AI's a lameduck, nobodys going to listen to him. Melo isnt the leader type. JR is foolish. K-mart might step up...Either way I hope they trade AI to orlando by deadline. Denver could jameer nelson and a couple other worthwhile pieces...

almost famous · Post #10 » by **almost famous** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 7:29 am

We lost Camby and Eddy, but we picked up Balk, Birdman, and Nene (basically).

Nene > Camby

Balk > Eddy

We are fine. We shouldn't do much worse than last season.

And If AI is truly as inspired by Boston as he says, we might actually have a better shot. If AI is willing to sacrifice his career stats for the better of the team, we can really go places.

ambiglight · Post #11 » by **ambiglight** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 8:55 pm

Thats a great hope. But, I really dont see what incentive AI has to fall back this season. He's been a happy camper and good soldier thus far because he believed that denver was putting them in a position to at least compete. While fans think camby was irrelevant, the team knows that a guy recovering from chemotherapy just isnt going to give you 100% so relying nene is definitely a downgrade from camby. At least as far as the players claim to see it. I think AI's going to be extemely distracted. I expect a trade or for AI to get "injured' or for AI to go back to imposing his will on opposing teams, especially if JR doesnt play starter type minutes.

Post #12 » by **The Rebel** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 9:20 pm

ambiglight wrote:Thats a great hope. But, I really dont see what incentive AI has to fall back this season. He's been a happy camper and good soldier thus far because he believed that denver was putting them in a position to at least compete. While fans think camby was irrelevant, the team knows that a guy recovering from chemotherapy just isnt going to give you 100% so relying nene is definitely a downgrade from camby. At least as far as the players claim to see it. I think AI's going to be extemely distracted. I expect a trade or for AI to get "injured' or for AI to go back to imposing his will on opposing teams, especially if JR doesnt play starter type minutes.

So you think that AI is either going to be traded, dog it, fake an injury, or become a worse ballhog because the Nuggets traded Camby? Yet people wonder why I have stated I still do not believe that AI has changed, and yet with this comment you actually agree. The problem I have is that you seem to think it is justified.

as far as the dumping of Camby, while I do wish they would have received some young talent in the deal, this deal does free up some cash to make moves once AI expires which seems to be the plan at this point.

ambiglight · Post #13 » by **ambiglight** » Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:32 pm

I dont think he'll dog it. (He's playing for a contract next year)

But I dont see denver risking him to injury if they know he's going to be traded. I can very well imagine the staff telling him NOT to play through the inevitable "sprain" or "dislocated finger".

Other than that, whether denver fans accept it or not, AI's still the best player on this team.

He's only sublimated his play because he was surrounded by great talent and it was obvious they didnt need him to be the dominant player he was in philly.

Now with Camby gone and all indicators suggesting this team has entered rebuilding mode that context no longer exists.

He has every reason to enjoy the last bit of his career as one of the best players in the NBA.

So no I dont think AI has lost a step or "changed" from a franchise player to a second option. I think he consciously chose to be a second option because that's what the situation required. Now that the situation has changed, he can do what he does best.

Is he "justified"?

Of course.

We are who we are. And nobody should ever second guess being themselves especially when who you are has been the reason for all your success in the first place.

More importantly its not even going to hurt denver because denver isnt trying to contend anyway. Him having a good season especially early on, just makes it easier to trade him. Im surprised you want AI to sacrifice his trade value just to play second fiddle on a team thats rebuilding anyway...

Peanut · Post #14 » by **Peanut** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 6:44 am

Nene>Camby?

Lmfao. If this what we've come to? Overrating players to make ourselves feel better? And are we expecting Nene and Kmart to be healthy for a whole season?

Powder Blue · Post #15 » by **Powder Blue** » Sat Sep 20, 2008 10:51 pm

Peanut wrote:Nene>Camby?

Lmfao. If this what we've come to? Overrating players to make ourselves feel better? And are we expecting Nene and Kmart to be healthy for a whole season?

Touche...

Nene's allged potential > Camby realized potential

Nene's time in Denver < Camby's time in Denver

SnakefromHell · Post #16 » by **SnakefromHell** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:11 am

I think we're gonna be one of the worst teams, not saying that because I hope them to be, but because I have a feeling that's what will happen.

Powder Blue · Post #17 » by **Powder Blue** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:53 am

We still have a squad that can outscore almost anyone on a given night. I'd be shocked if we ended the season under .500 .............but at this point I wouldn't put any money on the nuggets making it out of the first round.

Peanut · Post #18 » by **Peanut** » Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:52 am

Powder Blue wrote:
Peanut wrote:Nene>Camby?

Lmfao. If this what we've come to? Overrating players to make ourselves feel better? And are we expecting Nene and Kmart to be healthy for a whole season?

Touche...

Nene's allged potential > Camby realized potential

Nene's time in Denver < Camby's time in Denver

The word potential should be banned from being used in the same sentence as Nene. What good is potential if he's always hurt. Then y'all get excited over the 2nd half of a season THAT HAPPENED 2 YEARS AGO and think he'll be something great. GET REAL! Can't believe we picked him over Amare.

I see us winning 45 games on the strength of Carmelo/A.I. Thats it.

Ewingfan · Post #19 » by **Ewingfan** » Wed Sep 24, 2008 6:37 pm

45-50 is where I see them. Forget all the negative hype that these writers are selling. I'm not buying it. The only way I see Denver collapsing is if KMART and NENE both go down or A.I or Melo miss significant time due to injury. Playing run and gun in Denver should guarantee another 30 win total at the PEPSI. Last year they won 33 at home. If people really stop and think about it The Road record is what really killed. Its amazing how nobody points that out. Yes defense is a major problem but lets be real they are never going to be a great defensive team. The Home record is the key if they win 28-30 games at home they will be fine. 30 games at home 15 on the road. That's 45 wins. That sounds about right.