Nuggets Pre-Draft Summit

[APerna]

It's time for the annual Pre-Draft Summit, led by myself (Andrew Perna). The pieces will be turned into articles, and will be part of a three-pronged attack of draft coverage on RealGM.

Thanks in advance for the answers, and please remember to try keeping the answers as tight and concise as possible.


1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 34th pick?


Thanks for taking the time, and contributing answers. We appreciate that you all help make RealGM what it is today!

[JRMelo15]

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?

The Nuggets were probably a decent back-up PG or a good post-up big away from making the finals. Better rotations should have been used by Karl, particularly limiting Anthony Carter's minutes, he could not guard Kobe or limit his turnovers.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

The defense was finally there with the addition of Billups. The players started playing aggressively on defense and the Nuggets lead the league in Steals/Blocks combined with 14.7 per game. JR stared playing smarter basketball, which led him to be one of the top candidates for 6th Player Award.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Chris Andersen's energy off the bench was huge, especially in the playoffs. He lead the league in blocks per 48 minutes. JR Smith played a big role off the bench, as well, putting up big numbers and lighting it up from the 3. Carmelo was the most effective player, scoring 22.8 per game and was second on the team in rebounds with 6.8 per game.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?

Linas Kleiza was nonexistent the entire season. After a big season last year, all of his stats dropped. His FG%, 3 PT%, FT% and his PPG decreased. Couldn't make a lot of simple plays and missed the wide open jumpers on constant basis. Anthony Carter wasn't a back-up PG that the team was looking for him to be, he constantly turned the ball over in a lot of games.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

I'm pretty confident that they will make some right moves tomake us better. Considering that Warkentien won the Executive of the Year for getting us close to the cap and getting Chauncey to turn our team completely around, I think they will get us the players needed to push the Lakers for the West once again.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

A back-up PG that could develop into a starting one under Billups' guidance or a strong big coming off the bench that can play in the post.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 34th pick?

Danny Green, Patrick Mills, or Darren Collison.

[Meloshow]

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?

Probably needed a few more pieces. A 7 footer who can defend and hit the open shot would have been hugely beneficial to us against the Lakers who sport two 7 footers to our none.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?

Our offensive efficiency. It was good last season but it was a step above that. Carmelo took smarter shots, JR wasn't so out of control and really took his game to another level, Nene and Kenyon chipped in when needed and Billups found himself open from the perimeter numerous times due to the attention garnered by Melo.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?

Nene. He has battled through all sorts of setbacks and really came out and played determined basketball from day one. He had the second highest FG% in the league, gave us a legitimate option inside and rebounded the rock very well.

4. Who had a surpisingly ineffective season?

Linas Kleiza. There was a bit of turmoil before the opening tip off of the season as to whether we extended Kleiza's contract. The front office ended up holding off and didn't give him one which may have somewhat thrown him off a bit. His 3 point% dropped as did his overall points. The season before last, along with JR, he was our most prolific scorer off the bench. That just hasn't been the case this season and he just hasn't been consistent enough overall.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?

Somewhat confident. Anthony Carer, Dahntay Jones, Chris Andersen and Jason Hart as unrestricted and Linas Kleiza and Johan Petro as restricted. Like many other Nuggets fans, we can't think of anything worse then bringing back Anthony Carter. However I think Karl will push for him to be re-instated and we'll see him turning the ball over and jacking up contested shots all over again next season. I think they'll re-sign Birdman as well as DJ which helps hugely defensively. Kleiza could accept the qualifying offer and be a unrestricted FA next season, but we'll wait and see. We don't have a lot of cap-space to work with but I think the Front office will make some tough, but good decisions that are in the best interest of the team.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?

A super-quick PG or a big 7 footer. The latter I highly doubt we'll find in the draft so I think a PG that can handle the ball and can score off the bench will be extremely beneficial to the team.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 34th pick?

Patrick Mills. He has lead St Mary's to 28-7 and missed games with a now healed broken hand. He is one of the quickest players in the draft and can score very well.

[eathy]

1. What could the team have done different to advance further in playoffs?
Couldn't really have done anything different... maybe play Renaldo Balkman and Jason Hart (over AC) more.

2. Where were the team’s biggest strengths?
Depth/talent. Our bench was surprisingly pretty good as well.

3. Who had a surprisingly effective season?
The Birdman by a mile. When i heard Nene was fit and not overweight, I knew he'd be effective.

4. Who had a surprisingly ineffective season?
Kleiza... though it wasn't really surprising.

5. How confident are you in the front office heading into the offseason?
They've been good last season, so yeah I'm confident.

6. What are the team’s biggest needs in the draft?
A young PG under Billups wing. Preferably one that can shoot.

7. Who would you like your team to select with the 34th pick?
Patrick Mills-Jack McClinton-Danny Green in that order. I believe one of the 3 will be available by then.

[Gogo Babaroga]

Victor Claver is best player that we can get!

[EMB6903]

(sorry I didnt answer the questions)

Im just wondering why everybody thinks Patty Mills in the 2nd round is a realistic pick?

There is no way he falls that far.