Maybe this K-Mart will play in ‘08-09The Mile High City is all about change - and that’s not just because it was the host to the Democratic National Convention. After the tumultuous offseason in which Marcus Camby was dealt to the Clippers for a case of beer, the Nuggets were forced to undergo some changes in the way that they play. But it turns out that the team is going above and beyond a “band-aid” for Camby’s absence.
Here are some of the turnarounds that have been reported out of Denver already:
* Nene looks outstanding. After being called out on his work ethic by the coaching staff, Nene has been in the gym five days a week and has never looked better.
* George Karl has asked Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to shoot less. With the Jamaal Tinsley for Chucky Atkins and Steven Hunter trade turning out to be total fluff, we could see AI not only listed at point guard, but actually playing like one. Unfortunately this puts a damper on the possibility of having two 30-point scorers on the same squad.
* George Karl might actually care this season about defense. Perhaps it was just in response to the pervasive criticism after they let Camby walk, but the Nuggets spent their first four days of practice working exclusively on defense.
* Kenyon Martin is putting all of the negativity behind him and channeling his intensity to be the team’s vocal leader.
“I’m healthy, I have no worries, I put all the negativity and everything behind me,” Martin said. “I’m just trying to do things the right way and not come into the season worried if I can play and about minutes. I wipe the slate clean and do everything I can to try to be a leader on this team — which I think we need.”
All in all, could this be a recipe for a talented team to realize their potential?
Source: Denver Post
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October 7th, 2008 at 9:05 am
control says:
Nene will turn up injured. About a week, tops.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:06 am
Rod says:
I wonder how long this is going to last
October 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
yallallreadyknow says:
nene got some disease on his balls….he aint gonna be a factor this season.
this team is the biggest disappointment in the league. all that talent and they just stink up the court.
if they get jamaal tinsley….i could see jr smith bitching about starting (tinsley at point, iverson at two and smith coming off the bench crying). after the season he (smith) had last year…he gonna wanna start.
carmelo anthony is the most overrated player in the nba. i know yall love him, but call a spade a spade. the dude dont wanna play basketball. he just wanna shoot alls the damn time.
and who is going to anchor the defense on this team? i can see this squad winning about 47-52 games, but they aint gonna make the playoffs
October 7th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Sweet English says:
It bugs me when NBA players get props for being in the gym 5 days a week. Basketball is his JOB i don’t get any props for turning up to work every god damn day it’s just something i know i have to do or i get the boot. Nene should have been in the gym at least 5 das a week for his entire disapointing career. And shit, i still find the time to play twice a week and hit the gym twice too. for free. Why is Nene getting props for it?
And get a sirname, fool.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am
karizmatic says:
I would really love to see AI make the transition to an effective point guard. I’ve been advocating this for years, but his mentality hasn’t been right for it. Is it too much to hope it is now?
October 7th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Prof. TX says:
They’re in the West. Maybe they can get lucky and take the 8 seed, but then they’ll get crushed by whatever team has the top spot. With three or four southwest teams getting in, plus the lakers, jazz, and maybe suns, there’s not much space left. Denver is another one of those “they’d get in if they played in the East” teams.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:49 am
nerditry says:
Come on Dime, a group of guys where JR Smith is the freshest legs…are they finally going to realize their potential? I call bullshit on this entire idea.
-George Karl, a man near 60 is going to switch up his defensive mindset after not having one for all these years?
-Allen Iverson is going into his 14th season and now, now he’s going to try being an effective PG?
-K-Mart just flies around the court like Stromile Swift when he doesn’t have a quality PG. As well, it’s his 9th season and the slate’s about worn out with as many time’s he’s cleaned it.
@kariz : Yes, it is. You’ve been hoping for these things for a while now and probably since the 76ers Finals run or even since Iverson came in the league. He probably would have a championship and some more hardware had he averaged 10 assists in a season (also some decent teammates more than twice would have helped).
October 7th, 2008 at 10:15 am
rob stewart says:
Heck no!!! I love A.I. and would love to see Denver flourish, but it ain’t gonna happen. The entire team has over 2 years of poor defensive habits. You can’t chamge that in 1-2 weeks of George Karl lead traning camp. Their roster has gotten worse and the players angrier at management. No Camby, no point guard, no defender, no Hustle player (like Najera), and Melo is not an official superstar in my eyes. I know it doesn’t sound like I like the Nuggets but I really do (A.I. is my favorite). But I have to keep it real.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:30 am
Kobeef says:
I didn’t like the Tinsley trade because I think a lineup with Iverson at point is the best hope this team has.
Iverson can make plays he just needs Karl to stay on he back about taking over the game.
@Dime
You may still have two 30ppg scorers if JR Smith starts and Iverson passes the ball. JR gets buckets when he sees the floor.
@Yall
Nene has the talent and size to be a difference make. He gave Tim Duncan problems in the playoffs two years ago when he was healthy.
Nene is actually a better Center prospect than Camby cause he has the strenght to bang in the low post with the biggest guys in the game - unlike Camby who gets pushed around.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:37 am
loganlight says:
All in all, could this be a recipe for a talented team to realize their potential?
Yes… but it won’t happen this year. The west is too dang good and all it will take is a 3 game losing skid to have Melo crying about not getting his touches.
I’ve said it before, until George Karl leaves, the Nuggets won’t make more than a second round appearance - and that’s generous at best.
LL
October 7th, 2008 at 11:45 am
bullet380 says:
@yallallreadyknow
The Nene comment……that’s cold, bruh
October 7th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Celts Fan says:
No recipe for a team reaching it’s potential starts with, “Let’s deal our only real good defender to save money and get NOTHING back.”
October 7th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
BALLZ says:
sweet english…words of the day.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Jimmhumm says:
@ Yallallreadyknow
That Nene Joke was surpising funny.
The have a good team.
October 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
QuEsT??? says:
i have forced myself into believing that
October 7th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Diego says:
Dump Karl. That cranky SOB generally ends up toxic to his team. Isn’t it about time he makes the transition from head coach to veteran old man assistant coach?
October 7th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Diego says:
…and how many damn turtle necks does that guy own?
October 7th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Jorisc says:
“I wipe the slate clean and do everything I can to try to be a leader on this team — which I think we need.”
What about just doing it instead of talking about it ?
October 7th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
V says:
yallalreadyknow that disease on his balls I’d called cancer! Have a little respect AT LEAST
October 7th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
jr says:
i love the nuggets & tha sixers and i hope A.I. can be a good PG an still get his (pts) he just got to play with in the game an stop forcing shit they’ll be in the playoffs but not for long second round this year
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