Making The Cut: Denver Nuggets
Who gets to play with ‘Melo?With NBA training camps wrapping up, it’s time to see who makes the cut and who hits the waiver wire. We just talked about who will be rockin’ the white and green in Boston this season, but what about the white and powder blue? Out in the Mile High City, the backcourt is crowded and with big names learning George Karl’s system this October, it will be interesting to see who’s in and who’s out.
Untouchables
For the Nuggets, there are a few guys that aren’t going to lose sleep over the day of reckoning. Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Nenê and J.R. Smith are all locks. So now we’re down to 10 empty roster spots.
Not Going Anywhere
Even though Chucky Atkins is hurt, he’s slated to be the Nuggets’ starting PG on opening night. Until he returns, Anthony Carter has that spot on lock and will most likely be Atkins’ backup this season. Another guy that shouldn’t be worried is Linas Kleiza – a guy who’s established himself as a solid guy off the bench. In terms of money, it’s hard to see Steven Hunter (who’s on the hook for over $7 million for the next two seasons) leaving town either. That leaves us with six empty spots.
In Limbo
This next group of guys may not be the most talented of the rest, but Karl likes them and they fit into the system. This group includes Chris “Birdman” Andersen, ex-Knick Renaldo Balkman and vet Juwan Howard. I’d even throw Dahntay Jones in this group who got the start the other night. Down to two spots left.
Most Likely Out
With six guys left and two spots available, it comes down to money and position. Although there’s a logjam at shooting guard with Iverson, Smith and Jones, I doubt the Nuggets part ways with rookie Sonny Weems who despite being injured has tremendous potential.
That leaves us with one. Choosing between Mateen Cleaves, Nick Fazekas, James Mays, Smush Parker, Ruben Patterson I feel the Nuggets – despite character issues – have to go with the self-proclaimed Kobe-stopper Patterson. While I would love to see Cleaves end up on the roster, Patterson has the most versatility of this group with the ability to play more than one position.
Who is and who isn’t going to make the cut to 15?
October 15th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Big Sia says:
Hide the baby sitter
October 15th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Gerard says:
lol, ^killed it
October 15th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
Why wouldn’t opening night starters be:
Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Nenê and J.R. Smith
I say cut Dahanty Jones and Smush Parker
October 15th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
nick says:
i say smush makes the squad even with his character issues. cleaves as much as i hope he makes it just doesn’t seem to be made for the nba. he is more of a training camp filler at this point.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Brown says:
Aron you nailed it. The last spot has to go to Patterson. I’m not sure any team needs guys like Cleaves, Fazekas, Mays and Parker.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
QuEsT??? says:
omg i dint even realized they signed smush parker. the only one there that should get that last spot is ruben patterson. hes a decent ball player although he is a head case.
October 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
C Burner says:
Damn, Nick Fazekas was hyped pretty big coming into the L, now he’s looking at being cut by a team in need of size..
October 15th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
doc says:
Get Mateen out of there he aint did shit since Mich St.The potential are upside in him is dead.
October 15th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
karizmatic says:
I think they keep Fazekas, they need to keep Smush Parker too. I know he has character issues but when AI is your 2 you need size at the point
I haven’t seen anything of Birdman that indicates he’s going to do anything he needs to go. Juwan Howard needs to go. They need to seriously consider getting rid of Sonny Weems. In that case keep Smush and Fazekas and let Patterson and Birdman fight it out for the last spot…if Karl likes Birdman that leaves Patterson without a team.
October 15th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
the rocket cat says:
Juwan Howard should not still be in the league. He wasn’t that good when he was “good”. Now that he’s past his prime, he’s just plain bad.
October 16th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Aron says:
@Drink the Haterade
The reason they can’t start JR is because Karl like’s to play AI at the 2 spot. They need a true PG to allow him to slide over.
October 23rd, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Aron says:
Looks like they cut them all…
Denver waives Mateen Cleaves, Nick Fazekas, James Mays, Smush Parker and Ruben Patterson.