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2009-10 NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets

By Dannie on | From reclinergm.com

Carmelo and Chauncey

See all 2010 NBA team previews

Denver Nuggets

2008-09 Record: 54-28

Anticipated Starting Five

PG- Chauncey Billups
SG- J.R. Smith
SF- Carmelo Anthony
PF- Kenyon Martin
C- Nene Hilario

Key Reserves: Anthony Carter, Ty Lawson, Aaron Afflalo, Chris Anderson, Johan Petro

Biggest Strength: Chauncey Billups

We know about their potent offense. We saw them play improved defense last season. And we saw them play with more consistently. All that can be directly attributed to the arrival of Billups.

He came in and immediately established himself as the leader and got everyone to buy-in to playing winning basketball every game. Without him this team is the same dysfunctional mess of talent from years past.

Biggest Weakness: Bench Scoring

Look at those reserves above. They have no proven offensive player off the bench. Lawson has potential but I doubt a playoff team and faux contender will rely heavily on a rookie. As it stands right now George Karl’s ability to blend reserves with his starters will be the critical.

This could change in the coming weeks. Denver has been linked to Flip Murray, Desmond Mason and Wally Szczerbiak.

Key Player: J.R. Smith

It’s assumed J.R. will step into the starting rotation this season with Dahntay Jones gone. That means Smith has two critical roles. Solid defense on the wing and increased scoring with Linas Kleiza also gone. I have very little concern about this kids offense. He is an awesome talent athletically and an explosive shooter. The concern is whether or not Smith will devote the same attention and effort he has when jacking up threes to his defense. If he doesn’t, don’t be surprised if you see Aaron Afflalo take over Dahntay Jones defensive pest stopper role in the starting line-up. Afflalo is in Denver because he got a glowing referral from Billups that will go a long way with George Karl when consider minutes.

Biggest Question: Will Ty Lawson make Sixers’ fans angry?

I’m pretty confident that ReclinerGM was home to the most passionate Sixers draft debate on the internet this year. And the main part of that debate was which PG the Sixers should pick. Eric Maynor? Ty Lawson? Jeff Teague? Maybe even Brandon Jennings would drop. The near unanimous choice of the readers (and the 2 bloggers) though, was Ty Lawson.

Lawson was dominant in the NCAA’s with a ridiculous 34 / 7 Assist/TO ratio while scoring 20 ppg on 50% shooting from the field and 50% shooting from 3. He’s quick, smart with the ball, and can score. And he was there when the Sixers picked. We all know what happened then, and it very well may turn out for the best, but I know I, and many other Sixers fans, will be comparing Ty Lawson and Jrue Holiday for many seasons to come.

Best Individual Season of All-Time: Spencer Haywood, 1969-70

30.0 PPG, 19.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 49.3 FG%

For the record, this was an ABA season, but still the Nuggets franchise. The only other players in basketball history with 30+ PPG, 19+ RPG and 2+ APG were Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor and Walt Bellamy. The difference with Haywood season? He was a rookie, and only 20 years old. He won the rookie of the year and MVP award while setting ABA records that still stand for rebounds per game and field goals made in a season. Haywood was a dominant player until he was about 26 when he began to decline fairly quickly.

Pete’s 2010 Outlook: 2nd place, Northwest division / 6th place, Western conference / 9th place, NBA

The Nuggets looked so good after the acquisition of Chauncey Billups that they really looked like they might go ahead and win the NBA Title. That means they will come into this season with huge expectations, but I see them falling short of them. I have 2 reasons for a drop. First, is that they lost their 2 best players off the bench in Linas Kleiza and Dahntay Jones. Jones was replaced by Aaron Afflalo, Kleiza was not replaced. Any injuries to this team would be a big problem as they have very little depth. The 2nd reason is I just have to see another season of high energy production from Nene Hilario (and to an extent, Kenyon Martin) before I’m a believer. Nene has been so hit or miss, both on the court and with injuries, that it’s hard for me to count on another great year. If they stay healthy, Nene stays the course and Ty Lawson makes an impact, they could be very, very good – but for now I have them at 6th in the West and a tough out in the first round.

Dannie’s 2010 Outlook: 1st place, Northwest division / 3rd place, Western conference / 6th place, NBA

I differ in my opinion of this team for one reason – Chauncey Billups. I can not say enough good things about this guy. He plays the game the right way but what’s more impressive is his ability to coach, lead and motivate his team to play the right way as well.

I am looking for Nene to continue to play to his potential now that he proved he can be healthy for an entire season. Remember the Denver Nuggets won 54 games last year with Carmelo missing 16 games, K-Mart missing 16 games and Chris Anderson missing 10. Denver is a fringe contender right now that can be a real contender out West with the addition of two more solid reserves.