Welcome back Carter?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jul 7, 2008 12:33 PM MDT

The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Tomasson is reporting that the Nuggets are likely re-signing Anthony "A.C." Carter to a one-year deal. Readers of this blog know that while I'm not a proponent of having Carter be the team's starting point guard, I have to defend the guy for giving a workmanlike effort every time he plays. For his paltry $1 million salary, he gives more effort than anyone on the team not named Iverson or Najera. And at the end of the day, its not A.C.'s fault that coach George Karl allots him so many minutes. What's he supposed to say: "Uh, no thanks, coach, I'm gonna sit this one out"?

Meanwhile, a lot of Denver Stiffs readers were advocating a sign and/or trade for the Bulls' Chris Duhon as the Nuggets possible starting point guard. I've never liked Duhon's game (6.9 ppg, 4.5 apg and a ghastly 38.7 career shooting percentage) as anything more than a backup point guard. And now that the Knicks have grossly overpaid him (rumored to be their full midlevel exemption of $6 million per season for two years), I'm convinced that Isiah Thomas is still running their organization. I mean, Donnie, come on, you're kidding, right? You're better than that!

So say what you want about A.C., but I'd much rather have his 7.8 ppg, 5.5 apg and 45.8 FG% (on the Nuggets last season) for $1.26 million than Duhon's nominal (at best) production for $6 million.

While we're at it, does anyone have Duhon's agent's number? I'd like to hire that guy to get DenverStiffs.com some more business!

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if ac works on his jumpshot and could hit a open 10 to 15 foot jump shot he will be a good sign for a million and we still havent seen nene or chucky healthy yet so if the nuggets stay healthy we have a chance

by young boi on Jul 7, 2008 1:13 PM MDT reply actions

I've never disliked him at the point position. We could have someone better maybe a bit younger and faster, but it's the Nuggs. Let's just hope he stays healthy long enough for his hustle to become a trend for others to follow. AI and Najara are exempt.

by Dustin on Jul 7, 2008 1:43 PM MDT reply actions

The fact of the matter is unless we have a PG in the 6'4 to 6'6 range, there will be little difference. Regardless of who we bring in, we are going to be outmatched on defense 90% of the time having two guards under 6'4.
Chucky Atkins, Duhon and Carter are not going to help us with the match-up problem we have and will be prone to face over and over again.

by Anonymous on Jul 7, 2008 1:49 PM MDT reply actions

So the #8 seed goes out and resigns AC as it's biggest move of the off=season...

I sincerely hope that by basically standing pat with what we have doesn't automatically make us the #10 team in the league, with LA Clippers moving in on our "one and done" turf, and the Trailblazers also looking significantly better next year with a good draft and not to mention some guy named Oden most likely 100% healthy.

NO, LAL, SA, DAL, HOU, UT, PHX. Those were last years playoff teams besides us. DAL looks to be probably the only team to potentially fall out of that list and hell, there could even be another NO or POR team that comes outta nowhere this year, as there is seemingly every year, so who knows where we fall. Watch the damn T-Wolves go on a tear this year!

I like our chances against a lot of these teams, but the problem with wishful thinking, is that I said the same thing last year, and probably the year before, only to be disappointed every time with underachieving.

by Eric on Jul 7, 2008 2:45 PM MDT reply actions

Never thought I'd say this... But bring in Smush Parker! Least he's big :)

by Anonymous on Jul 7, 2008 6:15 PM MDT reply actions

Anonymous hit it right on the head. The problem is having a starting back court both at 6 feet and about a buck 75. Also, carter can't hit a mid range or 3 point shot which makes it easy to double down Iverson and Melo with no real consequence. I don't know how many times I saw carter defending in the low post last year. Also, it's a big reason our pick and roll D was so bad. Can't fight through a screen when the other guy is twice your size. I have a bad,bad feeling about this year.

by Paterade on Jul 7, 2008 6:46 PM MDT reply actions

I concure Paterade, my feeling about this season is as yours.
The FO make horrible decisions. They pay this dude AC $1.26 why? To get posted up by the other teams guard. Taurne Green is a youthful player, he could be a Chris Paul or Steve Nash. The problem is that he, nor the young Center will play because of the Grand Puba, aka George Karl is the Nuggets coach. As long as this is the case the Nuggets won't get out of the first round of the playoffs if they are lucky enough to get there.

by samiam on Jul 7, 2008 9:10 PM MDT reply actions

I don't think Anthony Carter does anything wrong playing the point for the Nuggets. Though, I don't think he should be starting.

On a side note, David Harrison (a 25 year old center for the Indiana Pacers) apparently wants to play for the Nuggets. He's young, and pretty talented. Maybe we could trade Marcus Camby for another PG somewhere and sign Harrison, because he is a free agent.

It's just an idea.

by nataly on Jul 7, 2008 9:50 PM MDT reply actions

livingston is big, has no offers yet, right ?

by aeneas on Jul 8, 2008 2:24 AM MDT reply actions

Anthony Carter for the minimum is a great signing. No question about that. Provided that he is the backup PG.

by catalan on Jul 8, 2008 4:32 AM MDT reply actions

(different Eric from above)
AC is a back up PG. If that's his role, for the minimum, then great. If that isn't his role the results next year won't be that different.
At Samiam - i'm pretty sure that Taurean Greene isn't CP3 or Nash. He may be decent, and should get some burn, but lets not get carried away.
On Livingston - he has no offers and is unrestricted, but is not at all healthy enough to play. Maybe invite him to camp, maybe not, but his knee is still all sorts of screwed up.
On the David Harrison front, i'm a little torn. He's big, went to CU and by all accounts is a good guy. But he's a pothead, and while I don't have a problem with that, (and Warkentein probably doesn't either) i'm not sure the current Denver team is the best place for an immature pothead trying to make it in the league...just a thought. And also, he is one of the most prolific foulers in the NBA, which is never a good thing.

The real answer for the Nuggets would be Jalen Rose in his prime. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of guys like that in the league right now, and certainly not many who are readily available.

Right now it looks like Dal, Den, LAC, Port will be competing for 2 spots in the playoffs barring something crazy from Min, GSW, Sac or Memphis...

by Eric B on Jul 8, 2008 9:58 AM MDT reply actions

well since the Nuggets wont compete for anything with AC as starting PG (ugh) I'd rather compete for anything with a still injured Livingston on the bench or a still not-yet-ready Livingston as a small-minute contributor... anyway I'd go all in this season

by aeneas on Jul 8, 2008 12:01 PM MDT reply actions

Here is the description of the perfect two guard for the Nuggets
a. Over 6'5
b. Unselfish
c.Quick with good ball handling
d.Great Passer
e.Good upper body strength
f.Good Mid-range jumper

In a perfect world, I would have described Richard Hamilton. However, that is impossible.
If anyone has any suggestions of players who fit this description let me know.

by j2y2k3 on Jul 8, 2008 12:21 PM MDT reply actions

re-signing Carter is a bad idea. He's old and slow and doesn't command the offense like good PG should. On another note, I just saw the Nuggs summer league roster. I would like to hear any comments on the addition of Chris Lofton from Tenn. He was SEC player of the year in 2007, and passed up Allen Houston's record for 3ptrs at Tenn, he also owns the SEC 3pt record.

Nuggets 2008 Summer League Roster
(*Subject to Change*)
No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. School/Country Exp.
6 Elton Brown F 6-9 255 Virginia R
7 Jamon Gordon G 6-3 212 Virginia Tech R
0 Taurean Green G 6-0 177 Florida 1
8 Mike Hall F 6-8 230 George Washington 1
11 Bobby Jones F 6-7 215 Washington 2
1 Dahntay Jones G/F 6-6 210 Duke 5
2 Keith Langford G 6-4 215 Kansas 1
3 Chris Lofton G 6-2 200 Tennessee R
5 Jelani McCoy F/C 6-10 245 UCLA 8
9 Curtis Sumpter F 6-7 225 Villanova R
13 Sonny Weems G/F 6-6 203 Arkansas R
10 Jeff Varem G/F 6-6 245 Washington State R

by micb on Jul 8, 2008 9:31 PM MDT reply actions

Hey micb -

You've beaten me to the punch, so I posted a Summer League column just now:

http://www.denverstiffs.com/2008/07/weak-analysis-of-nuggets-summer-league.html

Thanks for following the blog!

All best,

Andrew

by denverstiffs@gmail.com on Jul 9, 2008 1:19 AM MDT reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.