However between the Nugs, Blazers, Dallas and Clippers I think the 7th and 8th spots are up for grabs between any of those teams. It’s hard to say what state the Nuggets will be in this year though. I’m no Melo fan but he is a very talented player and combined with AI you guys have a deadly offense (even if it isn’t all that organized).

I think the Nugget defense is underrated but, after losing the players you did the negative comments about the Nuggets defense may be deserved this year. Part of the reason the Nugget defense can look so bad at times is because of the offense. Everyone likes to run around and it never looks like they are actually running plays. Being unorganized on one end leads to being unorganized on the other. Again I think the defense was underrated last year but will deserve what its called this year. I’ve heard a lot of Nugget fans say they need a new coach and I would tend to agree.

Anyway, it’s hard to say at this point. You guys have the talent but to me it really looks like there will be 4 teams fighting for those last 2 spots. For both of our teams here’s hoping Dallas makes a dramatic drop off and the Clippers B.Diddy era doesn’t work out. I think you guys have a better chance than the Clippers, though in all honesty I’d rather see the Clips make it than the Nuggets! As for the Blazers, it depends a lot on how Oden does his first year. I’m going to vote yes because I think the Blazers and Nuggets will both be better than Dallas or Clippers this year, and the Warriors to me seem finished for the year with Ellis out for awhile and Maggette running the show.

Even though I’m more anti nuggets than passive nuggets, good luck this year!

I wouldn’t say I love where the team is heading. But given the circumstances I’m not as worried as you.