What about Denver Stiffs?...

by Andrew Feinstein on Jun 2, 2009 11:39 AM MDT

In the comments section of yesterday's post regarding five offseason questions facing the Nuggets, longtime and loyal Denver Stiffs reader "Eric K" suggested I add a sixth question:

When is the DenverStiffs website going to get an upgrade or face lift?

Rather than reply to Eric directly, I thought I'd share my answer with all of you. The answer is yes, Denver Stiffs will be getting a face lift both graphically and technologically over the summer, and those changes are already in the works. I don't want to get into too many of the specifics of what we're trying to do and by when as I don't want to over-promise and then under-deliver (like the "60 win" 2007-08 Nuggets did), but I'll comment on some of the general things that we're attempting to do.

What began as a hobby for me has burgeoned into something much more. After the site changed from FireGeorgeKarl.com to DenverStiffs.com in May of 2008 the traffic quadrupled and continues to increase. That being said, I've been so focused on the writing of the blog that I haven't paid enough attention to improving/running the blog. And since I have two other day jobs, I was only able to focus on the writing this past season. But if I can insist on no excuses from George Karl and the Nuggets players, than I can't have any excuses either. Here's a brief overview of some of things we're working on to make your Denver Stiffs experience a better one...

-Previewing columns on the home page that link to the full column on a secondary page. As I'm sure you'll agree with, I don't like how one article (like this one that you're reading now) bumps all the other content so far down the page that even recent content gets buried. If a reader hasn't checked into the site for a few days, he/she should be able to see what's been offered recently. Moreover, sometimes two or three Nuggets-related stories break in the same day (whether they come from me or elsewhere) and deserve separate posts for everyone to comment on. So this is in the works.

-Comment threads. As Eric suggested in his comment yesterday, we need a thread system so that readers can comment on other's comments. That way, you can follow a specific debate or if you have a unique perspective in response to an article, it gets linked to from the article, not piggybacking on another reader's comment. And I'd like it to work in a way so you get notified when someone comments on your comment (that idea might be a bit tricky as I believe it would involve a registration system, but we're looking into it).

-Content-wise, I want to do more reader feedback columns. I get a lot of great, thoughtful questions via email and in the comments section, and need to start posting answers to those on the site because they spark interesting conversations and debates about the Nuggets. The only problem is that in the blog's current format, those Q&A columns would be so long that all the other content would be buried. This is another reason why we'll be moving to a column preview format.

-For the look and feel of the site, rest assured that whatever we modify Denver Stiffs will remain easy to navigate through and won't be over burdened with tons of graphics and a messy layout. I hate sites that take a while to load because they are cluttered with big photos and too much video content. Denver Stiffs will forever have a simple, easy-to-follow look and feel.

And I have other "big ideas" for the site beyond what is mentioned here, but I'd like to save those for when they actually come to fruition and/or the new site is up and running.

Please bear with us as these changes will take some time to implement - after all, as much as I love writing this blog it's not my full time job (yet!) - but our goal is to have a revamped site up well before the 2009-10 season kicks off. Since we've just begun this process, I welcome any thoughts, ideas and suggestions you might have that you think would improve Denver Stiffs. You can either email them to me directly at denverstiffs@gmail.com or post them in the comments here. I read every email and every comment and take your suggestions seriously.

Thanks as always for your incredibly loyal and passionate readership!

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Go Andrew!
Thanks for putting so much time and effort into this blog, I really appreciate it.

by Anonymous on Jun 2, 2009 1:05 PM MDT reply actions

Andrew, I didn't mean to put you on front street with the question (as I noted personally to you earlier today) but I'm glad you addressed it. Diligent website ownership is what I call it. You're doing a good job buddy! Especially considering this is a moonlighting thing.

I see some integration of your Girls and Sports cartoon as being something you should look into too. Might as well cross-pollinate and heck, there are probably some good expansion of audience things that might come of it from either direction one would think. Maybe one day your 2 jobs + Stiffs can integrate into one giant conglomerate that's much easier to manage (sign me up as a VP of some sort, but if you can get rich starting a blog please let me know, I'll be leaving now to go investigate starting my own).

Rock on brosef!

by Eric K on Jun 2, 2009 2:56 PM MDT reply actions

Great idea Andrew, but remember to keep it as simple as possible. A big reason I prefer this blog over others is the simplicity, but you are right, it does need a face lift. This blog has come a long way, and I love your writing so I look forward to reading it in the future but remember to stay original. There are far too many crappy blogs out there doing the same thing. Good luck with it, I can't wait to see it next year.

by Goldennugget on Jun 2, 2009 5:34 PM MDT reply actions

Hey Andrew,
I have read your articles for some time, and I look forward to your new update for your web site. Here is a question for you and my fellow Denver Stiffs readers. From what I have seen Rasheed Wallace is a free agent do you think he will work well with the team if the nuggets pick him up? I don't think he would ask for much.

by Agent Fisher on Jun 2, 2009 6:43 PM MDT reply actions

Please oh please keep it simple. I can't stand waiting 2 minutes for a page to fully load with pics and vids, when I only want to read. I'm sure the great work will continue. Thanks for giving real fans of Denver sports a place to huddle.

Concerning the Stiff List, I think Lebron and his ego should hold 2 spots. I've read some of his comments on some other blogs and I have reached the conclusion that he's a dick.

As regards agent fisher question about Wallace I have to interject. Please don't think of brining him here. He's old, and tired. Chauncey can only keep so many knuckle heads in line without falling into their habits. I know we're hard up for a big but to bring in a known trouble maker and another attitude to an already "thugged out" team, is just begging for more Techs and bad calls against us. Not to mention the adverse effect he'd have on the ego's of JR and Melo.

Sheed is well past his prime physically. We need youth to carry this team into the future. Not 3 sets of 30+ legs on our starting line. Stop looking for a quick fix to this team. Does anyone remember what a "quick fix" did in Phoenix? They picked up Shaq and missed the playoffs all together. The Nuggs aren't toast, and we should stop acting as if the bottom fell out of this team. As I mentioned in a previous comment, we don't need another scoring threat. We just need a big to sink some in the paint shots, and affect the Defensive end of the court.

Our rebuilding season will come when K-Mart's contract is off the books, and Chauncey is at the brink retirement...2012. We just need a few minor tweeks as currently contructed to be a force. Look what we did all season without a true center. Just have some faith and patience.

Go Nuggets!

by Joelsopinion on Jun 3, 2009 8:59 AM MDT reply actions

Joelsopinion, your're right. No way we want Rasheed. What a mess. We need guys who are young and ready to play. I agreed with your comments earlier Andrew that Gortat would be great and Kenyon needs to go. It will be difficult to get rid of him. The only way I seeing it happen is with Kroenke taking on even more salary, something that probably won't happen.

by NugzD on Jun 3, 2009 10:08 AM MDT reply actions

I don't know if anybody caught it but over in the chat box comments some guy was saying he heard that Billups, Melo and JR were out drinking the night before game 6. I thought those days were over. :(

As for the Sheed thing, I know he's old and inconsistent and has some attitude problems at times, but he is the perfect type of player everyone keeps talking about (ie: a "true center" who can shoot and defend well). Bottom line is we arn't going to win a title with the current roster. We need one more piece. The problem is we have no money. We could always pull a Cavs/Lakers and go 20 million over the cap but that's obviously not going to happen with our owners. Therefore we are going to have to trade someone if we don't want to go over the cap. If we don't we won't be able to re-sign Birdman or get any other quality bench players. I know our FO is going to do something, I just don't know what.

by Goldennugget on Jun 3, 2009 11:30 AM MDT reply actions

I saw Kleiza after the game 6 loss at Suite 200... again! But he wasn't really drinking... just out on the prowl it seems.

by Eric K on Jun 3, 2009 1:03 PM MDT reply actions

Goldennugget I like your thinking. Andrew really drops the ball with the Kenyon Martin thing and he obviosly doesn't see that the Nugs need a big really bad. Kleiza will only cut into cap room and he brings absolutely nothing this team needs. What is a "true center" to you joelsopinion? Is it a guy like Gortat that wouldn't even be a consideration for playing time on the likes of a healthy Boston or LA? "True center" and Gortat are so far from the same thing it really makes me laugh that you could say those two things in the same post. Also, Rasheed Wallace is one of the most talented bigs in the game. Actually if we are just talking raw talent, he probably is THE MOST talented big in the game. No way is he slow and too old, give me a break. He is a stud on a bad team without any chemistry or supporting cast. Rasheed would fit in on the Nuggets roster just fine. All it comes down to is whether the players can get along and actually like eachother. Chauncey loves Rasheed, not just tolerates him. The rest of the Nuggets would love him too and they would have a front line that could stand up to Houston, LA, Boston and Orlando.

by gasus on Jun 3, 2009 4:22 PM MDT reply actions

Gasus, I never mentioned Gortat. Reread the comment please. A true center by my personal opinion is someone that's at least 6'11". Not the 6'9" tall that Nene actually is. I never said Sheed wasn't talented. I said he's getting NBA old and centers age faster than anyone in this league. Bringing in an aging center to play alongside an aging point guard and an aging power forward is called a gamble. And a gamble rarely pays out. It's just not smart on paper y'know. 3 years ago I would have wet my pants if you said we landed Sheed, but now I think he's on the wrong side of 30 and no one but MJ has ever made it look good. Sheed is no MJ. Convince me otherwise.

by Joelsopinion on Jun 3, 2009 10:59 PM 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.