Nuggets trim roster to 13...
The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman is reporting that the Nuggets have trimmed their roster down to 13, with Joey Graham beating out James "Flight" White for the 13th and final roster spot.
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I'm pretty surprised ...
I thought Denver would at least keep some guys around to finish up the pre-season. Guess it’s best to cut guys now so they can latch on to a different team before the regular season starts.
I’m also surprised White wasn’t kept around while J.R. Smith serves his suspension … maybe the Nuggets will only carry 13 guys or maybe they have their eye on somebody who might get cut or who has already been let go (Rob Kurz.)
Not White’s best birthday I bet …
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by Nate Timmons on Oct 21, 2009 2:36 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Karl is happy enough with Graham and Afflalo's offense
to let white go for those first 7 games.
by Missing Lynx on Oct 21, 2009 3:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I won't speculate what makes Karl happy
…but from the looks of the belly, I would say jelly donuts make him happy.
It’s a shame to let White go, he would have made a great Nugget. We could have used his talents more than the consistently mundane contributions Graham provides.
Happy birthday, James.
by Ski Bum on Oct 21, 2009 4:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roster Spots
I wonder how big of a chance we start the season with 15 roster spots filled instead of the league minimum. It would be nice to add Rob Kurz, and Luke Nevill (the 2 players the Cavs cut, but seem to be able to help the Nuggets some), or some other huge center to our roster. Stan probably wants to save money though, and would like to start the year with the league minimum so he wouldn’t have to pay more luxury tax.
by bodmiesta on Oct 21, 2009 3:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
new economics
for now that is just the way things go with the economy. anything white can do jr can do better. it is simply a numbers game and not a reflection on white’s talent.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
by nohoops4u on Oct 21, 2009 5:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
typical
relying on numbers to prove a point man persona
by Joelsopinion on Oct 22, 2009 8:09 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is anyone seriously surprised by this???
I mean, come on, disappointing as it is, this was clear from miles away…
by Geerten on Oct 21, 2009 5:09 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs
It seems like Karl
always cuts a guy that the fans are hopeful or gives him very limited minutes. Normally, it works out for the best and I suspect there’s something more going on that we don’t know about. Not really surprising.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Oct 21, 2009 10:45 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
should the Nuggets be looking at other guys that were cut by other teams?
Patty Mills has proven that he can play and score against top tier nba pgs (in the olympics). He’s currently injured, but when healthy he can fill it up. Romel Beck is someone else I’ve seen put up big numbers against the USA in the olympics. IIf the Nuggets do decide to start JR, either one of those guys could do some serious scoring off the bench. (I’d also like to bring in another big guy).
Sorry but I don’t have a ton of faith in Graham.
by NugNugz on Oct 21, 2009 8:52 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Joey Dorsey
He may get cut from Houston due to Pops Mensah-Bonsu and the big Aussie.
The guy beasted during summer league. He is an undersized Center but a very active big and rebound specialist. The guy is a shithouse he’s very strong and would provide the kind of big man depth we need badly. Petro alone behind Nene and Bird isn’t gonna cut it. The Nugs need a big and if he becomes avilable they should be all over him, but they probably won’t be.
by runningdonut on Oct 21, 2009 10:39 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
13th man
Realistically I don’t think White or Graham should play very much during the season if everyone else does their job and stays healthy. I know we looked at Graham in free agency, honestly I think we only signed him in a desperation move when we couldn’t land the main guys we were trying to. It was a desperation move. I have no problem with Graham on the team and will root for him, I just don’t think it was a fair fight between him and J White.
Sucks to get fired on your birthday
by runningdonut on Oct 21, 2009 10:46 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Graham’s a projected starter right now. We’ll see how it plays out in the regular season, I guess.
by BrianD on Oct 22, 2009 8:48 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was never blown away by Flight
The guy was super athletic, but I saw nothing that screamed NBA player (much like AC).
It would have been awesome to have a high flyer in the dunk contest wearing powder blue, but if LBJ is serious about competing this year, then the NBA should just mail him his trophey and Buick. Even if LBJ misses every single dunk, Kenny Smith will insist it was because of bad acoustics and that Bron bron deserves it anyway.
by Joelsopinion on Oct 22, 2009 8:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
umm
Really you guys are that bummed about this? What were you so exccited about, the fact that he can do a double pump dunk? Because honestly thats all I’ve ever seen him do. The rockets invested a year into developing him and they didn’t want him? I think I read he’s 26- or 27 years old now on top of it, if you don’t have your game somewhat figured out by then good luck. Graham, is a well rounded player and when inserted with talent of the Nuggets level he will be that much better. (not the one dimensional walking offensive foul LK)
If we did bring White in and Graham it would just be steppin on Balkmans minutes also which I definitely didn’t want to see.
On another note coming into the season with 13 players just means we have the flexibility to add more players or make a trade to bring more back than we give up in the future. Just another smart chess move by Wark and the gang. Have faith.
by CCH on Oct 22, 2009 10:58 AM MDT reply actions 2 recs
Agreed, +1
I was at the TWolves-Nuggets preseason game on Tuesday and I was very happy with what I saw from the new Nuggets additions:
Lawson: He IS the PG of the future. He will seriously eat into A.C.‘s minutes this season, and I firmly believe that A.C. was resigned to play a backup/emergency PG/garbage time role much like Jason Hart was last year (kinda funny watching him on the TWolves, too). He is fast and CAN create his own shot. He’s got great basketball IQ and had a sick lob-dunk to Birdman in transition, and of course the half-court three we all saw. He had 10-6-7 in 25 minutes. Not bad for a rookie.
Afflalo: Can hit the three. See ya Kleiza, thanks for remaining a trading chip for us when/if you ever come back to the NBA. He’s a good wing and plays decent defense, though he did get burned a few times out in transition. I was amazed when I looked up on the scoreboard and saw that he had TWENTY points. JR might still sit as sixth man for the Nuggets.
Balkman: The backup PF we should have had playing behind Melo all season. Runs in transition extremely well, always fights for the offensive boards, and is a lockdown defender. Nuff said.
Graham: I wasn’t super impressed by Graham, but if we’re taking him over White, there’s gotta be a reason. He is BIG though, easily the size of Melo. In a Western Conference that’s been dominated by the teams with size for most of the last decade, this is a good thing. However, his defense and offensive game still needs a lot of work.
Swats.
by BeefySwats on Oct 22, 2009 11:44 AM MDT up reply actions 3 recs
Nice insight Beefy!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Oct 22, 2009 11:54 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
White reminds me of a certain Sonny Weems
NUFF SAID!
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Oct 22, 2009 4:33 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
One thing I love about Kleiza
is that he doesn’t even need to come back to the NBA to be used as a trade chip! We could trade his rights at any point – possibly as a throw in to sweeten any deal that the FO might cook up involving one of the TPEs.
by Missing Lynx on Oct 22, 2009 5:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Afflalo or Graham?
It seems to be the consensus that Afflalo will be the starter for JR while he serves his suspension, and possibly beyond, however, Graham has gotten the last 3 starts with the other 4 sure starters. Shouldn’t he be out there with the first team if this is the case?
by NugsRoxHusker on Oct 23, 2009 9:56 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great point on the White age thing CCH.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Oct 22, 2009 11:54 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joey Graham will do just fine here.
Everybody will love him. I’m happy Afflalo is looking as good as he is looking so far. Doesnt make me miss Klieza much anymore.
by GottaLoveMelo on Oct 22, 2009 12:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Players that we should take into consideration
I’m not sure how much good D-League players can do in the NBA but Courtney Sims, and Chris Hunter just got cut, and they had some pretty good stats in the d-league, both of them I recall average at least 18 points and 10 rebounds. Besides those 2 options, Luke Nevill, and Garrett Siler that are huge centers that are rookies just got cut from rosters too, I think if Siler cuts down on weight he could be effective. Aside from those 4 big men, maybe we can take a look at Gabe Pruitt who is a combo guard but played point guard at USC 2 -3 years ago, and spent the last 2 years on the celtics squad…he’s still young and seems to have potential when he played in the preseason the last 2 years.
by bodmiesta on Oct 22, 2009 2:24 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Sonny Weems averaged 25 ppg in the D-League.
James White is like him. AT least Graham has NBA experience3.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Oct 22, 2009 4:34 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
AND why would we want Pruitt
Coby Karl is better than him. I’d say Rob Kurz (who, if you remember, lit us up for 20 points and 6/7 rebounds when Nellie actually gave him PT)
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Oct 22, 2009 4:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pruitt
He’s got some nice upside obviously there are some character issues. I was surprised the he was released by the Knicks though. I’m very happy Karl never seriously considered getting his son. He must have looked at the Hawkins situation in Boulder and politely declined.
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by Zach B on Oct 23, 2009 8:47 AM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Hawkins family ... OUCH!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Oct 23, 2009 9:40 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I remember
in that same game when K-Mart absolutely OBLITERATED him. Still is fun to watch…
by Missing Lynx on Oct 23, 2009 1:06 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just a great link! Forgot about that play!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Oct 23, 2009 1:20 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately for Kurz,
that play is usually what I think of whenever I hear/read his name mentioned… haha.
by Missing Lynx on Oct 23, 2009 3:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
hahahaha
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CV_ete0Wyz8
looks like the same game
by GottaLoveMelo on Oct 25, 2009 4:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs

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