Denver Nuggets 2009 Offseason
by Nate Timmons on Jun 1, 2009 8:29 PM MDT
in Denver Nuggets: News and Opinion
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We're going to have a lot of time to discuss things this offseason, but less time than usual since the Nuggets played later into Spring than a lot of us are used to.
In the coming days I'll be going over the team roster and we'll be looking back at what each player contributed (positive and negative), their status with the team, and what their roles should be next season. So, stick around and get involved in the discussion. Feel free to agree on points, call me an idiot, and everything in between.
Keep reading after the jump to see some video of some unlikely players that could play a vital role in this offseason and perhaps next season with the team.
Whether he'll just be a trading chip or perhaps earn a spot in the rotation next season ... here is a look at what Steven Hunter brought to the table with the Philadelphia 76'ers ...
And here is a look at why Dahntay Jones may be expendable this offseason ... Sonny Weems, welcome to the land of Doctor J and M.J.
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I had really forgotten about Hunter
Hopefully he can come back and be a big part of the frontline rotation, do you think Denver will actually look to sign a free agent or are they going to stick with who they have. I love Nene play this year, but I have my doubts that we will have the same luck of this year with a lack of injuries to K-mart and Nene and other front line guys, I would love to see Denver get a guy that can be a legit center in the league and play some minutes.
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman
I'll be delving into this more as the offseason progresses ... but for now:
I think Denver will definitely add somebody. Who will it be? I have no clue really.
It sounds like Karl is ready to hand the Shooting Guard job over to J.R. Smith and if he can play 30+ minutes a night then there wont be a lot of playing time for the old Dahntay Jones, AC, J.R. rotation … which I think will be good.
So saying that … I think Denver should choose between Weems and Jones and AC and another free agent as the backup point guard. It sounds like AC can probably be had for the league minimum next season again as he doesn’t want to move (and let’s face it … Denver may be the only team willing to give AC minutes).
Billups will need to be rested during the season so he can be fresh for the playoffs (or as fresh as he can be) so finding a point guard who can really contribute some nice minutes should be key for Denver (in my view).
I really think Denver could get away with bringing back some cheap guards and a young point and focus their attention on the Center / Power Forward positions.
There is a huge decision to be made with Birdman as we all know and there are some guys available that could be interesting (Brandon Bass, Carlos Boozer, Gortat (from Orlando)) …
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jun 2, 2009 10:20 AM MDT up reply actions
I don't think there is any way that Denver gets Boozer
Too much money already tied up in the frontcourt. Though I love Boozer’s game and would like nothing more than to see him suit up 4 times in the powder blue against his old team, I’m a realist.
Hey ... don't kill the dream! hahaha
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jun 2, 2009 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions
I would love Boozer
"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum
"Duffman is thrusting in the direction of the problem" - Duffman
"Good, bad, I'm the guy with the gun" - Ash from Army of Darkness
"H.I., you're young and you got your health, what you want with a job?" - Evelle from Raising Arizona
"It happens sometimes. People just explode. Natural causes." - Agent Rogersz from Repoman
I think there may be a market for AC now
Someone may sign him for more than the minimum. Lots of teams are stuck with old backup point guards who are worse, the Spurs are one team that come to mind.
Anthony Carter plays really hard, I get that. But I think it would be a mistake to keep him around next year. When we signed AC, we were looking for a veteran presence who would hold the team accountable for playing defense. Surprise, the Chauncey trade happened and he instantly became that guy. AC played because we had relied on Iverson so much that he was the only one capable of filling in at PG until the signing of Jason Hart.
AC was a part of the change and brought a defensive mindset as point guard, but that role is now filled out by CB7. Not to be an ass but it is my opinion that this team was winning in spite of him, because there really was no one else capable of playing backup PG. If you asked me to name the worst rotation player for the Nuggets, I would say AC and think most others would too. It’s time to upgrade at backup PG and get someone with a higher ceiling than him. We’ve already got out veteran PG. Sorry if I sound like an ass
Sonny Weems links
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5FBmW3J52U Meets Freddy finals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzEGXfbwElo Kamla discussing his play for 14ers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5ryE44v3NQ Game 1 of the Dleague finals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-nNqcx_7QU Game 2 featuring Weems dunks. I watched part of this game via a stream and Weems had 25pts 7asts and 4rbs in 28 minutes
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/index.jsp?player=sonny_weems D-League playerfile. I know thats its a small sample size but 20ppg on 48% shooting in only 28 minutes is great. If he can average half that he will be an improvement on DJ
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/index.jsp?player=sonny_weems -Draft express profile. Most interesting piece, They say he could play SF in the league and he looks like a real 6’6" (compared to Dahntay who is really about 6’3" as Kobe exploited)
http://twitter.com/Sonny13 Sonny Weems twitter, not much here, but its nice that he is getting more tatoos so he can fit in
Love the tattoos line ... "so he can fit in" hahaha!
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jun 2, 2009 10:21 AM MDT up reply actions
I hope he makes his mark with Defense
This guy should be stronger and quicker than Dahntay, so if he can channel that ferocious defensive effort into his frame – it’s exactly what the Nuggets need. I really want JR to start, and that means we must have a backup that is not going to be a bum of defense.
Anyone read Kizla's recommendations at the Denver Post?
No? I don’t blame you.
Luckily the Denver brass knows more about basketball than Kizla knows about anything. Or maybe even everything.
Anyways, his best three options for the Nuggets were….
Wait for it….
Ron Artest. David Lee. Raymond Felton.
I can’t really fault him for Felton as we’ve mentioned him a number of times because Felton’s talent is apparent (though reading Kizla write it now puts the kibosh on it). I just can’t see how either A. Stan agrees to pay Felton $5.5 million dollars to be a back-up or B. Felton agrees to lose minutes to play second fiddle.
The other two are just terrible, terrible ideas.
David Lee? I thought we wanted to get better? If I’m going to pay luxury tax to bring in another player, much less another forward, it’s NOT going to be David Lee.
Finally, the end all of Kizla’s stupidity. We hope.
Ron Artest? On the Thuggets? Are you kidding me? First off, we don’t need another small forward and neither Artest nor Melo is big enough to play power forward. Second, it’s obvious that we need guys who are mentally tough, not just physically gifted. That is not Ron Artest. I can’t mention enough how ridiculous this idea is.
So to recap — thank your lucky stars that Kizla is not the Nuggets GM.
I often wonder how Kiz has survived the joint operating agreement and then the subsequent absorption of some of the RMN writers when they went under.
MHH: Shagging Dater one contributor at a time.
by Bob in Boulder on Jun 2, 2009 3:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Terrible
5.5 mil for Felton is ridiculous. I think he’s alright, and will probably find his way onto a team with cap space and a gaping hole at point guard. The guy honestly reminds me of younger AC with the possibility of getting better. Not even close to a good fit for playing 15-25 minutes a night behind Chauncey.
I give a little bit more credit to David Lee. Remember the Nuggets were aggressively trying to get him for Kleiza last year. He really sucks at defense, but he proved himself as a team oriented double double machine. He was a 20/10 guy last year and provides rebounding and post up scoring. I just can’t see a clean cut guy like Lee on the Thuggetz. If he comes over, I still want Birdman coming on off the bench first which makes Kenyon the odd man out.
Ron Artest? No
Steven Hunter will be traded
The Nuggets weren’t expecting to get breakout years from Nene and Birdman when they signed Hunter. The injuries were unfortunate, but when they acquired Petro it tells me that Hunter is not part of the future. There is a possibility we get rid of Petro too, but I think Hunter is a sure thing to be moved. If there is a trade this offseason, they will try to include Hunter.
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