Nuggets get minor facelift by adding Afflalo
by Nate Timmons on Jul 17, 2009 4:01 PM MDT
in News and Opinion
17 comments
Quick note: Thanks to all of you for staying active in my absence. With no internet connection for a week I felt like I was in NBA exile and basically was jonesin' for an NBA news fix ... thanks again and now let's get back to it!
Figures that as soon as I leave town that the Nuggets decide to pull the trigger on yet another trade (hopefully again as one-sided as the Billups trade) with the Detroit Pistons. While this trade is old news for all of you ... I'm just starting to have it sink in since returning from some R&R in the great Northwest.
With the addition of Arron Afflalo the Nuggets continue the trend of adding shooting guards with difficult names to spell ... Yakhouba Diawara, DerMarr Johnson, Dahntay Jones, and now Afflalo. I'll sleep easier knowing that 2010 NBA draft prospect Al-Farouq Aminu out of Wake Forest plays power forward.
Let's delve in a bit more to Denver's newest Nugget after the jump.
I'm fairly confident when I say that adding Afflalo pretty much cements the starting shooting guard spot for J.R. Smith. Afflalo has the ability to be a pretty good perimeter defender and provides some scoring pop that should pretty much wipe out the loss created by Dahntay Jones accepting a deal with the Pacers.
I can't fault Jones for taking the money and a chance at a starting spot, but I applaud the Denver front office for finding a player on the cheap (just a second round pick) that can come in right away and solidify a rotation spot.
via bbs.chinadaily.com.cn
One-third of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend's Shooting Stars team is a Denver Nugget.
Afflalo is a 6'5'' and 215 lb. shooting guard (Jones is 6'6'' 210 lbs ... closer to 6'4'') who will be just 24 years old when the 2009-10 season kicks off (celebrating number 24 October 15th.)
Here is what Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien had to say about Afflalo and forward Walter Sharpe via NBA.com:
“We are very pleased to add two young promising prospects like Arron and Walter to our veteran roster,” said Warkentien. “Arron is a proven NBA defender with an incredible work ethic and Walter is a talented but raw player with tremendous upside.”
Arron has seen his stats increase in each of his first two seasons in the league to go along with increased playing time.
| 2007-08 | 2008-09 | |
| Minutes |
12.9 |
16.7 |
| FG% |
41% |
43% |
| 3-pt% |
20.8% |
40.2% |
| FT% |
78.2% |
81.7% |
| PPG |
3.7 |
4.9 |
Afflalo's three-point stats are fairly impressive. In his rookie campaign he went just 10-48 from deep, but in his second season he went 43-107 and nearly made as many bombs as took the previous season. It would appear that Afflalo is now comfortable with the NBA three-point line and should fill a nice role in the drive-and-dish Denver system.
Another element that I like from Afflalo is his free throw percentages. He took more foul shots in his rookie season (where he was not shooting as much from downtown) than he did last season, but he should be a steady shot from the freebie line and the Nuggets will welcome that, I know I will.
Afflalo from the foul line:
2007-08: 68-87
2008-09: 58-71
I would suspect that by hopefully averaging roughly 20 minutes a night and in Denver's aggressive offensive system that Afflalo will roughly double his free throw attempts from last season. Dahntay Jones took 151 foul shots for Denver last season in 18.1 minutes per game. Jones probably depended more on getting to the line than Afflalo will have to, since Arron should be more of a threat from the perimeter, but an increase in attempts should be coming.
Afflalo's role with the team:
There has been a lot of chatter about Sonny Weems getting a shot to be Denver's backup shooting guard. It's tough to be sold on a guy who didn't see much NBA action, especially when Denver makes a move to bring in a young guard. The Denver Post has a story today talking about Weems trying to earn playing time through his Summer League play, but the following quote from the story from George Karl doesn't sound promising:
"Sonny is an athletic player that's got to learn how to play basketball," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "At times it looks like he's taking that step, and then at times it doesn't look like he's taking that step. He has 10 days here at summer league. He's going to have to figure out his niche. He's got the talent to play in the league. The question will be: Does he have the mind to play in the league?"I think, in general, this summer and September and October will be very important to him."
full story here
To me, the backup shooting guard minutes are Afflalo's to lose. Denver would not have made this move if they didn't feel Arron could fill the void at the two guard. Any time you lose a good teammate and a guy who didn't command the ball on offense, like Jones, it's tricky to replace that chemistry and identity. Afflalo is still on the upswing in his NBA career, while we've probably seen Jones' ceiling as an NBA player.
The Nuggets love taking chances on young talent and well, taking chances in general. This move is not the big splash that a lot of fans were hoping for, but this move could pave the way for J.R. Smith to really blossom while at the same time allowing Denver to gain a valuable role player and rising talent.
On paper this is another low radar, but savvy move by Denver's front office team. How it will translate on the court will be determined by the Nuggets' success this season as a team and the individual play of two maturing young players in J.R. Smith and Arron Afflalo.
Welcome to a winner Double A ... you're in the majors now.
via a.espncdn.com
Nickname: Until further notice I'll probably refer to Arron Afflalo as "Double A" ... easy to type. Anybody have suggestions on a nickname? Leave them in the comments section!
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Nicknaming Afflalo
Double A is a pretty good nickname. Maybe like Aaron the barbarian if he’s a stingy defender. Also still waitin for the nugs to make a real big move. we def need another bigman and they’re dropping off the market like flies
by The Birdman on Jul 17, 2009 5:58 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Some in Detroit called him Spellcheck
Because it was difficult to spell his name. Rasheed Wallace called him ‘Snowflake’ No idea why. The rest of the team caled him Aflac. The team also started calling him ‘Showbe’, because he loves the Lakers, and has emulated Kobe’s workout
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
by detpistons3 on Jul 17, 2009 6:32 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Detpistons3
Thanks for swinging in and providing some of Afflalo’s nicknames!
Snowflake is interesting … probably not a lot of Nugget fans too happy about the Showbe thing … Afflalo needs to learn to HATE the Lakers! Ha ha … but seriously …
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jul 19, 2009 7:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
Agreed, Detroit isn’t exactly buddies with the Lakers, but Afflalo growing up in LA may have something to do with it.
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
by detpistons3 on Jul 20, 2009 9:02 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely ... it'd be weird to become a pro and then not play for your favorite childhood team.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jul 20, 2009 10:32 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Future Ariza
That is what I see out of Afflalo. Not only does he look like Ariza but his career is similar in many ways. Both went to UCLA and are Laker fans, both started off with one team and didn’t get much playing time so they were traded, both were originally bad 3point shooters but have improved and now are considered good 3 point shooters, both are known for their defense. The only thing left for Afflalo is to show he can play big minutes and be a lock down defender full time.
I feel bad for Weems though. He’s a really good kid, a leader, and he’s witty. I hope he figures it out and finds a spot on the team.
by GoldenNugget on Jul 17, 2009 11:37 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
KOBE STOPPER KOBE STOPPER KOBER STOPPER
hahahhaa shout out to Ruben Patterson
Melooooooo
by Mr.Clutch15 on Jul 18, 2009 12:48 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Why not start?
I guess my major question is why does the aquision of AA mean that JR is a lock to start at shooting guard? I am wondering if the nuggets couldn’t start him exactly the wat they did Dahntay Jones, and then quickly bring in JR from the bench to spark the offense. If he compares fairly well to Jones, why no use him in the same aspect? I think JR definitely has the talent to start, and proved last year that he is deserving, but why ruin a good thing with an amazing sixth man?
I trust the orginazation to make the right decision, and will be supportive either way, I was just wondering if anyone sees a potential problem with Afflalo starting.
by All Day Jay on Jul 18, 2009 6:25 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I've been debating this in my head as well Jay.
I just get the feeling that J.R. is going to start. J.R. definitely needs to play about 30 minutes a night in my opinion, but you are correct that J.R. could come off the bench and still get starter type minutes.
I also trust that Karl knows what will be best for his team and if Denver truly wants Double A to mirror Dahntay Jones then he could very well start.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jul 19, 2009 7:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really like that idea
J.R coming off the bench is a bit like Gordon or Manu coming off the bench. The starter in place may not necessarily be better, but it’ll be more efficient for the team. I’d love to see Arron start anway, he was a favorite of mine and I’m dissapointed Joe just gave him away. He’s one of the hardest workers in the game. On gameday, Arron Afflalo was in the gym at 4pm working on his jumpshot (the game started at 8:30).
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
by detpistons3 on Jul 20, 2009 9:00 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is great to hear!
Nothing better than a guy committed to getting better!
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jul 20, 2009 10:33 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really like this move, I am curious to see if Walter can provide any minutes
But I agree, great trade, thank you again Detroit, Joe Dumars appears to have gone from one of the smartest GM’s to one of the craziest. Maybe mid season we can send Double A back for T. Prince.
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by Broncoman on Jul 19, 2009 4:21 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Walter is said to have some potential ...
But I don’t really see him playing much of an active role next season … not to say he couldn’t find a role down the line though.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jul 19, 2009 7:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dunno about that
Detroit has a logjam at SG and they needed to clear some cap to sign a big man, is Arron Afflalo really that much better than Chris Wilcox? Wilcox has started before, and he’s averaged 13 pts and 7 rebs 2 years ago. Seems pretty good to me. And the Chauncey trade may seem dump in retrospect, but Detroit was aging, it needed a change of faces before it became to old to even consider contenders.
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
by detpistons3 on Jul 20, 2009 8:16 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will be very interesting to see how Detroit's new blood plays next season.
I’m not really a Charlie V. fan … think he has a lot to prove.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Jul 20, 2009 8:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Particularly on the defensive end, I don’t think Detroit is ready for contention yet. The position we are in is similar to the Carlisle era. We need that one extra piece (back then it was Rasheed Wallace) before we’re ready to be big players. We’ll play this season out, let some chemistry build up, then we may make a big splash, possibly by dealing one of the existing pieces or taking a gamble on another guy most said was never going to take that next step (similar to Rasheed).
We didn't lose the games, we just ran out of time -- Bobby Layne
by detpistons3 on Jul 21, 2009 10:53 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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