Denver Nuggets Previews

by Jeff Clark on Oct 17, 2009 10:27 AM EDT in NBA Previews Comment 9 comments

More photos » by Rocky Widner - NBAE/Getty Images

Ummm, the ball's down there.

Melo still leads the way, but ever since Mr. Big Shot Billups replaced AI, the team has been on a tear. Can they carry that forward into this year?

2009-10 Northwest Division Preview... - Denver Stiffs

The Nuggets are as good, if not better, than anyone in their division. While we've probably seen the best we can expect from veterans like Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin, young stars Carmelo Anthony, Nene and J.R. Smith still have plenty of room to improve. But I think it's fair to question whether or not Melo (now entering his seventh season), Nene (his eighth) and J.R. (his sixth) will make substantive leaps. That being said, if that trio can play at the All-Star level they're capable of, I'll be rightly mocked all season for predicting the Nuggets to finish second in their division.

2009-10 Denver Nuggets NBA Blog Preview

The Nuggets’ biggest strengths revolve around its starting five. Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith, Nene, and Kenyon Martin are as good as any starting five in the league. Right there you have an elite scorer in Carmelo Anthony, an elite floor general in Chauncey Billups, an elite defender in Kenyon Martin, an imposing force in the middle with Nene, and lightning in a bottle with J.R. Smith. Together, they are a team that can put up mind-boggling offensive stats and match up well with any team in the league defensively.

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Comments

almost

I can understand they might think they have a starting 5 that’s the best in the league at least as good as it gets but I would still rate them behind the C’s and Lakers for the starting unit and possibly behind the Spurs too.

by slamtheking on Oct 17, 2009 10:40 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if they started JR they would have the best starting five

by celtics94 on Oct 17, 2009 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I dont think they are even close to the best starting 5 whether they start JR or not

by latin on Oct 17, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and if the spurs started ginobli they would and if we sharted Rasheed we would

by celtics94 on Oct 17, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

if we started sheed, we’d be worse

by latin on Oct 17, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Nuggets can only get better from here. They were a legit contender last year, and for what it’s worth, I think they probably would have beaten the Magic had they gone to the finals. I think they will be a close third in the West behind LA and SA, perhaps barely beating out Portland for the #3 spot.

by FromDowntown on Oct 17, 2009 6:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kenyon Martin is an elite defender?!

by kozlodoev on Oct 17, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Birdman is an elite defender

but I agree with your skepticism about calling K-Mart that.

by KY Celts fan on Oct 18, 2009 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Birdman isnt an elite defender either
Hes an elite shotblocker

and remember when the Hornets were expected to be heard from after there 07-08 season, and faded into mediocrity and lost in the first round? (this happens very consistently in this league, think celtics in 2002)…thats the nuggets this year, for all the expectations? they wont make it back to the conference finals

by latin on Oct 18, 2009 8:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs