Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag every Wednesday during the 2007-08 NBA season on DenverPost.com.
To drop a Nuggets- or NBA-related question into the Nuggets Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Any word lately on throwback uniforms? I’d like to see those skyline jerseys in action this season.
— Kevin, Denver
Is this Kevin Brooks from the skyline-clad Nuggets of the early 1990s? I feel your passion for, arguably, the greatest uniforms in sports history. Alas, Nuggets officials told me there are no plans for any throwback uniforms this season.
I, however, will wear a throwback sports-writer uniform, featuring an old-timey derby hat with a card sticking out that says “PRESS.” So you have that to look forward to.
I think the recent six-game winning streak proves that the Nuggets are serious contenders this season? Thoughts?
— M.C., Lakewood
Lakewood – You’re right, M.C. Skat Kat, they looked dominant during that winning streak, notably on defense. There are a lot of reasons why this team could compete for a title:
* Two overwhelming superstars.
* When healthy, a tenacious, defensive-minded frontcourt (with strength off the bench in Nene and Eduardo Najera).
* A coach with playoff pedigree.
* Attention to defensive details, an Achilles heel of recent Nuggets teams.
But there are three, possibly four other teams in the Western Conference that can stack up next to the Nuggets. The question is – do the Nuggets have the intangibles?
* Allen Iverson plays harder than anyone anywhere. But does he still have that captain, follow-me quality that he did when he carried Philadelphia to the NBA Finals? I’m not saying he doesn’t. I’m just saying this will be the season – his first full year in Denver – when his leadership must arise.
* Can the Nuggets keep playing defense, consistently, for the entire season? Last season, they averaged 105.4 points per game, allowing 103.7. If they can trim opponents scoring, they will set the precedent, heading into the playoffs.
* Who will ascend in the playoffs? Can Carmelo Anthony get over the playoff hump by rising to the moment, shooting and scoring more often, like D-Wade and LeBron in previous playoffs? Does Denver have a Trent Hassell or “Boobie” Gibson guy, who was just OK in the regular season, but can alter a playoff series with sudden ascension? And what about defensively? Yakhouba Diawara, they say, has Bruce Bowen capabilities? Can he make Bowen-like shutdowns during a playoff run?
* Most importantly, will the Nuggets even be the Nuggets in the playoffs, or will these ongoing injuries force George Karl to wedge people into different positions at the most inopportune time.
Is Earl Boykins out of the league this year? I was never a fan, but isn’t he a better player than Mike Wilks?
— Nic, Austin, Texas
Nic – If the Nuggets thought Earl Boykins was better than Mike Wilks, they would probably have Earl Boykins and not Mike Wilks.
When time is running out, and the Nuggets need a 3-pointer to tie the game, who do they turn to?
— Dennis, Aurora
When healthy – Steven Hunter.
In all seriousness, Dennis, they have three key options – Carmelo Anthony (who has hit numerous game-winning shots), Linas Kleiza (who coach Karl said is one of the team’s best 3-point shooters) and J.R. Smith (who Karl said is a great clutch 3-point shooter because he has such a quick, textbook release, and he can get off a shot without much leg power, if he didn’t have much wiggle room).
I read your “” column. Is Dwight Howard an MVP candidate this season?
— Todd S., Denver
Todd – Howard is really freaking great, but during the course of the year, I think LeBron James will become the clear-cut favorite. He’s good. Get him on the court and he’s trouble – last week, messed around and got a triple-double. (He actually has four this season, and two other nights he had a double-double and nine in a third category.) As of Tuesday, James was averaging a league-best 31.3 points, as well as 8.3 rebounds and 8.1 assists. That’s Oscar Robertson-esque.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
