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 .
Dear Mr. Hochman – I’m a huge Allen Iverson fan from the other side of the big pond and now am also following the progress of the Nuggets closely. One thing that strikes me about the NBA head coaches and especially about Nuggets coach George Karl is the way they seem to be talking about their players publicly (like recently and frequently about J.R. Smith). Even if justified, I think a Swiss coach would only seldom praise players publicly and even much less criticize them. What is the philosophy behind this “American” approach?
— Philipp Boutellier, Fribourg, Switzerland
Philipp – That’s a good question (and I’m glad to know you’re reading our articles in Fribourg). As seen in the weekly mailbag e-mails, our readers are international. In regards to this “American” approach you speak of, I think there are a few aspects in play.
For one, there is a thirst for analysis from both the American media and American readers. I take my articles very seriously, so if I’m doing a story on, say, Allen Iverson, I want to get the most information about your guy. So, I’ll ask the coach creative and insightful questions (or at least I hope they’re creative and insightful), to have him break down Iverson’s game for me. Moreover, there are numerous reporters covering the Nuggets and numerous opportunities each day that we have to ask George Karl questions. Because of this, he’s bound to give some insight about his individual players – not just the team as a whole.
The second thing is that Karl is a talker. Journalists for decades have enjoyed interviewing Karl because he is colorful and detailed in his analysis of players. And, even when it comes to inconsistent players, like Smith, he will generally be candid, which makes for a good read – and good detail.
As a journalist, I don’t want to say: This player didn’t do well. I want to say WHY this player didn’t do well. And, for the most part, American coaches will give you the answer.
Finally, some coaches use the media as motivational tools. And other times, it works accidentally. The other day, Marcus Camby banged his knee and had to miss some time. Karl said to the media that, perhaps, Camby was slowing down a bit because he’s older – and that maybe Camby needed to play less minutes. Well, Camby barked back and said the injury was because he bumped his dang knee, not because of minutes. But Camby played inspired basketball the next night, perhaps jolted by his coach’s questioning of Camby’s stamina.
Thanks for the great insight, Benjamin! Assuming the Nuggets finish the season among the top 10 teams in the league, do you believe that there is any chance in landing a PG/SG that can develop into a good/great player around the 20th pick in the draft?
— Eric, Durango
Eric – I think it’s possible. Here are some recent low first-round point guards: Rajon Rondo (21st in 2006), Jarrett Jack (22nd in 2005), Jameer Nelson (20th in 2004) and Steve Blake (second round, 38th overall, 2003). But, it’s my gut that the Nuggets won’t have the pick available, because they’ll probably trade it for a backup before the trading deadline. But if they hold onto the pick, of course they could find a point guard.
There are some good ones who could be in this draft – Derrick Rose (Memphis), Jerryd Bayless (Arizona), Darren Collison (UCLA) and D.J. Augustin (Texas). But the majority of draft picks take at least a year to find their NBA game. Would having this void in the rotation benefit the Nuggets this year and next year, with Iverson under contract?
Is there any truth to the rumor that the Nuggets are trying to deal for Ron Artest? His high basketball IQ, stifling defense, intensity and physical presence could be a great addition, despite his poor reputation. Would a big lineup of Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby be successful?
— Chris, Washington
Chris – Sure, they’ll consider Artest. It’s hard to disregard the availability of one of the NBA’s better defenders. But Artest is looking to sign for, likely, a $13 million-per-year contract this summer. Denver doesn’t have the cap room for that (keep your eye on Philadelphia). So if the Nuggets deal for Artest, they will have to deal Linas Kleiza, who is playing well and still on his first contract, and maybe the 2008 draft pick, who if Denver kept, would, obviously, also be on his first contract. Something to consider in regards to renting Ron Ron.
Hey, Ben. I’m loving your insight when it comes to the Nuggets. My question comes in the midst of Jason Kidd rumors. Why are the Nuggets looking for a point guard when it is clear to me that they need more depth down low? Bonus question: How good is Steven Hunter?
— Sam Sneed, Parker
Hey, Sam. Congrats on the ’49 Masters. Well, I don’t think the Nuggets will end up with Jason Kidd for financial reasons – and they don’t have enough to give New Jersey in return. But the idea of getting point guard help, in general, stems from the question marks with Anthony Carter.
Now, I really like Anthony Carter. And so does Denver. Heck, the guy is averaging career highs in every major category. But the 32-year-old has never played this many minutes. And Denver’s backup point guard is … exactly. It is very possible that Carter keeps up this level of play through the playoffs – he has found a system that suits his unselfishness and tenacity. But insurance cannot hurt.
As for the low post, Kenyon Martin is playing better than he has all season – and his minutes are up, too – so Denver has a dynamic, defensive tandem in him and Camby. Linas Kleiza and Eduardo Najera, assuming they’re still on the team come Feb. 22, can bang down there if need be. Fingers are still crossed about Nene’s return, though that’s something you cannot bank on.
And as for Steven Hunter, he really just hasn’t had a chance to prove himself. Though Hunter is confident in his play, Karl is obviously hesitant about throwing a guy into the mix who was out for so long – and doesn’t get to showcase himself in practice (because Denver isn’t practicing much these days). He helped out a lot in the first game he started (eight points, six rebounds against Charlotte), but not so much in the second (two points, three boards). Side note, I think Steven Hunter is one of the nicest guys, not only on Denver, but also in the league.
In my opinion, Carmelo Anthony loafs so much and misses point-blank layups and has difficulty dribbling in traffic. If Linas Kleiza got the chance to play as many minutes as Carmelo and shoot as much, he would be the second-leading scorer on the team.
— David Rice, Durango
David – Well, I wouldn’t go that far – Melo is a magical player who can maneuver through the bodies in the paint better than most forwards on the planet. But you are onto something – George Karl talks about how he’d like Melo to be more of a creator on offense. Though Melo’s game is becoming more dynamic – he’s not just looking to score – an argument could be made that Anthony should be more consistently involved in the offense. And his rebounding has improved slightly, but a guy with his body and bouncability (I made up that word) could rebound more (especially with Nene out of the rotation).
Kleiza is becoming quite an offensive weapon, though his defense is still a work-in-progress. I’m not sure he’d be fourth in the NBA in scoring if he played Melo minutes, but he is becoming a guy George Karl can’t keep on the bench.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
