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 .
I love to watch Nene play up to his potential, but we have seen so little of him recently. Do you think there is any chance he will play again this season? And if so, will he be healthy enough to contribute like he used to? I know you’re not a doctor, but do you think the Nuggets can win in the playoffs without his low-post presence?
— Travis, Los Angeles
Travis – I think he will play again this season. I don’t know when — and neither does Nene. I spoke to him at the shootaround in Denver, and he emphasized that he’s taking it day by day. He is doing light running and shooting, and will likely do court work in the next week or so.
My hunch — and George Karl’s, too — is that Nene will rejoin the team sometime in the next month. He probably won’t play extended minutes, but like Karl said, anything Nene gives the team will be a “celebration.”
But if Nene can return to his old self, which isn’t out of the question, it will help bolster Denver’s low post, notably defensive. And Denver likely will play against some big posts in the first round of the playoffs (assuming Denver makes the playoffs). The Lakers have Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, New Orleans has Tyson Chandler and David West and San Antonio has Tim Duncan.
Denver transplant out here in Memphis with a quick question. IF the Nuggets finish outside the playoffs, and IF they happen to have some ping-pong balls bounce the right way, who would be your top three choices in the draft for this team?
— Anders, Memphis, Tenn.
Anders – You hate to think such morbid thoughts in regards to missing the playoffs, but, since you asked, I think Eric Gordon of Indiana or Derrick Rose of Memphis would be the way to go (not that I’m going out on a limb here). Rose is dazzling – what a passer. Gordon is a little taller (6-3 to 6-4) but is more of a shooter, so I would snatch Rose if possible – a pass-happy complement to Allen Iverson.
Many believe that Michael Beasley is the best player in this draft. He is 6-9 and more of a low-post presence. If Denver had the No. 1 overall pick, it would be really fascinating to see what they do. Do you go for the best player, or do you go for the biggest need? Considering both of your starting guards this season are 32 years old, you probably want to snatch either Rose or Gordon, both born in 1988, both sensational prospects.
Benjamin – I am a diehard Nugs fan, but I don’t see us getting very far in the playoffs (if we even get in) with the roster as it is. Don’t get me wrong, I love most of our players. I could certainly see Melo, L.K and Nene here for many years to come. But A.I – as much as I appreciate his talent and effort every night – I don’t see us getting to the finals with him. Do you think it is possible if we don’t get in the playoffs this year or get past the first round that the Nuggets management would move him and try to get a more “pass first”-oriented guard (with luxury tax taken into account as well)? Thanks!
— BlueGelMan79, Denver
BlueGelMan79 – Nah. They invested in A.I. He loves the city of Denver. He plays with his heart and doesn’t take nights off – or for that matter, possessions.
I think Iverson can lead the team to the Finals, but it’s not going to be a LeBron James-type situation – or even an Iverson-in-Philly situation. Denver will have to make a playoff run due to cohesion. In this crazy Western Conference, whichever team wins is going to be because, one through eight, its rotation played to its optimum. Iverson scoring binges won’t win playoff series. But, if he scores a lot and the team clamps down defensively, and the bench continues to hit 3-pointers, and Kenyon Martin continues to play better as he has each month, and Carmelo Anthony rises to the postseason occasion – then you might have a contender.
With J.R Smith’s contract coming to an end at the end of the year, what’s next for him? He obviously could start on another team, but is there interest from other teams to let him? He has kind of been an up-and-down player but yet still young. Nuggets interested in bringing him back?
— Brandon, Kansas City
Brandon – There will be numerous discussions among the Nuggets brass about this. He will be a restricted free agent this summer. If the season had ended in January, the J.R. discussion would have been different than if the season ends today. Of late, he has shown more defensive discipline and the kid can knock down the 3.
Greetings from Europe! What about Steven Hunter, Yakhouba Diawara and Taurean Green? Why haven’t they received their minutes recently?
— Ben, Budapest, Hungary
Ben – Well, it’s March, and George Karl has his rotation essentially set. The addition of Chucky Atkins has already caused a minor headache, because Karl has to balance the minutes of Atkins – who is trying to get back into the groove – and J.R. Smith – who is playing some of the best ball of his career.
Hunter was bothered by a knee injury for much of the first half of the season. Even after his return, Karl was reluctant to test out Hunter’s knee. Sure, there are times where a fan could make a case for Hunter getting into a game, notably in the second quarter. But it looks as if this is going to be a lost season for Hunter, which is a shame for Hunter the guy, because he is a really nice guy.
It’s tough for rookies to get playing time, especially second-rounders, especially when you joined a team on Feb. 23. Green has some zest to his game, but don’t expect to see much of him – until summer league.
Diawara can play smothering defense at times, but he’s not a consistent offensive threat – unless the defense is the SuperSonics in the fourth quarter. On Sunday, he finished the night with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.
“I think Yakhouba knows that any game, a five- to six-minute stint is not out of the question,” Karl said. “He is an NBA player, and does stuff that a lot of NBA teams need, but our personality has kind of drifted away from that. The only thing I can say to him is – I’m sorry about that. But he’s done great.”
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
