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 .
Other than playing better defense, how can the Nuggets improve to get past the first round of the playoffs this season?
— Duke, Lakewood
Duke – Good question. Of course, defensive lulls have hurt the Nuggets this season, but nights where they are not sharing the ball have haunted them. The Nuggets are at their best when they are sharing the ball, making the extra pass, tallying close to 30 assists per game. They can’t afford to lose their flow for stretches of playoff games. Also, Denver must get the maximum out of its bench. J.R. Smith’s scoring hasn’t been a problem of late, but Eduardo Najera and Linas Kleiza must not disappear in big games, because they’re going to clock minutes.
Benjamin – How can TNT continue to employ Charles Barkley as a commentator? Instead of talking about the great news of Nene’s return from cancer, Barkley shoots his mouth off about how poor the Nuggets are. I am a huge Nuggets fan and am not delusional enough to think they are the best team, but this goofball shows no respect or validation for what they have accomplished this year with two starters – Nene and Chucky Atkins – on the bench for the entire season.
— Gary Rankin, Arvada
Gary – Well, I’ve had some issues with Barkley over the years with some of the things he’s said – I remember when he said inappropriate and off-based things about the city of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
But, overall, the guy is a lot of fun to listen to. His enthusiasm and humor are good for the game. As for his shots at the Nuggets – of course they’re blanket statements, but how can you argue with his claims that Denver has played poor defense often this season? I hear what you’re saying about the Nuggets being without two key role players – and believe me, it’s been well documented in The Denver Post. Then again, they’re not the only team to have injuries this season.
But, Nuggets fans must give Barkley some love after Barkley stood up for Marcus Camby. On the night they announced the all-star reserves, and Camby wasn’t included, Barkley said: “That’s a joke, man. Marcus Camby should have made it. I’m deeply disturbed Camby didn’t make this team.”
I had a question about the Nuggets’ bench players. First of all, it was a big issue when Nene went out for surgery and rehab, so why don’t they give Steven Hunter any playing time? He would give Marcus Camby rest, or even keep Camby and Kenyon Martin out of foul trouble. He is also 7 feet tall.
— Jason Takai, Omaha
Jason – Well, Steven Hunter is a really nice guy, but it seems that George Karl isn’t comfortable inserting him into the lineup. Hunter isn’t necessarily the hardest worker, and though he has spurts where his rebounding and shot-blocking can be helping, overall Karl would be more comfortable with the athletic likes of Eduardo Najera coming off the bench to play in the low post, even though Najera’s not as tall as Hunter.
Will Atkins play more minutes in the playoffs – assuming we get there? Or has he been out long enough, now it’s better to wait until next year?
— Travis, Los Angeles
Travis – We’ll see. My guess is that George Karl will insert Chucky Atkins into some of the playoff games, because Atkins has valuable postseason experience. Last postseason, J.R. Smith made steam shoot out of Karl’s ears. Though Smith has matured a lot this season, I can see Atkins getting a few stints here and there, but probably not in the fourth quarter.
Are there “playoff rosters” in the NBA, or do teams bring their whole roster?
— J.R., Denver
Well, the way you’re playing, J.R. Smith, I don’t think you’ll need to worry about being left off the roster.
To answer your question, they no longer have “playoff” rosters. It’s the same as in the regular season with active/inactive lists before each game – and a maximum of 12 active players. The Nuggets, for instance, currently have 13 players on their roster, so they will have one inactive in each game (sorry, Taurean Green), unless they add another player down the stretch, which is still a possibility.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
