Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag every Wednesday during the 2008-09 NBA season on DenverPost.com.
To drop a Nuggets- or NBA-related question into the Nuggets Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Benjamin – What are the chances that Allen Iverson is on the team at year’s end? Thanks. Love the mailbag!
— G.G., Bayside, N.Y.
Well, we now know the answer.
, where he might, in fact, have a shot at that elusive ring.
Of course, there has been plenty of debating in Nuggets nation about this trade, which brought all-star point guard Chauncey Billups back home to Denver. There are three main reasons why the trade was made.
* Money: The way it should work out, Denver will now be really darn close to the salary-cap line.
* Leadership: Billups has proven that he can spearhead an offense and take it places; he has been to the Eastern Conference Finals each of the past five seasons.
* Timing: Let’s face it. Unless Denver was (this is speculating) sixth or higher in the West come February, the Nuggets probably would have traded Iverson, whose contract expires at the end of this season. Who knows what type of player would be available then. But the type of player available NOW, well, that’s a three-time, all-star point guard and former NBA Finals MVP.
And though he was banged up for the first three games, Iverson did look “slowed,” as coach George Karl put it.
And there was one moment in particular that was frighteningly uncharacteristic. In the final seconds of the first half against Utah, Iverson had the ball on a fast break, but instead of attacking his defender and attempting a hard layup, he dribbled into the lane and then back toward the 3-point line, looking to pass.
Also, there were murmurs in the organization that old habits were coming back — getting out of practice, for instance — and the Nuggets players didn’t elect him team captain, even though he was a captain last season. (In 2007-08, Denver had three captains, but in 2008-09, Karl opted for two, and Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony were elected.)
And, G.G., here’s a small-world one for you. I have a buddy who actually lives in Bayside, N.Y. He recommends the restaurant called Cinco De Mayo.
I was playing a video game the other day and they called J.R. Smith “The Prodigy.” I just wanted to know if this is his official nickname.
— Jake, Colorado Springs
Jake – I asked J.R. your question on Tuesday, and he informed me that it’s his “street-ball nickname.” His other nickname is “Young Rich,” which I remember he used to wear on a hat, back in his second season with the Hornets, right before he had a falling out with coach Byron Scott, who, if you could believe, thought Smith’s attitude and priorities were out of whack.
Smith still goes by “Young Rich” — last season, it was above his locker on road games as his nickname, though most people call him “Junior” or “Smitty.” “J.R.” is actually a nickname, too, but it stands for junior — not John Ross, like on TV’s “Dallas” — because Smith’s real name is Earl J. Smith Jr., a name that, sure enough, no one calls him.
(In a related note, my first-ever e-mail address, back in 1992, was via the old Internet system, Prodigy — 34064567629881560345617246730521564753@prodigy.com.)
With both J.R. Smith and Linas Kleiza making huge strides last season, how much of an impact will they have on the team this season?
— Aaron Rivera, Denver
Aaron – With the aforementioned J.R., this is supposed to be his breakout year. He signed his first big contract this summer, and he proclaims he’s more mature. So far this season, he has been locked in from 3-point range (it’s almost like you can tell, before he releases the ball, whether it’s going in or not). But twice in the preseason, he made boneheaded, last-second shot selections that infuriated Karl, who has clashed with Smith every season prior to this one. We shall see, as Carmelo says, whether or not Smith plays consistent, mature basketball this regular season.
As for L.K., he has begun this season in sort of a funk, and Karl senses there’s still some frustration after his contract negotiations fell through. (Kleiza will be a restricted free agent this summer, just like Smith was in the previous summer.) But Kleiza is a brawny body who runs the floor well — and loves his 3-ball, too. In order for Denver to be successful, he must be a double-digit point guy, like he was last season.
Who will surprise Nuggets fans this season? Maybe Dahntay Jones?
— Leo, Littleton
Leo – Jones could be the surprise guy, considering Jones played primarily in the D-League last season. On Tuesday, Jones himself said that he is out there to play defense, which is a great attitude to have, but Jones can also pull up and hit a jumper on occasion and get to the basket with his sturdy speed.
It’s possible, Karl said, that Jones will start some of these first few games alongside Billups, before, one would think, ultimately having Jones come off the bench, in favor of “The Prodigy.”
What are your impressions of Renaldo Balkman in his first few games with the Nuggets? Thanks.
— Justin, Lakewood
“Kool,” as Balkman calls himself, definitely plays with passion. He yearns to play defense and doesn’t necessarily care how many points he scores, as long as his man doesn’t go on a scoring spree — and the Nuggets win. And there was Kool in the first game of the season, making an incredible steal and then coasting down court for a breakaway dunk, which tied the game (after Denver trailed by as many as 14 points).
In a way, though, he reminds me a little of Bobby Jones from last year. I remember Karl talking about Jones’ defensive intensity, calling it contagious. But Jones, an unpolished offensive player, never really cracked the rotation. Obviously, the Nuggets covet Balkman more than Jones — they signed Balkman for next season. But Balkman didn’t play in the most-recent game, and I believe there will be times when his lack of offense keeps him on the bench. But, there will be other times when his defensive prowess keeps him on the court.
But another key question, Justin, would be: Where does Balkman rank among the all-time Kools?
Of course, there’s rapper Kool Moe Dee (who’s real name is Mohandas Dewese, but you all knew that). The Kool-Aid Man (to watch Kool-Aid Man video on YouTube, ). Renowned paleontologist Lesley Kool. The group Kool And The Gang (which sang my 17th favorite song of all time, “Celebration,” the 1982 St. Louis Cardinals’ anthem). And DJ Kool, who sampled Kool And The Gang’s song “Hollywood Swinging” in “Let Me Clear My Throat” (“Have mercy babe, ha, I hope ya don’t mind!”).
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
