Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag every Wednesday during the 2008-09 NBA season on DenverPost.com. The next installment is slated for Dec. 31.
To drop a Nuggets- or NBA-related question into the Nuggets Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
Defensively this year, the Nuggets have been doing phenomenal. At this point, it’s been so underappreciated outside of Denver. At the time I write this, the Nuggets are third in FG% defense (behind only Cleveland and Boston) and fifth in opponents 3PT% (according to ESPN). The only reason they give up as many points as they do is because of their pace and their mediocre rebounding. Quite a difference a year (and one player) makes.
— Daniel, Boulder
You’re very right, Daniel. The Nuggets are truly a defensive team this season. And I’ll tell you, it started in training camp. Day One. George Karl had said that enough is enough — the Nuggets weren’t going to take plays off anymore or rely on a certain player to mop up the mess (notably because that certain player is now on the Clippers).
In training camp, the culture was changed. In the first week, Karl and his staff worked almost exclusively on defense. In fact, there were some offensive struggles in the preseason, just because they hadn’t spent enough time on the offense.
And then, when , he just magnified Denver’s defensive dedication, because he’s a pretty intelligent defender. Now, Billups just enhances the defensive principles with his on-court and locker-room leadership. And his tenacity is visible, notably in the fourth quarter.
It’s been pretty fun so far this season, to watch a plan come to fruition. We’ll see if it carries into 2009 and — most importantly — into the 2009 playoffs.
Benjamin – With Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, Brandon Roy and Tony Parker all on the usual short list for making the all-star team, it’s a pretty crowded field in the West. Does Chauncey have a strong case for being voted in by the coaches? Is anybody else besides George Karl making the case? Are the Nuggets urging fans to vote?
— Michael Charach, Marina Del Rey, Calif.
Michael – You have begun a great debate: Who should be the Western Conference all-star guards? The way the voting is going, Kobe Bryant is leading all guards right now and Chris Paul is second. Last season, the West had five total guards, and the previous season, it had four.
I would say that Billups, for changing the culture in Denver and for putting up some pretty impressive numbers, will be chosen as a reserve. (To answer your question, the Nuggets are doing a good job promoting the voting, notably on their website and at games, with the cutesy Presidential-like ad campaigns). I think Williams will be the fourth, due to the fact that he’s second in the league in assists.
The question is: Will Phoenix’s Steve Nash (15.5 points and 8.3 rebounds) make the team? What about Tony Parker (21.3 points and 6.6 assists)? I can’t see both of them making it. This means, per usual, an all-star-caliber player won’t be an all-star. I’m curious what you all, The Denver Post readers, think about the all-star roster.
Do you think Carmelo Anthony’s old scoring habits will return once his “elbow pain” goes away? I think if Melo can average 25-10, the Nuggets will be a serious contender in the postseason.
— Tyler, Cleveland
Man, Tyler, if Melo goes 25-10 for the season, that would be MVP-ish. Entering Tuesday, he was at 21-8, which means his scoring is down from previous seasons but his rebounding is up. The elbow pain has surely affected his scoring, but even so, he has had some eruptions of late. To answer your question, I think Melo’s average will creep up toward your 25-point mark, and I see the rebounds still hovering around eight, which is pretty darn good.
And as for the idea of Denver being a serious contender in the postseason, the way they’re playing now, you have to at least put them in the conversation. Of course, they have lost some games to upper-echelon teams, notably the Lakers, Hornets and Spurs. I think we’ll learn a lot about the Nuggets real quickly, as they embark on this stretch against Cleveland, at Phoenix, and then a home-and-home against Portland — without a break against an under-.500 team.
But like your guy Melo said on Monday night, when asked about Denver’s upcoming games against winning outfits, “We’re a winning outfit, too.”
Due to this recent success and Denver showing itself as a real contender, is it possible that Stan Kroenke will allow management to sign/trade for another big man and pay up the luxury tax? Is there anyone out there that could be available? With K-Mart and Nene injury prone, we’d be in big trouble if one of them went down. Too bad they let Eduardo Najera go!
— David, Guadalajara, Mexico
That is definitely a fair question, David. The Nuggets are definitely in the market for a big man, but in reference to paying for another big man, it doesn’t look like Denver’s going to splurge on a post, just for the sake of doing so. This summer, Denver’s priority was to cut costs, and that’s why Najera, a favorite of coach George Karl, is now on New Jersey (because Denver didn’t want to pay him a fourth year on his contract). And Marcus Camby, of course, made around $10 million and he’s off the books now. So basically, to get a new guy like Camby wouldn’t be very consistent with the business plan.
Moreover, coach Karl has been complimentary about the Nuggets embracing this new business model. Of course, he wasn’t too excited about it this summer, but now there seems to be a commitment to being financially responsible and maximizing the players on the roster.
I have been impressed with George Karl’s use of the bench this year. The bench seems to be missing one more big body that would round out the rotations. Is the front office going to move Chucky Atkins and Steven Hunter any time soon?
— Ty, Colorado Springs
It’s possible, Ty Webb. It would make sense to move pricey pieces that don’t play for someone who would. But the main thing, and this goes back to the previous question from David, is whether or not Denver can get a new player and stay close to the luxury-tax line.
I do think Chucky Atkins can help a team. And Chucky Atkins feels he can help a team. He’s got a chip on his shoulder, after being injured and missing playing time. It’s just going to be so tough for him to find playing time for Denver. Heck, George Karl is struggling finding minutes for Renaldo Balkman, a player he enjoys playing.
Benjamin Hochman covers the Nuggets for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Nuggets Mailbag, or visit DenverPost.com’s .
