Denver Post sports writer Benjamin Hochman posts his Nuggets Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2009-10 NBA season.
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With the emergence of Ty Lawson, when do you see the “changing of the guard” (pun intended) happening?
— Richard, Pueblo
Richard – That’s a great question, and something we don’t think about too much, since , averaging a career high in scoring in this, his 13th season. I asked George Karl your question, and he said: “I have no problem saying that I think Ty should be groomed for at least two or three years. Is Chauncey going to play after that? I don’t know. He’s probably thinking about it now, but will he? That will be determined in the future.”
Indeed, Chauncey and Ty play on the court together on occasion, but with Lawson’s lack of size and defensive prowess, I don’t think he’ll be a starter in the backcourt until Chauncey retires.
Currently, Lawson is ninth in rookie scoring with nine points per game. But consider this: If the season ended today, only the Thunder’s James Harden would be a rookie in the playoffs who averages more points than Lawson.
As for the speedy Lawson’s nickname, I’ve heard “The Show Stopper” and “Beep Beep,” but I prefer “Maverick” … like the dude from “Top Gun” who feels the need for speed. (To be fair, “Goose” also felt the need for speed, but Maverick’s a better nickname — no offense, Rich Gossage).
Have the Nuggets ever considered just making Billups the interim head coach, a la Bill Russell and the late ’60s Boston Celtics?
— Joey, Denver
Joey – Well, it’s an interesting thought, but the Nuggets have the utmost respect for their staff, which includes a variety of coaching minds. As for Chauncey some day being an NBA coach, he has told me that when it’s all said and done, he wants to be a general manager. During those Detroit days, he got to know Joe Dumars well, and Billups speaks highly about him.
“I think Chauncey has a great basketball head,” Karl said, “and where he wants to put is going to be his choice. If he wants to coach, there will be some guys who will give him an opportunity as an assistant.”
I am a big fan of the Nuggets’ eight-man rotation, given the personnel they have this season. The starting five are arguably the strongest unit in the league. And Chris Andersen, J.R. Smith and Lawson provide little rest for the opposing team. What would happen to the depth chart and the rotation if Linas Kleiza was still a Nugget (and assuming that his contract would not take away one of the others)? How much would his minutes decrease and what other bench or starting player would see less playing time?
— Aaron, Colorado Springs
Aaron – Thanks for writing. You bring up a good point, indeed. Let’s say Kleiza was back — would they still have made the move to get Arron Afflalo? (The fact was, they did get A.A. in a pretty affordable situation, so probably.) But if L.K. and his 10 points per game were still on Denver’s bench, he likely would have eaten a lot of minutes that Afflalo currently gets. But maybe Afflalo’s emergence would have cut into L.K.’s minutes? The fact is, L.K. might have been a more bullish scorer, but Afflalo’s hitting 3-pointers at a better pace than L.K., and A.A. plays way better defense.
I just read . Does he replace someone, back up someone or does someone back him up? In other words, what would be the plan?
— GareBo, Durango
GareBo – Hope things are ossum in Durango. Yeah, the Nuggets have been making a pretty strong push to get Big Z — George Karl has been calling him and Mark Warkentien has been working Z’s agent hard.
If Z ends up with the Nuggets, he would basically give Denver flexibility. If the Nuggets wanted to go super-big, they could have Z and Nene, and perhaps Kenyon Martin at the three (Melo at two and point guard at one). And, of course, Z would be there when starters get into foul trouble (or, knock on wood, if a big guy gets hurt). But with Shaquille O’Neal being out for at least six weeks with the thumb injury, from what I’m hearing, there’s an even better chance Z will return to Cleveland, even though he can’t play for the Cavs until March 22 (he could sign with any other team immediately).
OK, I feel better about Melo because he must have learned a lesson in the Washington game with his . I am also thinking no big deal that the Nuggets lose to under-.500 teams. They have to lose some games throughout the season, why not to under-.500 teams? There are the teams above .500 that the Nuggets have to have the skill to beat in the playoffs.
— Diane Carter, Westminster
Diane – I’ll tell you, it’s fascinating that you think this way, because check out what fellow mailbagger Rob from Gunnison thinks: “After the Nuggets took an early day off before the break, losing at home to the Spurs, then cratering in D.C. (after a good win at Cleveland), I really question if this team has the mental toughness to finish ahead of the top Western teams and make the NBA Finals. Playing great only for the BIG AUDIENCE won’t get it, methinks, but … your take?”
Charles Barkley also agrees with Rob as we heard last Thursday, but I would suggest that Denver’s two recent wins against Golden State and Detroit (in a back-to-back situation with the lose-an-hour travel) show a recent dedication to, if you will, winning the games on your schedule. The fact is, though, Denver is 14-10 against teams under .500, but the best quality the team has shown this season is rising to the challenge against the Lakers, Magic, Cavaliers and Celtics. Like you said, those are the types of teams Denver will face in April and May (and June?).
Benjamin Hochman is in his third season as the Nuggets and NBA beat writer for The Denver Post. for the Nuggets Mailbag.
