Scott Brooks, a coach with ties to the Nuggets organization, is an intriguing option for the team’s next head coach. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)
Here is the latest edition of my Twitterbag. Keep the questions coming on my Twitter account: @dempseypost
“@Orod5_ any word on the Nuggets HC search? Any chance they look at Brooks?
Monday: The Nuggets are getting that ramped up this week. They took the end of April to finish up some scouting in preparation for June’s NBA draft. Slow-rolling the search hasn’t hurt the Nuggets one bit given the fact there are only two teams looking for coaches — Orlando being the other. There are a number of viable candidates out there and not enough positions for them all to fit into, so having to rush the process due to a ton of demand isn’t an issue. And yes, they’ll likely chat with Scott Brooks in addition to others. Brooks has accomplished too much to not at least talk with him about the opening, so it’s expected to happen. Where the search ultimately goes, we’ll see.
“@pjoseph910 Thoughts on Nuggets making a play for Alec Burks, given emergence of Rodney Hood?
Philip: This is an interesting question. The short answer is I wouldn’t expect that to happen. First, the Jazz still wants to see what Burks can be as that team continues to grow under new coach Quin Snyder. As you probably know, Burks missed much of last season with a shoulder injury. Second, the Nuggets aren’t necessarily looking in that direction. Their goal is to do their best to find a player to build around this summer.
“@IJGilaMonster5 Tough to gauge now but what do you think the nuggets are looking to get out of this upcoming draft?
Isaac: This is a succinct answer — the Nuggets are looking to draft a player that can develop into a star. Plain and simple. Now, actually getting that guy is another matter altogether. If the draft order holds and the Nuggets end up with the seventh selection, that pick could be good enough to select a player of that caliber — Stephen Curry was the seventh pick of the 2009 draft — but odds are it won’t be. So look for the Nuggets to do one of two things: Either move up from that position, or attempt to add a selection higher than that with a trade, which would give them two lottery selections. Either way, the Nuggets are desperate to add a transcendent talent that can lead them into a new era of basketball.
“@ClaudioElias7 who do you think has a better future in the NBA: Mario Hezonja or Stanley Johnson?
Claudio: Had to put me on the spot on this one, didn’t ya? I’m a big fan of Mario Hezonja. I’m also a big fan of Stanley Johnson. In fact, I suggested the Nuggets draft him in an article about midway through the regular season. Having said all of that, the best way I can put it is like this: The player who jumps off the screen when you’re watching film is Hezonja. He’s got jump-out-of-the-gym athleticism and a 3-point shot with range well beyond the line. He just looks like a player that could be a star. When you look at Johnson, his film shows more of a solid athlete. Johnson’s built like a tank — 6-8, 245 pounds — and defends like one, fighting through screens and giving a ton of energy. He can shoot it and is strong to the rim. Both will be very good NBA players. Hezonja appears to have that ‘it’ factor.
@Emperiacolypse how do the Nuggets acquire a player who can carry them through the 4th quarter of playoff games? And keep him here?
Zach: Well, the first thing they have to do is acquire a player that can get them to the playoffs. But the good thing is, if they have that guy, then he’ll likely be the guy that wins games in the fourth quarter as well. I’m partial to drafting that kind of player, especially in a situation like the Nuggets where they haven’t had the best success in attracting top-line free agent talent. So draft him, weave him into the community and that’s the best way to keep him here. Players with no connection will come and go. So get a guy when he’s young, get him woven into the fabric of the city, and that’s probably the best shot at keeping him when he eventually becomes an unrestricted free agent.
Follow Chris Dempsey on Twitter @dempseypost or email him at cdempsey@denverpost.com
