2011-12 Denver Nuggets Predictions
Written by Jack Jones
The Denver Nuggets made the biggest midseason trade last year by sending Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks in exchange for a plethora of role players. The move actually worked out very well for them, and now their biggest task is to not mess it all up.
Denver went from a fringe playoff team before the trade to a serious contender in the Western Conference after it last year. They finished with a 50-32 record, which earned them the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. The Nuggets would get beat by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, though almost every game went right down to the wire.
The Nuggets were the third-best home team in the league last year with a 33-8 record in Denver. However, they were just 17-24 away from home, and the Nuggets must find a way to bring their best game to the floor no matter where they play. Denver ranked 1st in scoring (107.5) and 21st in scoring defense (102.7) a year ago.
George Karl did perhaps his best coaching job yet with all of the new players he had to work into the lineup after the Anthony trade last season. This team has undergone more changes than almost any other team in the league once again this offseason. Karl will have his hands full once again.
The biggest move the Nuggets made this offseason was signing Nene to a five-year deal. They also added DeMarre Carroll and Michael Ruffin in free agency. They got these players signed after drafting Kenneth Faried (No. 22), Jordan Hamilton (No. 26) and Chukwudiebere Laudanum (No. 56).
The team also traded for a veteran point guard, snagging Andre Miller from the Blazers. They also traded for Corey Brewer and Rudy Fernandez as well, two players that should help Denver lead the league in scoring once again this season with their ability at the offensive end.
Three key players for Denver elected to play in China during the lockout, and their contracts aren’t up until March. They are J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler and Kenyon Martin. It’s unsure whether these three will get out of their contracts before March and join the team. The Nuggets also traded away Raymond Felton (Blazers), let Gary Forbes and Melvin Ely go in free agency.
Denver’s starting lineup will likely feature PG Ty Lawson (11.7 points, 4.7 assists) and SG Arron Afflalo (12.6 points) in the backcourt. They were recently able to sign Afflalo to a five-year deal right before the start of the regular season. That was a great move because this is one of the best shooters in the game, and he’s only getting better.
C Nene (14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks) has proven he can hold his own down low and should become a more focal point of the offense this season. SF Danilo Gallinari (15.6 points) and PF Al Harrington (10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds) are tough match-ups because of their ability to stretch the floor.
Just as they had last season, the Nuggets will feature one of the best benches in the league. That will especially be the case if/when Chandler, Smith and Martin return. They have Miller, Fernandez, Faried, Brewer, Carroll, Hamilton and Chris Anderson all coming off the bench right now.
Western Conference Prediction: 3rd Northwest Division – This is going to be a dangerous team late in the year because of their depth. I certainly like that they re-signed their two best players in Nene and Afflalo. However, I just don’t feel like they have the talent across the board to get back to the playoffs as a No. 5 seed.
Denver will finish in third place in the Northwest, and if they get in, they will be one of the last teams to make the playoffs. It’s just hard to see Karl being able to get as much out of his players as he did a year ago. This team played with a chip on their shoulder because every player felt like no other team in the league wanted them. They won’t have that same chip as a whole in 2011-12.
Jack Jones has also written his 2011-12 NBA predictions article to give you a better feel for the entire league heading into the year.
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