While responding to Josh’s great fanpost, I started wondering if I was in the minority on the Nuggets playoff chances.  It seems like a few of you guys really like where the team is heading.  While it appears a majority of this site thinks that Camby isn’t as big of a loss as the talking heads do (myself being included in that group), some of you guys seem to either think the Nugs will be better next year, or the West in general will be worse. 

There are reasons for optimism:

* Melo is a year older, and starting to reach his potential of being a 25 & 10 player

* AI is in a contract year and motivated

* Nene is finally healthy (knock on wood)

* K-Mart proved last year that he can still be a solid contributor

* JR is ready to make the leap

* Dallas and Phoenix are both older and not better

There are reasons for pessimism:

* AI is a year older.  Is this the year he breaks down?

* Nene is NEVER healthy

* Who runs the point?

* What is Karl’s state of mind?

* Frontcourt depth?  Birdman?  Really?

* Our Portland overlords are arriving.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid.

So do you, as of right now, think the Nuggets are a playoff team in the West?  Why or why not?