If the Nuggets come up short in the playoffs I would put the blame & responsibility for non-action on the following culprits... in order:
|
Kroenke |
The unpublished directive to cut costs rather than invest in a title. The “woe is me” poverty story holds no water either. If Kroenke was pinching pennys he wouldn’t be putting on the full court press towards major soccer ownership. His interest and money is pointed towards a new shiny object. He has let the Denver fans down. |
|
Karl |
Maybe it’s a North Carolina thing, great coach but really is rather clueless about player personnel (don’t trade LK for Lee… I want to keep LK, don’t bring in another player I want a year with just this group).Good call there brain surgeon Larry Brown & Doug Moe are the same way, legendary coaches, really clueless personnel men (hey let's trade Dan Issell for Rich Kelly!) |
|
Wark |
Save for his overly arrogant attempts at bullying the press & public with his cute phrases that say nothing and unwillingness to answer questions with direct answers (Dude get over yourself, you were the architect of the JailBlazers, you’re as far away from Red Auerbach as Kiki is). I believe Wark and Wark-ettes would’ve made the trade or trades necessary… if ownership would’ve allowed it and if Karl wasn’t torpedoing any trades… now it’s too late. |
The good news is if you compare the Nuggets bigs (there's only 3 Nuggets bigs to consider) they currently compare better to the rest of the West playoff contenders and potential East championship opponents than I expected. Major injuries to your opponents key bigs often help in that way.
Here is a breakdown of the Nugs Bigs and their counterparts:
West
|
Denver |
Advantage |
|
|
Nene |
Bynum |
Lakers |
|
Kmart |
Gasol |
If not for injuries you could throw Luke Walton in there as a 4th big. |
|
Birdman |
Odom |
|
Denver |
Dallas |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Dampier |
Tie |
|
Kmart |
Dirk |
If Dampier didn’t have injuries I’d give Dallas the advantage. Still Dirk and 2 dudes off the street is almost better than anybody else. |
|
Birdman |
Haywood |
|
Denver |
Utah |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Okur |
|
|
Kmart |
Boozer |
Like Denver, not much depth but the top 3 they have is very good |
|
Birdman |
Milsap |
|
Denver |
San Antonio |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Bonner |
|
|
Kmart |
Duncan |
Bonner’s not much, but Duncan is huge & McDyess & Blair are big contributors |
|
Birdman |
McDyess/Blair |
|
Denver |
Portland |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Camby |
Nuggets |
|
Kmart |
Aldridge |
If Oden & Przybilla were healthy it would be a big Portland advantage |
|
Birdman |
Howard |
|
Denver |
Phoenix |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Lopez |
|
|
Kmart |
Stoudemire |
Give the advantage to Phoenix mostly due to depth |
|
Birdman |
Frye/Amundson |
|
Denver |
OKC |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Krstic |
Nuggets |
|
Kmart |
Green |
Gotta say that’s a pretty weak up front |
|
Birdman |
Collison |
|
Denver |
Memphis |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Gasol |
Nuggets |
|
Kmart |
Randolph |
Memphis’ front 2 I’d give a big edge on, but the bigs on the bench are too young |
|
Birdman |
Thabeet |
|
Denver |
Houston |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Hayes |
Nuggets |
|
Kmart |
Scola |
Hard working group but big advantage to the Nugs. |
|
Birdman |
Jeffries |
East
|
Denver |
Cleveland |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Shaq |
Cavs |
|
Kmart |
Jamison |
Big advantage Cavs, and that also doesn’t count if Powe is ready for the playoffs and when they re-sign big Z |
|
Birdman |
Hickson/Verajao |
|
Denver |
Boston |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Perkins |
Boston |
|
Kmart |
Garnett |
If there weren’t concerns about Garnett falling apart it would be a big Boston advantage |
|
Birdman |
Wallace/Davis |
|
Denver |
Orlando |
Advantage |
|
Nene |
Howard |
Tie |
|
Kmart |
Lewis |
Guess I should be more worried about Lewis but I’m not. The bench doesn’t seem to be used enough |
|
Birdman |
Anderson/Gortat/Bass |
