After not making the finals again... I fell that we can always learn something from this past season and from the teams that made the Finals. Here's what I think the Nuggets should take with them into 2011.
1. Obviously we need a legit big man. Both the Lakers and the Celtics had two players over 7' or over 270 lbs. Celtics: (Kevin Garnett 7', 253 lbs. Kendrick Perkins 6'10, 280 lbs. Glen Davis 6'9, 290 lbs.) Lakers: Gasol 7' 250 lbs. Bynum 7' 285 lbs.) I realize that Big Baby is only 6'9, but his weight makes him almost impossible to move. He's an excellent rebound and an above average defender. Perkins is also immovable but he also has height which makes him an excellent defender. Garnett is a great rebounder as well, and he's a good defender. Now for the Lakers. Both Gasol and Bynum can control the boards because of their length. They're both good post defenders. Gasol can control a game with his offensive game. His jump hook is almost unstoppable because of his length. Bynum also looks promising offensively if he can stay healthy. The Nuggets need a 7' player that's built like Perkins. Our biggest need is without a doubt a post defender/ rebounder.
2. The Celtics run to the Finals really isn't that remarkable. They're an older team which makes injuries a lot more probable, much like our Nuggets. Doc Rivers is an excellent coach. He took a gamble during the regular season, a huge one. He believed the players when told him that they would bring it in the Playoffs, and they sure did. They looked like a new team during the playoffs. I think this may have been the key to their run. Maybe the Nuggets should take notes. The Nuggets were so worn down at the end of last season that they couldn't even advance past a worn down Utah Jazz team during the first round. The Regular Season really doesn't mean much as long as you make it to the playoffs. Look at the Cavs, they've been regular season champs the last two seasons but they can't make it to the Finals. Next year the Nuggets need to rest everyone more and have a deeper bench. They need to play players like AC, Petro, and Graham a lot more next year. Forget only playing 8, we need to play 10.
3. The Nuggets need more than one scoring option. And no, Chauncey isn't the answer. When a soon to be 34 year old PG averages the most PPG in his career, you have problems. The Nuggets need a second and third option, and one needs to be in the post.
Have any others? Please post them and i'll add them right away.
