I have been listening to talk radio in Denver lately (questionable choice I know) but 104.3 The Fan's Nate and Chad brought up a topic about the Nuggets that made me stop, and then want to puke. The question was how do the Nuggets take the next step? Basically they were pointing out that in the last 33 years only 9 cities have won an NBA championship and only the Pistons with Chauncy lacked a true top five player. And with today's NBA climate how would the Nuggets get one of these elite players to town. The long and short of it was that with a smaller market lacking in beaches and media exposure it would be an extreme long shot. So I started thinking well whats next?

Looking at the roster today with signing of Fournier, the likely signing of McGee, is there a player in Denver who could become the star it seems we need? First I expect Bird to fly away he will either get amnestied or traded but I expect him to be gone sooner or later. I like Ty but I don't think he will ever be better than solid, and that is ok. I think AAA is what he is a good defensive two with a solid stroke who couldn't create a finger painting let alone his own shot. With Gallo I see the only shot at a true star on the roster if he matures into what I think he could be we could have a more aggressive Dirk on our hands. Chandler is solid but he disappears at bad times and I am not sure he will ever be more than a good player. I love Manimal and I think he could be that third player on a championship team but not the star. McGee is the hardest player for me to project as I have never followed Washington and I don't plan on starting now that the Brazilian stay-puff was exiled to their team. He shows flashes but will he put it together? I think Mozzy could be similar to Gortat, I really want to see more of J-Ham because I really liked what I saw last season in short stints. The rest of the roster is either projects(Stone, Fournier) vets(Andre, and Al) or height ( Timo, and Koufos). I guess the way I see it is we have some great pieces, but we are short the key ingredient and I don't really see a trade that could bring that piece to Denver. Do we make a move for Dwight? I Think Joe Johnson would have been a good fit but his contract would have made it impossible. Do we upgrade Ty with Rondo? I just don't really see a move that puts us over the hump, and that brings my worst fear to life we become the late 80's version of the Mavs. Good enough to make the playoffs but never a championship. Anyone have a solution? Hope? A light at the end of the tunnel? Because I don't.