By Chris Marlowe
I was a captain twice in my career. The first time didn’t go so well. In 1976, I was named captain of the U.S. National Men’s Volleyball Team for my skills on the court. Off the court, I broke curfew and received a demotion.
The second time around, I’d learned my lesson and things went much better. As captain of the 1984 U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team, we won the gold medal in Los Angeles. I had matured. I waited to celebrate until after the games.
Suffice it to say, careful consideration is paramount when choosing a team captain. A good example for the Denver Nuggets is Chauncey Billups. In my opinion, the Mile High Crew has been looking for consistent leadership ever since Billups left in 2011.
The Nuggets need someone to lead the team onto the floor, to stare down Tim Duncan and Tony Parker when the captains meet before the game, someone who can command respect from the officials and generate some good will for the “good guys.”
More importantly, the Nuggets need a leader who can inspire. Someone who can make the other players around him play better in practice and in games.
A captain.
As we approach the start of training camp, I thought it would be interesting to discuss who might make a great captain for your 2014-15 Denver Nuggets.
Let’s start with the newest Nuggets. Generally, rookies are not ready to take on the captain’s role at the outset of their careers. That eliminates Erick Green, who played in Italy last season, and 2014 first-round draft picks Jusuf Nurkic and Gary Harris.
Quincy Miller is another young player trying to find his role with the Nuggets. He has a multitude of skills as a big man who can block shots and hit 3-pointers, but he’s probably not ready to be a captain.
Speaking of big men, how about center JaVale McGee? NBA history has shown us that big men can make great captains. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the Lakers and Willis Reed of the Knicks come to mind. However, JaVale is coming off a leg injury and trying to regain the form that made him so valuable to the Nuggets two years ago. Right now, it may be best for him to focus like a laser beam on his comeback.
Forward Darrell Arthur is a true professional a solid contributor to the squad. Even though I was a reserve when I was elected captain in 1984, I think it’s very difficult to be named captain when you are not a starter. That said, when Darrell speaks, players do listen.
Fellow power forward J.J. Hickson has a big, fun personality. However, he is also coming off ACL surgery and may not be ready to start the season. Captain J.J. will have to be put on hold for now.
Perhaps the quietest and most unassuming player in the Nuggets locker room is forward Wilson Chandler. Do you have to have a big mouth and a loud voice to be Cap like I did? No, but sometimes it sure helps! Look for Ill Will to remain a quiet leader for the Mile High Crew.
At the other end of the spectrum is guard Nate Robinson. Nate is one of the most natural leaders I’ve seen in the NBA. He’s fiery, always ready to play, unafraid of calling guys out and tough as nails. Could he be a captain for your Denver Nuggets? It would be an interesting call for coach Brian Shaw.
One Nugget gaining some traction with Denver is center Timofey Mozgov. He is coming off his best season as a pro, but Timo may not be quite ready for the responsibilities of captain this season. If he continues his upward trajectory, the “Flush’in Russian” could be a “Czar” down the road.
One player who demonstrated great leadership skills last season was guard Randy Foye. A solid presence in the locker room and a terrific influence on the younger guys, Foye works hard and is very knowledgeable. He’s also a veteran player who would be ready for the challenge.
Also in the running – assuming he’s healthy – is forward Danilo Gallinari. Gallo is bright, outgoing and a very good player. He is also unafraid to speak his mind. His rehab has shown him to be a tireless worker. Consider “the Rooster” to be in the mix.
In a perfect world, point guard Ty Lawson would be captain of the Nuggets. He’s the starting point guard and the team’s best all-around player. Shaw wants Ty to take the reins on the court and in the locker room. This certainly could be the year.
Another excellent candidate would be recently re-acquired guard Arron Afflalo. In my opinion, he has it all. He is a veteran, an outstanding player, a tireless worker and one who commands respect. Vocal enough to lead, Arron also would take the job very seriously, which I believe is extremely important. AAA CAP very possible.
The final candidate for 2104-15 is forward Kenneth Faried. A year ago, I wouldn’t have thought so. He has changed my mind. He’s matured, his game has blossomed and he takes things more seriously now. He just won a gold medal with Team USA and made the All-Tournament team at the 2014 FIBA World Cup.
Captain Manimal anyone?
Chris Marlowe is in his 10th year as the play-by-play voice for the Nuggets on Altitude. He is a longtime broadcaster who also served as the captain of the gold media-winning U.S. Olympic volleyball team in 1984.