Denver
Nuggets
Northwest
| 2009-10 Team Rating | |
| Offense | Defense |
| 108.7 | 104.7 |
| 5th Overall | 16th Overall |
2009-10 Season Stats
W
53
L
29
PCT
.646
GB
0
CONF
34-18
DIV
12-4
HOME
34-7
ROAD
19-22
LinksVideo | Statistics | Tickets
|
Category | Grade | ||
 Issues of varying degree are dogging Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin and Nene. The latter two are dealing with injuries. Melo's mindset is on trial.
|
B |
||
 Chauncey Billups, a consummate team leader, is as heady and steady as they come. Still gets it done, even at nearly 34. Arron Afflalo proved serviceable his first year in Denver.
|
B |
||
 For a playoff squad, this was a struggle. League rankings in rebounding, shooting defense and points allowed were sub-par.
|
C |
||
 J.R. Smith is explosive, but volatile. Newly signed Al Harrington can fill it up, too. Ty Lawson developing into PG of the future. Chris Andersen has injury concerns.
|
B |
||
 The hope is George Karl returns to the sideline healthy and able to resume the grind. That's the plan, but it's best to have contingencies in place.
|
Inc. |
||
C
Summary
Anthony's hesitation continues to hang over the franchise, overshadowing anything else going on in Denver this summer. It's just that not much else happened on the positive side besides signing big offense/little defense veteran Harrington to fortify a fragile frontcourt. Front office executives Mark Warkentien and Rex Chapman weren't retained.
Melo has a $65 million extension sitting on the table with a year left on his contract and the league going into lockout uncertainty. Should the Nuggets lose Anthony after the season for nothing, rebuilding could be right around the corner. Trading him to avoid that fate has also been debated within team circles.
Anthony's future, Karl's well-being, a restructured front office with new GM Masai Ujiri plus an aging team that can't seem to stay out of the training room -- none of that makes a recipe for stability. At this time last summer, the Nuggets were considered the Lakers' biggest threat in the Western Conference. What a difference a year makes.
-- Art Garcia
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