Nuggets Offseason Review

Since I am too depressed to discuss the gut wrenching loss from last night's Monday night game. I will discuss the Nuggets offseason. We are just around the corner from the start of the NBA season, are you excited? I know I am! Let's get started.

Key Additions

• Chucky Atkins - Our biggest offseason acquisition played for the Memphis Grizzlies last year and had averages of 13.2 ppg and 4.6 apg. Chucky shot 43% from the field and 37% from downtown. Of course with the Nuggets we cannot begin the NBA season without an injury to one of our key players. So, it begins with Chucky Atkins as he will be out 6 to 8 weeks with a severely strained groin. When Chucky comes back he should be a solid veteran presence who can hit big shots and stretch the defense. Chucky will most likely man the point guard position when he gets back and AI will then shift to shooting guard.
• Kenyon Martin - We have now missed Kenyon's presence in our lineup for 2 straight seasons. The biggest question mark is if Kenyon can come back after two microfracture surgeries. All reports from camp suggest that Kenyon is in great shape and is ready to help this team win some games. I have my doubts, but only time will tell.
• Steven Hunter/Bobby Jones - We acquired Steven Hunter and Bobby Jones in a trade with the 76ers for Reggie "Nut Grabber" Evans and Ricky "waste of a draft pick" Sanchez. Steven Hunter gives us added depth in the center position, if and when Marcus Camby goes down. Bobby Jones is a big, athletic two guard who shot pretty decent from downtown in preseason. I don't know if he will see much burn, but he has to be a better shooter then Kouba Diawara right?
• Von Wafer - Von Wafer is an interesting prospect that the Nuggets signed from the Colorado 14ers (NBADL). He played extremely well in the summer league and was a top scorer in the developmental league last season. He has a smooth stroke from downtown and is very athletic. He should push J.R. Smith for time at the shooting guard position while A.I. runs the point until Chucky comes back.

Key Losses

• Steve Blake - I know many Nuggets fans liked what they saw from Steve Blake last season, but I was not one of them. Steve played as good or better then we could of expected after we traded Earl Boykins for him. I just don't think that Steve's play was good enough at the point guard position for the Nuggets to resign him. This was never more evident when we played San Antonio in the playoffs last year. He played with no confidence and really couldn't hit the open shot when we needed him to. Blake is a competitor and plays hard every night, but I just don't think he is more then a backup point guard in the NBA. Enjoy Portland Stevie B!
• Reggie Evans - There is no doubt that this guy can rebound the basketball, he was at the top of the league in rebounds per 48 minutes. At times during the 06 - 07 season when we had our difficulty rebounding the basketball the Joker would come in and give us a boost. But, with Kenyon, Nene and Eduardo on the roster there was a logjam at the power forward spot and we no longer needed his services. Honestly I am glad he is no longer on the roster. I just couldn't respect the guy after he grabbed the Kaveman's nuts. Sinora!
• Ricky Sanchez - HA HA...Yeah Right.
  

Overall, I think the Nuggets management made enough moves, within the parameters of what they could spend, to upgrade the roster significantly. The key will be K-Mart, if he can come back and give us 20 -25 minutes a night of hard nosed defense, rebounding, and effective SHOT SELECTION then we could have a chance to really do something in the postseason. It's up to K - Mart to decide if he wants to contribute to this team in a manner that can help them win. That means coming off the bench and not needing plays run for him to be effective. As I said before, time will tell.