Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Denver Nuggets 2013-2014 Season Preview (The Denver Nuggets Won't Suck)

It's that time of the year again. The magical start to the NBA season. The Denver Nuggets enter the '13-'14 season with a lot of question marks because a lot has changed after an amazing regular season, finishing with 57 wins last year.

1. The Nuggets were ONCE AGAIN eliminated in the 1st Round of the Playoffs (link to my post about the elimination/off season)
2. The GM of the Year moved to Toronto for tons of money
3. The Coach of the Year, George Karl, was fired (link to my passionate response)
4. Denver did next to nothing during the off season (link to my angry response)
5. The rest of the Western Conference bulked up like they're getting their beach bods ready for the summer (Example: The Spurs, Thunder, Clippers, Rockets, Grizzlies and Golden State all got considerably better or stayed about the same)

So what does this season have in store for the Denver Nuggets? I can tell you this much: in the words of Andre Miller (when asked if the Nuggets will repeat a 57 win season), "Nah man, you know that won't happen again."

What must happen for Denver to be a top-6 team in the West:

1. Ty Lawson must average at least 19 points on 50% FG shooting, 8 assists and 2 steals per game.
It's time for Ty to take the next step.
Enough is enough, Ty. It seems for about 3 seasons now it's been "his time to shine". Averaging 16.7 points, 6.9 assists and 1.5 steals per game last year, he's been close. But this year has to be the one where he makes that extra jump and everyone says, "Wow, Lawson deserves to be an All-Star." I say deserves because unfortunately in the point guard-heavy Western Conference, chances he becomes an All-Star are very unlikely.

2. JaVale McGee must average a double-double.
It's clear that everyone's favorite big guy is going to see plenty of action this season. But what will McGee do with his opportunities? Denver's success of this season depends highly on his ability to take advantage of his freakish athletic abilities and get as many rebounds and dunks as possible. Averaging a double-double should not be that difficult if he sees 30+ minutes per game.

3. Kenneth Faried must be traded.
I'm sorry Denver fans, I just don't see it. Faried is an undersized power forward with extremely below average defensive and offensive skills. His amazing effort and rebounding ability can never be overlooked, but neither can his absence on the defensive side of the ball. While his stock is as high as it is, it's time to sell sell sell for a star. Faried will demand a high price when his rookie contact is up, and he just isn't worth the money. (Expect a post elaborating on this point in the near future)

4. There must be a new sheriff (or sidekick) in town.
The Denver Nuggets have about 5 players that have always had the potential to be good, but have been put in George Karl's "dog house". This is no insult to Coach Karl, every coach has players they love and players they don't. But with first year coach Brian Shaw taking the reins, a new, no-name legitimate role player (or starter) must emerge from this young group. Calling Evan Fournier, Jordan Hamilton, Quincy Miller or Anthony Randolph.

5. Wilson Chandler must play at least 70 games.
Chanlder has to stay healthy.
Chandler is an all-around player who can effectively guard 3 positions, rebound, handle and score the ball inside and out. But he has dealt with several injuries in his short stint in Denver. Last season he only played 43 games. When healthy, Chandler can often be the best player on the court. He has the talent, but will he be able to showcase it? With a knee injury to forward Danilo Gallinari, it is essential that Chandler stays healthy. But already being declared inactive due to injury for the first game of the season is no way to start.


What will happen:

1. Nate Robinson will legitimately contend for the 6th Man of the Year award.
I initially HATED the Nate Robinson signing. But it's undeniable how explosive and effective he can be when it comes to scoring. The big question is whether or not he will be able to play defense and keep himself from any silly antics on the court. But there is a good chance, after having literally no respectable offers after a career season last year, Robinson will play with an huge chip on his shoulder and put up some impressive numbers.

2. JaVale McGee will be on "Shaqtin' a Fool" at least 5 times.
With all the minutes he'll be getting, there is no doubt that McGee will make many... McGee-like mistakes. It's always fun and games to point them out. But hopefully there will also be lots of impressive dunks and blocks to combat those silly plays. Here is a compilation for good measure though.


3. Danilo Gallinari will play less than 35 games this season.
Although he has said his injury wasn't as severe as first believed, Gallinari has been injury prone his entire Denver career.  A knee injury isn't anything to mess around with and Denver management will be very cautious to let him play. Especially when they have so much depth to use instead.

4. Randy Foye will be in the top-15 for 3-point field goal percentage.
Here's a fun graphic.

Foye was one of the most efficient 3-point specialists with Utah last season. With players like Lawson, Andre Miller, Chandler, McGee, JJ Hickson, Timofey Mozgov (I hope) and McGee all demanding defensive attention in the paint, there will be plenty of opportunities for Foye beyond the arch. Chances are he will take advantage of them. Expect early struggles to eventually be ironed out as he gets used to a new system.

5. The Denver defense will allow over 100 points per game, again.
The already defensively-deficient Nuggets lost their best defensive player in Andre Iguodala (he's dead to me forever) over the off season while adding no help. The 23rd ranked defense last season has no where to go but up on the defensive side of the ball... in all the wrong ways.

Prediction

I've seen some silly things from basketball analysts saying that Denver is in great danger to not make the playoffs this season. Don't buy any of that crap. Although the Nuggets aren't as good as last season's squad on paper, the season still needs to play itself out. I mean, we all know what happened to the Lakers last season... HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA... woah, excuse me. Lost myself for a second.

Denver still has an explosive offense and a lot of depth. Defense will be key. There is no way that the Nuggets will have many "great possessions" on defense where everyone guards their man forcing a bad shot and nabbing the rebound. BUT, if Denver can manage to contain offensive attacks by forcing turnovers with almost reckless intensity and active hands, things might look good. 

Record: 45-37. Good for 7th in the Western Conference. Unfortunately, Denver will be knocked out of the 1st Round again... *sighhh* Hey, but it'll be a heck-of-a-series...
It's time to dig in, Nuggets fans. The season is here!

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