Denver Nuggets 2008 Season Preview

With A.I. & Melo lighting up the scoreboards, can the Denver Nuggets lock down on defense & capture an NBA title?

Denver Nuggets: 2007-08 Overview

Heading into the 2007-08 season, the Denver Nuggets had the entire season for Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony to “mesh.” The dynamic scoring tandem finished the regular season averaging just over 52 PPG combined. While the Nuggets have no problem putting up points, they also put up little fight on the defensive end outside of former Defensive Player of the Year, Marcus Camby. Even so, the Denver Nuggets would shoot their way back into the playoff picture, battling for one of the final spots in the last weeks of the regular season.

The Denver Nuggets finished the season at an impressive 50-32, which – in a stacked Western Conference – was good for the No. 8 seed. The Denver Nuggets would go up against the top seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs. It was a fast-paced series, but the Denver Nuggets could not contain the explosive Kobe Bryant. The LA Lakers also exploited holes in the Denver Nuggets defense, proving that the Denver Nuggets cannot win a championship – let alone escape the first round – without playing D. In four-straight double-digit losses, the Denver Nuggets got swept in the first round.

Denver Nuggets: Offseason

No. 1 priority in the offseason? Put the “D” back in Denver. Did the Nuggets make the right moves to improve on defense? Judging that the Denver Nuggets traded away their two biggest defensive threats in Marcus Camby and Eduardo Najera, that would be a resounding no. However, offseason pickup Renaldo Balkman is a bright spot on a waning Denver defense. The Denver Nuggets did re-sign PG Anthony Carter and back-up two guard J.R. Smith.

Denver Nuggets: Offense

With Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony ready to fire away, there will be no shortage on the offensive end. Fans with Denver Nuggets tickets can expect the Denver Nuggets to run and score at will. Allen Iverson (26.4 PPG) and Carmelo Anthony (25.7 PPG) are two of the best offensive talents in the NBA today and will team up to be the league’s highest scoring tandem. Averaging 7.2 APG, Allen Iverson is a dangerous playmaker who can both create his own shot and dish out dimes to open teammates. J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, and Linas Kleiza are a few more scoring weapons in the Denver Nuggets lineup. If the Denver Nuggets can get in the open floor, their run’n’gun offense will be hard to stop.

Denver Nuggets: Defense

Last season, the Denver Nuggets owed what little defense they played to Marcus Camby, who led the team in rebounds (13.1 RPG) and blocks (3.6 BPG). With Marcus Camby off to the Los Angeles Clippers and Eduardo Najera off to the New Jersey Nets, Kenyon Martin will be the Denver Nuggets’ go-to guy on defense. Sure, K-Mart isn’t the shot blocker that Camby is, but he can and frustrate many a player with his one-on-one defense in the low post. Fans with Denver Nuggets tickets should enjoy Renaldo Balkman who brings his own brand of high-energy defense to the floor and will seal off the perimeter. This season, the Denver Nuggets must come together on defense rather than rely on one defensive specialist to carry the load.

Denver Nuggets: Lineup

Point Guard: Anthony Carter, Chucky Atkins
Shooting Guard: Allen Iverson, J.R. Smith
Small Forward: Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman
Power Forward: Kenyon Martin, Linas Kleiza
Center: Nene Hilario, Chris Andersen

Denver Nuggets: Outlook

Before the Denver Nuggets can even be considered legitimate title contenders, they MUST learn to marry their explosive offense with an improved defense. It’s up to Coach George Karl to hammer home a defensive game plan, and more importantly the Denver Nuggets must embrace it or struggle to get into the playoffs once again. Another issue for the Denver Nuggets is injuries, with Nene and Kenyon Martin often struggling to stay healthy. But if they both can stay healthy and if age doesn’t catch up with the 33-year-old Allen Iverson, then the Denver Nuggets have a better chance of keeping pace with the Utah Jazz and Portland Trailblazers for the Northwest Division title. While fans with Denver Nuggets tickets can expect their team to struggle a bit, don’t rule out the playoffs for the Denver Nuggets just yet.