30 Teams 30 Days Denver Draft Preview

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30 Teams, 30 Days: Denver Draft Preview

Jun 16, 2008 11:49 AM

2007-2008 Finish: 50-32
2008 Draft Picks: 20th

Pre-Draft 2008-09 Projected Starters:
PG Allen Iverson
SG J.R. Smith
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Kenyon Martin
C Marcus Camby
Key Reserves:
PG Chucky Atkins
SF Linas Kleiza
PF Nene Hilario

What the Nuggets Do Well:

The Nuggets have an awesome team on paper, but in reality they may have too many cooks in kitchen. All of the primary pieces of the Nugget roster are obviously reliant on having the ball in their hands. Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are both Alpha Males who prefer to have the offense run through themselves. J.R. Smith enjoys hoisting up shots like it?s his 21st birthday all over again. Kenyon Martin and Nene Hilario both seem to attack the basket when the ball is dumped into their hands.

Iverson and Melo had great seasons individually. Iverson led the team in scoring (26.4 points) and assists (7.1) per game. He played in all 82 games and added 3.0 rebounds and 1.95 steals per game. Anthony was nearly as effective, managing a solid 25.4 points and 3.4 assists. He also set career bests in rebounds (7.4), steals (1.3), 3-point shooting (35.4%,) and field goal shooting (49.2%).

The bulk of the defensive contribution down low came from Marcus Camby. He led the team and the league with 3.6 blocks and set a career and team-high with 13.1 rebounds per game. He was a monster on the glass and nearly captured his second straight NBA Defensive Player of the Year award.

The 23-year old Linas Kleiza also made a name for himself this season. Kleiza set career highs across the board in his third season out of Missouri and was often a focal point of late season trade discussion.

Greatest Areas of Improvement:

Real Point Guard
The Nuggets have been aching for a true point ever since dealing away Andre Miller last season. They have experimented with multiple options at the point, including AI, Anthony Carter, Chucky Atkins, and even Taurean Green. They need to consider dealing for a top-level distributor or use this pick wisely on a youthful floor leader.

Defense on the Wing
With Melo and Iverson playing the two and three positions, there are not many nights when the offensive-minded wingmen are able to hold down an opponent?s top scorer. The Nuggets, as a collective unit, refuse to play any defense, but their D on the wing is by far the biggest area of concern. Adding a defensive stopper in the mold of Tayshaun Prince would be a huge upgrade for the team and make life easier on Camby and Martin.

Who?s Gone Number 20 Recently?

Over the past five years, the 20th pick has not produced the league?s best players. The Nuggets will be revisiting the 20th pick for the third time in the past five years. Twice previously they selected one current starter and one big-time bust. Unfortunately, they traded away the wrong one.

2007
Jason Smith, Miami Heat (traded to Philadelphia)

2006
Renaldo Balkman, New York Knicks

2005
Julius Hodge, Denver Nuggets

2004
Jameer Nelson, Denver Nuggets (traded to Orlando)

2003
Dahntay Jones, Boston Celtics (traded to Memphis)

Who Should the Nuggets Target?

For more in-depth analysis and background regarding the players that the Nuggets should target in this year?s Draft, click on each player name to be redirected to Christopher Reina?s Prospect Report piece.

- Ty Lawson of UNC

If UNC?s Ty Lawson is still available when it comes time for Denver to make their selection, this should be a no brainer. Lawson is a high-risk high-reward type of pick this late in the Draft. There is no question he has the tools to become an effective point guard in the league. His injuries will always be an area of concern, but his talent is too high for the Nuggets to pass.

- Mario Chalmers of Kansas

Chalmers has the winning pedigree and would immediately be able to start alongside Iverson in the backcourt. While he does not have the same potential that Lawson has, he might be a better fit with the current Denver roster.

- Brandon Rush of Kansas

Rush gives the Nuggets a talented guard who can do it all. He has excellent awareness on the court and would provide leadership and defense in the backcourt. He is definitely NBA-ready and would be able to start almost immediately for this team next to The Answer.

Picks Over the Past Five Years

The Nuggets have selected some great players over the past couple of seasons but haven?t had the smarts to hold on to them. They have been searching for a point guard since dealing Andre Miller to Philadelphia but also drafted and traded Jarrett Jack and Jameer Nelson. Now they are sitting back at home while Leon Powe is making a huge impact for the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

2007
None

2006
Leon Powe, 49th (traded to Boston)

2005
Julius Hodge, 20th
Jarrett Jack, 22nd (traded to Portland)
Axel Hervelle, 52nd

2004
Jameer Nelson, 20th (traded to Orlando)

2003
Carmelo Anthony, 3rd
Sani Becirovic, 46th

Previous Editions of the 30 Teams, 30 Days Series

Whom do you want the Nuggets to draft at number 20? Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts. He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments and questions.

Tags: NBA

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