What's Next for the Nuggets?

[epicSocialism4tw]

The Nuggets were possibly the most hyped team during the offseason. Mostly due to their acquisition of Kenyon Martin and the assumed development of Carmelo Anthony. This team to me has been the biggest dissapointment of the season.
Andre Miller is a selfish pointguard, Anthony is obviously still a kid, and they have not been able to find someone to hit the jumper since Lenard went down. They bring the ball down the floor and then their offense stops. It's the ugliest offense in the league. I havent seen anything that bad since the early 90's.
There are tons of questions surrounding this team. How long will it take for the Nuggets to find a team that works? Who will be the coach next season? Will they make the playoffs this season? Will they trade Nene and Skita? Odds are, something will be done prior to the trade deadline. If not, you can count on Kiki to be proactive this offseason. He is a true Donnie Nelson offspring.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Looks like George Karl is the Nugs' next coach...here's an update from ESPN.com:

By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
George Karl and the Denver Nuggets are in negotiations to try to hammer out a coaching deal, league sources told ESPN.com on Tuesday.

The sides have not yet reached an agreement but the Nuggets are hoping to move quickly, sources said.


Karl and Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe met Monday night in Chicago but neither could be reached for comment.


The Nuggets boast a 4-8 record since interim coach Michael Cooper replaced Jeff Bzdelik, who was fired Dec. 28.


The Nuggets, according to sources, want a veteran coach to toughen up an underachieving (and injury-ravaged) team that sits at 17-23 entering Tuesday's game at Chicago.


Karl, currently an analyst for ESPN, has coached four NBA teams (Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle and Milwaukee) and has a career record of 708-499.


Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke did not attend Monday's meeting, sources said, but Kroenke has known Karl for years as a friend and business partner.

[MajikMan7]

George Karl is a great coach on the offensive side of the ball. Which will really help out the Nuggets. He'll get the Nuggets back to being a competive team like last year. But for me I can't stand the guy, I was so happy to see him leave Milwaukee. He could care less if his players play defense or rebound. He insisted in bringing in guys like Anthony Mason and Jason Caffey who the Bucks are still paying out of A$$es for until the end of this year. And on top of that he had horrible relationships with his star players Gary Payton (Seattle) Ray Allen (Milwaukee).

[Clockwork Orange]

The Nuggets won't get any better until their biggest fundamental flaw is fixed.

That being that this team simply can't shoot.

No one on this team is a threat from beyond about 18 feet and the blame for that lies solely on Kiki. 2 guard was the weakest position on the team coming in to the year after he let Jon Barry go, leaving Vo Lenard as the only real outside threat. Lenard tears his achilles in the season opener and now they've got nothing. What's worse, they've had nothing for nearly half a season now and Kiki has done nothing to address it.

I'm not talking about a blockbuster trade for an elite 2 guard (though I'm not opposed to the idea at all), I'm talking about bringing in any available player who can drain an outside shot and give them some minutes at the 2. It still hasn't happened.

So long as the Nuggets are solely an interior team, opponents will continue to pack the defense inside, cutting off driving lanes, bottling up post players and daring the Nuggets to try a long shot that everyone knows they'll miss at least 7 times out of 10.

As for George Karl, I'll pass. The guy has never won squat regardless of the talent level of his team. He was the one who led the Sonics to being the 1st #1 seed in NBA history to get knocked off by a #8 (the Nuggets, ironically).

[Tredici]

It doesn't matter who the Nuggets get as a coach. They aren't going to listen, they aren't going to buy in, and they aren't going to expend any effort.

[epicSocialism4tw]

It doesn't matter who the Nuggets get as a coach. They aren't going to listen, they aren't going to buy in, and they aren't going to expend any effort.

Tredici, I am outside of the loop being in west Texas...are the Nuggets as 'thuggish' as they seem from the outside? I just can't find a way to root for a team like that.

[wisconsinhomer]

I think that karl has a good chance at turning around the slumping Nuggets. I liked him when he was with the Bucks. the bucks hasen't done s*** since he left. i say the nuggets will only lose 10 more games this year. then they will will get the 5th seed. then in the NBA finals karl will end the year against the team that he started the year against.

[epicSocialism4tw]

I think that karl has a good chance at turning around the slumping Nuggets. I liked him when he was with the Bucks. the bucks hasen't done s*** since he left. i say the nuggets will only lose 10 more games this year. then they will will get the 5th seed. then in the NBA finals karl will end the year against the team that he started the year against.

The 5th seed?? Is that sarcasm? I hope so. Sac, Dallas, Houston and Seattle should be battling for that spot. I still don't see the Nuggets in the playoffs.

[RhymesayersDU]

The Nuggets could theoretically make the playoffs, but they probably won't. If they can finish 41-41 or even a game or two better then that, it will set things up very nicely for next season.

[Tredici]

Tredici, I am outside of the loop being in west Texas...are the Nuggets as 'thuggish' as they seem from the outside? I just can't find a way to root for a team like that.

I don't know if thuggish is the word. I also don't think it's a malady just effecting the Nuggets. I think the players have been running the league for several years now. They do what they want, when they want. Everyone thinks Denver should be a running team (high altitude, home advantage) but the players decide not to run, they don't run.

Look at the success of Earl Boykins. I heard a great explanation the other day on jock talk. The players are flat lazy during the regular season. They don't want to gaurd. They don't want to step in and take offensive fouls. So you get a little guy who has to work his ass off or not have a job and he looks like a super star out there.

The last couple of games have been encouraging.

We'll see...

[epicSocialism4tw]

I don't know if thuggish is the word. I also don't think it's a malady just effecting the Nuggets. I think the players have been running the league for several years now. They do what they want, when they want. Everyone thinks Denver should be a running team (high altitude, home advantage) but the players decide not to run, they don't run.

Look at the success of Earl Boykins. I heard a great explanation the other day on jock talk. The players are flat lazy during the regular season. They don't want to gaurd. They don't want to step in and take offensive fouls. So you get a little guy who has to work his ass off or not have a job and he looks like a super star out there.

The last couple of games have been encouraging.

We'll see...

I'd have to agree with the assessment of Boykins. He's actually probably the only player on that team that I like and it is for that reason.

People like a hard worker. Here in Texas, I see the Mavs games often and guys like Eduardo Najera have always been fan favorites. Nash was well loved here too. Beleive it or not, Jerry Stackhouse and Josh Howard are those guys here now.