After a disappointing (but not altogether unpredictable) loss in Game 7 to the Lakers, it’s time to look forward to what proves to be an interesting off-season for the Nuggets. There may be changes to this roster, but is that the right thing for this club?
Let's find out …
In the postmortem of the Nuggets heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Lakers, there was emotion, there was anger, and there was people throwing kittens against a wall of porcupines. People weeping in the streets and flogging themselves on the corner. The thing is, however, this needs to stop.
NOW
This Nuggets team has a bright future regardless of what people or various ESPN-paid pundits tell you. This seven game series against the Lakers went more to help the young team's development than anything else they encountered this season. In fact I'd wager to say that this team's resilience in the face of injury and the way they picked themselves off the mat versus the Lakers should give every Nuggets fan encouragement that this team can win for the future. I know I'm encouraged.
With that being said, as of this last March, we may have seen the last of Chris Andersen on the floor for the Denver Nuggets (more on that in the coming days). Regardless of the result of his legal issues, I just don’t see the Nuggets spending $4.5 million a year to retain a player they have no intention of playing.
What will the Nuggets then do with Rudy Fernandez? I think they should bring him back. His three point shooting and perimeter defense was definitely missed.
We know, of course, the Nuggets desire to retain JaVale McGee (hopefully at a reasonable price), but if some foolish team backs a dump truck full of money up to McGee’s door what will the Nuggets do?
Ty Lawson looks to be extended soon, and if the Nuggets manage to retain McGee then I think priority number one is for Ty to improve his lob passing ability. One of the reason McGee came off the bench was because he worked better with Andre Miller … if Ty improves his lobs the Nuggets will be lethal.
That brings us to Miller. If you go by his comments after Game 7 in Los Angeles, the Nuggets chances of keeping Miller are small. He’s an unrestricted free agent, and stated he will only “come off the bench” for a contending team. That pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for the Nuggets chances of re-signing Andre. You can understand his point of view, I don’t begrudge him whatsoever, and if he can latch on with a contender then thank you so much for what you did for the team this season Dre.
In the grand scheme of things, I can't see the Nuggets making any major moves this off season. It seems like they really do like their team, and outside of filling some holes I just can't see the Nuggets making any significant changes until the trade deadline (if that). I think the Nuggets need to give this team an opportunity to grow. There's no package deal or major trade that will be an upgrade over the roster they have now and I for one am excited to see how this roster matures after another off-season of development. The team has learned alot about itself these playoffs, and I like what I see.
The future is bright Nuggets fans, and it's very likely the roster you see before you will be mostly intact next season. For that, I'm encouraged.
Links
Nuggets upbeat about future prospects after pushing Lakers to seven games – Benjamin Hochman, Denver Post
Benjamin Hochman talks about the Nuggets prospects in the off season and their sunny outlook after their playoff series versus the Lakers.
Nuggets' Andre Miller says he will keep options open – Chris Dempsey, Denver Post
Looks like Dre' may have played his last game as a Nuggets point guard.
Ty Lawson, Nuggets playoff star, in position to get contract extension – Benjamin Hochman, Denver Post
Ty Lawson may get paid this off season after three great games in the first round.
NBA put its thumb on the scale for the Lakers – Dave Krieger, 850KOA blog
Dave Krieger from 850 KOA talks about Metta World Peace coming back for game seven, and how the scales were tipped toward the Lakers in the last game of the series.
