NBA JAM: DENVER NUGGETS

In our continuing rundown on the NBA season, Neate looks at the Northwest Division, specifically the Denver Nuggets.

Last season: 44-38, 3rd in Western Conference, lost 4-1 to L.A. Clippers in first round of playoffs
Coach: George Karl
New faces: Joe Smith, J.R. Smith
Funny-looking white guy: Linas Kleiza
Blogs: NuggetsNews, Nuggets Underworld, Solid Gold

Denver should repeat in the Northwest by default, since it's probably the weakest division in the league. Playoff success? That's probably another story.

However, the have a couple Achilles heels in their frontcourt -- namely Marcy Camby's wonky back, Kenyon Martin's knee and Nené's surgically repaired knee, which he tore up early on in '05-06.

The mononymed Brazilian is one of two X factors for Denver. If he steps up, they'll be tougher on the boards and better suited to running the floor, which they're more than capable of doing. Superstar-in-utero Carmelo Anthony, Camby and Martin can all run the floor and Denver has two solid point guards in Andre Miller and 5-foot-5 Earl Boykins, the former Eastern Michigan Eagle.

The other X factor is 21-year-old J.R. Smith, who put up decent numbers in pre-season (14.4 points per game, 39.2% on threes) and may emerge as the starting shooting guard. Denver needs a second legit scoring option they can turn to when 'Melo is having an off night. Last year, the hero of Syracuse's 2003 NCAA championship team* averaged 12.8 points per game more than Denver's second-leading scorer. Unless your top scorer is named LeBron, Dwyane or Kobe, that gap is way too big. Suffice to say, the 21-year-old Smith will get every opportunity to show that he is or isn't up to filling that role.

And oh yes, about 'Melo: Denver management has 80 million reasons to hope that this is the year the 22-year-old becomes more than just a big scorer and truly blossoms into a team leader. Everyone saw what LeBron James, who was taken two picks before 'Melo in the '03 draft (and didn't have the benefit of a year in college) has done to elevate the Cavaliers, so expectations for Anthony are Mile High, pardon the pun.

(* Neil wants it pointed out that in college hoops, The 'Cuse is Neate's favourite team because almost everyone from the Kingston-Napanee area who's into hoops cheers for The 'Cuse since they're the only big-time U.S. college team within driving distance.)

Also in Northwest: Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Supersonics, Utah Jazz

Back with more later. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.