As the All-Star break approaches we are just now getting our first look at the Denver Nuggets that will compete in the playoffs. So far, it's been J.R. and Carmelo out, A.I. in ... J.R. in, Camby out, Camby in, Boykins out ... and now -- as of Monday -- Melo back in. We won't even bring Nene, Kmart and all the different starting line-ups into the conversation. All that and we are just three losses behind Utah in the Northwest Division.

What a way to end the suspension, on a three-game winning streak, nice work Karl and the front office. Give Rex Chapman some credit for reading my last blog or something. I was scared at first, as my readers may recall in the days leading up to the acquisition of A.I., I said for this to work we'd have to keep Andre Miller and trade Boykins. My reasoning was because we needed someone to distribute the ball if Melo, AI, JR and the rest of the Nuggets are going to play the best team basketball. Boykins was just one more ball-demanding tempo-changing weapon we didn't need taking time and shots away from the rest of the offensive firepower we now have. With his over dribbling and numerous quick shots, Boykins would have done more harm than good to the chemistry of the A.I.-Melo duo we're all so eager to see work. The day the trade happened was honestly bitter sweet for me. To bring in A.I. -- wow -- it actually happened! To loose Andre and know we lost a fine distributor and the best lob specialist in the NBA -- so bummed and immediately questioned the front office. Trying to make sense of it I thought, maybe Philly was just stubborn, maybe the Nuggets tried to save Andre but they were forced to pay the price for the Answer? And not a couple weeks later my phone rings with, "Did you hear?" Boykins had been traded. Maybe the front office did know what they were doing, maybe they did read my blog!

Because who did we get in return? An NCAA Champion; the first ACC player ever to acquire 1,000 points, 800 assists, 400 rebounds and 200 steals. A pass-first, three-point threat and all around solid point guard that will not only bring chemistry to this talented Nuggets team, but also a spot up three needed to open up Melo and AI for driving lanes and inside position. And thus now, I look back saying - we are BETTER than if we would have kept Andre... as much as I am a fan of 'Dre (Actually listened to the Philly game on Sirus Radio the other day). Steve Blake, though, is a role-player that will be solid and much like a Steve Kerr/ Kenny Smith/ John Paxon type of player -- Blake will play better -- the better the teammates he's playing with. People may say his first two seasons weren't very impressive. Well, what can you expect from a white 6'-3" rookie point guard in the NBA? They really weren't too shabby. It ain't mean if that's how it is, you just don't see too many Steve Blakes succeed in the league anymore, and that's just how it is! His second year was bothered by injuries and now in his third NBA season he has the opportunity to join other up and comers like Carmelo, JR Smith, and Nene as they combine with Camby, AI and the rest of the Nuggets' fine role players in search of some playoff success.

I think it is in the hands of 1) our health and 2) George Karl. We now have all the tools, all the pieces. We've got the young talent, we've got the veteran experience and leadership. In the midst of acquiring it all we got a well-branded coach in Karl. If we stay healthy, there's no reason Karl shouldn't have this team rolling into the second round and beyond during the playoffs.

The trickiest thing is going to be the rotations with this deep team filled with lots of role players. In the newly viewed Steve Blake era, I've got to admit, I'm impressed. Starters have been Blake, AI, Kleiza, Evans, and Camby - leaving JR, Eddie, and Nene to make for one of the strongest benches in the league which gets even deeper when Melo takes over for Kleiza tomorrow night. I like those three coming off the bench, especially JR, because with Melo and AI out there the looks will be limited anyway. This way, JR can sub for Melo, AI, Blake, or anyone else and no matter what, the Nuggets have two or more high powered offensive weapons coming at you along with some solid post play as of late and hopefully an improved defense down the stretch - and possibly for a full 48 minutes/game! I'm excited! My only criticism would be the more Reggie Evans plays, the more we dominate the boards and the less other teams make runs on us. I would like to see him with about four-eight more minutes/game - especially in the fourth quarter. If free throws are a liability toward the end of the game I understand that, but if Evans plays midway through the fourth -- I think we stop those late game slip-a-ways before they ever start.

So here we are and here we go. In the words of Rob and Big, "Do Work!"

Blake, JR, and Nene, - Lets see what you can bring to this team, you are extremely important. Camby be Camby. Role Players be role players and keep doing your thing. Melo and AI - See you Monday night!

And Thats How it Is!

-JT
1/21/07