The Nuggets in it's post draft/pre trade form.
PG Conley Foye M. Collins
SG Pietrus Azubuike
SF J Green B. Wright Gist
PF Haslem Love superSub Scali
C Oden Boone Dwayne Jones
Inj/trade bait Ming. Key to adding offensive threat in the future.
Like said before, plenty of positions to be won. A lot of linup combos to try out.
(Slowly trying to return the favor to those GMs that gave the Rockets a thoughtful critique and/or compliments. Milwaukee is up next.)
There is a lot to like in Denver, and the number of two-way and second-effort players on this team ensures that Nuggets will steal some wins from more established squads.
I also admire Denver’s efforts to put Oden in a position to thrive - top frontcourt running mates, a solid, physical, backup, and the best possible mentor. (Assuming Ming can be on the sidelines and at practices, I love Yao as a coach for the NBA’s next great center.) The team even reached on his college roomate
.
I’m an avowed Foye fan, although believe that, like Delonte West, he’s most comfortable at the 2. And I’m also a big Jeff Green booster, but prefer him at the 4. (Possible conclusion? Nuggets and Rockets both have good talent evaluation but clear philosophical differences?)
My chief worry? Despite management's stated preference for competitive practices and minutes according to merit, the absence of defined roles and lack of separation at certain positions could hinder player development. (Team’s overall high character being an asset but not a fix.) Conley justified his draft position at the end of his sophomore season, partly helped by a trade that sent his competition for the starting job out of town. Foye has previously chafed at coming off the bench, and can likely outplay Pietrus and Azubuike on one end of the court, if not the other. Green might easily overshadow a still inconsistent Wright. And I’m already penciling in Love as a starter over Haslem (another player I like).
Topic: 2009 Celticsblog Draft: Voting Analysis : Team of the Future (Read 672412 times)