Last year was great - it also sucked. Losing in the second round was not the plan, and we feel we may well have won the whole thing were we slightly quicker to respond to the Jazz's gameplan in round two, but alas it didn't happen and we went home for the summer unhappy. The ending obscured what was an excellent season by any other metric.
Our offseason plan was simple, improve our front-court, and make some depth signings without going TOO far over the cap. We kind of accomplished this. We brought in 4-time all-defense PF Boris Hailey in a trade with the Bucks, and we feel that he will really anchor that sport for us. We'll spell him with Arthur Parish, and T-Rob could also see time there. We brought back Charles Simmons in FA and welcome Gordon Hayward as well. These two are veterans who, although they've no doubt lost a step or two, can contribute to a championship-level team.
Jerry West has this season and next on his Rookie deal, and we feel that is our championship window. These two seasons are absolutely critical, and we're not sure what our plan looks like after that. We would really have loved to have brought in even more talent, and there were some offers we were considering to make more of a splash, but felt that a total all-in move would really handicap us down the line, and with a talent like West only 21 years old, we don't want to mortgage his prime years for the sake of this team. Unfortunately we couldn't will any bigger-talent free agents to Denver with our limited funds like others have done this year, and we've done in some years' past.
This year we'll line up similar to last season with a starting 5 of: Duren, West, OPJ, Hailey, and Robinson. Our offense will come from our guards on the first unit. Newcomer Charlie Matthews will run the second team offense where Arthur Parish will be the go-to scorer. We feel our talent and depth is at a championship level, and it's rings or bust in Denver for this season.
garbageman wrote: Sun Nov 25, 2018 9:23 pm
Which offseason target that you aimed for do you think would fit in best for the Nuggets?
Most of the big potentials were trade targets, so I’d rather not say. In free agency, I would have loved a couple of slightly better backups, IT, Paul George, and Rubio were targeted, and I think they all could have provided excellent production in 10-15mpg
How do you feel about your offense heading into the new season? West and Duren can score in bunches and Porter seems like the obvious third option but do you think you'll need to make a move at some point to put more points on the board? Do think guys like Simmons, Parish, and Stark can step up and provide a punch off the bench?
Wombataholic wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 6:22 am
The Nuggets don't look like they have much for depth this season. Are there plans to acquire some depth later this season?
Have plenty of depth if you’re colorblind. We like our complimentary players a lot, but we’re always on the lookout for opportunities for improvement.
kucoach7 wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 7:43 am
How do you feel about your offense heading into the new season? West and Duren can score in bunches and Porter seems like the obvious third option but do you think you'll need to make a move at some point to put more points on the board? Do think guys like Simmons, Parish, and Stark can step up and provide a punch off the bench?
We’ll see. We ran with a very similar group last year from a scoring perspective, but we’re very much improved defensively, so we may be good. Parish, Simmons, and Stark should all score enough to compliment.
WigNosy wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 4:44 pm
You mentioned Arthur Parish's role in your front court - how do you intend to help him manage his foul-proneness?
Oh, I don't. We're hopeful that our second unit will roughly be a wash with the other team, and rely on our starters to get the wins.
drkavarga wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:17 pm
Do you feel the Nuggets will make a championship run this season?
Did you read my presser and other responses?
Yes, let me rephrase my question. What teams do you feel in both the East and the West that will give your team the biggest challenge on winning it all?
drkavarga wrote: Mon Nov 26, 2018 10:17 pm
Do you feel the Nuggets will make a championship run this season?
Did you read my presser and other responses?
Yes, let me rephrase my question. What teams do you feel in both the East and the West that will give your team the biggest challenge on winning it all?
Out west, I think San Antonio and Sacramento both have excellent squads, and I'd expect the West #1 to come down to the wire with our 3 teams.
In the east, I'm less sure, but I'd really like to not face AD so...