I always claim the Nuggets as my Western Conference sentimental favorite, but in practice I rarely see them on television and hadn't seen them live until last night's schooling at the hands of the Wizards. Thus, a question: How come Nene isn't starting? They gave the man a contract many regarded as implausibly generous in the offseason and K-Mart got injured. Nene's listed as an F-C. So how come he's just Camby's backup? Doesn't seem to make sense?
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Nene
14 Dec 2006 05:14 pm
Comments (22)
Injury, indeed.
I have the feeling that in Karl's eyes Nene doesn't fit in the style that the Nuggets play -- it's probably true, he's not much of a running player. Being a Nugs fan I'd love to see Nene rather than Camby go if we could land AI.
In addition to the knee surgery, Nene has never rebounded very well for someone his size (career average of 6.1 per game before this year). Offensively he's still rusty and for rebounds you have Camby and Evans.
"I'd love to see Nene rather than Camby go if we could land AI."
I'd advise not worrying. Scuttlebutt is that Camby is off the table.
Nene has great potential and is the only real low post threat that they have nright now besides Melo. Even K mart has become more of a jump shooter since his knees gave out. Nene can run the floor, once his knee is totally back so he will fit into Karl's system. I would give up K mart and change for AI, but not Nene. I don't think we (I am from CO) should trade for AI anyway. He and Karl would be at each other's throat in no time. Karl is a practice to play coach. That is not going to work for AI
Re: Nene trade: Why trade big for small and old for young?
"Re: Nene trade: Why trade big for small and old for young?"
Nene has essentially zero trade value due to his contract and health.
In order for the Nuggets to likely get AI, the Blazers would have to accept Nene in exchange for nothing but expiring contracts. And so far, at least, the Blazers don't seem to be biting.
(In other words, Nene's trade value may actually be negative...)
You trade big for small when the overarching consideration is bad for good. The Nuggets only chance of going from first or second round playoff fodder in the next several years is to trade for talent. It isn't going to get better than AI on that front. The last time I can remember something on a similar scale (mid-season fire sale) is when Dumars nabbed Rasheed Wallace.
There are two other options Denver could hope for: 1) that the next Linus Kleiza or Julius Hodge they draft in the 20s turns out to be Dwayne Wade. I'm not holding my breath on that one. 2) that Nene turns into a perennial all-star. I'm willing to wager that he doesn't ever even play in an all-star game much less elevate the Nugs to champioship contender status.
Bring on AI!
(In other words, Nene's trade value may actually be negative...)
I don't think that is especially uncommon in the salary cap era. Look at the Timberwolves roster, for example...
"I don't think that is especially uncommon in the salary cap era. Look at the Timberwolves roster, for example..."
The Wolves don't have that many flat-out bad contracts other than Jaric. All the really bad contracts other than C-Webb's go to the Dolans, by league fiat.
But seriously, pretty much anyone who signs a long-term deal and blows out a knee is going to end up with negative trade value.
But Nene signed the long-term deal (2006) after he blew out the knee (2005)!! If the Nugs are Bayesians, do they know something that we don't??
"But Nene signed the long-term deal (2006) after he blew out the knee (2005)!!"
Huh. My memory had it the other way 'round, but right you are.
State of Denial watch: Are you ever going to comment on the Jazz?
sir,
let it be known that the celtics of boston, mass, shall always be the bomb in the hearts of all true gentlemen!
"Are you ever going to comment on the Jazz?"
Matthew doesn't have League Pass, so he's never going to get a chance to see them play.
For my two cents, they're the most entertaining team in the association to watch at the moment. That front line is crazy.
Dunno if they're going to be able to win two or three difficult series in a row to get out of the West, but they've definitely got a shot. It'll be interesting to see if Deron can keep it together under the bright lights of May.
I agree with Petey, re: Jazz. Despite Deron's strong play, I still think their backcourt will prove their undoing come Springtime (I miss my league pass, not available up here...)
And why is Don Nelson the only smart coach in the league?
I was a fan of Matt Barnes when he was in Sacto. When he came over to Philly in the C-Webb deal, I was almost as excited about getting Barnes as I was about getting Webber. But Philly didn't play him. Then he went over to the Knicks, started a few games, and got cut. Then Philly picked him up again, but gave him little tick.
It seemed obvious to me in all of those situations that Barnes could make a seriously positive contribution, but no one seemed interested in actually playing him. I'm curious why. Does he have some attitudinal problem?
And now that Nelly is giving him tick, he's tearing up the league. This stuff ain't rocket science.
"I miss my league pass, not available up here"
Your priorities are obviously a little bit mixed up if you're willing to live somewhere they don't have league pass. Salmon is no substitute.
(I miss my league pass, not available up here...)
Jeebus, what kind of a backwards state IS that??? What do they have instead, the Sled Dog Racing Channel?
Matthew doesn't have League Pass, so he's never going to get a chance to see them play.
Right, no League Pass, no Jazz. It's a shitty situation. I would have sprung for the pass, but I have four roommates so there's only so much time I can monopolize the TV and I got a 21 game ticket package to the Wizards so that's my main NBA investment at the moment. Next season, ideally, I'll get a DCist press credential to the Verizon Center and I'll have cash to burn on League Pass and a second cable box in my room and it'll be all-NBA all-the-time.
Petey,
Thanks for clarifying MY's situation. I was afraid that he hold some extreme anti-Red-State bias (S. Pippen: "Have you *been* to Salt Lake City?").
Your concerns about their long term prospects are well taken.
Well, half the games would also start at 3:30 in the afternoon, which would cut down on my viewing pleasure (although a TIVO'd game takes about 45 minutes to watch = awesome.)
Re: Matt Barnes, he's one of those guys that tend to fall through the cracks because he doesn't have one really standout skill. He's athletic, but not that athletic. He can shoot a little, but isn't great catch and shoot guy. He can defend, but he's not all-world, etc...Bobby Jackson (perhaps my favorite college player of the late '90s) had a similar problem early in his career. This "undervaluing" of certain types of players is systemic and I think based on an overemphasis in the weight given to the incomplete statistical understanding of the game. I mean they don't really measure "loose-balls and deflections" in any meaningful way, but certain players have that extra bit of anticipation and quickness to get to a lot of balls. Barnes and younger Jackson are precisely that sort of player. So to with Gregg Buckner/Adrian Griffin/Eduardo Najera and so on...
Comments closed December 28, 2006.
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Heads in the Sand
Nene is coming off of ACL surgery, and after seeing the horrible effect knee injuries had on K-Mart, the Nugs braintrust is leery about overloading him with minutes. Nene did not have the accursed microfracture surgery, but they are being extra cautious, as he is a big dude (more stress on the knee) and worth a lot of dough to them. Karl has stated that they are keeping him to 15-20 mins per game during back-to-backs in the early going while they see how well rehab is progressing.
Posted by David Samuels | December 14, 2006 5:28 PM