In this look ahead we will head back to the western conference. The Denver Nuggets spent most of last season looking like one of the best teams in the league. Down the stretch they came unglued and finished 4th in the Western conference. The main cause of the late season stumble was inconsistency.
In spite of the consistency issue the team face a dilemma that may end in trading away the only two consistent players, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups. Anthony is a free agent at season's end and has decline to sign a contract extension. This has created a situation where the Nuggets may trade Anthony now rather than lose him for nothing later. Trading Anthony would likely start a rebuild process that would see Billups and others players also traded. So the answer to "will Carmelo stay in Denver?" will dictate the present and future of Denver.
If Anthony stays that means Denver is looking to contend for a title. That will not happen without finding an immediate answer to the question of, what will our "bigs" give us? Kenyon Martin and Nene Hilario (sorry but you are not "first name only" good) are quality players but both miss game regularly. Chris Andersen brings energy and hustle but his decision making is erratic at best, making his impact unpredictable from game to game.
The Nuggets will also have to question the consistency of the coaching staff. Is George Karl ready and able to be a full time NBA head coach after his fight with cancer? I have personally seen how much beating cancer can take out a person. Figuring out what Karl is able to do early will be vital to preventing another late season stumble.
Those three question will be key to the Nuggets season.
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