By Warren Blatt, NBA Editor
2004-05 FINISH: 49-33
OFFSEASON ADDITIONS: Linas Kleiza (F) - Trade with Portland; Earl Watson (G) - Free Agent.
OFFSEASON SUBTRACTIONS: Nikoloz Tskitishvili (F) - Signed with Minnesota.
2005 DRAFT PICKS: 1. (20) Julius Hodge (G, North Carolina State); 1. (22) Jarrett Jack (G, Georgia Tech) - Traded to Portland; 2. (52) Axel Hervelle (F, Belgium).
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP: PG Andre Miller, SG , SF Carmelo Anthony, PF Kenyon Martin, C Marcus Camby
COACH: George Karl
(Basketball News) - Denver’s 2004-05 campaign was saved when general manager Kiki Vandeweghe hired current head coach George Karl on January 27th.
The Nuggets were just 17-25 and sinking fast when their new general came to the rescue. Under the leadership of Karl, who replaced interim head coach Michael Cooper, the Nuggets compiled an impressive 32-8 record and marched into the playoffs as the seventh seed in the Western Conference.
However, Denver ran into a buzzsaw in the opening round of the postseason. After defeating San Antonio in the first game of round one, the Nuggets lost four consecutive games and were eliminated by the eventual champion Spurs. It was the second straight year that they have lost in the first round.
Second-year pro Carmelo Anthony had a solid sophomore campaign for the Nuggets in 2004-05, as he led the team in scoring (20.8 ppg) and also pulled down a respectable 5.7 rebounds per game. He has adapted well to Karl’s coaching style and sparkled under the changes that were implemented by the new coach.
Forward Kenyon Martin, who was acquired in a sign-and-trade deal with the Nets during the 2004 summer, fit in well with his new teammates. He was second on the team in scoring (15.6 ppg) and rebounding (7.3 rpg). The 27-year-old Martin brought his intensity on defense and it had a major impact on Denver’s success.
When Karl was able to get Anthony and Martin to buy into his system everything else fell into place. Center Marcus Camby, forward Nene and guards Earl Boykins and Andre Miller followed and the wins started to pile up for Denver. The Nuggets put together impressive winning streaks and lost back-to-back games only once under Karl.
Denver re-signed guard DerMarr Johnson in the offseason, and inked free agent point guard Earl Watson, who spent last season with Memphis to a contract. Johnson averaged 7.1 points in 71 games in 2004-05 for the Nuggets, while Watson gives Denver another quick guard who can distribute the ball.
The Nuggets also added North Carolina State guard Julius Hodge with the 20th overall pick. Hodge is a hard-nosed player who will help defensively. The club also drafted Jarrett Jack at No. 22, but later dealt his rights to Portland for the rights to forward Linas Kleiza.
BACKCOURT
Miller is the key to Denver’s backcourt. The 6-2 Utah product played in all 82 regular-season contests in 2004-05 and averaged 13.6 points and a team-best 6.9 assists. He will share the point guard duties with Boykins and Watson, while also getting plenty of playing time alongside the two.
The 6-9 Johnson rounds out the four-man guard rotation. He gives Karl the size that the others lack. Johnson is athletic and does a solid job of helping Denver get out in transition. The 25-year-old Johnson is a nice complement to Boykins, Miller and Watson.
Watson, 26, is entering his fifth season in the league. Besides Memphis, he has also spent time with the Seattle SuperSonics. The 6-1 Watson and the 5-5 Boykins will push the ball and help the Nuggets excel in a fast-paced style.
Boykins is coming off the best season of his seven-year career. He averaged season-highs in points (12.4 ppg) and assists (4.5 apg) while playing a career-high 26.4 minutes per game in all 82 of Denver’s regular-season contests. The 29-year-old veteran flourished under Karl and should be able to continue his success in the upcoming year.
FRONTCOURT
Anthony, Camby, Martin and Nene give the Nuggets a formidable frontcourt. Anthony and Martin are the energy of the Nuggets and are asked to carry a big load offensively, while Camby, who averaged 10.3 points and 10 rebounds in 66 games last season, is a great shot-blocker and can use his athleticism to score some points and pull down boards.
Nene comes off the bench to provide muscle down low. He picks up garbage points and does a lot of the dirty work. In 55 games last season, Nene contributed 9.6 points and 5.5 boards per contest.
Eduardo Najera, who was acquired from Dallas at last season’s trade deadline, averaged 6.9 points in 26 games for the Nuggets. He is a solid defender and gives the Nuggets some more depth up front.
OUTLOOK
The Nuggets have a nice mix of talent on their roster. Anthony, Camby and Martin are the strength of the squad, while Miller is a solid point guard who is capable of providing a big offensive spark. Karl will need to once again find the magic that helped propel Denver into the postseason after a rough start in 2004-05. The Nuggets will win 50-plus games and capture the Northwest Division crown.
Denver Nuggets 
