The end was the beginning

Let down, disappointed, confused… Just a few words how I felt after last night’s game.  By far, this was the worst game the Nuggets played all year.  Not just the playoffs, but through the whole season, I don’t remember a game this bad.  Now, if I compared last nights game with any game last year, then this type of game would have been expected.  They way the Nuggets played all year at home and the playoffs, this just didn’t make sense to me. 

They were not physical the whole series.  They did not play the type of ball they played in the first two rounds.  Maybe because they thought they wouldn’t be able to get away with it since it was the Lakers.  Or they thought they could beat them straight up.  Who knows, but in order to get back to this point next year, they have to stay physical. 

The bench just can’t wake up when they want to, mostly at home.  They need to be as effective on the road as they are at home.  They are too talented to play like that and if they want to play that way, get the number 1 seed next year so you don’t have to worry about playing more road games then home. 

Now for the free agent situation for this summer.  The Nuggets have two restricted free agents, Linas Kleiza and Johan Petro.  Their unrestricted free agents are Chris Andersen, Anthony Carter, Jason Hart, Steven Hunter, and Dahntay Jones. 

Now, what should the Nuggets do this offseason?  Obviously, re-sign the bird.  I’m sure that is a first priority for the Nuggets.  I don’t think money matters to him as much as it did before he was suspended for drugs, but the Nuggets will take care of him.  Re-sign Dahntay Jones.  He was a defensive force that would be great to have coming off the bench.  I say off the bench because I predict J.R. will be starting next season.  AC, sorry old pal, but we need a more consistent back up point to Chauncey.  Maybe re-sign AC, but he can’t be the first backup to Billups.  I think the Nuggets will try to keep LK.  Even though he had a poor season, he was very good against the Lakers in this last series and that may have saved him from not getting any type of offer from the Nuggets.  Petro, Hart, and Hunter will be looking for new homes. 

Like I said, AC cannot be the first backup to Chauncey so I feel the Nuggets need to go out and get someone.  It should be someone young, someone that Chauncey can teach and coach to be an elite point guard in the NBA.  Looking through all the free agents, I couldn’t pick.  Here’s the scoop on free agents for this summer and the all mighty summer of 2010 http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?page=freeagents-09-10

My first thoughts on next year’s Nugget team.  Will they be angry?  Yes.  Will they be hungry?  Yes.  Will they be better than this year?  Yes, I think so.  They learned a lot this season and post season on how to play basketball the right way.  Will we see the Nuggets in the NBA finals next year?  Yes.

Thank you Nuggets for a great season, we all can’t wait for next season!  GO NUGGETS!