Departures:
Masai Ujiri: The most needless overreaction of any of the departures this year in my mind is that of Masai Ujiri. From the causal fan, to local sports radio hosts, all I've heard about Ujiri's signing with Toronto is how terrible it was to let him go. Sure, I will admit that Ujiri was very capable, demonstrated most aptly in getting the most out of the "Melo Trade", but the notion that Josh Kroenke is just another rich owner meddling with a team in a sport that he knows nothing about is ludicrous. Let's look back to the "Melo Trade", whenever there was a photo of Ujiri fielding offers on the phone, constantly texting someone, who was always right next to him? That's right, Josh Kroenke. I believe Josh had just as much (if not more) of an influence on this team than Masai has the last couple of years. As a Nuggets fan, I'm perfectly comfortable with Kroenke calling the shots.Andre Iguodala: I'm not a huge fan of Iguodala. While his 13ppg and lock down defense will be missed, I'm just not sold that he was really 100% into it last year. He seemed to have an attitude that he was better than the team - coaching. Luckily, the Nuggets won 56 games, so he never really had an opportunity to complain. As much as it hurts to lose that kind of an athlete, I can't really say I'm surprised or even that disappointed.
Kosta Koufos: Kosta's biggest strength in my mind last year was his consistency, that coupled with great fundamentals made him George Karl's perfect fit for center. I really liked Koufos, but the additions of a couple big men this off-season should make his loss pretty irrelevant.
Corey Brewer: I would venture to say Brewer was the biggest loss this off-season, mostly because I really thought he would stay with Denver. Yes, he probably took a little too many 3 point shots, but he more than made up for it with his defensive tenacity and will to win. I doubt that I will ever forget 3-21-13 vs the Philadelphia 76ers, when Corey scored 6 points in the last 10 seconds when the Nuggets where down by 5.
George Karl: I like Karl a lot (and not just because his last name is my first name), but I do think it was time to part ways. Last year Karl brought out the very best in his team, 56 wins is crazy with the roster he had. And the funny thing about this is, this is the biggest reason he had to go. Karl didn't have very much time left to coach last year, which I think drove him to want to win it all now. The problem is that he didn't have the roster to win it all. His championing players like Andre Miller and Kosta Koufos, and keeping players like Evan Fournier and JaVale McGee on the bench won him some games in the present, but seriously hampered the success of the Nugget's future. It was a great run, and like I said, I have a lot of respect for Karl and what he did in Denver, but it was time to move on.
Additions:
Randy Foye: This dude can flat out shoot. He gives us something that we haven't had in a looong time, a pure spot up 3 point shooter (Voshon Lenard maybe being the last one?). I mean, last year the guy shot 41% from the three point line. He is also a great guard defender and will help out the Nugget's terrible free throw percentage, shooting 86% in his career from the line.
J. J. Hickson and Darrell Arthur: Why would I put these two together? Because they are so similar. They are both semi small (6'9) big men who rebound at a high level (Hickson averaged a double double last season), can score in post ups, have soft touch on free throw line jump shots, and are great on both offensive and defensive pick and roles. From the limited amount of video I've seen on them, Hickson is more of a high motor and energy guy, while Arthur is a smoother player, relying more on skill and a soft jump shot.
Nate Robinson: How could you not love the way this guy plays? He gives all of us sub 6' people hope doesn't he? But seriously, I have seen few people ever play the game with as much heart as Nate. He's one of those players (like J. R. Smith was) that can win you a game, or lose you a game with his shooting, but there is one thing he will bring every game, 100% effort.
Brian Shaw: The biggest reason Karl was fired, is probably the biggest reason Shaw was hired, and that is player development. Count on seeing a lot of young players playing a lot of minutes for the Nuggets this year. Shaw isn't going in a completely different direction than Karl, he still wants the young team to run and take advantage of the altitude. Defense seems to be what he's changing the most, fewer switches and more sticking with one man, which may be a wise move with moving screens being a point of emphasis this year.
Break out player this year:
As much as I would love to say Evan Fournier, I just haven't seen very much improvement over the off-season, with him not making the French team, and the fact he played a far second fiddle to Jordan Hamilton in the Summer league. I'm going to have to go with Wilson Chandler. Chandler has all the tools, he can shoot the 3, drive hard and finish, play great defense, and has that cool NBA swag. If he can stay healthy (which he is already being slowed down by a hammy) I could see him breaking out to an all-star level.
The Wild Card:
Danilo Gallinari. The difference between a 50 win or 40 win season this year could be how Danilo effects the team once he comes back from the ACL injury.
Conclusion:
When it's all said and done, the Nuggets most likely will not win as many games this year, and probably won't get out of the first round of the playoffs. So does that mean it was a bad off-season? Not at all, as long as the Nuggets develop their young players to have a bright future, I think this was a great off-season.
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