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The Denver Nuggets have “The
Answer” but not to these two questions:
Are they now strong enough
to contend in the powerful Western Conference? Did they mortgage their future
for a current team that still lacks the talent to win a
title?
They swapped one of the
steadiest and most talented point guards in the league (Andre Miller) for
arguably the NBA's premier backcourt player in Allen Iverson. They also
surrendered both first-round picks in 2007 and veteran forward Joe
Smith.
More questions: Though the
Nuggets now boast the NBA’s two leading scorers in Iverson and Carmelo
Anthony, have they reached the upper echelon along with San Antonio, Phoenix and
Dallas? And when
will their window of opportunity close? After all, Iverson is an 11-year veteran
who will likely not perform at peak level for many more
seasons.
Another factor in Denver’s future success
lies in the ability of Iverson and Anthony to mesh on the court. Basketball is a
team game in which
chemistry is more important than individual talent.
Nuggets coach George
Karl understands that. But he believes the addition of Iverson will promote
team chemistry rather than destroy it.
“One thing I hear on a
consistent basis, his teammates love him,” Karl said. “I think we need better
chemistry on my basketball team. I think we need more leadership. I think we
need more emotional maturity, I think we need some mental toughness, some
intensity, an every game, every possession mentality. I think everything I said
there, Allen Iverson has.”
Denver
could certainly use Iverson on Wednesday night against visiting Phoenix, which will be
seeking its franchise-record 16th consecutive victory. WagerWeb.com
lists the Suns as a 8.5-point favorites against the Nuggets, who will also play
without the suspended Anthony and J.R.
Smith.
The Sixers, meanwhile, will
attempt to break an 11-game losing streak, at home against Indiana. They are
5.5-point underdogs, according to WagerWeb.com.
BLAZIN’
BLAZERS: It appeared the Portland Trail
Blazers were about to be hit with some bad news just as they were reaching
respectability.
But a mild sprain in forward
Zach Randolph’s right foot healed quickly, and he is expected to play
Wednesday night against visiting Houston. Randolph leads the team at 25.4 points and 10.1
rebounds a game.
In addition, the Blazers
should benefit from the return of rookie off-guard Brandon Roy, who had
missed 20 games with a left heel injury. He averaged 11.7 points a game before
being sidelined.
The Blazers are 5-point
underdogs to the Rockets, according to
WagerWeb.com.
DRIBBLES: A strained groin will sideline Charlotte point guard Brevin Knight at New York on Wednesday
night. WagerWeb.com lists the Knicks as 4-point favorites. … Cleveland is the
second-leading rebounding team in the NBA, but none of its players are among the
Top 20 individually. WagerWeb.com lists the Cavaliers as 1-point underdogs
in New Jersey
on Wednesday night. The Cavs are tied for the best home record in the league at
11-2, but are just 3-7 on the road. … Phoenix
starters outscored their Toronto counterparts, 80-39, Tuesday night. All
five Suns starters tallied in double figures. T.J. Ford (19 points) was
the lone Raptor to do the same. Still, Toronto has won three of four without star
forward Chris Bosh. WagerWeb.com lists the Raptors as 8-point underdogs
against the host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
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