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Denver Nuggets Denver failed to address its most glaring weakness
By Marty Burns, CNNSI.com Last year the Nuggets made more news off the court than on it. A much-publicized practice boycott turned into a huge controversy that nearly cost GM/coach Dan Issel his job. Amazingly, Issel kept the team together and it went on to play decent ball for a stretch before fading back into oblivion. Unfortunately for Denver fans, Issel was unable to make any significant offseason moves to improve the team. The Nuggets did sign veteran point guard Avery Johnson, a true locker room leader who won an NBA title in San Antonio, but it's doubtful the 36-year-old has much left in his tank. Besides, Nick Van Exel runs the show in Denver.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, failed to address their most glaring weakness: shooting guard. Neither Voshon Lenard nor Tariq Abdul-Wahad has been reliable at the off-guard spot. Denver hopes oft-troubled guard Isaiah Rider can step in and provide some scoring help, but Rider's history of showing up late for practice and not following team rules makes him a gamble -- especially for a team famous for skipping practice. The Nuggets have one of the game's best power forwards in Antonio McDyess, an explosive scorer in Van Exel, and some promising young players in James Posey and Raef LaFrentz. They also should benefit from the new rules, since they have the shooters to render zones ineffective. But their lack of power in the middle will prove their downfall again, especially in the center-rich West. Standout stat: 14-3 The Nuggets' record in the 17 games following the team's "mutiny" of practice in December 2000. A six-game Eastern road trip quickly brought the good times to an end.
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