Enemy Lines An Opposing Team's Scout Sizes Up The Nuggets

"They would struggle in the SEC. With a competent point guard, they could win 20 to 25 games; if they stick with what they've got, they're looking at 15 to 20. They seem to like Kenny Satterfield—I think he's a bad decision-maker who loves to shoot but can't. I'd go with rookie Lorinza Harrington, who has a little Alvin Williams in him and could be a second point guard on some teams....

It's a tough spot for Juwan Howard, who spent a little time with a good team in Dallas before he was shipped here, but I've never seen him put forth less than a good effort....

They need scoring from George McCloud and James Posey. The problem with Posey is that he only knows what it's like to lose 50 games a year. If you spend your career losing like that, it's hard not to develop losing habits....

They'll pick up full-court and try to scramble the game. It's their only hope, because I can't find one good defender on the roster. They have no inside presence and no shot blockers....

Rodney White made some good plays in preseason and could be a surprise. He was probably the most talented guy in the 2001 draft, but he had red flags everywhere....

Their foreign rookies are not ready. Nene Hilario struggles to get a shot off because he doesn't have any post moves, but at least he's big and strong. Nikoloz Tskitishvili is not in the class of Dirk Nowitzki or Pau Gasol, but he doesn't have as much experience as those guys did when they came to the league. He's going to be lost on defense, and he'll get pushed around....

Nonetheless, this is a great chance for Jeff Bzdelik. It helps that his lead assistant is John MacLeod, who coached winners and losers and can provide perspective. In the preseason the Nuggets came onto the court with their shirts tucked in and their pants tied, and they played tough defense, like a Pat Riley team. They'll steal a few wins from teams that don't come ready to play."