Those not-so-Golden Nuggets

Those not-so-Golden Nuggets

Last night it occurred to me that nothing is happening in the NBA right now. My mind was blank; I had nothing to write about. So I did what came naturally, what any true NBA fan would do. I started thinking about the Denver Nuggets.

Yes, the Nuggets. The same team that missed the playoffs (again) last season. The same team that hasn't provided its city with year-to-year excitement since the late 1980s, when it wore uniforms with too many colors that didn't match, and when its star players went by the names of English, Fat and Natt. That's Alex English, Lafayette Lever and Calvin Natt for the many of you who are certain to be younger than me.

Or remember the early 1990s, when Nike was reportedly interested in buying the Nuggets? Rumor had it that the company would then sign its No. 1 pitchman, Michael Jordan, to come play for the team. Michael Jordan? A Nugget? That's like saying Robert Redford could have starred in "Revenge of the Nerds."

But Jordan never came to Denver and neither have a lot of other people who could have given this franchise a much-needed jolt of inspiration. Dan Issel seemed like he was that guy, especially when he coached the team to a first-round playoff upset of top-seeded Seattle in the mid-90s.

Then Issel quit during the next season, saying something about how being a coach was turning him into a jerk. That statement later proved to be pretty accurate, as Issel settled into the general manager's chair, helped bring Italian coaching legend Mike D'Antoni to Denver, allowed D'Antoni to coach 50 games during the lockout-shortened 1998-99 season, and told D'Antoni what a great job he had done.

Then Issel fired D'Antoni three weeks before the following season. As D'Antoni recently told me, "Dan gave no reason other than to say he wanted to get back into coaching. How's that for loyalty and unselfishness?"

Loyal or not, Issel is entering the third season of his second coaching stint.

If you ask me, the Nuggets have become the most ignored franchise in the league (although a strong case could be made for the Golden State Warriors). The Nuggets aren't bad enough to be picked on, and they're certainly not good enough for any praise. Officials at TNT and TBS, which broadcast NBA games, insist they never go more than two seasons without showing a team at least once. But the Nuggets aren't on this season and I'm almost sure they weren't on last. But, hey, who's gonna notice?

Heck, the good folks of Denver don't even seem to care. The best example of this was in 1996, when the NHL's Colorado Avalanche were on their way to winning the Stanley Cup. The team had just moved to Denver from Quebec, and one fan showed his appreciation by displaying a sign on national television. The sign read. "Thanks Quebec! Want the Nuggets?"

Now, having said all of that...there's plenty to like about the current team. Especially forward Antonio McDyess, unquestionably one of the top five forwards in the league. He's a remarkable athlete, is becoming a better shooter and ballhandler, and doesn't act as if the world should drop to its knees at the mere mention of his name. (Prior to the draft, I tried to convince anyone who would listen that Jordan should trade Washington's No. 1 pick for McDyess. No one listened.)

There's also up-and-coming big man Raef LaFrentz, and point guard Nick Van Exel -- and we all know his story. He can be outstanding when he keeps his emotions in check.

Entering the off-season, the Nuggets seemed to only need one more quality free agent, or perhaps a decent draft pick. They got neither. Still, if McDyess stays healthy, if LaFrentz keeps improving, if Van Exel can stay calm for an entire month, then maybe things will start looking up. And maybe it won't take some down time for us to start noticing the Nuggets.

Questions and Answers

From Tom Morton:

Q: Do you think the Utah Jazz have enough left to make a run at the Western Conference finals?

A: It's hard to pick against John Stockton and Karl Malone, even if they are the age of some of the grandparents of last year's draft picks. I do think center John Amaechi was a wonderful pickup. He fits right in with their philosophy that you can be a winner AND a decent human being. He'll help a lot more than Olden Polynice would have. But, the Jazz probably lack the depth to get past teams such as Portland, and the athleticism to get past the Lakers, Dallas or Sacramento. While it would be nice to watch Stockton and Malone go out on top, it looks like the Jazz are merely headed for another early-round playoff exit.

From Dick Floyd:

Q: I have been following the NBA for almost 40 years, and I agree with you when you write that we should stop judging today's players. Professional athletes have their problems and make too much money, but they play hard. I was especially impressed with (Philadelphia 76ers guard) Allen Iverson during the finals. He may not look like a young man from the 1950s, but he plays with more determination and drive than anybody I've seen since the guys from the Bob Cousy-Bill Russell era. Also, I went to college at West Virginia University, and I was wondering if you could help me find out what happened to Lee Patrone (WVU, class of 1961).

A: Thanks for your comments -- they speak volumes about what real fans think about the league. Patrone was selected by the Detroit Pistons in the sixth round of the '61 draft. As far as I can determine, he never played a minute in the NBA.

Sam's Slams

Can anyone please explain why the Milwaukee Bucks open the season at Utah, play two nights later in Denver, then return home two nights after that? It has to be the shortest Western "swing" in NBA history...It may be time to start wondering if Anthony Mason will become the oldest first-time All-Star to not even play in the league the following season...Those of you who love the NBA draft will want to check out Chris Monter's Web site and newsletter. Go to Monter Draft News. I do almost every day.