When the Denver Nuggets acquired Allen Iverson from the Philadelphia 76ers last season it was thought that the team found the final piece to their puzzle and could rightfully call themselves, “contenders.” Drafting Carmelo Anthony in 2003 set the team on the winning track, but the addition of A.I. had folks in the Rockies thinking championship until last year’s first round exit from the playoffs.
Fast-forward to 2008 and the Nuggets are right in the mix of the über-competitive Western Conference as usual, but haven’t done much to distinguish them from the rest of the pack. Until now. When the rosters for the Feb. 17 All-Star game in New Orleans were announced, both Melo and A.I. were named starters. Melo was named a starter for the first time, leading all Western Conference forwards with 1,723,701 votes. Melo is averaging 25.5 points per game and has career highs in rebounds and points. A.I. surpassed Houston forward Tracy McGrady for the second guard spot with 1,203,152 votes, grabbing his ninth All- Star bid, averaging 27.0 points per game and leading the NBA in minutes played.
Take these two All-Stars, along with Kenyon Martin, a healthy Marcus Camby (an All-Star snub, might we add) and guard Anthony Carter to go with a bench that includes J.R. Smith and the surging Linas Kleiza, and the Nuggets have a formidable squad. Needless to say the time has come to show and prove.
And they will. While everyone will be talking up the usual suspects (Spurs, Mavericks, Suns, and thanks to Paul Gasol – the Lakers) the Nuggets are quietly finding chemistry, and are currently only 4 ½ games behind the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference. Before long, Melo and A.I. will transform individual triumph into team success. Well, that’s the thought, anyway. -gavin philip godfrey
