Perhaps I missed it, but I don't think I saw a midseason or all-star break review.  Here's where I would put things, for discussion.

A+ K-Mart, Lawson, and A.C. for mostly riding the pine.

A    Billups and Anthony

B+  Afflalo

B    George Karl

B-   Birdman

C    Nene and J.R.  Not really stepping up the way both of these players are capable of doing.

Best decision of the offseason:  Acquiring Lawson

Second best decision of the offseason:  Not giving Rasheed Wallace the year deal he got from Boston.  With luxury tax he costs more than $11 million this year and next.

Things to do for the best opportunity to win this year:

1)  Acquire a fourth big man in case of injury or foul trouble in the playoffs.

2)  Step up the coaching level.

3)  Anthony needs to be focused on every game with more killer instinct.  Like earlier in the season when he had the monster dunk and screamed afterward.

I think if two of the three listed occur, they have a realistic shot to win it all.  Obviously have to avoid a major injury to any of the top 8.

I attended the Dallas game, my first game in several years as I now live about two hours from Denver.  I, and the people around me, was very confused when both Petro and Malik Allen got time in the first half.  Pleasantly surprised.  Then I get back from the game and everyone is talking about potential trades and the upcoming deadline.  Putting two and two together, I think the Dallas game was a showcase game for Allen and Petro.  Graham has already gotten time recently due to the Melo injury.  I think we're seeing the prelude to a potential trade and the other team wanted to see them play meaningful minutes to evaluate Petro and Allen. 

Other notes about the game.  After Rocky got Elway to sign the football and caught a couple of passes, he threw the ball into the stands.  Talk about a cool souvenir at a Rockies game.  The guy next to me in the stands was a huge fan, and also had perhaps one too many.  After the made threes the announcers would go "one, two, ....Swingle" and the guy would get excited and yell "Swingle".  It was pretty funny.  I had forgotten how much easier it is to go to an NBA game as opposed to an NFL game.  No lines for food.  No lines for the bathroom.  Easy to get from your seat back to the concourse.  No real traffic.  Overall a great time.

Going back to the Jordan days, I remember discussion that a team typically need a "Big 3" of all-star caliber players to win the championship.  More recently, it seems that teams are able to win with a "Big 2" and a good supporting cast.  Denver has had a big two, first of Anthony and A.I., and now Anthony and Billups for a while.  With the recent offensive improvement and increased focus on rebounding from K-Mart, does Denver finally have it's "Big 3" of all-star caliber players?  If Martin can keep this up, even without adding another big man, I think they have a good chance, even against the Lakers. I have no idea where this version of K-Mart came from, but I'm glad he's here, and hope he stays for good.  If K-Mart keeps playing at this level when Anthony returns, we'll start to see a lot of blowouts. 

I say yes, Denver has it's Big 3, and can legitimately challenge the Lakers this year.  Last year, the Lakers could safely double Anthony off of Birdman, K-Mart, Jones, and A.C.  This year, the only rotation player they can safely leave is Birdman.

ESPN's Daily Dime gave it's top story to the Nuggets, and calls them the second best in the west behind the Lakers.  They point out that, despite the recent injuries, the nuggets went 7-7 over that period, and still have the second best record in the west.  He thinks the nuggets will improve on defense and finish second in the west.

On Altitude last night, they showed a web sites (can't remember which one, does anyone know?) midseason awards, and at the halfway point, they gave Melo the MVP. 

I just read that Marko Jaric signed a contract with a european team.  Whatever he gets paid reduces what Memphis is obligated to pay him for this season and next.  So Memphis has moved their bad contract and gets some salary relief.  They were already under the cap, so now they'll be even further under the cap.  The story got me curious about the rest of their roster, so I pulled it up on the trade machine.  They don't have a single player on the team signed to a long term contract.  They all expire either this summer or next summer.

http://www.rollerauction.com/auction/38922_MemorabiliaJewelryfromBankrupt.asp

I don't know the circumstances, but Dan Issell is bankrupt.  I've bought stuff from the company before, sometimes you can get really good deals.  It's sad, but it is an opportunity to get some unique memorabillia.  The auction closes tonight, so look soon if you are interested.  I looked at it - there are about 100 items, including a fair amount of jewelry.  Perhaps a christmas present.

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-091214/daily-dime

And for Nugz, Nugz, yes it is Man-Love!

But seriously, it is good to see some positive coverage by a national site.  As opposed to the usual "Lakers give away game to useless Nuggets" headlines.  He also says he thinks there is a good chance for them to get a decent center in a trade.  No he doesn't mention the dream of Marc Gasol, but it's good to know it's not just us who think they need another big.

I was out of town (Hawaii!) for about a week, and would like to say Thank  you for the great coverage.  It's always great on this site, but I really appreciated it while out of town.  Where I was staying didn't really have internet access, and just basic cable with no Tivo.  I was able to get great coverage from this site via my cell phone.  Much better coverage than the few words posted by the AP on most web sites.  Got back yesterday primed with all the info heading into last nights game.  The travel was long (left at midnight Hawaii time, got to my house in the mountains about 2:30 in the P.M.), so I fell asleep for the second quarter and halftime.  Woke up in time to see the debacle in the third quarter.  After the start of the season, the three part interview, and some increased activity on the bench, I have been considering changing to a more positive screen name.  Last nights game put that on hold for a while.

Again, thanks for the great coverage!

Has there been a better team at finding real talent at the bottom of the roster the last few years than Denver?  A couple of years ago it was Von Wafer, who they let go to Houston.  He didn't do much in Denver, but in Houston got 19 minutes and 10 points a game.  Not bad for an end of the roster guy.  Now on a two year, $10 million  contract in Europe. 

Last year it was Birdman and D. Jones.  Birdman played well enough to earn a midlevel contract from Denver.  Denver gave Jones an opportunity to prove himself, and despite some dirty plays, he is averaging 17 points and 4 rebounds per game. 

This year it's Afflalo who is looking like he might play himself into the midlevel exemption. 

The nuggets FO really deserves a pat on the back.  Yes, Billups has been the biggest addition, but can you imagine where the team would have been without Bird, Jones, and AA?  Players off the scrap heap that make important contributions to a contending team.

What do you guys think about reacquiring Camby at the trade deadline for the playoff run?  I'm not a huge Camby fan, but he might become available if the Clippers try to get under the cap...If they could get him to play the right role, could be a good get.  I'm not 100% on how the trade exemptions work, but you could throw in a role player or two like balkman  and the Atkins or hunter exemptions, or take camby and another low salary guy for both exemptions.  We'd be taking on roughly half a year of camby's salary, which would get them under the salary cap, so they could get the luxury tax payment like the nuggets did last year.  If the Clippers aren't competitive, it might make sense for both teams.