SB Nation User Blog: NugNugz

Early thoughts on the 2010 NBA Draft

NugNugz — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 01:52:57 -0000

Well, it's true that the idea of the NBA draft has crossed my mind. It's very early indeed, and the Nuggets should be playing into June so I'm aware that we have other things to look forward to. However, I am bored and so I went over to nbadraft.net to take a look at some early mock drafts. Aside from the fact that the LWolves, Grizzlies and Thunder have a combined 12 of the 60 picks (1/5) I noticed that this is the year the Nuggets can swap picks with the Clips. That's all well and good. I'm looking at some of the names that the site has projected to go in the second round and I was amazed to find my boy Lance "Born Ready" Stephenson in the second round, right around where the Nuggies are drafting. I fully expect him to get into the first round. If not though, I prithee that the Nuggets take him. He'd be a great chip and could make JR expendable if need be.

I also have found 2 other guys of extreme interest for this team:

Luke Harangody = Linas Kleiza 2.0

and the guy that perhaps most intrigues me that could be there: Renardo Sidney. 6'10, 275 lbs. That would certainly be some size.

Would you trade JR Smith?

NugNugz — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:45:19 -0000

First off, let me say that this is an idea in my head for about about a week now. It is not a freak out response to last nights loss. Secondly, I know I'm going to get a lot of angry responses to this one, so please try to be somewhat polite. I'm not even sure if I'm happy with myself for posting this question.

Some people have been posting about the possibility of trading KMart, which due to his contract and/or defensive value to us, is damn near impossible. So I've decided to look at other possibilities, that's when I stumbled upon JR.

First let me just say that I am a JR fan. His "immaturity" off the court (or on for that matter) doesn't bother me too much. I could do without him jacking up some of those 3s but, whatev. My question is, has JR reached his potential? Last year in the playoffs I would've said no. I believed that he could be a top 10 all around player in the L. He can score with the best, he's a surprisingly great creator and passer and can board some. Last year's playoffs I would've projected JR to be around 23 ppg, 7 apg and maybe 3-4 rbg. As well as improving defense. This year I find myself wondering if he's more or less hit his ceiling. Not that there's anything wrong with his ceiling. 15-20 ppg 3-5 apg, 3 rbg. I'd take that myself. JR has a lot of talent and an agreeable contract.

Would you trade him if it meant getting a young big or perhaps a big and a young wing player? I didn't do the contract thing, but the trade I have in mind is JR for Kevin Love and (ideally) Corey Brewer. Love is undersized yes, but if we're talking about needing some rebounding, I think he's as good as they come. Brewer plays every play and is a solid defender (his offense is extremely inconsistent). Keep in mind we have Afflalo who has looked good this season. why would the Wolves do this deal? They desperately need wing scoring. I think Ryan Gomes is their leading scorer if that tells you anything. JR would easily step in there and average 20 ppg. and Love and Brewer are both leftovers of McHales legacy, which Kahn seems anxious to rid himself of.

Another thought was Smith for Barbosa and Earl Clark. Clark could be KMart 2.0. these are just some thoughts. You're welcome to propose your own. I look forward to a dialogue

Tyrus Thomas, David Lee soon to be available?

NugNugz — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:13:55 -0000

i was reading on hoopshype today that David “Double-Double” Lee and Tyrus “Double T” Thomas could be on the block before the trade deadline. Neither is a legit 7 footer but I’m intrigued by both. Lee is a rebounding machine something we desperately need. Tyrus Thomas, while I don’t think he’ll ever live up to his high draft pick, could be an adequate replacement for K-Mart for the future if he could turn into that intimidating force. Thomas reminds me a lot of K-Mart actually. As you might have noticed, I am proposing we try to get both and build for the future. A frontline of Lee, Thomas and Nene along with Melo at the SF and perhaps an aging KMart could be devastating. It might be unrealistic on a lot of levels – tis a lot of mouths to feed, but I wonder if it’s possible.

The Knicks just want expiring contracts and because Lee is a base year player they can only take back half of his salary, which would be 3.5 million. Malik Allen and AC or a trade exception would more or less fill that need.

Thomas would be harder. The bulls aren’t going to give him a way for nothing but if we could bring in a third team who has someone they want to get rid of in exchange for a trade exception, that could work too. The bulls, I believe, are looking for some outside shooting a la ben gordon. Perhaps a three team trade where the bulls get DuQuan Cook and a pick for the Nuggets, the heat get a trade exception or expiring contracts to be free agent players and the Nuggets pick up Thomas. I’m not sitting here with the salaries so I don’t know how it plays out. I also no Cook doesn’t = Thomas so probably somebody slightly better than Cook, perhaps Randy Foye! oh that is a lovely idea. bulls get foye, wiz get much needed cap relief and nuggies get Thomas. Thoughts?

Nuggets-Nets Game

NugNugz — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:59:04 -0000

I noticed that the Nuggets were playing the Nets TONIGHT. I knew they were playing them soon, just didn't know which day. I unfortunately won't be able to watch the game. I'm happy to announce that I'll be at the TWolves game on Wednesday night in my rainbow Alex English jersey. However, after the Nuggets lost to the Clippers (Curse you Melo j/k j/k cheap shot at Gasus) i want to make sure that I state that the Nuggets better not lose to the Nets tonight or the LWolves on Wednesday or I'll be pissed 'n' shat. After my precious Bengals lost to the Raiders yesterday, I'm concerned for my snug nugnugz. they better take care of business.

The Stiff List's David Kahn

NugNugz — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:16:37 -0000

Well, since Kahn made the stiff list I thought I would share some info (not that it's top secret) with all of you about the man. for those that don't know, I'm currently stuck in treacherous Minneapolis and over the summer, I was oddly selected to participate in a Timberwolves discussion group (I was rewarded with 3rd row seats to a game (not of my choice)). basically we were just asked to discuss a series of questions and such that I won't bore you with. I will however tell you about the unwavering optimism in Kahn at the time (this was after the draft and before Rubio decided not to come). They really believed he was this genius that was going to right the ship. They liked his "transparency"

I kind of kept quiet the whole time as it wasn't really my place to say much. I'm not, nor have ever been a Twolves fan (I do like their original jerseys though). I try to watch them while I'm here and support them but I assume once I leave, I won't like them anymore. and one of the reason is is that there's no connection to or continuity with this team. I feel like any player on the TWolves could get traded any day now. I'm still baffled over drafting two pgs that are natural pgs with no jump shots all with the idea that they'll play together. I'm baffled as to why they just didn't draft rubio or flynn and Stephen Curry - it would make more sense to me if they wanted to play a short person at shooting guard that he at least be able to shoot. The funny thing about the draft is they drafted 4 pgs and the Nuggets got the best one of them. Lawson is outplaying Flynn in a lot less minutes. They then proceeded to sign Ramon Sessions to 4 years meaning that IF Rubio (big if) ever does come over, somebody's going to have to get traded. The only other 2 guys on their team of value at this point (though I do like Corey Brewer and am pulling for him) are Al Jefferson and Kevin Love - they technically play the same position! So now your 4 best players play 2 positions. It doesn't make any sense to me! I know Khan isn't responsible for that (McHale is) but I'm not so sure that that guy has a master plan. Thank you for reading.

Meet Corey Brewer

NugNugz — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:15:54 -0000

While flipping back and forth between Top Chef and the Wolves game last night, I caught the tail end of the possibility for fans to meet Corey "Chicken Legs" Brewer somewhere he in the Twin Cities but missed all of the details. he is my fav. player on the Wolves (no homo) and I'd also like to meet him to talk to him about knocking down some 3s at some point this season (j/k). did anybody get the details for this meet and greet and could pass it on prithy? Thanks in advance.

The Stiff List

NugNugz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:42:43 -0000

I just wanted to comment on something about the current stiffs - the New York Knickerbockers. The idea of New York tanking the season to get the first pick, if I understand correctly, is quite null and void because that pick goes to the Utah Jazz to complete a Tom "Addicted to Mountain Dew" Gugliotta from way back, way back in the day. Consequently, we should be hoping that the Knicks start winning to some degree or the Jazz are going to end up with a top 5 pick making our division, already filled with the up-and-coming Thunder and the already challenging Blazers more tough. Also, should the Jazz continue to suck and find themselves in the lottery - that'd be two lottery picks in what is expected to be a strong draft. yikes

Tyrus Thomas?

NugNugz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:33:07 -0000

Tyrus Thomas is officially in the doghouse in Chicago after totaling a whopping 12 minutes of game time tonight. What's more, rookie Taj Gibson is starting over him. I don't think the bulls extended him so he might be a restricted free agent this season, but I know they're another team trying to free up some cap room to make a big at DWade. Could we use a TPE to get Thomas? He could back up Martin the next couple of years and then replace him. He'd be an extremely high energy guy to bring off the bench along with the Bird.

Rob Kurz a Free Agent

NugNugz — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:06:51 -0000

Well I actually don't think Rob Kurz could be very useful to us, but I know that a few people on the forum have shown an interest in the guy since he is a stretch forward. According to NBA.com, the Cavaliers cut Kurz and he is now an available free agent.

On other news (since I have to put up 75 words) I read in the Denver Post today that Warkenstein and the FO is still looking at deals to make the team competitive. That is reassuring though to be honest, the Nuggets don't really have a lot of tradeable assets so I don't know who they expect to give up unless it's the trade exception (which I'd be happy with).

Corey Brewer

NugNugz — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 01:00:38 -0000

Well, as my name may imply I am a Nuggets fan, but I do have a soft spot for the Twolves and in particular, Corey "Good Ol' Chicken Legs" Brewer. I know some of you, if not most of you, may believe he has underachieved thus far in his career but I was wondering if he has shown anything this preseason? I noticed last year that he has pretty decent court vision (not that the Twolves need any PGs haha j/k). I'd like to hear some comments if you've got the time?