Welcome to Mile High Mania, your main source for all of the ISBA Denver Nuggets news, rumors, and announcements



GM Contact Information

Name: Hassan L.

PSN: GullahGullah

Text: 864-810-1875

Staff

HEAD COACH
George Karl (College - North Carolina)
ASSISTANT COACH(ES)
Melvin Hunt (College - Baylor)
John Welch (College - UNLV)
Chad Iske (College - Kansas)
STRENGTH-AND-CONDITIONING COACH
Steve Hess (College - Ithaca)
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Jim Gillen (College - Fort Hays State)

Roster (as of training camp)

13 Corey Brewer F 6-9 188 03/05/1986 Florida/USA 5
21 Wilson Chandler F 6-8 225 05/10/1987 DePaul/USA 5
35 Kenneth Faried F 6-8 228 11/19/1989 Morehead State/USA 1
94 Evan Fournier G 6-6 200 10/29/1992 /France R
8 Danilo Gallinari F 6-10 225 08/08/1988 Olimpia Milano/Italy 4
1 Jordan Hamilton G-F 6-7 220 10/06/1990 Texas/USA 1
9 Andre Iguodala G-F 6-6 207 01/28/1984 Arizona/USA 8
41 Kosta Koufos C 7-0 265 02/24/1989 Ohio State/USA 4
3 Ty Lawson G 5-11 195 11/03/1987 North Carolina/USA 3
34 JaVale McGee C 7-0 252 01/19/1988 Nevada-Reno/USA 4
24 Andre Miller G 6-2 200 03/19/1976 Utah/USA 13
30 Quincy Miller F 6-9 210 11/18/1992 Baylor/USA R
25 Timofey Mozgov C 7-1 250 07/16/1986 Khimki Moscow/Russia 2
15 Anthony Randolph F 6-11 225 07/15/1989 Louisiana State/USA 4
10 Julyan Stone G 6-6 200 12/07/1988 Texas-El Paso/USA 1
12 Izzet Turkyilmaz C 7-0 211 05/20/1990 Banvit/Turkey R


12-Man Depth Chart

PG: Ty Lawson/Andre Miller
SG: Andre Iguodala/Corey Brewer/Evan Fournier
SF: Danilo Galinari/Wilson Chanlder/Quincy Miller
PF: Kenneth Faried/Anthony Randolph
C: Javale McGee/Timofey Mozgov

Inactive: Jordan Hamilton, Kosta Koufos, Julyan Stone. Izzet Turkyilmaz will return to Europe.


2012 OFFSEASON REVIEW

Lost: Chris Andersen(amnesty), Aaron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Rudy Fernandez

Added: Andre Iguodala, Wilson Chandler (resigned/returning from surgery), Anthony Randolph (FA), Evan Fournier (R), Quincy Miller (R), Izzet Turkyilmaz (R),
--------------------------------------------------------------


Weekly Write-Ups Coming Soon!

Nice, keep it coming, you know we like it...

Exploring Versatility & Meet The New Nuggets (22/09/12)

With the ISBA season right around the corner, I thought I would make the first two write-ups catering to what the biggest diehard Nugget fans are wanting to hear about. In this column, you will get a sneak peek at some of the possible lineups that viewer's will see on the court. George Karl has been known to mix things up with his roster but the word from training camp is that he really wants to explore situational lineups with this year's crop of versatile additions. We will also talk about the new additions to the roster, from both an athletic and personal standpoint, focusing mainly on our rooks.



Exploring Versatility
-------------------------
Let's face it, the Nuggets are not a team full of stars. Even though the team added All-star Andre Iguodala via trade, they also gave away their best player, Nene, during the regular season for a raw and risky Javale McGee. However, the Nuggets ARE a deep team. Very deep. Not necessarily because they have a great core of players 1 through 12, but because their best players can play a variety of different positions with ease. Coach Karl is expected to make good use of this through the regular season. Here are some of the 5 players you will probably see coach experiment with.

The Starting 5

Lawson
Iggy
Gallinari
Faried
McGee

I think this unit is what most Denver fans are expecting. Not much of an argument can be made against it either. Some think Gallinari would be better suited as a scoring 6th-man but the team needs his shooting to start games. McGee gets the start over Mozgov due to rim protection. However, depending on which Javale shows up each game, you could expect Mozgov to get early 1st quarter action and McGee a quick yank.

Run N' Gun, small-ball

Lawson 5'11
Miller 6'2
Iggy 6'6
Gallinari 6'10
Faried 6'8

This could become a fan-favorite lineup VERY quickly. Although very undersized at the 2, Miller gives the team a second ball-handler and playmaker. With this lineup, expect Miller to run PG duties given Lawson's excellent shooting and slashing ability. However, on the defensive end he would guard the opposing SG which the veteran Miller has been accustomed to his whole career. With two playmakers on the court, Iggy, Gallo, and Faried will have plenty of chances to do what they do best, finish at the basket.

Bully-ball, big lineup

Miller 6'2
Brewer 6'9
Gallinari 6'10
McGee 7'0
Mozgov 7'1

A much more less common lineup. Coach Karl most-likely will throw this lineup out limitedly, versus teams with overpowering size like the Lakers. This lineup is offensively limited, but defensively very intimidating.

Defensive, need a stop

Lawson
Miller
Iguodala
Faried
McGee

A possible late-game crew that could be seen after a timeout during a single-possession game when the Nuggets must have a stop. The great thing about this lineup is that Brewer is interchangeable with Miller or Lawson to have more size defensively against teams with an elite SG. If Faried is struggling with a larger power-forward, do not be surprised if Anthony Randolph gets some burn for length and shotblocking.

Blow-out/White flag

Andre Miller
Evan Fournier
Quincy Miller
Anthony Randolph
Timofey Mozgov

If a game is pretty much over, whether favoring the Nuggets or not, expect the young guys to get a little bit of playing time and give the starters needed rest. Baring injury, this will probably be the only time Fournier or Q. Miller will get some minutes. Randolph is still a prospect who needs work, Mozgov could use some points for a confidence boost. Andre Miller will run point, to make sure the youngbloods are playing in an in-control, steady pace. If 'Dre is too fatigued, Fournier will get a chance at the 1 to develope his combo guard skills, a feature he was known for in France.

coming soon... Meet The New Nuggets

Ante wrote:

Nice, keep it coming, you know we like it...

thanks man, will do

A bit of a scouting report ey...

Very, very nice...Small ball lineup>

Note:

Iggy>Gallo in bully ball...

Mozgov should get more playing time IMO, he's been great on the Olympics...

Michael Jordan Hamilton in reserves?

I'll take him lol

Wait till he tries him, the dude is great scorer on 2k12.

Ante wrote:

A bit of a scouting report ey...

Very, very nice...Small ball lineup>

Note:

Iggy>Gallo in bully ball...

Mozgov should get more playing time IMO, he's been great on the Olympics...

Yeah, I hope 2k gives Mozgov a better rating this year for his stint with Russia. McGee was solid in the playoffs too. Lineups are not a set thing for now though.

Jesus Swagglesworth wrote:

Michael Jordan Hamilton in reserves?

I'll take him lol

haha, Im an Fournier fan so MJH is avail for the right price. He's a beast scorer in 2k's eyes so I might need him with Chandler being injury prone. I think in 2k13 he wont be as overpowered though..

You can stop Hamilton with a decent defender and he won't do shit...

Avery Bradley>

True

Breaking, Denver Nuggets full ratings & sig skills released.

Andre Iguodala - 87 (86 Defense)
Ty Lawson - 82 (83 Defense )
Wilson Chandler - 80 (80 Defense)
Kenneth Faried - 76 (84 Defense)
Andre Miller - 75
Javale McGee - 74 (79 Defense)
Anthony Randolph - 71
Danilo Gallinari - 71
Corey Brewer - 68
Jordan Hamilton - 65
Timofey Mozgov - 62
Evan Fournier - 58
Kostas Koufas - 57

Sig Skills!

Iggy - Highlight Film, Acrobat, Lockdown Defender, Interceptor
Ty Lawson - Deadeye, Finisher, Ankle Breaker
Kenneth Faried - Hustle Points, Scrapper
Andre Miller - Dimer, Alley-Ooper, Floor General
Javale McGee - Highlight Film, Posterizer, Eraser
Anthony Randolph - Eraser
Corey Brewer - Scrapper
Kostas Koufas - Hustle Points


GM Comments

Some surprising things are notable to discuss here. Most importantly, I'm a little disappointed with how they rated Gallo, because they were EXTREMELY generous with Wilson Chandler. It's making me consider the thought of swapping Chandler in for the starting SF spot a lot more now. I liked Gallo's size and shooting for us to start games but it looks like WC has better outside shooting ratings (B+ over Gallo's B). Guess it will be a opening night decision.

Lawson has 3 sig skills, but each one has different offensive trait which will be fun (shooting, attacking, dribbling). I thought Kenneth Faried would get a Highlight film or Posterizer skill but Hustle Points and Scrapper are MUCH more beneficial for the team. McGee got the 3 skills I thought he would get.

Really pleased with Andre Miller. I thought he would be right around 70, but they have him at 75. With 3 sigs that give boosts to the whole team on the floor, 'Dre will get plenty of playing time.

Anthony Randolph does not deserve to be as high as 71, but I will not complain. He will definitely be our second-line PF. Corey Brewer deserves a defensive sig skill, but the Scrapper sig sounds sooo nice so its no biggie. I thought Mozgov would get a small rating boost this year, at least, but I guess not.

Overall, although some of the ratings and skills are not what I expected, I can't help but be extremely pleased. If we start WC at SF, and let's just round McGee's 79 defensive rating to 80, we will be rolling out a starting lineup where every position is 80+ in defense.

I figured Gallo would have slightly better ratings but Wilson Chandler appears to be great and we all know Iggy is a man child. I look forward to seeing how you incorporate Gallo, Iggy, and Wilson Chandler into the rotation.

might be tough. I could be looking to move one (most likely Gallo/WC) for a good backup bigman. We are really weak in terms of frontcourt depth.

isn't it kinda odd Chandler is an 80 with zero sig skills? not that he should have them, but you would think it based on his rating alone.

Gallo is just right coming off an injury plagued season last year....

Chandler was always better than him...

Odd, no sig skills for Chandler...

That's a deeeep roster...

Nice articles. Wilson is one of those guys who everyone thinks highly off when in reality he's not that special. Gallo took a major hit for some reason, injuries didn't stop other players from going up. 80-71 would be more realistic if its 77-76.

It has officially been reported that the Denver Nuggets are currently in training camp. Practices and scrimmages are currently not open to the public, however. We caught up with George Karl after today's workout and asked him how it went.

"Well, first off, I'm just happy to have these guys back. They're truly like family to me. We feel like we've already incorporated the new guys, Andre, Evan, Anthony, into this family too. It's going to be a fun season."

On the competition in the West:

"Hey, listen, we're not focusing on other teams yet. Right now, it's all about getting these guys back into in-game rhythm. Plus, today's media day. Lighten the **** up."

On player improvement during the offseason:

"Ty always works his ass off every summer. The kid is constantly getting better and I'm sure this year is no different. Wilson told me he's got himself into better game-shape. It was tough on him, I know, because it's been so long since he's played NBA basketball and I think he wasn't in the best of condition until a few months ago."

On Javale McGee:

"Javale told me he became addicted to playing online poker this summer, and that he posts over 200 tweets every day now. He was joking, I'm sure.......... I think I'm going to go lie down, actually."


On a newsworthy note, there has been rumblings that Mozgov may start over Javale McGee on opening night. It's believed that Javale would fare better coming off the bench with floor general Andre Miller so 'Dre can help Javale get going by dishing him some easy points.

Javale

Yup, starting Mozgov over Javale seems good...

Best jerseys ever IMO...

wow, old and new

Oh wtf I didn't know they have new jerseys. Nice

I hope those jerseys are in 2k13. #YellowFever

..

Chandler Shines, Nuggets Win Season Opener Despite Javale McGee Arriving At Wrong Arena



Boston, MA -- The Nuggets struggled out of the gate but were able to nab their first win in of the season against the Minnesota Timberwolves Boston Celtics. However, it was not without controversy as Javale McGee was not expected to start tonight due to reports confirming that he was at the Target Center in Minneapolis, MN three hours before tipoff. According to sources, Javale thought that the team was supposed to play the Minnesota Timberwolves instead of the Boston Celtics for the first game of the season.



"Yeah, I booked a ticket to Minnesota 'cause that's where I thought we were playing", McGee said in the post-game interview. According to Javale, he had a dream a few days ago that they were playing the Minnesota Timberwolves and he was the player of the game, scoring 20 points and 8 rebounds while leading the Nuggets to a blowout win in their home opener. "See, I was so stoked about that dream, that's all that was in my head. And I guess I just got mixed up..." McGee told reporters. Nuggets personnel were able to immediately fly McGee from the Target Center to Boston once the mistake was realized. Javale arrived just in time to start, surprisingly on the behalf of coach George Karl.

"Listen, a lot of people expected me to not play him at all. But I understand Javale a lot more than many think. I wasn't going to do him like that. He had a dream, he was anxious for the season opener, it's alright. It happens." Karl said. "I guess the one thing I don't understand is that in his dream, he said we were playing our home opener. What was he doing in Minnesota? Well, regardless, he played a good game tonight."

While McGee didn't exactly score 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists, he did help the Nuggets get the win in Boston with 12 points and 3 steals.


3 Stars of the Game
-------------------------
W. Chandler - 27 pts, 4 reb in 31 mins
T. Lawson - 19 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast in 25 mins
K. Faried - 16 pts, 6 reb, 6-6 FG in 26 mins

Unsung Hero: J. McGee - 12 pts, 3 reb, 4-4 FG in 19 mins

I think that game will be reseted, since mulac didn't joined yet, idk, I just have a hunch, he'll join tonight, your opening win was in the garden...

damn! that's what happens when you wake up and immediately play 2k. I was for sure T-Wolves weren't a user team. Yeahhh, please reset it. My bad.

Sorry, Javale #ItWasAllADream

Man, Ty Lawson and offensive rebounding killed me...I want a rematch in the evening lol...