| Trio Puts Nuggets In Driver Seat Authored by Jonathan Maness - January 29, 2009 - 8:28 pm
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The Nuggets are off to a stellar 30-16 record and most of success has been due to the addition of veteran point guard Chauncey Billups. Rightfully so, Denver has been nearly unstoppable with an impressive 29-13 mark since Billups has been on the squad.
However, it has been the play of Nene, Chris Andersen and Dahntay Jones who have helped the Nuggets take control of the Northwest Division. Last season, the trio combined to play a mere 46 games. This year, they each are playing important minutes for a legit playoff team.
Barely over a year ago, Nene was diagnosed with testicular cancer and his 2007-08 season was done hardly before he got started. It was just another frustrating year for seventh year post player. The Nuggets organization, its fans and the media started to question his work ethic and heart. Enough so, that the 26-year-old was left off the NBA All-Star ballot. This didn’t stop the Nuggets from putting all their faith in Nene in the off-season when they traded their starting center Marcus Camby to the Los Angeles Clippers and he has responded by putting up All-Star numbers. The Brazilian native is on the verge of setting his career highs in points (15.1), rebounds (8.2) and field goal percentage (.613). He also has held his own against Amar’e Stoudamire (17 points and 14 rebounds) and Yao Ming (23 points and 12 rebounds). He just recently scored 28 points against Utah by being perfect from the field with 12-of-12 shooting. The 6-foot-11 power forward has also stayed healthy, only missing one game up to this point – proving his importance to the Denver Nuggets organization.
After a two-year hiatus and playing only five games for New Orleans last season, Chris “The Birdman” Andersen has literally jumped on the scene with the Nuggets. Many wondered how rusty he would be after missing so much time due to his drug escapade. Andersen has proven his critics wrong, as he has replaced Marcus Camby’s shot-blocking and Eduardo Najera’s energy. Despite playing a meager 19 minutes a game, Andersen is only fourth in the league in blocks. He has also provided Denver with a spark as the Nuggets lone big off the bench. The Birdman remains a fan favorite with jaw-dropping dunks, half-court three-point shots and high-flying blocks that electrifies the crowd game in and game out.
Dahntay Jones does not fill the stat sheets on a nightly basis nor is he on the floor in the closing minutes of the game. However, he impacts every game he plays in. Jones is the defensive spark the Nuggets have been in dire need of for the previous few seasons. He has been the defensive stopper that Nuggets coach George Karl had hoped that Greg Buckner, Yakhouba Diawara and Ruben Patterson would have been. Jones has held his own against the likes of Dwayne Wade, Stephen Jackson, Steve Nash and Deron Williams. He has frustrated opponents enough that he has drawn comparisons with the likes of Bruce Bowen and Raja Bell. He is also a low-risk and high-award player, who makes smart decisions on the floor and hardly ever takes a bad shot.
These three have helped the Nuggets keep their head above water while Carmelo Anthony has been out with a broken wrist. And if all goes right, they may also help Denver a trip out of the first round or may even farther. Now imagine where the Nuggets may be without the trio. |
