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The Answer Is: Denver
By Marty Gitlin
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
The Denver Nuggets have “The Answer� but not to these two questions:
Are they now strong enough to contend in the powerful Western Conference? Did they mortgage their future for a current team that still lacks the talent to win a title?
They swapped one of the steadiest and most talented point guards in the league (Andre Miller) for arguably the NBA's premier backcourt player in Allen Iverson. They also surrendered both first-round picks in 2007 and veteran forward Joe Smith.
More questions: Though the Nuggets now boast the NBA’s two leading scorers in Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, have they reached the upper echelon along with San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas? And when will their window of opportunity close? After all, Iverson is an 11-year veteran who will likely not perform at peak level for many more seasons.
Another factor in Denver’s future success lies in the ability of Iverson and Anthony to mesh on the court. Basketball is a team game in which chemistry is more important than individual talent.
Nuggets coach George Karl understands that. But he believes the addition of Iverson will promote team chemistry rather than destroy it.
“One thing I hear on a consistent basis, his teammates love him,� Karl said. “I think we need better chemistry on my basketball team. I think we need more leadership. I think we need more emotional maturity, I think we need some mental toughness, some intensity, an every game, every possession mentality. I think everything I said there, Allen Iverson has.�
Denver could certainly use Iverson on Wednesday night against visiting Phoenix, which will be seeking its franchise-record 16th consecutive victory. WagerWeb.com lists the Suns as a 8.5-point favorites against the Nuggets, who will also play without the suspended Anthony and J.R. Smith.
The Sixers, meanwhile, will attempt to break an 11-game losing streak, at home against Indiana. They are 5.5-point underdogs, according to WagerWeb.com.
BLAZIN’ BLAZERS: It appeared the Portland Trail Blazers were about to be hit with some bad news just as they were reaching respectability.
But a mild sprain in forward Zach Randolph’s right foot healed quickly, and he is expected to play Wednesday night against visiting Houston. Randolph leads the team at 25.4 points and 10.1 rebounds a game.
In addition, the Blazers should benefit from the return of rookie off-guard Brandon Roy, who had missed 20 games with a left heel injury. He averaged 11.7 points a game before being sidelined.
The Blazers are 5-point underdogs to the Rockets, according to WagerWeb.com.
DRIBBLES: A strained groin will sideline Charlotte point guard Brevin Knight at New York on Wednesday night. WagerWeb.com lists the Knicks as 4-point favorites. … Cleveland is the second-leading rebounding team in the NBA, but none of its players are among the Top 20 individually. WagerWeb.com lists the Cavaliers as 1-point underdogs in New Jersey on Wednesday night. The Cavs are tied for the best home record in the league at 11-2, but are just 3-7 on the road. … Phoenix starters outscored their Toronto counterparts, 80-39, Tuesday night. All five Suns starters tallied in double figures. T.J. Ford (19 points) was the lone Raptor to do the same. Still, Toronto has won three of four without star forward Chris Bosh. WagerWeb.com lists the Raptors as 8-point underdogs against the host Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
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