Success in Mile High

Last season the Denver Nuggets were a solid playoff team with a superstar, in Carmelo Anthony, who was traded to the Knicks late in the season.  Critics and fans began to wonder if the team would succeed with no superstar and a coach recovering who'd just fought off cancer a few months earlier in the season.  What they didn't predict was how much depth they'd gain from trading Melo.  The Nuggets currently have the second highest scoring bench in the NBA because of additions like Al Harrington and free agency signee Andre Miller.  The New York Knicks probably didn't realize the value of the players traded to the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.  Not to understate the value of having a scorer like Carmelo, but the likes of Danilo Galinari and Timothy Mozgov.  Not to mention Raymond Felton, although he was later traded to Portland.  Denver is currently sitting in second place in the Western Conference and has seemingly unlimited depth.  While they may lack star power, Ty Lawson has proven to be the fastest point guard in the league with the basketball, while leading the team in assists and only behind Galinari in scoring.  Galinari's scoring continues to rise as the season progresses.  Nene Hilario returned from injury and has gotten back to his usual ways of dominating the rebounds and eating up space in the paint.  The season is still young, but the Nuggets are proving that you don't need a superstar to have great success.  Depth, a great coach in George Karl and a run and gun offense that leads the NBA in scoring is a proven recipe for wins in this now guard heavy association.  If they remain healthy, don't be surprised to see Denver in the conference finals, or even the NBA Finals.