Last year Denver upset the #1 Seattle Sonics and looked like
the next up and coming team of the NBA.  This year was a struggle
just barley making the playoffs in the last week.  Their net GM
is:

    Rick Grubin .

Rick uses the 15th pick to select:

    David Vaughn, PF, 6-9.  Memphis State

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Denver Nuggets
1994-95 record: 41-41, 4th in Midwest Division
        playoffs:   #8 seed in the Western Conference
                    lost #1 San Antonio  3-0

Team Needs (and a recent history)
---------------------------------------

[Denver made the playoffs for the second consecutive season, 
 overcoming two head coaching changes and a nearly season-long
 injury to top player LaPhonso Ellis.  The Nuggets were swept in
 the opening round of the Western Conference playoffs by #1 seed
 and season best-record holder San Antonio, 3-0.]

The Nuggets are a team that, three years ago, were coming off seasons
of 20-62 and 24-58.  Last season, under coach and former Nuggets
great Dan Issel, Denver came alive in the playoffs, knocking off #1
seed Seattle, and taking Utah to seven games before bowing out in
the Western Conference semi-finals.  After such lofty heights, many
expected significant improvement, with a nucleus of talented players
and a good draft pick.  Denver selected Jalen Rose in last season's
draft; some felt he was the point guard of the future, others saw
him as a backup, though a solid one, for the Nuggets.  Many thought
that an improvement from 42-40 to 50 wins was not out of the question.

Just prior to the season starting, starting power forward LaPhonso
Ellis fractured his right kneecap, an injury that required surgery
and eventually kept him out of the lineup for all but the last few
games of the season.  The loss of L.Ellis was a big blow to the
Nuggets, who were suddenly without their second leading rebounder
and scorer.  Second-year forward Rodney Rogers was moved into L.Ellis'
spot, away from his expected small forward position.

Denver had a favorable early-season schedule, with 12 of 15 games at
home.  This was supposed to ease the pain of Ellis' loss, as he was
expected back in mid- to late December.  When Denver faltered after
a quick start, and Ellis was ruled out for the season, the Nuggets'
walls began to crumble.  Dissension amongst the players regarding
playing time and scoring opportunities threatened the team chemistry,
and coach Issel struggled with increasingly unenthusiastic players.
Just prior to the All-Star break, Issel resigned and was replaced on
an interim basis by assistant coach Gene Littles.  At this point, the
Nuggets went into a terrible tailspin, dropping to nine games under
the .500 mark, and eight games from the final playoff spot in the
conference.

After 16 games with Littles as head coach, General Manager Bernie
Bickerstaff stepped in as head coach, returning to the bench for the
first time since coaching Seattle in the late 1980s.  Denver quickly
turned around their fortunes, winning key road games and playing with
much more enthusiasm and heart than previously.  On the last day of
the season, Denver defeated Sacramento to claim the eighth playoff
spot for the second straight year.  They exited quickly, however,
getting swept by San Antonio 3-0.

With Bickerstaff at the coaching and GM reins for the forseeable 
future, Denver seems to be heading in the right direction.  Last
year's off-season acquisitions of veterans Dale Ellis and Cliff
Levingston were made in hopes of adding experience to the mix of
young talent; they are not part of the Nuggets' future.  The
addition of guard Jalen Rose helped solidify Denver's backcourt.
However, the uncertainty surrounding the ability of LaPhonso Ellis
to return -- he underwent surgery on his left knee to remove a cyst
and graft bone -- definitely has Denver searching for help at a
spot that was once the most solid part of the roster.  L.Ellis may
not be ready for next season, and indeed may not play again.  His
clouded future has the Nuggets searching for alternatives at the
power forward spot.

The Nuggets' frontcourt, with L.Ellis, would be solid for many years
to come.  This year's Defensive Player of the Year, center Dikembe
Mutombo, backup center and power forward Brian Williams, L.Ellis and
Rodney Rogers would comprise a young, talented and possibly dominating
front line.  Without L.Ellis, not only a top player but Denver's
emotional leader, the Nuggets must look toward the possibility of
replacing him.  B.Williams has been too inconsistent in his two years
in Denver, and Rogers was out of position at power forward.

The Nuggets' backcourt has been a question mark all season long.
They opened with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (MAR), Robert Pack, Bryant Stith,
Darnell Mee and Jalen Rose.  In training camp, Pack won the starting
job, and began the season with a bang, determined to show that he was
a starting point guard in the league.  Injuries slowed his performance,
and he gave way to MAR.  As Bickerstaff took over the head coaching
duties, he inserted Rose into the starting lineup, giving the rookie a
chance to play a lot in games that mattered, as Denver began a drive
to catch Sacramento for the final playoff spot.

Team needs are: backcourt help, perimeter scoring, and a possible
replacement for L.Ellis.  With Robert Pack selected in the expansion
draft, Denver lost their one point guard with defensive abilities,
and one of their most explosive players.  He became expendable, in the
eyes of many, with the emergence of rookie Jalen Rose, and his attitude
after losing his starting job.

The coaching staff and front office is very solid and appears set
for the forseeable future.  Bickerstaff has rebuilt a team in a
shambles, guiding them back to NBA respectability.

The Denver Nuggets, by position:

Center
------

The Nuggets have the NBA's premier shot blocker and (despite recent
All-Defense team voting) one of the top defensive centers in Dikembe
Mutombo.  Mutombo has matured into the defensive and rebounding 
force he was expected to be when he entered the NBA.  Offensively,
Mutombo is limited: his shooting range is perhaps 10ft, though his low
post moves have becoming more varied.  This is a vast improvement over his
first two seasons, where virtually all of his points came on the
offensive boards. Mutombo was misused as a "go-to" player as a
rookie -- his strengths are rebounding and defense.  The coaching staff
has worked hard with Mutombo to create some low post offense, and it is
paying off.  He has decent offensive moves and his passing from the low
post to cutters is significantly better.  Improvements for Mutombo would be
to get stronger; he is strong already, but has some difficulty in
powering the ball up to the basket in traffic.  Mutombo will never
be known for soft hands, but he must catch the ball better in
traffic as well.  His free-throw shooting must get better.
Overall, Mutombo more than fills his role on the Nuggets, as
rebounder and defender in the lane.  He's only improved as he's
gained experience.

Brian Williams is the backup center for Denver (as well as playing
power forward).  Since coming to Denver, he's shown the form that
was expected of him when he was drafted in the lottery by Orlando
in 1991.  He's very quick at 6'11", able to go around opposing
centers and forwards offensively, and get into position to block
shots defensively.  He has decent shooting range, up to 15ft, and
solid low post moves, with a nice touch on jump hooks.  He rebounds
well at both ends, and runs the floor to fill the break and follow
up missed shots.  He's a decent passer, and has good hands.
Improvements would be better movement on defense, and more consistency.
At times B.Williams can be dominating, at other times he simply
disappears.  If he can improve this mental aspect of his game,
B.Williams has the opportunity to significantly increase his playing
time, and give Denver many options with a big front line and a 
smaller but quicker front line.  Williams has adjusted well to coming
off the bench, and is an excellent backup center, and power forward. 
Another of the young, talented Nuggets front line.

Power Forward
-------------

LaPhonso Ellis was rapidly becoming a big-time player for Denver at
the power forward spot.  Having been forced to step in and play from
the start two years ago, Ellis was maturing into a go-to guy for Denver.
He had increased his overall body strength, and seemed prepared for a
breakthrough year.  His rebounding abilities were a great complement
to Mutombo, and his improving defensive skills allowed Mutombo to 
play more of a team defense role.  His uncertain status is a heavy,
dark cloud hanging over the Nuggets immediate future.  He may return
to the Nuggets lineup, or he may never play again.

Brian Williams also gets playing time here (see Center).

Backups at power forward for Denver include Tom Hammonds, sometimes
Rodney Rogers (see Small Forward), Reggie Slater, and Cliff Levingston. 
Hammonds arrived as a free agent two seasons ago (drafted by Washington
and traded to Charlotte, who cut him) and has provided solid backup in
limited minutes for the Nuggets.  He works hard, both practicing and
playing, and his intensity on the court doesn't waver.  His playing
time was erratic, but his attitude and tenacity never wavered.  He's a
restricted free agent this year, and Denver would do well to keep him.
Slater was a gem in the rough for Denver.  He impressed the coaching
staff at a rookie/free agent camp, earned an invitation to training
camp, and eventually a roster spot.  Perhaps a bit short for a power
forward, his powerful build allowed him to survive battles in the 
paint.  A late-season knee injury ended his season; he should return
to compete for a roster spot next season.  Levingston was brought
back to the NBA from Europe by Bickerstaff to give a young Nuggets
team a sense of maturity and experience.  Though he didn't play much,
Levingston was a valuable resource for the team's younger players.
He's not likely to return for another season.

Small Forward
-------------

Rodney Rogers was the 9th pick overall two years ago, as an
underclassman from Wake Forest.  To the surprise of many, he fell to
the Nuggets spot after being projected as a higher pick (was ACC
Player of the Year as a junior).  Rogers has had an inconsistent
rookie year, struggling during the first half of the season, but
then coming on during the second half of the season to demonstrate
his talents.  Denver had the luxury of not having to start, and
play, Rogers a lot in his first year (unlike Ellis), and his playing
time was initially minimal: R.Williams was playing well, and Rogers
was struggling, making mistakes and (probably to his detriment)
getting immediately pulled from the game.  In his second year,
Rogers was slated to start at small forward, where he could utilize
his strength and quickness to dominate opponents.  With L.Ellis
out, Rogers moved to power forward, and his game suffered.  He was
inconsistent, and playing out of position caused his confidence to
suffer.  When given the chance to play at small forward, Rogers
flourished, scoring from outside and on drives to the basket, and
his rebounding improved as well.  His game is suited to a motion
offense and running game, and Denver utilized him well in this
capacity.  Areas of improvement for Rogers continue to be his
defense, and to rebound more dominantly for a player of his size
strength.  Rogers is a key element in the Nuggets future.

A castoff by the LA Clippers and also by San Antonio, Reggie Williams
has found a home in Denver.  He's a steady, if unspectacular, scorer
at 14+ppg with Denver (on 44% shooting).  He's a good rebounder from his
spot, at about 5rpg.  R.Williams is a decent defender, able to guard both
small forwards and big guards, as he swings to the backcourt for Denver.
In Denver, R.Williams has improved his game, becoming a solid starter for
the young Nuggets.  He's got shooting range to the 3pt circle and drives
to the basket reasonably well. R.Williams has a tendency to be either
brilliant or inept at crucial times, sometimes hitting the big shot or
making the big play, and/or then throwing away a pass or taking a bad shot.
Overall, he's been valuable member of the Nuggets.  R.Williams would be a
valuable scorer off the bench.

Backups at Small Forward would include Dale Ellis (see Shooting Guard).
Occasionally Tom Hammonds see time here, depending on the lineup (see
Power Forward).

Shooting Guard
--------------

Bryant Stith started the season coming off the bench, but returned
to the starting lineup off and on.  He's big and quick, physical enough
to post up other guards and score as well as take on some small forwards,
yet can step outside and score.  Stith is a good defensive player,
able to guard players all over the court.  His strengths are his
defensive play and ability to post up/drive to the basket/fill the
lanes on the break offensively.  He's always hustling and working
hard, doing the little things that don't get noticed.  He adjusted
well to coming off the bench, and when teamed with Jalen Rose, gave
Denver a big backcourt that was tough to handle defensively, but
lacked a solid scoring punch on the offensive end.  Improvements
for Stith would include taking a more decisive role on offense.
Stith is solid fundamentally at both ends of the court, and is a
good foul shooter.  He's definitely an important part of the
Nuggets future.

Dale Ellis was brought to the Nuggets from San Antonio, where he
was replaced as "hired gun" by Chuck Person.  The NBA's all-time
leader in three-point field goals, D.Ellis was supposed to give
Denver the long-range perimeter scoring it lacked.  D.Ellis was
inconsistent at best, sometimes scoring well but more often
an offensive liability.  He did play well in stretches during
the season, but isn't a key figure in Denver's plans.

Backups at shooting guard are Reggie Williams, when he swings
to the backcourt (see Small Forward), and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (see
Point Guard).


Point Guard
-----------

Denver drafted Jalen Rose with the 13th pick in last year's draft.
After a heralded college career at Michigan, Rose started slowly
in Denver, seeing limited playing time behind Robert Pack, MAR,
and Bryant Stith.  His play was erratic, often due to the lack
of playing continuity.  When Bernie Bickerstaff took over as coach,
Rose was given the opportunity to play a lot as a starter, and he
generally responded well.  For the season he shot 45% from the field
and averaged 5 assists per game, improving as his minutes increased.
As expected, his passing was solid, and he generally ran the team's
offense well.  Rose is able to post up smaller point guards and
score, but struggles on defense, as he's not quick enough to handle
smaller guards.  Strengths for Rose are his passing and his post
up capabilities.  Rose needs to improve his defensive skills, get
the offense in motion and pass the ball sooner, and improve the
consistency of his outside shooting.  He combined with Bryant Stith
as a good backcourt for the Nuggets, and his versatility is a big
plus for the Nuggets.

Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (formerly Chris Jackson) was the #3 pick in the
draft five years ago.  The past two seasons he's been Denver's 
scoring leader, at 17+ppg.  MAR is at times an explosive scorer
who can rack up points in a big hurry.  He's a shooting guard in a
point guard's body, and this mindset has hampered him at times in
Denver.  MAR is an adequate passer in the halfcourt set offense, and
sometimes spectacular in the open court, but he doesn't drive to
the basket often enough, which would open up both his offense and
that of others.  Defensively, MAR is easily pushed around due to
his slight physical stature.  An early season experiment with him
as a scoring sixth man off the bench proved disasterous, as MAR's
mindset about not starting affected his play.  He's not a franchise
player, and consistently gives up more points than he produces.  His
big contract effectively precludes trading him or exposing him to
the expansion draft.  How he fits into Denver's future plans is
really an unknown.  MAR has scored many game-winning baskets as a
Nuggets player, but the team found greater success without him in
the latter stages of the season.

For the purposes of this draft, Robert Pack isn't discussed because
he was selected in the expansion draft.

Selection:
---------

David Vaughn, 6-9, 235, Memphis State

This was a difficult choice, as Denver needs better perimeter scoring
as well as insurance and depth up front.  Sherrell Ford would also be
a player Denver should consider, given his versatility.

Others Considered:
-----------------

Sherrell Ford
    Big-time scorer, excellent rebounder, could easily swing
    between guard and forward.
Michael Finley  (already selected)
    Solid player, decent shooting range and good defense.
Scotty Thurman
    Good scorer and defender, strictly an outside player (?).
Junior Burrough
    Good post game, decent rebounder.
David Vaughn
    Injury-plagued college career, played out of position.  Good rebounder.
Gary Trent
    Like Rodney Rogers, better rebounder but lesser outside game.
Lou Roe
    Much like Rodney Rogers, only less talented.
Mario Bennett   (already selected)
    Seems recovered from knee injury, good post player, decent rebounder.
    Needs to improve game away from the basket.

Who They'll Probably Take:
-------------------------

Denver is in a difficult position, with LaPhonso Ellis' uncertain
status hampering their ability to make definite decisions.  When
L.Ellis joined the team three years ago, he played from the start
because he had to: the Nuggets were weak and he had to play, good
or bad.  Now, with more depth and talent, Denver may be able to
afford a young power player learning slowly, behind B.Williams, if
L.Ellis can no longer play.  If the management go this route, then
a trade for veteran perimeter scoring is a good bet.  Should Denver
choose to go after a veteran power player via trade or free agency,
then the draft will likely produce a player who can score from the
perimeter as well as going to the basket.  Assuming these players
are still available when Denver drafts, they will probably choose
>from David Vaughn, Gary Trent, Mario Bennett, Junior Burrough, 
Sherrell Ford, Michael Finley, and perhaps Scotty Thurman.  It's
possible that Denver could draft a player with the intention of
packaging the player as part of a trade for a veteran power player,
should L.Ellis not return.

Other Moves:
-----------

With the possibility of LaPhonso Ellis not playing again, Denver
faces the harsh reality of having to depend too much on Dikembe
Mutombo once again on the inside.  With a relative wealth of young,
talented players, the Nuggets are in a position to trade some of 
their core players for a veteran power forward.  With players like
MAR, Rogers, R.Williams and possibly D.Ellis to provide outside
scoring, it is much easier for Denver to acquire a forward who can
step in and play immediately rather than drafting such a player.
The names Chris Webber and Otis Thorpe have come up in relation 
to this.

The Nuggets must look to improve their backcourt, in particular
at the point guard spot.  With Robert Pack gone, the overall
defensive ability of the backcourt is severely diminished, as is
the "change of pace" that Pack's style provided.  Jalen Rose was
a pleasant surprise, but must get better at starting and running
the offense, as well as pushing the fast break.  For now, he's
Denver's point guard, and should only improve with a year of
experience under his belt.

MAR's situation is interesting and difficult: he's been a good
player in Denver and a reason for their successes.  He's also a
liability defensively, and is not the point guard who can take
the Nuggets to the next level.  He's valuable as a scorer, most
likely from the bench, but will be hard to trade for a young
point guard because of his salary, because of what his role will
likely be (bench scorer) and because of his demonstrated inability
to accept come off the bench.

Any trades the Nuggets make must be carefully considered, as the
current team is solid and play well together.  Certainly Mutombo,
and L.Ellis are untouchable, assuming L.Ellis can return to the
lineup.  If the Nuggets do try to trade, they'll likely trade for
frontcourt help.  That probably means giving up some of their
depth.  It would have to be a trade of great value for that to
happen.

The uncertainty surrounding L.Ellis puts Denver in a difficult
position.  For this draft, assuming no trades and the current
roster remaining intact, frontcourt help is a necessity.  If
L.Ellis were certain to return to form, backcourt scoring would
be Denver's goal.
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