In the halcyon days of my youth, the Nuggets represented the pinnacle of excess, led by scorers like Alex English, TR Dunn, Dan Issel, Calvin Natt, and Fat Lever.
To put that team in context, English attempted 1812 field goals in 1984-85, a year in which the Nuggets averaged 120 points a game. Last season, Kevin Garnett led the NBA with 1611 FGA, 200 less than English, or almost 2.5 a game. My, how times have changed.
Well, enough rambling. The current edition of the Nuggets is a woefully underperforming group, especially considering they added K-Mart to a roster that made the playoffs last season. You wouldn't have thought that Voshon Lenard was one of the most important players in the Western Conference, but, hey, that's the NBA sometimes.
Ordinarily you'd look for a high scoring affair, as the Nugs have surrendered at least 108 points in their past six games. With the flu invading the Sonics' roster, though, and with Carmelo Anthony on the bench, I think this game will be tighter than anticipated.
Good Sign: No Carmelo.
Bad Sign: The Nuggets nearly toppled Phoenix in their last game and the Sonics could have accumulated some holiday rust since their game last Friday. Ray Allen, Jerome James, and A.D. all appear to be under the weather.
Trivia: How many times did opponents hold the Nuggets to under 100 points back in 1984-85?
Vegas line: Sonics by 9 1/2
Prediction: Sonics 101 - Nuggets 95
Record Against the Spread: 10-4
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