The Denver Nuggets have a much different look heading into the 2013-2014 season. They have lost Andre Iguodala via free agency and the team chose not to give George Karl a contract extension. Simply put, the Nuggets have a lot to overcome.
Last season, Karl was able to lead Denver to a 57-win season despite have very little star power. That’s what made the team’s decision to let him go so surprising, and point guard Andre Miller is expecting Denver to take a step back in Karl’s absence.
During a recent interview with NBA TV that Ball Don’t Lie shared with us, Miller was asked if the possibility of winning 57 games again next season still exists. The 14-year veteran was brutally honest.
“You know that ain’t gonna happen again,” Miller said. “I’d like to say we’re gonna win 57 games and have a better home record than last year, but that was a great year for us. I wish we could do it again and we want to build from there, but it’s gonna be tough. We’ve got some new guys and some new veterans coming in, and the good thing is we’ve got guys who are willing to work.”
[Related: Kenneth Faried, Ty Lawson baffled by George Karl firing]
He’s probably right. Karl was able to do a lot with very little over the past few seasons, and there is no guarantee new head coach Brian Shaw will be able to do the same with less. Having said that, the younger guys on the team might not benefit from hearing that they have no chance of winning 57 games.
At age 37, Miller is expected to be a leader. Part of leading is being realistic and tempering expectations, but he probably shouldn’t be counting the team out before the season even begins — whether it’s true or not.
