MOST VALUABLE PLAYER: Many observers believed guard Allen Iverson would slow down at 32. Instead, he got better. Iverson raised his scoring average from 26.3 to 26.4, which was fourth in the NBA, and his field-goal percentage from 44.2 to 45.8. He played in all 82 games for just the second time in his 12 seasons.
MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER: The Nuggets signed Chucky Atkins to a three-year, $9.7 million contract last summer in hopes he would be the starting point guard. But Atkins, 33, was bothered by a groin strain and a sports hernia and played in just 24 games. Even when healthy, Atkins, who averaged 4.7 points and shot 34.4 percent, didn't show a lot, leading some to believe he's washed up. BIGGEST NEEDS: The Nuggets are in the market for a point guard, but they may not be willing to spend the money to bring in anything more than another stop-gap starter. Another big man would be handy, with Marcus Camby getting up there in age and Nene's health always a question.
FREE AGENT FOCUS: Unrestricted are forward Eduardo Najera and guard Anthony Carter. Najera is a longshot to return, with the Nuggets likely wanting his $4.95 million contract off the books, while Carter could return, although he might bolt if he doesn't get the contract offer he wants. Restricted are guards J.R. Smith and Yakhouba Diawara. The Nuggets want to re-sign Smith and vow to match any offer. Diawara has a chance to return if it's for a minimum salary, but he could depart.
PLAYER NOTES:
--Nuggets C Marcus Camby came up short in his attempt to win a second straight Defensive Player of the Year award. But Camby got a consolation prize when he was named to the All-Defensive First Team, the second straight season he has been so honored after never even being second team in his first 10 NBA years.
--Nuggets F Carmelo Anthony is all but a lock to make the U.S. Olympic team. Nevertheless, Anthony still has one more hurdle before it's official. He will attend a USA Basketball camp June 27-29 in Las Vegas before the team is announced June 30.
--F Bobby Jones has committed to play for the Nuggets in the (Las) Vegas Summer League, which runs from July 11-20. Shortly after the summer league, the Nuggets must decide whether to waive Jones or else his $797,581 contract for next season becomes guaranteed. He also could be part of a trade.
