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 Kenyon Martin and Nene having had health issues and the possibility Marcus Camby could be traded.

FREE AGENT FOCUS: F Eduardo Najera and G Anthony Carter are unrestricted. Both want to return, but money is a concern considering the Nuggets are well over the luxury tax. Restricted are Gs J.R. Smith and Yakhouba Diawara. The Nuggets want to re-sign Smith and vow to match any offer. Diawara, who played sparingly last season, could depart.

PLAYER NOTES:

--F Carmelo Anthony, named to the Olympic team, is looking for redemption after playing sparingly for Team USA when it won a bronze medal in 2004 in Athens.

"We didn't know what to expect," said Anthony, one of several young players on that team. "So we felt like we were thrown out there to the wolves."

--Nuggets F Eduardo Najera, an unrestricted free agent, wants to re-sign.

"I want to stay in Denver," said Najera, who said Dallas, Phoenix and San Antonio are options if he doesn't return. "I love playing for coach (George) Karl, and he's told me he wants me to come back."

--Trade rumors have swirled around C Marcus Camby, but he wants to return.

"My stance has always been the same," he said. "I love it (in Denver). I don't want to go anywhere, but I always want to be where I'm wanted."