When news first broke out about this, I was completely ecstatic. The Denver Nuggets — my favorite basketball team for the last 9 years — will be NBA TV’s third installment of The Association (You can view the trailer here), which takes you through one of only three NBA teams that has made the playoffs eight years in a row beginning January 25.
For those who weren’t able to watch the first two installments of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, The Association: Denver Nuggets will continue to show you a behind the scenes look at what goes on during practices, trade deadlines, contract signings and specific player profiles.
After dealing with the Carmelo Anthony trade situation just a year ago, Nuggets head coach George Karl — one of the most winning-est coaches of all-time and one of the NBA’s outspoken personalities — will take us through the situations of trying to stay focused while rumors swirl and how it presents more opportunities now that their franchise player is gone. It will also show which players benefitted the most with Carmelo’s leave and how they have the chance to make their mark on the league and earn a spot on the Nuggets roster for years to come.
NBA.com gives a heads-up on what we can expect from Episode 1 and so on:
In Episode 1, Karl and Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri are seen working around the clock as they assemble a team that opened training camp with only seven players signed to the roster. As the quickly-assembled Nuggets try to come together as a team, they face back-to-back-to-back games. Viewers go behind the scenes during this early-season run and the show concludes as the Nuggets face another test — the star-studded defending Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat.
Over the course of the series, storylines will include – but are not limited to – the following:
• George Karl: A basketball lifer with more than 1,000 NBA wins to his credit, Karl continues to follow his passion and chase his elusive first NBA championship, even as he battles health issues after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2010.
• Masai Ujiri: The first African-born NBA general manager, Ujiri began his tenure with the Nuggets last season. After handling the departure of Carmelo Anthony situation with patience and skill, this season he continues to put his stamp on the organization.
• Nene: The Brazilian big man was on the free agent market, but decided to stay on the only team for which he’s played. Viewers will learn why the Nuggets fought so hard to keep him and how he’s fought hard to stay on the court, including a battle with cancer earlier in his career.
• Ty Lawson: After two seasons as an apprentice, Lawson has been handed the keys to the offense. Playing for Karl, a fellow University of North Carolina Tar Heel, Lawson uses his quickness and smarts to energize his team. And after playing in Lithuania during the off-season, he has a new appreciation for life in the NBA.
• Danilo Gallinari: Just a few years ago, Gallinari was a highly-touted lottery pick of the New York Knicks. Now, he starts over in Denver and looks to prove why the Knicks should not have given up on him so soon.
Wednesday can’t come soon enough for me. The only disappointing thing about these series is that each episode airs once a month. Check out the official schedule after the jump:
Episode 1 Wednesday, January 25 6 p.m. ET
Episode 2 Wednesday, February 15 6:30 p.m. ET
Episode 3 Wednesday, March 7 6:30 p.m. ET
Episode 4 Wednesday, March 21 6:30 p.m. ET
Episode 5 Wednesday, April 11 6:30 p.m. ET
Episode 6 Wednesday, April 25 6:30 p.m. ET
Great post and congrats!
Posted by Sean Breslin | January 21, 2012, 10:06 AM