25-year old shooting guard Arron Afflalo is stepping up for the Denver Nuggets so far this season. Afflalo has played in 16 games (all starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 35.2 minutes, 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. He is shooting well from everywhere on the basketball court right now as he is hitting 50.4% from the floor, 43.6% from three point range and 85% from the free throw line this year. It’s good to see Afflalo stepping up and his numbers are likely going to stay strong as the Nuggets need support for Carmelo Anthony on offense.

26-year old small forward Carmelo Anthony is playing the best basketball of his career right now. He has played in 11 games (all starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 37.5 minutes, 24.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals per game. His rebounding and defense have really improved this season making him a more complete basketball player. The Nuggets are going to have a hard choice to make as this year goes on……will they keep Anthony until the end of the season or deal him at the trade deadline?

25-year old shooting guard J.R. Smith has fallen behind undrafted shooting guard/small forward Gary Forbes on the depth chart. It’s his own doing as he takes too many shots and he doesn’t play any D. Smith has played in 10 games (0 starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 20.5 minutes, 8.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He is shooting only 36.8% from the floor but 40.7% from three point range so far this year. He is going to have to start working harder in practice if he wants to impress George Karl and get his place back in the rotation.

25-year old undrafted SF/SG Gary Forbes is off to a good start for the Nuggets. He has played in 8 games (2 starts) for the Nuggets so far this year and he is averaging 16.0 minutes, 8.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Forbes is shooting 51.9% from the floor and 61.5% (8 of 13) from three point range so far this year. He is playing so well that he’s cutting into J.R. Smith’s playing time and it will continue as long as Forbes keeps playing well.

The Nuggets shot 51.8% from the floor and that’s what helped them overcome the Clippers last night. Carmelo Anthony led the way for the Nuggets again last night with 30 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 1 steal. Al Harrington was solid off the bench once again with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal. Arron Afflalo also had a good game for the Nuggets last evening with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Shelden Williams (12 points), Chauncey Billups (12 points) and J.R. Smith (10 points) also pitched in last night. The Nuggets are now 3-2 on the year.