Five Reasons To Be Excited For The 2014-15′ Denver Nuggets
By Andrew Dill
Sep 29, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo (10) poses for a portrait during media day at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
2. Arron Afflalo Part II
Getting back Arron Afflalo was like saying they wish they never parted with him in the first place. However, that’s exactly what the Nuggets did three seasons ago. As recalled by RantSports.com on August 2, 2014:
"“For those of you who may not remember, the Nuggets sent Afflalo to Orlando as part of the three way deal that landed Dwight Howard with the Los Angeles Lakers, and sent Andre Iguodala to the Nuggets. While Aflalo thrived in Orlando, Iguodala played one average season for the Nuggets before opting out of his final contract and heading to the Golden State Warriors.”"
Look at Afflalo’s stats with the Nuggets and Magic to appreciate how he “thrived” in Orlando:
| Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | 3FG | |
| Denver | 11.9 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 1.4 |
| Orlando | 17.4 | 3.7 | 3.3 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.5 |
Afflalo’s scoring during his two year stint at Orlando saw a 5.5 points per game average increase compared to his his three year average in Denver. Last season, Afflalo had the best scoring season of his career, leading the Magic with an average of 18.2 points per game and making a career-high 1.8 three-pointers per contest.
While Afflalo was in Orlando, the Nuggets were ranked 20th in the league in 2013 and 11th last season in three-point field goals made. Last season alone the Nuggets made 8.6 threes per game. If we add Afflalo’s 2013-14 average, Denver would be the top three-point shooting team in the NBA.
Randy Foye, Evan Fournier and Jordan Hamilton alternated in the two guard spot, which was considered as the weakest position in the Nuggets line-up in 2014. Adding a pseudo All-Star like Afflalo as their starter has created much excitement for Denver next season.