2009–10 Denver Nuggets season

The 2009–10 Denver Nuggets season was the 43rd season of the franchise, its 34th in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After their trip the conference finals last season, the Nuggets started the season 35–18 before the All-Star break. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were selected to the 2010 NBA All-Star Game with George Karl coaching the Western Conference. Karl was diagnosed with neck and throat cancer, ending his season. Adrian Dantley took over and the team struggled in the second half of the season, finishing with a 53–29 record and earned the number 4 seed in the West. Denver's season ended in the first round with a defeat to the Utah Jazz in six games. The Nuggets had the third best team offensive rating in the NBA.

Key dates

• June 25 – The 2009 NBA draft took place in New York City.
• July 8 – The free agency period started.

Free Agency

On July 8, the Nuggets re-signed fan favorite Chris "Birdman" Andersen to a 5-year, $21.17 million contract, worth up to $26 million with incentives. However, on July 13, the Nuggets lost starting shooting guard Dahntay Jones, who signed a 4-year, $10.6 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. The Nuggets also lost reserve forward Linas Kleiza to Greek team Olympiacos Piraeus on August 10, when he signed a 2-year, $12.2 million contract. On August 16, backup point guard Anthony Carter was re-signed to a 1-year minimum-salary contract worth $1,306,455. On August 27, the team re-signed reserve center Johan Petro to a 1-year minimum-salary contract worth $884,881. On September 25, the Nuggets signed forward Joey Graham to a 1-year, non-guaranteed, minimum salary contract worth $884,881. On September 28, reserve point guard Jason Hart signed a 1-year non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. On September 26, the team also signed forward Keith Brumbaugh, point guard Dontaye Draper, and center Kurt Looby to non-guaranteed contracts for training camp. Brumbaugh was waived on October 10. Draper and Looby were waived on October 21.

Trades

The Nuggets made two draft-day trades as well as several others later in the offseason. On draft day, the Nuggets acquired the draft rights to point guard Ty Lawson, the 18th overall pick, from Minnesota in exchange for Charlotte's 2010 1st round pick, which they had previously acquired. The Nuggets also traded the draft rights to point guard Sergio Llull, a second round pick (34th overall), to the Houston Rockets in exchange for $2.25 million cash. On July 13, the Nuggets acquired shooting guard Arron Afflalo, forward Walter Sharpe, and $350,000 cash from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a 2011 2nd round pick. The pick will be the lower of the Nuggets' and Blazers' selections, which the Nuggets previously acquired. On July 31, the Nuggets acquired power forward Malik Allen from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for swingman Sonny Weems, Sharpe, and cash considerations. On August 10, the Nuggets traded F/C Steven Hunter, their 2010 1st round pick, and $3 million cash to the Memphis Grizzlies for a 2014 conditional 2nd round pick. On September 22, the Nuggets acquired swingman James White from Houston in exchange for the draft rights to forward Axel Hervelle, a 2005 2nd round pick (52nd overall). White was waived on October 21.

Draft

^* Acquired from Minnesota. ^x Traded to Houston.

Roster

Pre-season

Regular season

Standings

Game log

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 1 | October 28 | Jazz | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Kenyon Martin (11) | Ty Lawson (6) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 2 | October 29 | @ Trail Blazers | | Carmelo Anthony (41) | Nenê (11) | Chauncey Billups (6) | Rose Garden Arena<br />20,218 | 2–0 |-

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 3 | November 1 | Grizzlies | | Carmelo Anthony (42) | Nenê (9) | Chauncey Billups (12) | Pepsi Center<br />15,823 | 3–0 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 4 | November 3 | @ Pacers | | Carmelo Anthony (25) | Nenê (13) | Anthony Carter (5) | Conseco Fieldhouse<br />10,627 | 4–0 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 5 | November 4 | @ Nets | | Ty Lawson (23) | Kenyon Martin (10) | Chauncey Billups (5) | Izod Center<br />15,319 | 5–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | November 6 | @ Heat | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Carmelo Anthony, Nenê (8) | Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo (2) | AmericanAirlines Arena<br />19,600 | 5–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 7 | November 7 | @ Hawks | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Chris Andersen (11) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Philips Arena<br />17,801 | 5–2 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 8 | November 10 | @ Bulls | | Carmelo Anthony (20) | Nenê (12) | Chauncey Billups (6) | United Center<br />21,409 | 6–2 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 9 | November 11 | @ Bucks | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Carmelo Anthony (10) | Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson (5) | Bradley Center<br />12,987 | 6–3 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 10 | November 13 | Lakers | | Carmelo Anthony (25) | Chris Andersen (11) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,141 | 7–3 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 11 | November 17 | Raptors | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Nenê (10) | Chauncey Billups (10) | Pepsi Center<br />16,446 | 8–3 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 12 | November 20 | @ Clippers | | Carmelo Anthony (37) | Nenê (12) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Staples Center<br />18,155 | 8–4 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 13 | November 21 | Bulls | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin (11) | Carmelo Anthony (7) | Pepsi Center<br />19,359 | 9–4 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 14 | November 24 | Nets | | Carmelo Anthony (27) | Nenê (9) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Pepsi Center<br />16,307 | 10–4 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 15 | November 25 | @ Timberwolves | | Carmelo Anthony (22) | Nenê (8) | Nenê, Ty Lawson (6) | Target Center<br />13,101 | 11–4 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 16 | November 27 | Knicks | | Carmelo Anthony (50) | Nenê, Kenyon Martin (11) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 12–4 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 17 | November 29 | Timberwolves | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Kenyon Martin (14) | Nenê (5) | Pepsi Center<br />15,147 | 12–5 |-

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 18 | December 1 | Warriors | | Carmelo Anthony (25) | Nenê (12) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Pepsi Center<br />14,570 | 13–5 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 19 | December 3 | Heat | | Carmelo Anthony (22) | Chris Andersen (10) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Pepsi Center<br />14,998 | 14–5 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 20 | December 5 | @ Spurs | | Carmelo Anthony (34) | Kenyon Martin (13) | Chauncey Billups (5) | AT&T Center<br />17,592 | 15–5 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 21 | December 7 | @ 76ers | | Chauncey Billups (31) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Wachovia Center<br />20,664 | 16–5 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 22 | December 8 | @ Bobcats | | Carmelo Anthony (34) | Nenê (10) | J.R. Smith (4) | Time Warner Cable Arena<br />14,127 | 16–6 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 23 | December 10 | @ Pistons | | Carmelo Anthony (40) | Nenê (11) | Ty Lawson (4) | The Palace of Auburn Hills<br />17,176 | 16–7 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 24 | December 12 | Suns | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Chris Andersen (10) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 17–7 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 25 | December 14 | Thunder | | Carmelo Anthony (31) | Chris Andersen, Kenyon Martin (11) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Pepsi Center<br />16,022 | 18–7 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 26 | December 16 | Rockets | | Carmelo Anthony (38) | Chris Andersen (11) | Ty Lawson (6) | Pepsi Center<br />15,753 | 19–7 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 27 | December 18 | @ Hornets | | J.R. Smith (25) | Kenyon Martin (13) | Anthony Carter (5) | New Orleans Arena<br />14,453 | 19–8 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 28 | December 20 | @ Grizzlies | | Carmelo Anthony (41) | Chris Andersen (14) | Anthony Carter (7) | FedExForum<br />13,385 | 19–9 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 29 | December 23 | Hawks | | J.R. Smith (41) | Kenyon Martin, Nenê (8) | Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Carter (7) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 20–9 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 30 | December 25 | @ Trail Blazers | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Kenyon Martin (14) | Chauncey Billups (5) | Rose Garden Arena<br />20,664 | 20–10 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 31 | December 27 | Mavericks | | Kenyon Martin (18) | Carmelo Anthony (12) | Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Ty Lawson, J.R. Smith (4) | Pepsi Center<br />19,756 | 20–11 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 32 | December 28 | @ Kings | | Carmelo Anthony (34) | Kenyon Martin (12) | Ty Lawson (6) | ARCO Arena<br />14,548 | 20–12 |-

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 33 | January 2 | @ Jazz | | Ty Lawson (23) | Kenyon Martin (12) | Ty Lawson (9) | EnergySolutions Arena<br />19,911 | 21–12 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 34 | January 3 | 76ers | | Nenê (24) | Nenê (15) | Ty Lawson (9) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 21–13 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 35 | January 5 | Warriors | | Kenyon Martin (27) | Kenyon Martin (13) | Ty Lawson (8) | Pepsi Center<br />15,129 | 22–13 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 36 | January 8 | Cavaliers | | Chauncey Billups (23) | Kenyon Martin (12) | Chauncey Billups (5) | Pepsi Center<br />19,996 | 23–13 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 37 | January 9 | @ Kings | | Chauncey Billups (27) | Kenyon Martin (10) | Kenyon Martin (5) | ARCO Arena<br />14,411 | 23–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 38 | January 11 | Timberwolves | | Carmelo Anthony (24) | Kenyon Martin (15) | Chauncey Billups (10) | Pepsi Center<br />14,669 | 24–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 39 | January 13 | Magic | | Carmelo Anthony (27) | Kenyon Martin (10) | Anthony Carter (6) | Pepsi Center<br />18,475 | 25–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 40 | January 17 | Jazz | | Carmelo Anthony (37) | Kenyon Martin (9) | J.R. Smith (5) | Pepsi Center<br />19,519 | 26–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 41 | January 20 | @ Warriors | <small>OT</small> | Chauncey Billups (37) | Kenyon Martin (14) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Oracle Arena<br />17,223 | 27–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 42 | January 21 | Clippers | | Carmelo Anthony (28) | Kenyon Martin (14) | Chauncey Billups (6) | Pepsi Center<br />15,343 | 28–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 43 | January 23 | Hornets | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Kenyon Martin (14) | Chauncey Billups (9) | Pepsi Center<br />19,807 | 29–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 44 | January 25 | Bobcats | | Chauncey Billups (27) | Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith (6) | Chauncey Billups (11) | Pepsi Center<br />16,909 | 30–14 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 45 | January 27 | @ Rockets | | J.R. Smith (22) | Kenyon Martin (15) | Chauncey Billups (4) | Toyota Center<br />16,357 | 31–14 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 46 | January 29 | @ Thunder | | J.R. Smith (19) | Kenyon Martin (9) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Ford Center<br />18,203 | 31–15 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 47 | January 31 | @ Spurs | | Chauncey Billups (25) | Kenyon Martin (11) | Chauncey Billups (11) | AT&T Center<br />17,607 | 32–15 |-

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 48 | February 1 | Kings | | Kenyon Martin (24) | Kenyon Martin (12) | Chauncey Billups (9) | Pepsi Center<br />15,544 | 33–15 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 49 | February 3 | Suns | | Nenê, J.R. Smith (15) | Kenyon Martin (10) | J.R. Smith (5) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 33–16 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 50 | February 5 | @ Lakers | | Chauncey Billups (39) | Chris Andersen (15) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Staples Center<br />18,997 | 34–16 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 51 | February 6 | @ Jazz | | Ty Lawson (25) | Kenyon Martin (13) | Ty Lawson (4) | EnergySolutions Arena<br />19,911 | 34–17 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 52 | February 9 | Mavericks | | Nenê (21) | Chris Andersen (10) | Ty Lawson (7) | Pepsi Center<br />17,485 | 35–17 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 53 | February 11 | Spurs | | Nenê (20) | Nenê (9) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Pepsi Center<br />18,611 | 35–18 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 54 | February 18 | @ Cavaliers | | Carmelo Anthony (40) | Kenyon Martin (17) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Quicken Loans Arena<br />20,562 | 36–18 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 55 | February 19 | @ Wizards | | Chauncey Billups (28) | Kenyon Martin, Nenê (9) | Ty Lawson (3) | Verizon Center<br />17,212 | 36–19 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 56 | February 21 | Celtics | | Chauncey Billups (26) | Kenyon Martin, Nenê (10) | Carmelo Anthony (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,818 | 37–19 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 57 | February 25 | @ Warriors | | Chauncey Billups (37) | Chris Andersen (11) | Chauncey Billups (9) | Oracle Arena<br />18,555 | 38–19 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 58 | February 26 | Pistons | | Chauncey Billups (25) | Joey Graham (7) | Ty Lawson, Nenê, J.R. Smith (4) | Pepsi Center<br />19,845 | 39–19 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 59 | February 28 | @ Lakers | | Carmelo Anthony (21) | Nenê (11) | Chauncey Billups (4) | Staples Center<br />18,997 | 39–20 |-

|- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 60 | March 1 | @ Suns | | Chauncey Billups (21) | Kenyon Martin (10) | Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups (4) | US Airways Center<br />18,159 | 39–21 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 61 | March 3 | Thunder | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Kenyon Martin (13) | Anthony Carter (12) | Pepsi Center<br />18,822 | 40–21 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 62 | March 5 | Pacers | | Carmelo Anthony (34) | Chris Andersen (10) | J.R. Smith (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 41–21 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 63 | March 7 | Trail Blazers | | Carmelo Anthony (30) | Johan Petro (10) | J.R. Smith (7) | Pepsi Center<br />17,266 | 42–21 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 64 | March 10 | @ Timberwolves | | Chauncey Billups (25) | Chris Andersen (10) | Anthony Carter (8) | Target Center<br />14,256 | 43–21 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 65 | March 12 | @ Hornets | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Carmelo Anthony, Nenê (12) | Chauncey Billups (7) | New Orleans Arena<br />17,220 | 44–21 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 66 | March 13 | @ Grizzlies | | J.R. Smith (30) | Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo (6) | Anthony Carter (7) | FedExForum<br />17,023 | 45–21 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 67 | March 15 | @ Rockets | | Carmelo Anthony (45) | Carmelo Anthony, Nenê, Johan Petro (10) | Nenê (5) | Toyota Center<br />16,369 | 45–22 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 68 | March 16 | Wizards | | Carmelo Anthony (29) | Carmelo Anthony (12) | Anthony Carter, Nenê (4) | Pepsi Center<br />17,447 | 46–22 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 69 | March 18 | Hornets | | Carmelo Anthony (26) | Carmelo Anthony (18) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 47–22 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 70 | March 20 | Bucks | | Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups (29) | Chris Andersen (12) | Anthony Carter (4) | Pepsi Center<br />19,390 | 47–23 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 71 | March 23 | @ Knicks | | Carmelo Anthony (36) | Chris Andersen, Joey Graham, Nenê (7) | Chauncey Billups (6) | Madison Square Garden<br />19,763 | 47–24 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 72 | March 24 | @ Celtics | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Chris Andersen, Chauncey Billups (7) | Chauncey Billups (6) | TD Banknorth Garden<br />18,624 | 47–25 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 73 | March 26 | @ Raptors | | Carmelo Anthony (25) | Nenê (9) | Nenê (6) | Air Canada Centre<br />19,800 | 48–25 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 74 | March 28 | @ Magic | | Carmelo Anthony (26) | Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo (8) | Chauncey Billups (5) | Amway Arena<br />17,461 | 48–26 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 75 | March 29 | @ Mavericks | | J.R. Smith (27) | Carmelo Anthony (9) | Chauncey Billups (6) | American Airlines Center<br />20,085 | 48–27 |-

|- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 76 | April 1 | Trail Blazers | | Carmelo Anthony (25) | Chris Andersen (6) | Chauncey Billups (6) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 49–27 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 77 | April 3 | Clippers | | Carmelo Anthony (24) | Arron Afflalo (9) | Chauncey Billups (6) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 50–27 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 78 | April 7 | @ Thunder | | Chauncey Billups (29) | Nenê (13) | Chauncey Billups (4) | Ford Center<br />18,332 | 51–27 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 79 | April 8 | Lakers | | Carmelo Anthony (31) | Chris Andersen, Nenê, Johan Petro (7) | Chauncey Billups (6) | Pepsi Center<br />20,044 | 52–27 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 80 | April 10 | Spurs | | Chauncey Billups (27) | Kenyon Martin (10) | Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson, J.R. Smith (3) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 52–28 |- bgcolor="#bbffbb" | 81 | April 12 | Grizzlies | | J.R. Smith (26) | Arron Afflalo (13) | Chauncey Billups (7) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 53–28 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 82 | April 13 | @ Suns | | Carmelo Anthony (29) | Carmelo Anthony (6) | Ty Lawson (5) | US Airways Center<br />18,422 | 53–29 |-

Playoffs

Game log

|- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 1 | April 17 | Utah | | Carmelo Anthony (42) | Kenyon Martin (12) | Chauncey Billups (8) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 1–0 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 2 | April 19 | Utah | | Carmelo Anthony (32) | Carmelo Anthony, Nenê, J.R. Smith (6) | Chauncey Billups (11) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 1–1 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 3 | April 23 | @ Utah | | Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups (25) | Kenyon Martin (13) | Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter (3) | EnergySolutions Arena<br />19,911 | 1–2 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 4 | April 25 | @ Utah | | Carmelo Anthony (39) | Carmelo Anthony, Nenê (11) | Chauncey Billups (4) | EnergySolutions Arena<br />19,911 | 1–3 |- bgcolor="bbffbb" | 5 | April 28 | Utah | | Carmelo Anthony (26) | Carmelo Anthony (11) | Chauncey Billups, Nenê (4) | Pepsi Center<br />19,155 | 2–3 |- bgcolor="#ffcccc" | 6 | April 30 | @ Utah | | Chauncey Billups (30) | Carmelo Anthony (12) | Chauncey Billups (8) | EnergySolutions Arena<br />19,911 | 2–4

Player statistics

Regular season

Playoffs

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month

• Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 1.
• Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Month for games played during the month of November.
• Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 17.
• Chauncey Billups was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 24.

All-Star

• Carmelo Anthony was voted as an NBA Western Conference All-Star starter.
• Chauncey Billups was named to the NBA Western Conference All-Star team as a replacement for Chris Paul. Billups finished in 3rd place in the 3-point contest.

Season

• Carmelo Anthony was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

Transactions

References

External links

• 2009–10 Denver Nuggets season at ESPN
• 2009–10 Denver Nuggets season at Basketball Reference