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.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
Unrestricted are forward Eduardo Najera and guard Anthony Carter. Najera is a longshot to return, with the Nuggets likely wanting his $4.95 million contract off the books, while Carter could return, although he might bolt if he doesn't get the contract offer he wants. Restricted are guards J.R. Smith and Yakhouba Diawara. The Nuggets want to re-sign Smith and vow to match any offer. Diawara has a chance to return if it's for a minimum salary, but he could depart.

PLAYER NOTES

--F Carmelo Anthony averaged just 22.5 points in the playoffs and shot just 36.4 percent while also taking heat for saying the Nuggets quit in a lopsided Game 3 loss. But F Kenyon Martin defended Anthony, saying, "If (critics) want to point fingers, they need to point fingers at the whole organization, not just supposedly the face of the organization."

--F Nene, despite missing 2 1/2 months at midseason because of testicular cancer, called it a "positive" season. "I know somebody in my position, they're not going to do what I did. I'm sure about that," said Nene, who left the team because of his cancer on Jan. 11 and didn't return to play until March 27.

--After an injury-riddled season in which he played just 24 regular-season games, G Chucky Atkins vows he will be Denver's starting point guard next season. "I'm going into next year like the job is mine," Atkins said. "I'm not worrying about who they bring in or nothing."

Copyright (C) 2008 The Sports Xchange. All Rights Reserved.