Interesting Posey Articles 1. Nuggets seek to move Posey, target adding swingman Davis (Hmm, DOC, has this been trade been discussed for awhile. I remember your December prediction, don't know if anyone else does...) http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_1288021,00.html 2. No matter his statistics, Posey will be a leader http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_1486888,00.html 3. Summer of work is paying off in the fall http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nuggets/article/0,1299,DRMN_20_1538026,00.html PRINT THIS STORY | E-MAIL THIS STORY Nuggets seek to move Posey, target adding swingman Davis By Kyle Ringo, Special To The News July 25, 2002 SALT LAKE CITY - The Denver Nuggets continue to try to trade swingman James Posey, an NBA source said Thursday. Denver nearly dealt Posey to the Washington Wizards before the draft last month, but Washington backed out, reportedly when Denver's asking price went too high. The source said Denver has discussed deals with several teams, and Washington has shown renewed interest. Dealing Posey would make sense in Denver, especially if the Nuggets decide to pursue Cleveland restricted free agent Ricky Davis. Denver general manager Kiki Vandeweghe denied trying to trade Posey, but when asked Thursday if the Nuggets were pursuing Davis, he admitted they are interested. "He's a very good player," Vandeweghe said. Vandeweghe refused to say if Denver is considering signing Davis to an offer sheet. Cleveland has the right to match any offer Davis receives, or it could complete a sign-and-trade scenario if it is unable to come to terms with Davis. Davis could start for Denver at shooting guard, where Posey is scheduled to play. It is unlikely he would start at small forward if he came to Denver because the Nuggets are hoping to give rookie Nikoloz Tskitishvili the bulk of the playing time there to speed his development. Posey's agent, Mark Bartelstein, did not return phone calls Thursday. ON TOP: Denver defeated Phoenix 73-64 on Thursday to remain undefeated in the Rocky Mountain Revue. Rookie Maybyner "Nene" Hilario started for Denver for the first time in summer-league competition. He scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds. Ten Nuggets members played at least 15 minutes, but no Denver player scored in double figures. Tskitishvili, Chris Andersen and Kenny Satterfield led the Nuggets with nine points each. "That's a good game," assistant coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "That means they're really looking for each other, sharing the ball and playing unselfishly." No matter his statistics, Posey will be a leader By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News October 17, 2002 The transition was gradual, yet its climax distinct - like the final brilliant flash of a sunset before it fades into the horizon. Just recently a pupil, James Posey now is a mentor. Such is the order of natural selection on a Denver Nuggets team that figures to begin the season with at least eight players who have less than two years of NBA experience. With three pro seasons to his credit, Posey is considered a wily veteran at the ripe old age of 25. "It's going to be big for 'Pose' to come out and contribute in a lot of different ways. One of those ways is going to be to be more of a leader," said George McCloud, the team's 35-year-old senior citizen. "He has to set an example and give some of these younger guys a lead to follow." It wasn't long ago that Posey was a rookie following orders and absorbing life lessons from the likes of McCloud, Antonio McDyess, Nick Van Exel and Avery Johnson. He still solicits advice from McCloud, but the other three have been traded as part of Denver's youthful makeover. Despite a polite, unassuming persona that seems to contradict the job description, Posey believes he is ready to be a role model for younger teammates. "As far as a leadership role, I lead by example on the court and off the court as well," he said Thursday. "I went through the same process, and I had guys that I went to and asked questions. They helped me out a lot." A criminal justice major in college, Posey has proved to be a quick study. He averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds last season and finished 20th in the NBA with 114 steals. His ability to run the floor, spot up on the perimeter, slash to the hoop and play good defense makes Posey a poster boy for Denver's up-tempo, high-energy philosophy under new coach Jeff Bzdelik. "He's played very well in the preseason so far," general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said. "It seems like he's really bought into what Jeff is trying to do here. He's been excellent defensively. He's stepped into a little more of a leadership role, which is great to see. I'm really pleased with the way he's played." Despite his multifaceted talent, or maybe because of it, Posey frequently was mentioned in trade talks near the end of last season and into the summer. While working out in Houston during the off-season, Posey had no idea where he would begin his fourth NBA season. "It was like time standing still," he said. Posey has one year remaining on his contract with the Nuggets and insists he does not waste much energy worrying about the future. "I enjoy it here, but you know, hey - wherever I'm wanted," he said. "That makes anyone feel good, knowing that you're wanted. That's all I can do, is just try to put myself in a good situation that Denver wants to keep me here." Given their boy-band youth, the Nuggets are not likely to abandon Posey or any of their veterans any time soon as they prepare to face a season full of growing pains. Through good and bad, Posey is poised to do his part. "I put in a lot of hard work in the off-season, and I'm really geared up for this opportunity," he said. "With the young guys that we have, this is a situation for me to have a big year." Summer of work is paying off in the fall Posey emerging as scorer, leader after focused off-season By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News November 11, 2002 Nearly each morning last summer the alarm clock went off at 5 o'clock. James Posey staggered out of bed, and was at the gym by 6:30. That was the routine in Houston, where the Denver Nuggets swingman worked out with several other NBA players under the watchful eye of Cleveland coach John Lucas, a former Nuggets assistant. "I picked it up a notch last summer," said Posey, who worked against the likes of Steve Francis, Shawn Kemp, Chris Mihm and Moochie Norris. "We'd get shots up in the morning. We'd play one-on-one. We'd lift weights. We'd do fundamental stuff and footwork. I spent a lot of time working on my game." It has showed. In his fourth season, the 6-foot-8 Posey is blossoming. He leads the Nuggets in scoring (17.7 points per game) and free-throw shooting percentage (.906) and is second in rebounding (9.2) and assists (4.5). "I think 'Pose' has started to mature," Nuggets forward Juwan Howard said. "He's peaking and starting to be a veteran. He knows when to make decisions on the court and when to take shots and when to drive and when we need to get to the free-throw line." The Nuggets are thankful they held on to Posey, who was the subject of trade rumors throughout the summer. Posey said he no idea whether or not he would return to Denver. It's understandable the Nuggets were thinking about giving up on Posey. After averaging 8.2 points in 1999-2000 and being named to the All-Rookie second team, he didn't show much improvement over the next two seasons. His field-goal percentage fell from .429 to .412 to .376. His scoring average dropped to 8.1 in his second season, although it did increase to 10.7 last year. Posey's troubles could be blamed on youth, and on often being an afterthought in the team's offense. But when Posey, 25, arrived for training camp last month, he suddenly looked around. Last season, Posey was one of the younger players on the team. Now, there are only three Nuggets who have appeared in more NBA games. "James and I talked before the season," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "I told him that this was a wonderful opportunity for him to shoulder a lot of responsibility. I was going to try to push him to be the best he can be. I wanted him to understand that, if I was hard on him, it was because I wanted him to excel and have a great year. If he was willing to accept it, let's go." Posey accepted the responsibility. He led the team in scoring in the preseason with a 14.1 average and shot .448. Before Saturday's 84-73 win against Memphis at the Pepsi Center, Posey was shooting .436. But then he had a brutal 2-for-13 night to drop to .396. Same old Posey, huh? Last season, Posey had nights when he shot 1-for-10, 1-for-9, 2-for-10, 3-for-14 and 4-for-18. But there was one big difference. Posey was able to shake off his shooting woes, and have a solid all-around game. He went 10-for-10 from the foul line, and scored 14 points. He had 13 rebounds and only one turnover. Because of his vastly improved shot selection, most observers believe Posey's field-goal percentage will climb to a career-high range. "I'm trying to set an example for guys on the team," said Posey, who will be a restricted free agent after the season. "I'm taking more high-percentage shots. In past years, I was spotting up for too many three-pointers. I'm getting more 15-foot shots and easier buckets in transition." And he's doing it against teams that are keying on him. Before this season, when the Nuggets had the likes of Antonio McDyess and Nick Van Exel, Posey was a lesser option. Before Saturday's game, Grizzlies coach Sidney Lowe went out of his way to praise Posey. "You can tell that he's been working on his game," Lowe said. Thanks to those 5 a.m. wake-up calls, Posey is opening a lot of eyes.
Unless there is something outside of Posey's numbers..we damn sure shouldn't have given up a second rounder as well!! KT is equal if not better!
right, he is 6'7". It is difficult day in and day out for him to defend 6'10" PF. Plus, he is a goner by the end of the season anyway. wish him luck in philly. This is also an opportunity for Griffen to prove himself!
Are these stats for real??? James Posey 37% Shooter Led team with 66 Turnovers Why do I have this awful feeling, we've been duped??? theSAGE
When the trade is official hopefully we can dump T-Mo, he sucks. The more compelling story is what will happen to Kenny when he doesn't pass Iverson the ball? I see an inhouse brawl brewing. With 2 black holes I think philly will become the blazers of the east.
They were both picked around the same spot in the draft. KT has been with out a doubt the better offensive player of the two proving his self in the toughest position in the NBA. Possey is a player that can not even hit 40 percent of his shots. Maybe he is a devil on defense but I don't think you can consistently start someone that is a liability on offense. Maybe Possey will prove me wrong and become our version of Ron Artest.
Crash, I agree with you in a sense. KT and a 2nd rounder is alot to give up. However, it is a 2nd rounder. With the talent we have on this team, a 2nd rounder is really of no benefit to us. No big loss there. Smeg, Hes shooting 37% from the field and 27% from 3 point range. With the zones today, defenses will definately sage off of him. Hopefully (as HP advocates), Rudy will put Posey in a position to slash to the basket alot where he can use his athleticism and rebounding skills (offensive). Like i said earlier, I can live with the poor shooting if he can put the clamps on players like Nowitizki, Finley, Garnett, Kobe, Stojakovic, etc. Im kind of on the fence with this trade right now. EG obviously is back to starting, even though he might not quite be ready. Mo gets some PT back. However, this just pushes Nachbar into oblivion PT wise and Tmo for that matter also. I cant help but think there might be another trade brewing to get Rice or Tmo to another team where they can play.
What the hell is that comment, why on earth would you think that, let alone post it. Must mean working hard, rebounding, following offensive structure dictated by Rudy, playing defense, adjusting and improving makes a ahole... takes one to know one i guess!!!
Is Anybody Sorry To See Kenny Go??? Dont get me wrong I agree that we needed to unload a Forward, but we have watched KT turn into a very decent player over these last few years. I just hate when I see players traded that had no idea it was coming. Im sure it caught him by surprise and Im sure he was upset. Well I hope he fits in well with Philly and I wish him well. ~JB
The guy was the main perimeter player on a horrible team...of course his numbers are gonna look like sh*t!! You think if he was hitting 50% and had only a turnover a game, we'd get him for Kenny Thomas. We're getting him for his defense and athleticism...not to carry the team like he did in Denver.
I really hope this guy's defense is all that's its cracked up to be.. When do we see POsey in uniform??? theSAGE
My guess is Kenny knew he was going to be traded soon. He seemed very distant from his teammates the last 2 games, like he was an outsider. Little things like not shaking a teammates hand in between free throws, not acknowledging congrats from teammates on a good play he made. Just a few of the things I noticed about Kenny in the last couple of games. I wish him the best of luck in Philly. He will do well there. Count on it. Posey should fit in nicely but will need to improve his offense or he will just be another Shandon. Lets hope he is better than Shandon was.
Great, GREAT trade. Kenny may have busted his ass off, but it became increasingly clear over the year that he would end up being the odd man out. So much for the KT at the 3 experiment. We now have a big 3 and we can sic him like a mad dog on the Kobes, Mcgrady's and Marion's of the world... A poor man's Ron Artest indeed! EXACTLY the kind of player we needed! Posey may end up working the same defensive mindset that Christie did in Sacramento for us. Let's hope that Mo can put the pedal to the metal now... We've talked about Battier, Miller and Artest for the 3, and the truth is, this guy fits our needs perfectly! WOW!
His numbers were about the same when he had Nick VanExel, Reaf Lafrentz and Antonio McDyess on the team. I think you need a different excuse. Having said that I hope Possey turns into a great addition for the Rockets but I am skeptical. This looks like a move to get Kenny out of Houston and to a decent team to me.
Posey reminds me of Ron Artest, maybe not quite as good of a defender but both have simliar game and skills. I think this is a killer trade for the Rockets, they have improved by this trade. Francis, Mobley, Posey, Griffin, Yao all young and all have talent and potential.
Aside from his defense, he is a player that plays in the flow of the offense. He's not a player that needs that ball to be effective. So, offensively, he will definitely get open shots that he didnt get in Denver. That is why his shot percentage will increase from 37%. In Denver, they looked to him to score, when in reality, thats not the kind of player he is. Not that he cant score, but he is a great role player, IMO, and can compliment Yao and Steve very well. Just like previously stated, he is a cheap Ron Artest.
This all makes sense in hindsight. I bet KT's irregular starts two weeks ago were to "showcase" his trade value before the Nuggets GM. KT was probably on the block since day one of these season. Nevertheless, I really hope this trade works in our favor. Anyone know WHY POSEY GOT TRADED BY THE NUGGETS? There's gotta be a juicy story on their end that ESPN is not telling us... Fallout with the coach? Behaviorial problems? puzzledSAGE
