ESPN NBA

There are seasons when a team rises up for one unexpected electric run, falls short of the ultimate prize and then spends the next few seasons futilely trying to live up to the expectation created. The Nuggets are poised to follow that arc, a step or two behind the New Orleans Hornets. Guard Arron Afflalo is a shrewd -- and cheaper -- replacement for Indy-bound defensive stopper Dahntay Jones, but the Nuggets' depth took a hit when swingman Linas Kleiza went to Europe. Overall, it's hard to trim payroll and convince your team you're searching for the missing piece to a title, but that's the psyche job coach George Karl has before him.

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