Jun 17, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks during the post game press conference in game three against the Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat defeated the Thunder 91-85. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Like most teams in the NBA the Denver Nuggets have a few former colleagues in the NBA Finals.

SCOTT BROOKS: Brooks is probably the biggest connection with the Nuggets in the finals. He is in his fourth season as the Thunder coach, after replacing PJ Carlesimo – who was fired in 2008. Brooks actually got his start at coaching as an assistant with the Nuggets. He was first an assistant with Jeff Bzdelik and then George Karl. He even coached four games to for the Nuggets in the 2005 season when Karl was suspended. He was an assistant with the Nuggets until 2007 when he moved over to be an assistant with the Sacramento Kings and then the Thunder. Brooks even played for six teams during his 10 seasons in the NBA, but never played for the Nuggets.

JUWAN HOWARD: At the age of 39, Howard is riding the pine with the Miami Heat to win his first NBA title. During his prime, Howard played a season-in-half with the Nuggets before leaving as a free agent in 2003. He averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds with the Nuggets in 2003 and provided leadership for Denver’s young players.  Denver traded for Howard to free up salary cap, the Nuggets had to trade Nick Van Exel, Raef LaFrentz, Avery Johnson and Tariq Abdul-Wahad for Howard. Howard came back and played three games for the Nuggets in 2008 but Denver waived him early in the season.

MARK BRYANT: Bryant is in his third season as an assistant coach with the Thunder. He spent 15 years playing in the NBA, and even played three games (14 minutes) with the Nuggets in 2003. He was dealt to the Nuggets in a three-way trade that sent James Posey to Houston, Kenny Thomas to Philadelphia and a first-round pick and Bryant to Denver. Two months later the Nuggets traded Bryant and Mark Blount for Shammond Williams and a second-round pick.

REGGIE JACKSON: The Thunders’ first round pick is from Colorado Springs. He played 45 games and averaged 3.1 points.

RUSSELL WESTBROOK: The most hated player on Oklahoma City played at UCLA with Arron Afflalo of the Nuggets.

DEXTER PITTMAN: The little-used big man for the Heat played one season with Denver’ Jordan Hamilton at Texas.

Ty Lawson gives Denver Nuggets fans hop.

There is currently a lot of negative opinions about the Denver Nuggets and how successful they will be this season when/if the lockout is lifted. And it is pretty apparent why.

Last season, they traded Carmelo Anthony – who many considered as the best player in Nuggets history. They have to replace three players who played important roles for the team. Wilson Chandler, JR Smith and Kenyon Martin have each signed to play in China and won’t be able to play in the NBA until April at the earliest. Even when they return there is no guarantee they will play for the Nuggets. And lets not forget that the return of Nene, who was arguably the Nuggets most valuable player down the stretch last season, is in question after he declined a contract extension this summer.

But despite all of this, there is still reason to be excited about the Nuggets when/if the season begins. (more…)