After two difficult losses the Nuggets welcomed the opportunity to set the record straight in Game Three against the Lakers. Back in Denver, the Nuggets could only muster an eighteen-point loss. Down 3-0, they finally put up a fight in the Game Four, but lost to Los Angeles anyway.

Who should the fans blame for this embarrassing sweep? George Karl barely runs an offense and the team doesn't focus on defense. Are the players or the coaches to blame? With the Nuggets, the answer is none of the above.

Kiki Vandeweghe was an above average general manager for the Nuggets. Kiki is the type of GM that can turn a team around, but couldn't construct a contender. Jeff Bzdelik, who was the head coach during the Kiki era, was constantly on the hot seat because he wasn't reaching out to the NBA's egos. Ironically, Bzdelik preached defense. Borrowing a phrase from Charles Barkley - Jeff must now be rolling over in his grave.

When questionable decisions occurred in the past, the fans at least knew who to blame. Bernie Bickerstaff took one of the best young rosters in the NBA and turned them into perennial losers. Bernie allowed Dikembe Mutombo to sign with the Atlanta Hawks, breaking apart a promising young team. How Bernie can still find work in the NBA is mind boggling, but at least the blame for the team's struggles was easy to assign during his tenure.

Currently, the Nuggets do not have a GM or president specified on their organizational chart. Mark Warkentein was promoted to vice president of basketball operations, Rex Chapman is listed as the VP of player personnel and Bret Bearup (apparently owner Stan Kroenke's best buddy) is listed as an advisor to the Nuggets. Bearup's extensive experience as a junior high basketball towel boy made him a shoe-in for the job. In all seriousness, the most dysfunctional part of the Nuggets is the front office. The buck stops with owner Stan Kroenke. Blame Kroenke for not appointing a qualified basketball mind to run the club.

Should George Karl be fired? The writers at the unofficial 'Fire George Karl' website (www.firegeorgekarl.com) believe so. However, the Karl dilemma should be placed on the backburner in favor of the current roster situation. Building a team requires skill. If trading for big names alone worked, then Isiah Thomas would be both the executive and coach of the year. The Nuggets just got handed a first round sweep, while Andre Miller helped the Sixers push the Pistons much further than anyone imagined they could.

The problem with the Denver Nuggets wasn't just at point guard. Prior to J.R. Smith and Allen Iverson, the Nuggets couldn't buy a three-point basket, but trading Miller turned out to be a mistake. Voshon Lenard couldn't play any defense and Greg Buckner couldn't keep other teams honest with his offense. The front office failed to pursue both Raja Bell and Mo Peterson when.....

Click Here to Complete Article