The season-long game of chicken between Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets and whomever may be acquiring #15 lives on. But don’t for a second think the Nuggets aren’t being adversely affected by all this.
Carmelo Anthony and the Nuggets seem to have forgotten that they were playing against two lower-rung Eastern Conference teams these past two games. Yes, both the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets have been playing vastly improved basketball of late, but they remain far below .500 teams in the perennially weak Eastern Conference. For the Nuggets to be on the wrong side of back-to-back walkovers against these squads is pretty inexcusable. We’re better than that…or at least, we should be.
Arriving in New Jersey, it was inevitable that the on-going Melodrama would get ample coverage. But all "sources" seem to point to any Nuggets/Nets deal for Melo being dead. For his part, Melo is now pontificating about what might have been had he met with charismatic Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, but it seems as though that ship has sailed.
With Nets in the past, Melo unsure of the future – NBA – Yahoo! Sports
Carmelo Anthony was willing to meet with the New Jersey Nets. He still won't say whether he ever would have agreed to actually play for them. "I would take that meeting. As far as anything else, I really can't speak on that," Anthony said Monday night.
Nets Set Up Barclays Center Display Outside Nuggets Locker Room – NetsDaily
Over the weekend, Carmelo Anthony said he doesn't really know much about the progress of construction at the corner of Flatbush and Atlantic avenues in his hometown. So to alert Melo and others, the Nets set up artist's renderings of their Brooklyn arena in the hall down from Melo's locker room, according to beat writers' Tweets.
Carmelo hook up with Knicks would be right fit for Amar’e, too – NBA – CBSSports.com Basketball
If the new trend in the NBA is star players joining other star players, then Carmelo Anthony joining Amar’e Stoudemire with the Knicks is the type of move even Magic Johnson expresses is the right move to do, Ken Berger says.
Trade to Eastern Conference Could Cost Carmelo Anthony All-Star Start — NBA FanHouse
Chris Tomasson explains how a pre-All-Star Game trade could for Anthony could end up with the Eastern Conference squad carrying 13 All-Stars.
Allen Iverson opts to rehab calf after seeing Dr. James Andrews – ESPN
Former NBA MVP Allen Iverson will attempt to rehabilitate his troublesome right calf without surgery after being examined today by noted surgeon James Andrews. The tragically sad ending to A.I.’s career continues.
Denver Nuggets coach George Karl still thinks Carlmelo Anthony will finish year with team – ESPN
George Karl says he still believes he might be coaching Carmelo Anthony all season.
Walsh Eager to Finish Rebuilding Knicks, if They Let Him – NYTimes.com
Donnie Walsh helped the Knicks recover from their darkest days, but his contract expires June 30 and the team will not say if it plans to keep him.
And in non-Melo, non-Nets, non-Knicks news…
Post-Ups: Cuban's idea for NBA-run world hoops event isn't crazy – NBA – CBSSports.com Basketball
NBA owners give away their players' services for international events, but Mark Cuban says, Forget the Olympics — he wants a league-owned operation. As CBA talks heat up, Ken Berger sees merit in Cuban's idea.
Hakeem Olajuwon has tutored likes of Dwight Howard, Kobe Bryant – Paul Forrester – SI.com
Eight years have passed since Hakeem Olajuwon last dream-shaked his way off an NBA court. And though the two-time NBA champion and one-time MVP’s career is but a series of YouTube clips or NBA TV Hardwood Classics to much of the league’s current generation, his influence is quickly spreading via a growing network of stars who have made Olajuwon their own personal Yoda. Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Josh Smith, Emeka Okafor — all have called upon the 12-time All-Star in recent years to help refine their talents. Maybe Nene should give Olajuwon a call soon?
Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Steve Nash: Defying the longevity odds – ESPN
Bill Simmons breaks down the careers of some future Hall of Famers and marvels at how long they've stayed in their prime. A great article for NBA aficionados.
From the Vault…
Remember the ABA: New York Nets
Great insight into the fascinating history of the New Jersey Nets, and how their transition into the NBA (along with our Nuggets) cost them decades of success.
