Carmelo Anthony: Scourge of the Universe

"F*** DRIBBLING!"

For a long, long time now, Carmelo Anthony has been rumored to be leaving Denver soon.  Somehow, someway, this still has not come to fruitition.  Carmelo has made it perfectly clear that he does not wish to sign an extension with Denver, saddening the population and depriving the team of (possibly) their least tatooed member (time for laser surgery, JR!).

The rumor of the day, and by day I mean entire season, has had Carmelo going to New Jersey, though Melo seems very hesitant to sign an extension with any team but the Knicks.  This of course brings up the other point that, if you're going to demand a trade, then at least give the team more than one option.  Regardless, New Jersey and New York are the only teams that seem to have legitimately offered deals to Denver.


This brings us to comparing the deals.  The Knicks are said to be offering either Wilson Chandler or Danilo Gallinari, along with Landry Fields and a draft pick.  This is not an amazing, overwhelming deal, but at least is a solid move for both sides.  The Knicks get a second big name that can score huge amounts to fill seats (also, win games.  Teams seem to like that).  The Nuggets get two very talented young players who can score admirably and, assuming they go with Chandler over Gallinari, play very solid defense.

The Nets deal, however, is far from "ho-hum."  Indeed, if it weren't for Melo seemingly nixing the deal, there is absolutely no reason the Nuggets would ever even look for another deal.  In the proposed trade, the Nuggets would get Devin Harris (17 PPG, 7 APG), Derrick Favors (7 PPG and 5 RPG at age 19), 2 first round picks with at least one more or less guarunteed to be in the high lottery, as well as a handful of other players moving around from both sides.

Essentially, the Nuggets would get a potential franchise power forward, two chances at high caliber rookies in upcoming years, and a well above-average point guard for an elite scorer who can't defend, can't pass, and has only shown he can rebound this year.  Sure, it's a huge public relations hit and there is a good chance it won't work out (remember when Brian Anderson was a can't miss centerfielder?), but there is almost no chance the Nuggets will get a better offer than that.

Now if only the Nets played in Melo's hometown, maybe he'd sign an extension.  What's that you say?  Melo is from Brooklyn, the exact location the Nets will be playing in soon?

No, that can't be true.