Carmelo Anthony Should Take a Lesson From Steve Nash

[Fafnir]

Denver rather then trading Melo could also try to bring in younger talented players to play with Melo and try and convince him to stay.  Orlando and Phoenix just completely overhauled their rosters, where was Denver in those trades.  Cleveland is thought to be selling pretty much everyone on their roster, where is Denver in that.  Denver needs to make some moves and show Melo they are serious about competing and convince him to stay or it needs to move him. 

What sort of moves are you talking about? I don't see any trade partners that match up well.

Orlando was able to make big moves becasue their owner gave Otis Smith a blank check. I don't think Denver's ownership would let them do that to try and placate Melo.

[Finkelskyhook]

Steve Nash doesn't care about winning. It's not important enough to him.

Completely agree.  If Nash cared about winning, he'd make an effort at both ends of the court.

[Fafnir]

Steve Nash doesn't care about winning. It's not important enough to him.

Completely agree.  If Nash cared about winning, he'd make an effort at both ends of the court.

By that logic Perkins doesn't care about winning since he's a bad offensive player. I mean if he cared he'd try not to turn it over so much or bobble passes for easy dunks.

*insert Rondo with ft issues*,
*insert Dwight Howard with ft issues*
etc...

All the effort in the world doesn't change things sometimes.

[NoraG1]

I think it's hard to tell somebody that he has to spend his entire career in a city simply because that's the team that drafted him.

Nash is comfortable in his living and playing situation.  Carmelo isn't, for whatever reason.  Since the money will be the same, or more, if he stays in Denver, it seems like he has priorities outside of money.  I can't hate on a guy for leaving to pursue happiness elsewhere.

The only time I get upset by FAs moving on is when you have a situation like Lebron's, where the organization catered to his every wish and he still couldn't give them the respect of being straight up about his intentions.  That was handled in a no-class manner, and Lebron deserves the ridicule he got.  

However, Carmelo isn't doing that.  Rather, he's told his franchise he's leaving, and is letting them shop him for compensation.  He isn't threatening to block trades, he's just not committing to an extension right now.

Is the Carmelo situation so different than the KG (or Pierce) situations, where KG talked about opting out and leaving, and Pierce talked about "pulling a Kobe" and demanding a trade?

All that said, I do like Steve Nash.  I'm disappointed that the organization hasn't built a winner around him.

KG spent more then a decade with a team that never came close to giving him enough talent. KG would have loved some of the help Carmelo had in Denver at times.

What is this great supporting cast in Denver? In my opinion, they have NEVER been a championship contender. They've never been close to being as good as the Lakers or Celtics since 2008.

Billups then what...JR Smith? Kenyon Martin? Aaron Afflalo? Birdman? Shelden Williams? Gary Forbes?

If the Nuggets faced us in the finals I would bet my mortgage on the Green. I'd also bet my mortgage that the Nuggets wouldn't get through the Lakers.

KG had Sam Cassell and Spreewell. They made the 2004 Conference Finals. Pierce made the Conference Finals with us in 2001. Would Pierce have been that terrible of a person if we had won the lottery in 2007 instead of trading for KG and Ray Ray, and he had asked for a trade?

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

Yeah Iverson was great by that point in his career, and we know Kmart is the NBA's Brett Favre, never misses a game, you can always count on Kenyon to contribute every game.

 So what's your point? That because Melo has had a little bit of talent around him he's not allowed to leave in Free Agency??? Ridiculous.

No nobody said that. YOU insinuated he had NO talent at all around him which is not true. Not saying there is alot of talent but more then some star players have had at points in their career

[NoraG1]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

[Vermont Green]

I give Nash credit for what he said and I think he is a stand up guy but Melo's situation is different.  All Melo has "officially" said is that he is not going to sign with Denver.  Nothing wrong with that, he wants to test free agency.  Without an extension, his trade value is very low so actually by him offering to sign an extension with teams of his choice, he is giving Denver a chance to get a lot more back for him.  I don't see anything wrong with that either.  I lost a lot of respect for Melo with the whole sucker punch thing but I am OK with how he is handling this contract/trade situation.

[StartOrien]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Not true at all. What team in the league is going to give a significant amount w/o getting an extension from him? I know reports are that 2 teams are willing to have him just as a rental, but I'd imagine the pieces there are pretty small.

[NoraG1]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Not true at all. What team in the league is going to give a significant amount w/o getting an extension from him? I know reports are that 2 teams are willing to have him just as a rental, but I'd imagine the pieces there are pretty small.

Well, that is my point what I am hearing is that NY is the only team he would sign an extention with which limits negotiations for Denver to get better offers with other teams who would be willing to give him an extention.

[Who]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Not true at all. What team in the league is going to give a significant amount w/o getting an extension from him? I know reports are that 2 teams are willing to have him just as a rental, but I'd imagine the pieces there are pretty small.

You gotta figure Dallas is one of the two teams with Caron Butler the probable main guy involved.

I wonder who the second contender is ... actually, it's probably Orlando with Vince Carter or now Jason Richardson as the makeweight. Maybe Ryan Anderson thrown in or maybe not now that Lewis is gone.

I don't see LA, Boston, San An or Miami being able to get involved in this. Chicago turned down the Noah and Deng asking price and it's hard to see any change in either team's stance on that issue.

Yeah, I am thinking Dallas (C.Butler) and Orlando (J.Rich).

[guava_wrench]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Why are you talking about demanding a trade? He isn't doing that. All signs point to him being fine walking as a free agent.

In what world would it make sense for him to help Denver get more from the team he would be going to anyway?

The guy's contract is about to end. He seems to be fine playing it out. Where is the problem? Denver has no special right to be compensated if he wants to leave as a free agent, so I really don't get where people are going with this.

[Moranis]

Denver rather then trading Melo could also try to bring in younger talented players to play with Melo and try and convince him to stay.  Orlando and Phoenix just completely overhauled their rosters, where was Denver in those trades.  Cleveland is thought to be selling pretty much everyone on their roster, where is Denver in that.  Denver needs to make some moves and show Melo they are serious about competing and convince him to stay or it needs to move him. 

What sort of moves are you talking about? I don't see any trade partners that match up well.

Orlando was able to make big moves becasue their owner gave Otis Smith a blank check. I don't think Denver's ownership would let them do that to try and placate Melo.

I have no idea, but Denver hasn't done much of anything except trade pieces away the last three years.  That isn't how you make your star happy.  They have Martin who is expiring with a gigantic contract so they could do something with him.  JR Smith is expiring and Billups has just 2 years left.  Denver could certainly be in the mix on any number of trades.  

[guava_wrench]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Not true at all. What team in the league is going to give a significant amount w/o getting an extension from him? I know reports are that 2 teams are willing to have him just as a rental, but I'd imagine the pieces there are pretty small.

Well, that is my point what I am hearing is that NY is the only team he would sign an extention with which limits negotiations for Denver to get better offers with other teams who would be willing to give him an extention.

So what!!! Why wouldn't he just play out his contract?

The problem isn't Melo in the situation you describe. He has no obligation to sign an extension with any team he doesn't want to play with. Don't you remember KG refusing to sign an extension to come to Boston originally? Melo's case is even less objectionable since the light at the end of the tunnel is less than a season away.

Why would another team trade for Melo without the guarantee that he signs an extension? They would want assurances, which Melo isn't giving -- and that is his right.

Denver can negotiate with whomever they want, but offers will be limited if Melo can become a free agent after the season. I think you need to reanalyze your position. There is no reason why Melo should give any charity to the Nuggets at his personal expense.

[StartOrien]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Not true at all. What team in the league is going to give a significant amount w/o getting an extension from him? I know reports are that 2 teams are willing to have him just as a rental, but I'd imagine the pieces there are pretty small.

You gotta figure Dallas is one of the two teams with Caron Butler the probable main guy involved.

I wonder who the second contender is ... actually, it's probably Orlando with Vince Carter or now Jason Richardson as the makeweight. Maybe Ryan Anderson thrown in or maybe not now that Lewis is gone.

I don't see LA, Boston, San An or Miami being able to get involved in this. Chicago turned down the Noah and Deng asking price and it's hard to see any change in either team's stance on that issue.

Yeah, I am thinking Dallas (C.Butler) and Orlando (J.Rich).

Dallas is definitely one of them. I'll throw out to other names as flyers: Houston and Charlotte. Two teams that seem like they'd be willing to gamble that they could win Carmelo over w/ a few months.

[Chris]

AI and DPOY Camby have been there. Martin is a great defender. Nene is a legit big-man on offense. Billups is a legit PG. He has always been surrounded by players. Lebron would have had great success with those rosters.

The team got rid of Camby for financial issue, so I'm not sure that's a ringing endorsement for why Carmelo should stay in Denver.

Kmart and Nene is one of the worst starting big men combinations in the league; they're pretty much the definition of mediocrity.  Billups is 34 years old.

Basically, the Nuggets are filled with mediocre to pretty good players, many of whom are over the hill.  Denver is about a season away from a total rebuild, with or without Carmelo.  What reason, other than blind loyalty, is there for him to stay in Denver?

Not to mention that this should be treated like a gift for Denver. They're going to get a haul for Carmelo Anthony, and will have two other pieces they could trade. For a team that's seen their peak, they're on the verge of getting a bail out when it comes to rebuilding.

They aren't going to get a 'haul' if Anthony demands a trade to NY. That is my only problem with the way Carmelo is acting. If he is only going to accept a trade to NY he severely hurts negotiating

Not true at all. What team in the league is going to give a significant amount w/o getting an extension from him? I know reports are that 2 teams are willing to have him just as a rental, but I'd imagine the pieces there are pretty small.

Well, that is my point what I am hearing is that NY is the only team he would sign an extention with which limits negotiations for Denver to get better offers with other teams who would be willing to give him an extention.

Right, but there is a big difference between demanding a trade to NY, and saying he will not sign an extension with any other team.  He has every right in the world to decide where he wants to play next year.  That is what comes with free agency.  It is completely on the teams whether they want to trade for him as a rental, or for Denver to hold on to him for one last playoff run.  

This is what I don't understand.  Why is it wrong to be honest with your employer and tell them you are leaving at the end of your contract to go to another employer?  Personally, I think it was the classy thing to do to tell them in advance so they can decide how to proceed for the future of the club, rather being stuck like Cleveland was.

[Brendan]

I've been unimpressed with DEN's front office for a long time, even through a couple changes. They make a lot of lateral moves and that's it.