Sources: Nuggets will open season at Jazz

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony will be able to take part in opening-night festivities at the Pepsi Center.

According to a number of sources within the NBA, the Nuggets will begin the 2008-09 season with two Western Conference road games, including the opener against the defending Northwest Division champion Utah Jazz.

Anthony will not play against the Jazz or in the Nuggets' second game of the season as he serves a suspension for his April arrest on a drinking-and-driving charge.

He pleaded guilty in June to a reduced charge of driving while ability-impaired.

The complete NBA schedule will be released today.

League sources confirmed Tuesday the Nuggets will play a New Year's Eve game in Toronto.

• August 6, 2008

  1:53 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  xzacgenius writes:

  Denver should be able to do fine without Melo for the first 2 games. However, I hope they make a move to sign a PG and another C to complete this team. I think Balkman is a decent pick up for defensive purposes and I also like signing Dahntay Jones. I think if we pick up Elson that will be decent for the front court unless we can bring in Alonzo or Mutombo for a year or two to chase for that title. Of course we would get rid of Hunter and possibly Carter if we could pick up Elson and Alonzo or Mutombo. I have been high on Hinrich, but I think he makes 10 mil this year so for PG how about Shaun Livingston (4 mil)? I hear he is still out there as an unrestricted FA. He averaged 9 ppg and 5 apg per game in 06. Also, they actually have him listed as 6-7 182. He is a tall PG with long arms that can alter shots. Plus he is a slasher and a penetrator that can help push the ball for us (to save AI’s energy). He is really capable of finishing at the rim. I know he injured his knee and didn't play at all last season, but we probably can still give him a shot. It can't hurt with Chucky and AC as our PGs. With these additions I don't see why we can't represent the West in the Finals. Yeah, I know sounds crazy, but these possible starting lineups and reserves make it really attainable. Also, with these additions this team would be a good defensive team and very athletic. There would be several shooters that can consistently hit the 3 (Chucky, Kleiza, JR, Dahntay - also AI, Melo and Carter). They will be able to hurt you from outside if you sag down and beat you up inside if you play zone and if the defense steps out, these guys will blow right past them to the hole. I think this will be a good mix of veterans and young talent. What do you guys think of this squad?

  Option 1:
  AI, JR, Melo, KMart, Nene 2nd team Chucky, Dahntay, Balkman, Kleiza, Anderson

  Option 2:
  Livingston, AI, Melo, KMart, Nene 2nd team Chucky, JR, Balkman, Kleiza/Anderson, Elson

  Option 3:
  AI, JR, Melo, KMart, Nene 2nd team Chucky, Dahntay, Kleiza, Anderson, Alonzo or Mutombo

  Zac

• August 6, 2008

  8:15 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  anthony1979 writes:

  NO MAN flies in the eyes of Mutombo!

• August 6, 2008

  9:56 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  GovermentCheese writes:

  The only issue I have with Livingston is that he still isn't clear to play...so even if the nuggets were able to sign him he really wouldn't play that much...you'd sign Livingston not for this year, but next year...there is a great chance he won't completely heal from his injury (which would stink for him, he seems like a good kid) but if you sign him on the cheap allow him to rehab one more year...then next year slowly work him back into a NBA player again..you might look genius...The nuggets most likely would'nt touch him though...they need one more big (elson would be a good pick up)...we've already got 2 too many injury projects (nene & k-mart...well 1 and a half...K-mart played well last year)...But also remember, Iverson doesn't play the point...doesn't want to...and to be honest...can't...he knows it...so chucky or carter HAVE to start at point...booooo...oh well...we'll just have a undersized 1 & 2...for this year at least

• August 6, 2008

  9:58 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rocky_Mountain_Man writes:

  Livingston is about 5 to 6 months away from being ready to play if then. We are in need of an upgrade of to the point position. I was disappointed to see Carlos Arroyo go to Europe. Did we even think to look at him?

  Yes on Elson. I think it would be nice to have a mobile center back that is capable of defense and some offense.

• August 6, 2008

  10:46 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  denver15 writes:

  May as well try to sign Livingston and put him on the Reserve List until he can play. Low risk and potentially a huge reward, not to mention finally getting a big/huge point guard to put next to Iverson and guard 2s. If the Nuggets are going to sign players in order to cut payroll, they might as well sign one with a world of upside.