Anthony pushing for Artest
Trade talk steals show at All-Star festivities
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Gary Dineen / Nbae Via Getty Images
Nuggets All-Star Carmelo Anthony, flanked by the media in New Orleans, says Ron Artest "brings it every night."
Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images
If the Nuggets trade for Ron Artest, above, they may have to give up Linas Kleiza.
It's All-Star Weekend, and there was plenty of talk about stars Friday. But much of it had nothing to do with anything that will happen in Sunday's game (6:30 p.m. MST, TNT).
The big talk is the arms race in the West, and which team might be the next to bring in a star. Forward Carmelo Anthony wouldn't mind if it's the Nuggets, saying for the second time in three seasons he'd love to have Ron Artest as a teammate.
"I really believe that, if we get Ron Ar- test, that will make our team a lot more powerful, a lot more stronger, a lot deeper than we are right now," Anthony, a starting forward in the All-Star Game at New Orleans Arena, said about the possibility of the Nuggets acquiring the Sacramento forward.
"Ron Artest, you can't go wrong with him. I don't care what happened in the past and the off-the-court things. . . . On the court, he brings it every night."
Two years ago, when Artest was with Indiana and on the trading block, Anthony called for Denver to get him. But Artest went to Sacramento, where he has become yet another big-name player who could switch teams by Thursday's trade deadline.
The arms race began two weeks ago when the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis. Last week, Phoenix got Sha quille O'Neal from Miami.
Dallas was on the verge Wednesday of acquiring Jason Kidd from New Jersey. The deal has stalled, but Kidd still could end up with the Mavericks.
"The other day, when the J. Kidd trade almost went through, I think it shook up the whole Western Conference," Anthony said. "It shook up the whole NBA. I think teams are . . . 'Now, we have to do something.' "
In addition to Artest, Anthony said he has heard rumors about Denver getting Memphis' Mike Miller. On Friday, the New York Post reported the Nuggets have had discussions with the Knicks about acquiring forward Zach Randolph.
Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien did not return a message Friday.
Denver started this migration to the West in December 2006 by picking up guard Allen Iverson from Philadelphia.
Iverson, who will join Anthony as an All- Star starter, doesn't believe it's imperative for the Nuggets to make a move to compete in the West.
"I have to believe that we've got everything that we need," Iverson said. "I do believe that, but, if we make some type of deal, then so be it. I won't be against it. . . . What happens right now is, we got the squad that we have and I got confidence in that."
The Nuggets (32-20) are ninth in the West and currently out of playoff position. But they're only 11/2 games behind Utah in the Northwest Division and 41/2 behind New Orleans, the West's top team.
Coach George Karl has said "keeping up with the Joneses" means getting healthy. He believes guard Chucky Atkins will be back from a sports hernia in mid-March and hopes forward Nene can return this season from testicular cancer surgery.
Karl doesn't want the Nuggets to make a "Band-Aid move" they might later regret. In a possible Artest deal, the Kings want young forward Linas Kleiza and the Post reported the Knicks also are interested in Kleiza in a possible Randolph deal.
In a secondary move, the Nuggets, with Atkins out and Anthony Carter carrying a heavy burden, could look for depth at point guard. Among point guards said to be available are Sam Cassell of the Clippers, Seattle's Delonte West, Charlotte's Jeff McInnis, Memphis' Kyle Lowry and Miami's Smush Parker.
But it's big moves that have been getting attention. Detroit guard Chauncey Billups, a Denver native who will play Sunday in his third straight All-Star Game, said few have noticed his team has won 10 straight.
"All people know is Gasol went to L.A., Shaq went to Phoenix and J. Kidd is supposed to be on his way to Dallas," Billups said.
Now, everybody is wondering which team will up the ante.
"If we get Artest, that's a hell of an addition," Anthony said. "If we get Mike Miller, that's a hell of an addition. Either way, we can't go wrong."
But will Anthony be disappointed if the Nuggets don't make a move by Thursday?
"I don't want to give you an answer," he said. "If you ask me on the 22nd or the 21st, then I might have a different answer. But I can't answer that right now."
tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com
NBA All-Star Game
* Who: Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference.
* When: 6:30 p.m. MST Sunday.
* Where: New Orleans Arena.
* TV/radio: TNT; KKFN-AM (950).
*
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters
No. Player, position Team
5 Kevin Garnett, F* Celtics
23 LeBron James, F Cavaliers
12 Dwight Howard, C Magic
5 Jason Kidd, G Nets
3 Dwyane Wade, G Heat
Reserves
No. Player, position Team
1 Chauncey Billups, G Pistons
4 Chris Bosh, F-C Raptors
3 Caron Butler, F* Wizards
32 Richard Hamilton, G Pistons
4 Antawn Jamison, F Wizards
2 Joe Johnson, G Hawks
34 Paul Pierce, F Celtics
Coach:
Doc Rivers, Celtics
*
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters
No. Player, position Team
15 Carmelo Anthony, F Nuggets
21 Tim Duncan, F Spurs
11 Yao Ming, C Rockets
24 Kobe Bryant, G Lakers
3 Allen Iverson, G Nuggets
Reserves
No. Player, position Team
5 Carlos Boozer, F Jazz
13 Steve Nash, G Suns
41 Dirk Nowitzki, F Mavericks
3 Chris Paul, G Hornets
7 Brandon Roy, G Blazers
1 Amare Suns Stoudemire, F-C
30 David West, F Hornets
Coach:
Byron Scott, Hornets
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February 16, 2008
9:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
jeremynix writes:
I like our team as is.....and if I was in the Nuggets front office, I would do everything i could to keep Linas Kleiza...we are lucky to have him. Granted we need a true point guard...but why go out and get a guy that is known for defense....whynot just get the team motivated to play defense now. Do we really need to get rid of a quality young player, that was one of the steals of the draft, just to get a great player that might not gel with the team anyway? We have seen that Denver can play D when they want to. Maybe the Nuggets don't win the West this year, maybe they don't even make the playoffs, but patience is key when your building a great team. We are almost there, please don't start dismantling this team. these guys are so fun to watch, keep em together.
February 16, 2008
9:57 a.m.
Suggest removal
brownman writes:
Why can't Melo just work harder on D? The real driving force behind his wants is that he doesn't want to do a full job on defense and would rather have another guy pick up the slack...Really, a team with Camby (blocked shots, defensive rebounds), K-Mart (quick hands=steals/turnovers),and Najera (consistent pest/banger)doesn't need another defender who can occassionally score. What this team really needs is Melo to, as Artest does, "bring it every night".
February 16, 2008
10:21 a.m.
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sickandtired writes:
Great post, brownman. You hit the nail on the head. Melo is always looking for an excuse not to be a complete player, not to play hard all the time on both ends of the floor. He's a very good scorer, but still, in this 5th? year, doesn't want to put in the effort to be a complete player. He made it to the "personality contest" All-Star game, but he's no superstar and doesn't want to be.
There's more to being a team leader than scoring a lot of points, and so far Anthony hasn't been up to the challenge.
February 16, 2008
11:28 a.m.
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Broncos4Life writes:
I agree with the above posts. I think the Nuggets as a team need to "bring it every night". Defense is all about effort and desire, unfortunately the Nuggets only show those traits occasionally. If they played a consistent brand of defense, they would be on the upper end of the playoff picture, instead of hoping they can make a second half of the season run. I would love to see another proven outside threat like Mike Miller, but do we want to give up the players that he will cost? Don't ruin a good nucleus for a "band-aid" fix like George Karl said. Stick it out with the guys we have, and get them to play up to the amount of their contracts. That means play a complete game, on both ends of the court!
February 16, 2008
5:28 p.m.
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warrengfunk7 writes:
Well, i have watched every Nuggets game the last 3-seasons. Carmelo Anthony has shown stead, consistent and slow progress on defense. I think it's the "slow" part of that which makes his progress go un-noticed by most. Everything on defense seems to really be clicking in Anthony's head right now. It's all starting to come together for him - all his hard work is paying off. You'll see, teh Nuggets can play D with the best of them now.
February 17, 2008
6:23 p.m.
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ColetteDD2 writes:
What Carmelo wants and Nuggets need are not necessarily the same thing. The Nuggets are developing into a tougher, more well rounded team. It's not an easy, pretty or highlight friendly process and would be hindered by essentially ceding those skills to one player. Artest's inability to grasp the kindergarten principle of "learn to work/play with others" that screams 'danger may explode'. The Pacers gave Artest a silver plated shot at redemption and he blew it. The Nuggets are and will be better without Artest.
February 17, 2008
11:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
duboisb writes:
Artest is one of the best players in the league. He is an incredible defensive presence. When Michael Jordan was first planning on returning to the league, the player he wanted guarding him in practice all summer was Ron Artest. That says volumes.
Artest is also a good offensive player.
On the court and with teammates, Artest is not a problem. It's only the off court things and being attacked by the crowd in Detroit. Artest is a great teammate. His daughter also has cancer and I think that has been a maturing thing.
The only problem is that George Karl is the most immature coach in basketball. He feuds with his players in public and I don't think provides the nurturing atmosphere that gets the best out of players such as J.R. George is just a tempermental little kid.
I say fire Karl. Promote Dantley to head coach. And trade for Ron Artest. A championship awaits.
Trade Steven Hunter and bring D-League All Star Jelani McCoy and give him some playing time backing up Camby.
February 17, 2008
11:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
duboisb writes:
Probably also should note -- finish out of the playoffs and A.I. walks.
So much for building a future.
February 18, 2008
9:04 a.m.
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Justin9976 writes:
Get Ron Artest. A trade for Linus Kleiza is a steal. Kleiza is a perennial bench player and will never be more then just that. Artest is a proven defensive commodity, something the nuggets desperately need. Starting Five: A.I.-All-Star, Carmelo Anthony-All-Star, Ron Artest-Former All-Star, Kenyon Martin-Former All-Star, Marcus Camby- Defensive Player of the year. That would be incredible. Plus, they'd have three clutch offensive players. Plus, defense is contagious. If Ron Artest comes aboard and starts playing d, the rest of the team will amp up their effort as well.