Anthony-to-Nets not seen as likely option
Moe not expected to return; Dunlap going to Arizona
By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Don't expect to see Carmelo Anthony in a New Jersey Nets uniform or Nuggets assistant coach Doug Moe on the Denver bench next season.
Moe, the winningest coach in Nuggets history, said Thursday he "most likely" won't be back for a fifth season on George Karl's staff. He said he will make a decision when his contract expires June 30.
"At my age, I need to spend more time with the grandkids," said Moe, who will turn 70 on Sept. 21.
As for Anthony, a report out of New Jersey said the Nets and Nuggets had "exploratory" trade talks involving the two-time All-Star forward and teammate Marcus Camby.
Given Nets general manager Kike Vandeweghe's ties to the Nuggets, the rumor seemed natural, though without much foundation.
Vandeweghe and Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien declined to comment, but a prospective deal does not seem to make much sense for the Nuggets.
Small forward Richard Jefferson is the most attractive player on the Nets roster, but he faces an assault charge stemming from a confrontation at a Minneapolis nightclub.
Anthony has had his share of off-the-court problems, but he is four years younger than Jefferson and remains one of the NBA's biggest standouts.
Also Thursday, Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap officially resigned from Karl's coaching staff and will be in Tucson today to finalize his deal to become the associate head coach at the University of Arizona. The move had been expected for more than a week.
"Mike has been an invaluable resource to my staff," Karl said in a statement released by the Nuggets. "Coach (Lute) Olson is getting one of the top minds in basketball and we'll miss him greatly."
Dunlap returns to the college ranks after spending two seasons with the Nuggets. He guided Metro State to two NCAA Division II titles from 1997 to 2006.
"I want to thank coach Karl and the Nuggets for giving me an opportunity to coach at the highest level," Dunlap said. "I learned a great deal in my two years with the Nuggets and I'm grateful for the experience."
Karl will not necessarily replace Dunlap; he simply could move assistant John Welch to the bench to join Adrian Dantley.
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May 15, 2008
10:27 p.m.
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jbowen43 writes:
Rule number 1. You don't trade a hall of famer in his prime.
May 15, 2008
10:38 p.m.
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monty90321 writes:
Hall of fame? Please..... If Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson played in this type of offense he would have scored 25+ too. I'm a Carmelo fan but I'm worried I see a lot of Starbury in him.... which isn't a good thing.
May 15, 2008
11:34 p.m.
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gmfrei writes:
No one has reported what the Nuggets would get back in return. This team needs a defensive presence from it's star players. I also think that this team needs to define who there star player is. Clearly, Carmelo Anthony has the youth and potential. But, he has never made it out of the first round of the playoffs. Allen Iverson is one of the most exciting players in the league. But, he is also approaching the end of his storied career. This is a critical offseason for the Nuggets. I feel that if the Nuggets deal Anthony it must be for Memphis PG Derrick Rose. This team has tried to go with a natural point guard in Andre Miller. They have tried the Allen Iverson and a journeyman PG who wouldn't start for anyother playoff team (Anthony Carter and Steve Blake). Look at the transition that Deron Williams had for the Utah Jazz. If the PG is a star it is easier to find role players. The Nuggets have star "qualities" at SF and Iverson, but need to establish an identity other than scoring 120 and still losing. There is clearly dysfunction with Dunlap bolting to Arizona and Moe hanging it up. George Karl should go ahead and start packing up the office, because it would take a trip to the Conference Finals for him to keep his job.
May 15, 2008
11:37 p.m.
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rhsalas writes:
A hall of famer? You may be on to something, juvenile hall perhaps!
Hall of famers make everyone around them better, not this punk.
We can ill aford to wait for melo to grow up.Melo couldnt
carry kobe,s jock strap, much less carry a team thru the playoffs!
When you call out the entire team and your coaches, when you are
a big part of the problem, that takes some nerve. I have fallowed
the nuggets for 20 plus years including several as a season ticket
holder. This guy is by far the biggest punk denver has ever drafted.
Move him before its to late!!!
Embarressed fan
May 16, 2008
12:19 a.m.
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flybys writes:
The talk of a possible Carmelo Anthony-Marcus Camby trade with New Jersey is folly. Fun offseason water cooler gossip but a waste of time to think of it actualizing itself.
What, possibly, could New Jersey offer of value in return?
Richard Jefferson is a talent and Devin Harris would be a legitimate point guard for a team in need of one but not replacing your center when Nene is a high-risk health question makes such fantasy impossible. Losing Melo is more a loss at the gate than on the floor. It's been a long time since Melo and winner were synonymous, as in his freshman campaign at Syracuse.
Encouraging to hear of possible solutions to the Denver roster mess but this Nets-Nuggets banter is not the answer.
May 16, 2008
2:50 a.m.
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JasonM writes:
I don't think the Nuggets should trade Carmelo just yet, but I LMAO when I read "jbowen43" called him a Hall of Famer!! What the heck has Carmelo done to even warrent that type of title. Give me a break. Man in Denver it seems people can be called "Superstars" and "HOFamers" with barely doing nothing huh? Geez. Anyhow..Iverson if you're reading this, please opt out and leave now, before they try to ruin the rest of your career!!! Finish your career on a team that is serious about contending.
May 16, 2008
7:40 a.m.
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italiantony writes:
RHSALAS... if you are "Embarressed fan" and look up to "Kobe RAPIST bryant", and want anthony to be like him and not so "biggest punk denver has ever drafted" mabey you should move to laker land where 81 points makes every thing you've done including the things you did not get caught doing "better"...they may even give you the MVP! and yes melo is the best player to put on a nuggets jersey sense david thompson (hof) if melo finishes his career here he will shatter every record ever set by a nugget and be a hall of famer... for you being a 20 year fan you know nothing about talent... what where you doing at age 23? probly the same shit he was but your nobody so it didn't matter not a big story for the press. and on top of your "experience" as an "Embarressed fan" dont't you think that we have moved talent before we should have in the past? MR. move him before it's to late??? imagine if we never moved chaunce??? where would we be... o yeah we sucked then and so did he huh? lets get rid of all are best players again...Idiot!
May 16, 2008
11:33 a.m.
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arrangerx writes:
PART II:
Karl? I'd love to see the old Karl back -- but you cannot be a human being and not recognize that both he and his son have had cancer in the past couple of years, and that he is in physical pain. It will be nice to see if he's still got what it takes. Karl and Nene are the most "alike" factors on this team (yes, Karl is part of the team.) When expectations are placed firmly on their shoulders, and no excuses are accepted, we'll finally see what Denver can do.
Anyone want to talk about Najera or Martin? Najera is my kind of player -- I wish he had more talent. He is the current Ryan Bowen. Martin was a mistake by a front office that didn't realize that Martin's career in the NBA was a direct result of being paired with Jason Kidd. If Pippen was Jordan's creation (what did he accomplish without Jordan), Martin was Kidd's. I applaud his physical accomplishment of coming back from surgery. But it doesn't mean he can play anything but street ball. He played it at Cincinnati, in New Jersey, and now in Denver. I'm not talking about his ludicrous contract, but about what he's been asked to do here. He's a great 2nd guy off the bench for a defensive unit. To expect more is to not understand his strengths.
Well, got that out of my system.
Ultimately, when the Nuggets front office decides what it wants the team to be when it grows up, then we'll see the corresponding moves in personnel. Do we want good citizens? Do we want a championship? Do we want to be the nice-guy NBA team? Scrappy competitors? Listeners and learners (aka UTAH)? Until the front office can answer those questions, changes on the team are pointless.
May 16, 2008
11:38 a.m.
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arrangerx writes:
PART I:
It's been very interesting to read the commentary here, at Denverpost.com and ESPN.com
There is no doubt that the front office has made some good choices. Trading drafts for Kleiza, getting JR Smith, drafting Anthony (who, if you remember, was only available because Detroit really blew it and hoped that Darko was the 2nd coming of Dirk).
Bringing in Iverson was a mistake. I was hoping that patience and rationality would rule the day, but alas, that was not going to happen with people in the front office not really understanding chemistry. Iverson is a GREAT player -- no one can argue differently. What I do argue is that Iverson was NOT the fit for this Denver Nugget team. Andre Miller has continued to improve, and there was chemistry.
Letting Blake go was inconsequential. Letting Charles Smith go was a mistake. He had height, experience, level-headedness, and knows the game.
Hanging onto Camby last year was a no-brainer. This year, it became obvious that his stats are padded by playing out of position. Blocking 8 potential points per game is not enough to make up for giving up 20 easy points in the paint each game. Time for a more traditional center. That is Nene, and make a trade for a 7 footer and let him grow. You think Bynum in LA was great when he started? With a core group of younger players growing and learning together, a center would have time to fit in. If Camby is the ultimate answer for Denver, why are other teams knocking down the door to make a trade for him?
Short guards are not the answer. 6'3 and below need not apply. Yes, this means Miller would not have been the ultimate answer either. Just means that Miller fit the chemistry better.
Nene will either be healthy or not. But the contract and talent demand that he step forward this year, and be counted on. The pressure a performer feels is directly related to understanding how important they are to the system. If Nene isn't the #1 answer in the middle for this team, he will continue to underperform because nothing is expected. No one doubts his ability. . . but coddling a multi-millionaire isn't the answer either.
Finally, there is Anthony. The only answer to his play is for him to grow up. That means discipline. When Anthony screws up, it's time for him to meet the bench for a period of time. When he doesn't play defense, he doesn't get to play. It may take 5 or 10 games. It may take a whole season. But there's no other way to find out if he'll do what it takes to improve. "Potential" is the dirtiest word in sports. So what if we see "flashes" of defensive potential. One season of discipline, and we'll have our answer as fans. That experiment is worth the 5 or 6 games that might go to the loss column as a result.
May 16, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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alangford writes:
italiantony, you got it. Even though melo seems like he's a punk, he has brought this team out of a deep hole. Before anthony came in to save the nuggets, their past 8 seasons had finished with a record below 50%. The 2002/2003 season with a 17-65 season. But then they aquired the freshman from syracuse who took Syracuse to a national title in 2003, made the next season a 43-39 season, the best since 1990. Who is responsible for this improvement? Melo. And for those of you who say he is not a leader, just look at the numbers.
May 16, 2008
12:48 p.m.
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ONEman writes:
arrangerx I really can't even say anything else, you pretty much summed it all up. You should apply for the GM job. Whu will please hire Jeff Van Gundy.
Which leads me to my next point about Melo being a leader, he is not. A great talent he is. A dedicated professional like Kobe or Lebron... well he is also a beast of a human but anyway, Carmelo is'nt serious about winning a Championship,if he was he would step up and lead by example on and off the court. This team has no true leader in times of a worthy opponent, with Karl getting out coached nightly it's not going to be pretty. But if Melo can grow into a leader and Iverson can learn to run plays then at least we can compete regularly. Also Camby should learn the Center position and stop trying to be a guard and a little free throw attention for all would definitely not hurt.
May 16, 2008
12:48 p.m.
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Spider writes:
Who is (was) Charles Smith?
May 16, 2008
1:07 p.m.
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arrangerx writes:
Sorry. . . fingers and brain not aligned. . . JOE SMITH (part of the AI trade).
May 16, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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arrangerx writes:
ONEman. . . agreed that JVG would be the person most likely to get the most out of this configuration of the Nuggets. But since George Karl is back, hire him now as an assistant. Dunlap is gone. Moe is gone.
May 16, 2008
3:16 p.m.
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Fairfax writes:
Hall of Famer? Let's see. Compare him to Karl Malone, the most prolific scoring forward of all time and the 2nd leading scorer in NBA history. Malone had 36,928 career points over 18 seasons, good for 1,943 a year. Melo is at 9,264 after 5 seasons, good for 1852 points per year. Basically, if Stern doesn't suspend him in 06'/07' for 15 games he's right there with Malone and he hasn't even hit his prime. He could play 13 more seasons and retire at age 38 and easily end up with around 35,000 points and be a top 5 scorer in league history. Sure, we can't predict the future and know one can say if he will stay healthy or remain productive, but I would argue that Melo's style of play (lots of jump shots, little defense) will be good for his longevity, and typically, NBA players have their best years from 25-30. Will he go down as an all time great? Not unless he can improve his all around game but I beleive he will go down as one of the greatest pure scorers in NBA history and that alone will punch his hall of fame ticket. But go ahead and trade him. We'll just find another player who at the age of 23, is on pace to be one of the greatest scorers in league history.
I would guess that all of the Melo bashers out there never had to sit through the Paul Westhead era, or don't remember when Orlando Woolridge was our best player, or when Juwan Howard was our top offensive threat. Tread carefully with Melo--something tells me he will do great things in his career--I just hope Denver management and Denver fans are smart enough to want him to acheive those things in our town.
May 16, 2008
3:41 p.m.
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GreeleyNugz writes:
For some reason I think this writer was the only one who thought that Melo was goin to get traded to the Nets. That is the dumbest thing ive ever heard!!!
May 16, 2008
3:43 p.m.
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GreeleyNugz writes:
And anyone who thinks we should get rid of Melo!!! Your an idiot!!! Case Closed!!
May 16, 2008
4:19 p.m.
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cap writes:
Nothing is wrong with MELO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We need a system on offense and defense!!!!! Players standing flat footed-players not knowing where to be!!!! Whether Melo takes a jumpshot or someone else does-NO ONE CUTTING-what's the point of passing-it will end up in a jumpshot anyway!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Karl---run an offense with movement. This standing and looking at each other got very old!!
LOVE THE NUGGETS-------but----make some changes to get movement. Karl--start COACHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 17, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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hmulenga writes:
the nuggets could use some discipline, kenyon martin comeback, nene's cancer healing, JR smith stepping up and the 50 wins are great stories but at the end of the day we only remember the 1st round sweep. I think that george Karl kind of fell in love with these great stories and lost focus.
I do agree with the mention of jeff van gundy as a good fit or any other coach that is all about discipline and defense and that wouldn't get too sentimental as karl did.
Trading for players will only make things worse as nuggets management tend to make bad trades.
May 17, 2008
11:55 p.m.
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MeloMan1555 writes:
A few thoughts:
A. Doug Moe is a class act and a fine coach and asset to the Nuggets organization. Mr. Moe, thank you for everything. The "Dog Moe Offense" is the best offense in NBA history.
B. Mr. Dunlap was a remarkable coach in the Denver area and he was a fine asset to our franchise and staff. He will be a head coach in the NCAA or NBA( his choice) in no time. Class Act.
C. The talks of trading Carmelo Anthony are absolutely absurd and ridiculous. Whoever had "exploratory talks" about trading Melo for Jefferson should immediately be fired on the spot, no questions asked. This is the most ridiculous trade rumor in NBA history.
Melo is just warming up as the best NBA player to ever suit up in a uniform, period. Michael Jordan did not win a playoff series until he was 25. Melo will turn 24 this summer. Any questions? Give it some time. Anyone who seriously wants to trade Melo either A.) Does not understand the game of basketball, so therefore I can't fault you or B.) Is a bandwagon fan who only likes the Nuggets when we win, but doesn't care about them when we lose. Typical bandwagon fan that comprises about 90 percent of all sports fans. It's a joke.
May 18, 2008
2:11 p.m.
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mgeorge writes:
jordan also played defense and offense.. jordan passed, rebounded and played defense. and this was before and after the titles.. does marshmello do any of that? NO so sorry thats not a good point!
May 18, 2008
2:16 p.m.
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mgeorge writes:
as a matter a fact.. jefferson passes the ball rebounds and plays defense as well as scores hes a better team player then mello and would probably fit in better. so its actually not that bad of a trade.. but i guess your one of the guys who believes mello is kobe lebron status future hall of famer hahaha. mellos not even that good!
May 18, 2008
2:20 p.m.
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mgeorge writes:
better yet.. kevin durant is a future hall of famer to haha.. people need to get off this website!
May 19, 2008
7:52 a.m.
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FatLever writes:
FairFax cites 'Melo's suspension as one reason his stats didn't quite reach Malone's HOF level. That's exactly the point, my man. That cowardly and embarrassing punch-and-run he pulled against the Knicks, the very thing that got him suspended, is a perfect example of how he is NOT like Jordan or Malone. Yes, Jordan didn't win a playoff series until he was 25, but His Airness also played D, avoided off-court incidents, and did what was necessary to win a title (get other players involved, et cetera). So far, 'Melo can beat anybody 1-on-1, but when he gets doubled he gets frazzled, he is prone to pouting, and has not become the team's leader. And Meloman1555, come one. Let's be reasonable. If you're going to accuse people of not knowing the game of basketball, and then make an statement like "Melo is warming up to be the greatest player ever to put on a uniform," you lose all credibility. Melo is not even the best player out of his draft year (you honestly think he's better all around than LeBron and Wade, who took their teams to the finals and won a title, respectively)? I'm no 'Melo basher. I was thrilled when we got him, but facts are facts. I'm still rooting for him.
May 19, 2008
12:39 p.m.
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DJRMTNSPF writes:
Diagnosing the Nuggets' problem is pretty easy. They have talent but do not play as a team on offense or defense. Getting rid of Carmelo or AI is not going to solve the fact that Karl is only good during the season and terrible in the playoffs. The fact that almost half of the teams make it to the playoffs does not speak well of his results. Losing Doug Moe is only hurting Karl's chances.
May 19, 2008
3:23 p.m.
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8lawrence writes:
if denver do make a trade it should be kenyon martin in marcus camby.cause they are geting old in we need to keep are young stars like carmelo anthony in j.r smith in others
May 19, 2008
5:59 p.m.
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vice420 writes:
ok carmelo obviously has some matureing to do... but he is only 23 years old and is alredy one of the best scorers in the league, he has all the tools to be one of the best players in the league, hes a good rebounder and has good passing skills(altough he chooses not to use this skill as much as he should) trading him would be absolutly retarted unless were getting somthing like lebron james in return which is not going to happen, denver just needs to get a real point guard ( LOL @ making the playoffs with anthony carter as our starting point) and start playing some defense and they could be a top team in this league
May 19, 2008
6:01 p.m.
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vice420 writes:
also that little punch and his DUI are nothing compared to raping a woman as kobe bryant did so people relly need to lay off him about that
May 20, 2008
8:41 a.m.
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FatLever writes:
Wow, vice420, you know that Kobe raped that woman? You were in the room with them? I remember when Michael Irvin got accused of rape, and it turned out the woman was lying. Only she and Kobe know what happened. And the state couldn't put a case together, so without even a trial, for you to say he's a rapist ridiculous. Not to mention irrelevant to Melo's antics. Do you think that Kobe's conduct is now the standard, and as long as Melo's not accused of rape, he can pull his juvenile stuff and we should lay off? 23 is not that young for pro sports (Sidney Crosby is 20, and is leading his team; LeBron is 23, and he doesn't seem to need to 'decide' to use his skills or stay out of trouble; I could go on). You make a good point about any trade involving 'Melo: it would have to be for a marquee player such as Wade or LeBron, and that's not going to happen.
May 20, 2008
12:40 p.m.
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denversportsfan writes:
If the Nuggets are stupid enough to trade Carmelo, I'll never watch another Nuggets game again. Don't forget how horrible this team was when he wasn't here. They may not be winning playoff series, but at least they are getting there. For me, Carmelo makes the team worth watching and gives me hope that they will work out their inconsistant play. He's made some stupid mistakes as any young kid will do, but give him a chance to grow up and make amends. He's done quite a bit for the Denver community and given money to his old college to build a new basketball facility. He's not the punk the media paints him to be. I think he will be to the Nuggets what John Elway was to the Broncos. Getting rid of Iverson and Karl is where Kroenke needs to start.
May 20, 2008
1:12 p.m.
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mgeorge writes:
mello give you hope? how when hes standing on the 3 point line getting doubled and instead of finding the open man he just throws up a shot. the fact that he took the most shots on the team and only shot 35% during the playoffs. thats hope? the fact that your superstar didnt rise to the challange the way jordan kobe and lebron do and gaurd the best guy on the other team haha martin was gaurding kobe, mello should have been i mean if hes a star if hes gonna give his fans HOPE. marshmello is soft! there offering jefferson williams and there lottery pick i say take it. mello is not and will not be in the same league as lebron so why would you even say thats equal value. check nba.coms poll who was the mvp of the nuggets this season 70% say iverson so please if your gonna trade or let someone go let mello go. cuz ill say it right now mello will never win a championship as the franchise player.
May 20, 2008
1:19 p.m.
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mgeorge writes:
a 50 year old iverson is better then a 23 year old mello any day.. he took less shots then mello did this season and averaged more points and still had 7-8 assists per game he was more of a team player. yea iverson is actually a better team player then someone.. MELOOOOOO.. and who said mello has all the tools to be a great player? so did derick coleman.
May 20, 2008
4:55 p.m.
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Buff4Life writes:
Trade Melo & Camby for Dwight Howard.
May 21, 2008
6:31 p.m.
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FSASSHAYMONEY writes:
OK. ALL THE PEOPLE BASHING ON MELO ARE CRAZY. LET NOT FORGET WHOM LEAD THE US TEAM IN SUMMER 06-07 UH LET THINK ABOUT MELO. WHO GOT MVP OF THE WORLD THAT YEAR UH MELO. SO DON’T BASH THE GUY FOR HAVING A BAD YEAR. YES HE HIT SOMEBODY AND YES HE GOT A DUI. BUT DON’T SIT THERE AND SAY HE NOT ONE OF THE FUTURE HALL OF FAMERS. SOME ONE HAS TO BE BAD GUY OUT OF THE GROUP AND I GUESS IT MELO. YOU KNOW WHAT MOST OF THE TIME THAT BAD GUY STEP UP AND DO WHAT THEY GOT TO DO. LET SEE WHAT THE SUMMER GAMES AND NEXT SEASON SAYS ABOUT HIM AS A PLAYER AND A PERSON. ONE LAST THING THE PERSON WHO POST SAID HE A PUNK FOR CALLING OUT HIS COACHES AND HIS TEAMMATES NEED TO BE QUIET. HE DIDN’T JUST CALL OUT HIS COACHES AND TEAMMATES HE CALLED HIS SELF OUT TO AND YOU DO NOT SEE THAT IN A LOT OF PLAYERS THESE DAYS.