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LINCICOME: Marsh-Melo still has chance to be s'more

By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 20, 2008 at 8:50 p.m.

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Should the Nuggets trade Carmelo Anthony this offseason?


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Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.

Photo by Joshua Duplechian / Special To The Rocky

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony.

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Trading Carmelo Anthony is stupid. Thinking about trading Carmelo Anthony is stupid. Talking about trading Carmelo Anthony is stupid.

But then, not being able to advance Anthony's talents in five years beyond what they were when he arrived is also stupid. Anthony is still the me-first, half-interested, high-scoring basketball creature he always has been.

Oh, maturity peeks around Anthony's shoulder every now and again but never seriously enough to grab him and shake him and convince him that it's the two of them from here on.

Anthony goes on, as have others with great promise and skill, not what he should be, not what the Nuggets want him to be, and not unhappy enough to change a thing.

Why should he? He is young and rich and admired, the center of his universe, living an enviable life, if you must wonder what he is doing driving the streets alone at night, either too drunk or too fast.

To not trade Anthony now is almost as stupid since the very willingness to do so undermines any chance of reclaiming him as the franchise star and team leader. If the threat of dumping him is supposed to wake him up, well, he's going to have to sleep on a much harder bed.

The Nuggets might have lost Anthony, even if they don't lose him to New Jersey, or wherever he might actually go.

If getting rid of him is the only thing the Nuggets can think of to do with him, what was the word Anthony himself used? Quit. The Nuggets have quit.

That's the easy thing to do, maybe even the rational thing to do - cut your losses - except that Anthony is not a loss as much as a misplaced treasure. Somebody, surely, can get the man to play a little defense, inspire his teammates, be what he was supposed to be when he was the teenage spirit wearing the national- championship nets for Syracuse.

Were we wrong back then, not so long ago, really? Because he came with all the potential and all the flaws he still has. In reviewing my own review about Anthony the day he was drafted, I quote myself:

"The greatest thing to have happened for Anthony would have been for Syracuse to lose in the first round, because the more his dribble was analyzed, the wobblier it got.

"Can't play man-to-man defense, slow first step, doesn't rebound, won't muscle and doesn't leap small forwards, never mind tall buildings, in a single bound. We know this is true because Anthony has actually been detected doing, or not doing, these things."

In other words, the same words apply here, half a decade later.

On Team USA, he apparently is not the same player he is for the Nuggets. He is a leader and a sharer and a worker, this maybe because he is with his peers, or maybe his coach there, Mike Krzyzewski, turns some tap that George Karl can't find.

On the Nuggets, Anthony defers to Allen Iverson, and Iverson is no more a leader than is Anthony. It's like two drum majors marching down different streets while the band piles up behind them.

If the Nuggets are only listening, not initiating, not laughing in the faces of any team that might see in Anthony everything the Nuggets once saw, then the Nuggets are only undermining whatever chance is left to make something more of Anthony.

Certainly, the rumored bodies for Anthony and Marcus Camby - the Nets' Richard Jefferson and Marcus Williams, plus the New Jersey draft choice - is so ridiculous that somebody ought to slap the faces of both sides, one for offering, one for listening.

Even if, and this will not happen, the Nuggets could end up with one of the two who will be the top draft choices, Michael Beasley of Kansas State or Derrick Rose of Memphis, or even the recently soiled O.J. Mayo of USC, it would not be worth it. The future of the Nuggets is the same as it was when Anthony arrived - whatever Anthony can make of it.

It is too soon to give up without having tried. Maybe it would take a Jerry Sloan or a Gregg Popovich. But Karl is coach enough, or used to be, to complete the job with Anthony.

The only question this offseason that the Nuggets should be asking is how have they made Anthony a better ballplayer, with better help, better chemistry, better consideration?

The way not to do any of that is to make it clear that the Nuggets are better off without him.

Comments

  • May 20, 2008

    11:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MeloMan1555 writes:

    Carmelo is the best thing that has ever happened to the Denver Nuggets franchise. Plain and simple. He'll be 24 at the start of the upcoming season....Michael Jordan did not win a single playoff series until he was 25...Any questions?? Lay off the guy and let's have some patience people...Anyone who seriously would consider trading this superstar doesn't understand the game of basketball. Plain and simple. Carmelo will win numerous titles with this franchise in due time.

  • May 21, 2008

    12:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    azazin15 writes:

    nuggets are not doing a good job on building the team around MELO. they been signing some bad contracts... all they need to do is get some complementary players that can play with melo and everything will be okay.. AI dribles to much.I think what they should do in the offseason is sign a big pointguard, play Ai at no.2, melo at 3, k-mart 4 and camby at 5... with a bigger point guard,no mismatch problem..

  • May 21, 2008

    8:09 a.m.

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    JGagnon19 writes:

    Numerous titles with 'Melo...that's laughable.

    And Alex English got farther in the playoffs than Melo ever has, so don't pretend to "understand the game of basketball" by citing some ridiculous fodder like "Carmelo is the best thing that has ever happened to the Denver Nuggets franchise".

    He's a good player, when he wants to be. Otherwise, he's just another NBA stereotype: a primadonna who cares more about his paycheck than winning with his teammates.

  • May 21, 2008

    8:27 a.m.

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    mark79trans writes:

    "Can't play man-to-man defense, slow first step, doesn't rebound, won't muscle and doesn't leap small forwards, never mind tall buildings, in a single bound. We know this is true because Anthony has actually been detected doing, or not doing, these things."

    This pretty much sums up Marsh-MELO.

    I hope Karl puts this clown on the bench until he grows up.

  • May 21, 2008

    9:19 a.m.

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    italiantony writes:

    hey there JGagnon19, "Mr. I know every thing about basketball", all MeloMan1555 was trying to say is that it took time for even the greatest basketball player to accomplish things...age 25. yes Melo is the greatest thing to happen to the nuggets for some time now. Now not taking any thing away from Alex, he was one of the best players to play for the nuggets (both players in there prime, I'd put Thompson in front of him) but he did not take the nuggets to the playoffs till he was 28... also mind you that the nuggets he took to the playoffs the roster included Dan Issel, Kiki Vandeweghe, T.R. Dunn, AND David Thompson.

    boy no one was really that much on Lebron when he couldn't even make the playoffs in a weak division while Melo was taking his team to the playoffs every year he's been in the league.

  • May 21, 2008

    10:32 a.m.

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    milloy36 writes:

    I thought the Iverson deal was supposed to lock an NBA title up for us. It will never happen. And I still want this reporter to write a story about lying and cheating sprotswriters that can ruin peoples lives with the stroke of a key. The Patriot's didn't end my world. But the lying sportswriter tried too and no one says a word.

  • May 21, 2008

    12:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    clos777 writes:

    Trading Melo would be mistake for the Nuggets. Lets not forget how many playoff apearences we had the decade before he go here.

    I feel Melo is being dumped all the blame for the teams losses during the playoffs, the blame should go all around for the nuggets organization.

    -They trade for AI and they did not need another ballhog who does not play defense. Andre Miller got the Nuggets to the exact same place as they have with AI.

    -Kmart is way overpayed for the type of player that he is, a big part why they have salary cap problems.

    -speaking of salary cap, Nene is another high salary who has yet to be on the court for at least 80% of a season.

    -They did not trade at the deadline for defensive players or for a true point guared, when everyone knew that is what they needed to make a run.

    -Karl cannot make game time adjustmenst, other coaches constantly adjust defenses to stop the Nuggets and Karl does nothing to make adjustments and sits on his a$$ with his usual smerk as the Nuggets go thru a collapse.

    -How many games did we see the opponents coach on the sideline giving instruction and Karl just sat on his chair and did nothing.

    -why have bench if you do not use it. Diawara is a very good defensive player and who did get used at all, even when the team really needed a defensive guy. I understand the guy is not a scorer but why do you think Bowen with the Spurs gets so many minutes even without being a point scorer, because he shuts the opponents best player out.

    by no means am I saying that using Diawara would have won the Nuggets the series but just an example of not using the weapons you have available to you.

  • May 21, 2008

    1:52 p.m.

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    cap writes:

    Our problems aren't with Melo and AI. I really feel that our starting lineup last season was bad offensively other than AI and Melo. Maybe they felt they were the only scoring options. It was obvious!!! When JR or Kleiza would come in, the ball was passed and shared more by AI and MELO(when he was in at the same time as Kleiza).
    We need another big man besides NENE that can shoot!!!!!

  • May 21, 2008

    2:32 p.m.

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    GGRR writes:

    I agree that the Nuggets need to give Melo more time. I think as far as physical intelligence goes, he's a genius, one of the top guys in the league for raw ability. It's his basketball smarts that are lacking. He need to develop better decision making abilities, on and off the court. And he should definitely hire a full time driver.

  • May 21, 2008

    4:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    dakar writes:

    I used to be a big Melo fan but he's proven the only things he's great at is getting into trouble. He doesn't lead the team and he's not even that great a player. Let the Nuggets find someone better.

  • May 21, 2008

    4:45 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BMat writes:

    If you're gonna trade him you gotta get a superstar, not just a hard worker with a lunch pail.

    Anthony of the chubby cheeks, not-his-back-pack full of weed, DUI's and all else was a number three pick in the NBA draft. If you don't get that back for him you're just giving away the farm.

    He'll be as tough to move as AI was for Philly. It may take years.

  • May 21, 2008

    7:23 p.m.

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    Vandala writes:

    You defenders of this bum have got to be kidding. The measure of a truly great player is that they make the other players better around them. If you having an off night shooting, rebound, get assists....how about defense??? So if you "fans" want to keep on sticking up for the Melo man go ahead and give him a free ride.....if we knew it would take over 5 years to get good why did they give him so much money day one??? Glad you fans are not running my money affairs.

    Btw, am I the only one who thinks Melo is fat....look at his face, his build, etc......doughboy. Oh that's right he is only 23...still gotta grow up. Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Jordon...they at least look in shape and did when they were 23.

  • May 22, 2008

    4:15 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockiesWin writes:

    Go ahead a keep Melo....They will never, I repeat NEVER win a title with him here!!!

    He is a sham of a "superstar". Selfish, no defense....yeah I'd keep him.

    TRADE HIM NOW!!!!

  • May 22, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

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    rocketryder writes:

    I'm laughing at all ya'll that are defending Melo and continuing to give this dude a free ride.

    "Carmelo is the best thing that has ever happened to the Denver Nuggets franchise. Plain and simple. He'll be 24 at the start of the upcoming season....Michael Jordan did not win a single playoff series until he was 25...Any questions?? Lay off the guy and let's have some patience people...Anyone who seriously would consider trading this superstar doesn't understand the game of basketball. Plain and simple. Carmelo will win numerous titles with this franchise in due time."

    What? That's a sorry excuse and stance Meloman. It's not all about winning. A lot of it is about your development, maturity, and committment to getting better. You're right, Jordan didn't win a thing until he was 25. However. He was also the unquestioned leader of the Bulls wayyyy before they won a title. You could also see pointed improvements in Jordan's game on a yearly basis. He was maturing and getting better before our very eyes every year. Each year the Bulls got bounced, the next year Jordan came back hungrier, focused, and better than the year before. Can we say that about Melo? Nope. So seriously. Please do not disrespect Jordan by even mentioning him and Melo in the same sentence ever again. Let's look at other young players:

    KG. Came straight outta high school. Hasn't won anything either, but each year he has been in the league, he has improved and matured. Hs been, and still is the unquestioned leader of every NBA team he's been on.

    Amare Stoudemire. Came straight outta high school. Was selfish and aloof his first two seasons in the league. Has matured, and has developed himself and his game into a damn near unstoppable force. Has developed leadership qualities, and is regarded as probably the best PF in the NBA.

    Lebron James. Really don't need to talk about him and what he has turned into.

    Point is, Melo has had enough "me" time. The others that I mentioned came in young, but they matured. Quickly. So it can, and has been done. Melo is still the same Melo he was at The 'Cuse; just 20 pounds heavier. You see, Melo shoulda grown up and matured as soon as he signed that contract. He wants to be paid like the man, and paid like he's the franchise, but wants none of the responsibility and expectations that comes with that. It's like he's stuck in a developmental timewarp.

  • May 22, 2008

    10:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TONE writes:

    I got it the perfect trade for you all. Melo and Camby for Wade and 'the Matrix', now that would be a no brainer. Hmmm.... Maybe the Heat might just take it. NOT!!!

    I feel Melo can still come around, but I just can't see him and AI together. That combo deal doesn't work. They need a true point and another shooter with Melo. They need more role player and not superstar.

    TEAM = 'Together Everyone Achieve More'

    Now let dream about this, what if Phil Jackson was coaching the Nugget. Do you think he can get us pass the 1st round. I think we'll be fighting for the Western Final. Maybe we might be thinking about a new motivater.

    I just hope the Nugget can find some kind of answer for this coming season, but as of right now, I can't really see how it's going to change, 'Luxary Tax'.

  • May 22, 2008

    10:25 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    rocketryder writes:

    Meloman said:

    "Anyone who seriously would consider trading this superstar doesn't understand the game of basketball. Plain and simple. Carmelo will win numerous titles with this franchise in due time."

    Let's see: A 6'8 240 pound softie who has no desire to rebound despite his big body, has NO desire to play defense, has NO leadership qualities despite being the face of the franchise. Has a selfish, me first attitude, doesn't drop any assists, cannot and does not care to make his teammates better. Has a one dimensional game which often leaves him with more shot attempts than actual points. Has no concept of accountability, and and accepts responsibility for nothing. Loves receiving the credit, but wants none of the blame. Even when he plays terribly. Has had more than his share of brushes with the law, and you can no longer trust him behind the wheel of a car.

    Meloman, you're right. EVERY team needs one of those and the Nuggets would be stupid to get rid of a player with those qualities.

  • May 22, 2008

    6:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jacksplack writes:

    I'll make this easy for you guys.
    Three teams, Nuggets Raptors Heat.
    Nuggets get Shawn Marion and the #2 pick from Miami, Toronto gets Melo Udonis Haslem and Marcus Banks, Heat get Calderon Bosch Camby. Live that Dream!!

  • May 22, 2008

    8:33 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Vandala writes:

    rocketryder has said it better than anyone could.....defenders of Melo...rebuttal??? thought so.