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Anthony mourns losing Iverson as teammate

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

Published November 3, 2008 at 7:12 p.m.

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They Said It . . .

"He's Mr. Big Shot. You can't take nothing away from Chauncey. I'm going to welcome him with open arms. . . . As long as we're winning, that's all that matters. I'm going to look good as long as we're winning. If he comes in and we're losing, everybody's going to look bad. As long as we're winning, he can start 90 games, 100 games."

Anthony Carter, point guard, who likely will move to the bench upon the arrival of Chauncey Billups

"We'll see. (Some) people said we were a better team when we got A.I. (in 2006), (some) people said we were a worse team when we got A.I. So we'll let the critics decide."

Guard J.R. Smith

"His resume is long, from hitting big shots to winning the championship to coming up big in the big games, to being a point guard and being that leader on the court. We're looking forward to that."

Forward Carmelo Anthony

"A.I. was a great teammate, definitely one of the best to play this game . . . but it's all about business. Maybe they think the Melo and A.I. combination didn't work out the way they thought and they decided to move on and make a change. A.I.'s definitely going to be missed."

Forward Linas Kleiza

"Everybody was shocked, especially me. . . . If we're better off, I don't know yet. . . . We're losing a great player and a great friend. It's still too early to tell, but Chauncey brings a lot to the table."

Forward Kenyon Martin

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Still hurting from having his wisdom teeth pulled last week, Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony felt a different kind of pain when he learned Allen Iverson had been traded to the Detroit Pistons.

In addition to losing a high-

scoring teammate Monday, Anthony lost a close friend.

"I went from having a headache to having a migraine when I found out," Anthony said.

"I had a great time playing with (Iverson). He's going to always be one of the best teammates that I ever played with. He's always going to be my friend. . . . I don't think I will ever have another experience like I did playing with A.I."

Since the day Anthony was drafted in 2003, veteran teammates such as Kenyon Martin, Marcus Camby and Andre Miller repeatedly referred to the Nuggets as "Melo's team."

Iverson echoed that sentiment upon his arrival on Dec. 19, 2006, but he and Anthony had no trouble co-starring for a 22-month tour that included Denver's first 50-win season since 1987-88.

At 52.1 points per game, the two were the highest-scoring duo in the NBA last season, but it was not nearly enough to prevent the Nuggets from losing in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth straight year.

"When he first came here, a lot of people were saying we can't play together," Anthony said. "For the most part, we proved that we can play together. Did it work out? Of course it didn't work out because we didn't win the championship."

Anthony and the Nuggets are hoping Denver native Chauncey Billups will be the answer to their first-round problems.

Billups won the NBA title with the Pistons in 2004 and fits the point-guard mold better than Iverson.

"He's a scorer's dream," said Anthony, who played alongside Billups on Team USA's Olympic qualifying team in 2007. "We're going to make it work to the best of our ability."

Anthony's emotions clearly were at odds as he talked about Iverson's sudden departure and Billups' pending arrival.

"I really don't know how to feel right now," he said. "I've got to move forward with my team, but in the back of my mind, it's like, 'Man, I just lost one of the greatest players . . . to ever play the game.' "

Dice man cometh - again

When Antonio McDyess was included in Monday's trade between the Nuggets and Pistons, it marked the fifth time in his 13 NBA seasons he has been involved in a transaction to join or leave the Nuggets.

It remains unclear whether McDyess actually will wear a Nuggets uniform again. He could retire, report to Denver or negotiate a buyout - and the latter two options appear the most likely. McDyess' arrivals and departures to and from the Queen City:

* June 28, 1995: After being drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the No. 2 overall pick, McDyess is traded to Denver for Rodney Rogers and the draft rights to Brent Barry.

* Oct. 1, 1997: Fearing they will lose McDyess to free agency in summer 1998, the Nuggets trade McDyess to the Phoenix Suns for three first-round picks and two second-round picks.

* Jan. 22, 1999: Despite the best efforts of some Suns teammates, McDyess opts to sign with the Nuggets as a free agent.

* June 26, 2002: Amid a major rebuilding effort, the Nuggets trade McDyess - and the draft rights to Frank Williams and a 2003 second-round pick - to the New York Knicks for Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and draft rights to Nene.

* Nov. 3, 2008: Nearing the end of his career, McDyess is included with Cheikh Samb in a trade that sends Denver native Chauncey Billups back to the Nuggets for Allen Iverson.

Comments

  • November 3, 2008

    8:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    azshadow writes:

    I loved Watching AI play. Now, I have little reason/interest to watch the nuggets. I've watched the nuggs sparingly before AI came in; then watched every single game when AI was here.

    Definitely going to miss seeing AI play and down at Dave n Busters every once in a while.

  • November 3, 2008

    8:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    azshadow writes:

    I'd rather the nuggets not ever win a championship than to trade Iverson.

    I'm sure most everyone may disagree but a lot of excitement was taken away when I found out AI was traded.

    Goodluck AI, thanks for the memories

  • November 3, 2008

    8:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    den2mke writes:

    One thing's for sure...If it doesn't work out w/Chauncey and Dice, Karl will have no place to hide...

  • November 3, 2008

    9:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    den2mke writes:

    Also, a little credit where it's due...The Nuggets brass (including Kroenke) have managed the situation post-Camby trade pretty well. While I'd still like to see Camby guarding the post and grabbing boards, Nene's development has benefited from the extra minutes (now, let's hope he can stay healthy).

    I'll miss AI's skills too, but they weren't ever going to win with the nucleus they had and Billups is the perfect fit. Now they can put JR, who's upside is only beginning to show, on the floor at his natural position and not have to give up assists or defense (in fact they gain in both!). Terrific move for the Nuggets and they still have a salary cap exemption to use if they choose.

  • November 3, 2008

    9:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    azshadow writes:

    I'm not entirely convinced that Billups will be a better fit.

    AI remains a MUCH better pure basketball player than billups.

    In two seasons, AI has become a better team player; and with the 3rd season with melo. things were looking brighter.

    I just won't enjoy watching nuggets games as much, that's for sure.

  • November 3, 2008

    9:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    SDcat writes:

    azshadow...agree 100% AI made me start watching the Nuggets again, even though I live in SoCal...sad sad sad day....

  • November 3, 2008

    9:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jlsportsfreak writes:

    Ok seriously people, if you look at this from a basketball standpoint, we just traded a ball hog for a point guard. If we needed a ball hog, AI's probably the best ever. But we've already got one of those. What we need is a true point who makes all the plays, makes huge shots, and has the size to be a legit defender to help this team. Billups may not be a better player than AI, but he is a better fit for the Nuggets without a doubt. And if you stop watching the team because of this, then you really weren't a Nuggets fan in the first place.

  • November 3, 2008

    10:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tantheman224 writes:

    Im with you sportsfreak cause bringing a hometown star in chauncey is everything the nuggets needed from the basketball standpoint and along with that he has a better defensive and team first attitude then AI which excites me much more to watch the nuggets again rather then being continually frustrated at AI dribbling down shot clocks basically killing any offensive rythm other teammats could have and no more tryin to hide AI on the defensive end!

  • November 3, 2008

    10:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tantheman224 writes:

    Oh and what kind of comment is the one that says id rather see the nuggets never win a championship then trade AI? are you kidding me? im pretty sure the point of playing the game is to win

  • November 3, 2008

    11:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    avsfan71085 writes:

    hey azshadow, the Spurs are boring as hell, are you telling me you would rather keep A.I than have all their championships? Boring or not, i wanna win and Billups will help melo, kleiza and J.R succeed.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Squatch writes:

    "I really don't know how to feel right now," he said. "I've got to move forward with my team, but in the back of my mind, it's like, 'Man, I just lost one of the greatest players . . . to ever play the game.' "

    "my team" You need to do a lot more than just say this is my team this team was handed to you but you havent proven you are a leader. This team will become Chaunceys team because you arent a leader which is fine you just need to accept it. The Olympic team is a fine example of your leadership ability if it wasnt for Kobe, Kidd & Chauncey that team wouldnt have had any leaders. Leaders are able to handle pressure and adversity not just score 26 points a game.

  • November 4, 2008

    11:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Snappa writes:

    If karl would have started AI at PG and JR at SG none of this crap would have happened... AI was willing to sacrifice his game to please George karl.. but that still wasnt enough because Karl chose to leave Anthony Carter... whatever... i hope this trade works out for both teams.... but i can only sit here and wonder how good the nuggets could have been if they kept ai, melo and jr together and had a different coach and a different starting lineup.... this news just makes me sick to my stomach, i honestly did not see this coming...

  • November 4, 2008

    12:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    cap writes:

    I agree with snappa-if the nuggets would have used their players correctly none of this would have happened. I will miss not seeing A.I. in a nugget uniform, but I will add Detroit as a team I will watch through League Pass. Good luck to the NUGGETS and the Pistons-GOOD LUCK A.I.