Through his assistant, Mikhail Prokhorov apparently denied that the Nets have re-entered trade talks with the Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony.

"Mikhail has not changed his mind," the assistant wrote.When asked if that meant that New Jersey's owner is not interested in continuing his team's pursuit of Anthony, she replied as follows: What I said is what I said. Not what you said."

Reports surfaced on Wednesday and Thursday that the Nets were again engaged with Denver and the discussion was advancing.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: One minute Carmelo Anthony is on his way to the New Jersey Nets as part of a seven player blockbuster trade.

One minute later, the deal is off –and the Nets are maintaining their stance about not giving away the farm to the Denver Nuggets for Anthony.

What report to believe? Well, the truth is in the middle. On paper, a deal between the Nets and Nuggets makes sense.

Mikhail Prokhorov, also known as Russia’s richest man, needs to make headlines before his Nets bolt New Jersey and move into their new billion dollar Brooklyn digs.

Nothing would get the basketball world talking like the Nets acquiring and resigning Anthony, especially if they upstage the rival New York Knicks.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets know Anthony won’t sign an extension to stay in the Mile High City. They have to make a trade before the February 24th deadline.

If there’s no trade, the small forward will become a free agent at season’s end and head for New York. The Nuggets would get nothing back and become like the 2011 Cleveland Cavaliers and the Toronto Raptors post Chris Bosh.

In short, the Nuggets have to cut a trade. The Nets have the best assets.

Unfortunately, both teams know the other’s hand. And the Nuggets and Nets are determined to play hard ball with each other.

Perhaps a deal happens; perhaps not. These teams will have another conversation or two before the trade deadline passes.

Just don't either side to admit it. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

Still, he wonders what the future holds. I'm in a tough situation," Smith said. "They don't really know what they want to do, as far as what direction they want to go in — if they do (trade) Melo or if they don't. So it's tough for me in my position because I don't know where I stand. So, you just have to keep playing it out and see how it looks."

Recent rumors indicate that the Nuggets would like the Knicks to include Raymond Felton in a package for Carmelo Anthony, with Chauncey Billups ending up in New York as part of the deal as well.

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A report from ESPN on Tuesday indicated that the Lakers and Nuggets were holding preliminary discussions about a trade involving Carmelo Anthony and Andrew Bynum.

"What's out there is inaccurate," said a Lakers representative familiar with the negotiations. Denver is also in discussions with the Knicks, the team Anthony is reportedly set on playing for by the 11-12 season.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It sounded too good to be true. Glamour franchise gets glamour scorer and only gives up a talented but brittle center.

And it was.

The Los Angeles Lakers have shot down reports they were considering sending Andrew Bynum to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Carmelo Anthony.

The Lakers likely denied these reports because the Nuggets had little interest in Bynum, a massive five-man who has never fulfilled his considerable potential because of injury.

The only thing about an Anthony-for-Bynum swap that made sense was the money: their annual salaries were a rough match under the NBA’s salary cap.

Contracts aside, this idea was flawed.

For instance, the Nuggets would not give up their superstar and franchise face for an injury prone post with two years remaining on his big-ticket contract.

Instead, the Nuggets want expiring contracts, blue-chip prospects, and/or draft picks for Anthony. Bynum is none of these.

The Lakers have struggled of late; however, sacrificing Bynum’s size for Anthony’s scoring is hardly the answer. After all, Anthony is a shot-first, option-A player.

He doesn’t defer. In fact he can’t defer. And last I checked the Lakers already had the ultimate Alpha-Male scorer in Kobe Bryant.

Then there’s the issue of protecting the paint. The Lakers won game seven of last year’s NBA Finals in large part because Bynum, despite being hurt, controlled the glass against the Boston Celtics.

Without their starting five, the purple-and-gold would be vulnerable against bigger, physical squads, especially in a down-and-dirty playoff series.

Finally, Anthony will opt-out at the end of the season and become a free agent. Would Anthony re-sign out west? And would the Lakers offer an extension for the maximum available under the new financial system?

Expect the Nuggets to go in a different direction when trying to move Anthony. Expect the Lakers to also go in a different direction with any trade deadline upgrades.

--Oly Sandor.

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In the three-team package, the Knicks would be giving up Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract. That would seem too good to be true, and one person familiar with talks said there could be other pieces involved.

"I don't think we have anything going, but we're getting a feeling for possibilities,'' Walsh said before the Knicks played the 76ers at the Garden. "We have a better feeling for what's going to happen.'' In Donniespeak, that means things have progressed, with the trade deadline still a very long 19 days away. The Nuggets would get a first-round pick, Chandler and Minnesota's Corey Brewer, but the feeling is they would have to gain more for this deal to take place.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Trading for Carmelo Anthony makes as much sense for the New York Knicks as re-hiring Isiah Thomas.

Maybe less.

After all, Anthony wants to suit up for the Knicks. He’ll take less of everything – shots, cold hard cash, and spotlight- to call Madison Square Garden home.

Why give up an expiring contract, Eddy Curry, and two young assets, Wilson Chandler and Anthony Randolph, when Anthony will sign as a free agent and cost nothing but money?

Speaking of money, Anthony will cost less as a free agent. Suppose the Knicks acquire Melo before the February 24th deadline. They would need to honour the final year of his max contract and extend him under the old Collective Bargaining Agreement.

So Anthony would make $18 million in 2012 and possibly $20 million per year from 2013 to 2016.

Suppose the Knicks hold off on a trade. To become a free agent, Anthony would have to opt-out of the last year of his current contract and leave $18 million on the table.

His next contract would fall under the new CBA, which will reduce all player salaries –even those paid to superstars.

Waiting for Anthony would cost the Knicks far less in terms of assets and money. It’s the smart, prudent move.

Unfortunately, there are rumblings Thomas will return to New York and replace executive Donnie Walsh, despite causing nothing but mayhem and destruction.

Perhaps Anthony becomes a Knick before February 24th.

--Oly Sandor.

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Several sources told Yahoo! Sports that Carmelo Anthony’s agent, Leon Rose, has recently begun informing teams that the All-Star forward is interested in signing a contract extension with only the New York Knicks.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Carmelo Anthony’s representatives are confirming the worst secret in sports. One way or another, the three-man will play for the New York Knicks.

Forget the Chicago Bulls or New Jersey Nets; same with the Denver Nuggets. Anthony has his heart set on Madison Square Garden.

The only thing left to be settled is when and how much: when will the All-Star suit up in New York? And how much will it cost the player and team?

Anthony’s representatives have hurt his trade value by making it known he’ll only sign an extension with the Knicks.

This changes Anthony’s situation, making him a two month rental for most teams since he can become a free agent in July. Perhaps a contender with a closing championship window, like Mark Cuban’s Dallas Mavericks, makes a deal before the February 24th trade deadline.

Perhaps the Knicks and Nuggets end this Melo-drama by swinging a deal before the deadline. The Knicks and Anthony would, of course, agree on an extension.

Here’s the most likely scenario: Anthony ends up waiting for the new Collective Bargaining Agreement to be settled, opts out of his contract and becomes a free agent, and promptly signs with the Knicks.

After all, why would the Knicks sacrifice young assets like Wilson Chandler and Landry Fields in a trade for Anthony when they can simply sign him this summer?

There is a twist. Signing with the Knicks as a free agent will cost Anthony. The new CBA will reduce the value of every NBA contract, including those given to superstars. Anthony will bank several million dollars if he can get to New York and agree to an extension before season’s end.

One way or another, Anthony will be a Knick. Timing and money are all that is left to be settled.

--Oly Sandor.

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With a belief the injured Allen Iverson won't return this season, Besiktas of Turkey tried and failed to sign Sundiata Gaines, sources say.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Is this his final answer?

Reports indicate Allen ‘The Answer’ Iverson won’t return to his Turkish club team this season because of a leg injury. Of course, next year has to be in doubt, too.

However, the real issue is whether Iverson retires or keeps trudging along, seeking a job overseas as a way to land one final audition with an NBA team.

The last few years have been tough on Iverson. There was his messy divorce with the Philadelphia 76ers; he and Carmelo Anthony never met expectations with the Denver Nuggets; Detroit and Memphis was a disaster; and his reunion with the 76ers was mixed.

Before getting injured, Iverson was having a mediocre season with a somewhat competitive Turkish squad.

Perhaps Iverson is at fault for the way his career is ending. But one of the greatest little men to ever play basketball deserves better than this.

--Oly Sandor.

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ESPN Radio reported Friday that the Nuggets rejected an offer for Carmelo Anthony from the Knicks that included Chandler, Fields , Eddy Curry and a first- round pick.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Complicated is the only way to describe the Carmelo Anthony saga.

Two days after the New Jersey Nets announced they were pulling out of the Anthony sweepstakes, the Denver Nuggets reportedly turned down the New York Knicks' offer of Wilson Chandler, Eddy Curry, Landry Fields, and a first round draft pick.

The Knicks’ offer does contain an expiring contract (Curry), two nice young players (Chandler and Fields), and a first-round pick; however, the Nuggets reportedly want multiple first round draft picks and a blue-chip prospect for Anthony.

If true, the Nuggets miscalculated. The Nets easily had the best offer: 'Team Russia' was willing to part with Troy Murphy’s expiring pact, multiple first round draft picks, blue-chip talent Derrick Favors, and combo guard Devin Harris.

Instead of being greedy and holding out for more from the Nets, perhaps the Nuggets should have made a deal. Now the Nets are out. And now the Anthony saga has become, you guessed it, complicated.

--Oly Sandor.

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Mikhail Prokhorov, owner of the Nets, announced at a Wednesday press conference that his team is ending negotiations on a trade to acquire Carmelo Anthony.

"It's been too long and too expensive," he said about the chase for Anthony. When asked if this was his final decision, he responded, "For sure." "It's my own decision," Prokhorov said. "(The Nuggets) had a very good proposal. They probably did their best to protect their interests."

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Carmelo Anthony isn't sure how things will end in Denver, but says he learned from LeBron James how not to leave a team. "I would never go about it the way LeBron did it," Anthony told Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Ian Thomsen.

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Uncharacteristically candid on the topic, Avery Johnson diffused reports stating Carmelo Anthony could join the Nets this coming week. "That's laughable," Johnson said about the reports. "It's straight comedy to me and that's the problem because we deal with this stuff everyday and I'm fine dealing with it, you know, but it's laughable. It's comedy.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: What can Avery Johnson say about Carmelo Anthony? After all, the New Jersey Nets’ sideline boss is in a no-win situation.

On the one hand, Johnson can’t admit the organization is trying to trade a third of the roster because the deal may not happen. And then Johnson would be stuck coaching players he tried to trade.

On the other hand, Johnson must be excited about the possibility of adding Anthony, Chauncey Billups, and Rip Hamilton to a roster that already has seven-footer Brook Lopez.

But again, he can’t say anything publicly about other teams’ players because that would be tampering.  Johnson is right, though. The Anthony saga is comedy. It’s laughable.

Sure, the Denver Nuggets’ swing is a talented, but the Nets seem a little too willing to put their season on hold to acquire him.

Hopefully, the Nets have a fallback. Anthony has mentioned more than once that his preference is to return home and play for the New York Knicks. He even called it the ‘ultimate’.

And Anthony has leverage in that he can opt-out of his contract at season’s end and sign with New York, the team of his choosing.

The situation is complicated for all involved, so Johnson has no choice but to laugh. In fact, it’s all he can do.

--Oly Sandor.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: You can criticize his attitude, but you can’t criticize his talent.

Once again, J.R. Smith has produced a highlight reel play, turning heads with an improbable reverse lay-up in the Denver Nuggets’ blow-out win against the Miami Heat.

Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.



--Oly Sandor.
 

Without specifying either the Knicks or Nets, Carmelo Anthony said on Friday that his "ultimate" dream would be to play in New York. "That's like the ultimate dream at the end of the day," Anthony said. "Who wouldn't want to go back home to play?"

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: New York, New York.

After months of keeping quiet and letting the internet news-cycle run wild, Carmelo Anthony finally stated his dream was to return home to New York and play for the Knicks.

Fair enough. New York is familiar. The Knicks are pretty good. Madison Square Gardens is legendary. And the city also happens to be the media capital of the world.

Now the parties involved –the Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Anthony, and possibly a third team like the Memphis Grizzlies- need to make this happen.

No more talking. No more hints. No more anonymous sources. Lock yourselves in a room and agree on a deal.

Of course, the New Jersey Nets and all other suitors must back off. After all, Anthony is a free agent, meaning he can pick where he wants to play at season’s end.

So the Nets could trade for him and have him walk at season’s end to sign with the cross-town Knicks.

Hopefully, this scenario scares off the Nets. And hopefully, a resolution to this Melo’ drama is coming.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Knicks have reportedly reached out to the Grizzlies to see if they would be willing to include O.J. Mayo in a three-team deal for Carmelo Anthony.

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The Nets are "further along" in talks with the Nuggets on a blockbuster trade for Carmelo Anthony than they have been ever before, according to sources. A three-team deal involving the Pistons that would include at least 15 players could be completed as soon as this week.

Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan was interested in making an offer to acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets until, sources said, the All-Star forward informed Jordan through a representative that he had no interest in playing for the struggling Bobcats or signing a contract extension with them.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: As a player, Michael Jordan had influence. As an owner, he doesn’t have the same pull.

For instance, controversial forward Carmelo Anthony has politely said thanks but no thanks to joining Jordan’s Charlotte Bobcats.

The star forward recently told The GOAT he had no interest in signing a long-term extension in small market Charlotte and becoming the Bobcats’ saviour, so Jordan shouldn’t bother trying to acquire him from the Denver Nuggets.

Fair enough.

So Jordan has created a quagmire in Charlotte. As owner and head of basketball operations, he seems either unable or unwilling to draft and develop players.

This means he must build his squad through trades and free agency –which is problematic. For instance, superstars and top talent, like Anthony, prefer major markets with filthy rich owners to Jordan’s poorer, small market Bobcats.

Unfortunately, Jordan is again learning the hard way that owning and running a team is very different than starring for one.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Mavericks are aggressively trying to acquire Carmelo Anthony, according to league source. Dallas isn't concerned about receiving any assurances from Anthony about signing a long-term deal after the season.

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Another player the Nuggets will likely move is shooting guard J.R. Smith, who has drawn interest from the Chicago Bulls.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: 30 teams love his talent and hate his attitude.

Of course, we’re referring to J.R. Smith, the skilled but outlandish two-guard for the Denver Nuggets.

Smith can play: he can sink the three-pointer with ease; he can attack the basket and poster-job opponents; and he can involve others with his passing.

He can also alienate with his attitude. For instance, Smith and Denver Coach George Karl don’t talk. Assistant coaches have acted as go-betweens for several years.

An opposing GM might be tempted to deal for Smith before the February trade deadline. He has toned down his antics and recently set the viral world ablaze with last week’s facial on Gary Neal.

Best of all, Smith’s $6 million per year comes off the books July 1st, so there’s little risk. His expiring contract will provide financial flexibility whenever the new Collective Bargaining Agreement is settled.

Enter the Chicago Bulls. They could use a little more offensive punch, especially with Carlos Boozer struggling to find his form after a pre-season injury.

The hold-up is Carmelo Anthony. The ‘Melo-drama’ is complicated and Smith’s contract may be needed to complete any trade with the New Jersey Nets or New York Knicks.

Bottom line: Smith’s future in Denver is uncertain.

--Oly Sandor.

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Despite reports that Carmelo Anthony doesn't want to play in Newark, the Nets haven't been told that and they continue to pursue the forward, according to multiple sources.

“Prokhorov is interesting, Jay-Z is interesting, the future of that organization is interesting,” Anthony said. “They’re moving to Brooklyn is interesting. There’s a lot there.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: I get the sense Carmelo Anthony is enjoying his moment in the sun.

For months, the spotlight has been on Anthony, his pending free agency, and where he’ll end up. The glare of that spotlight doesn’t affect him. In fact, it pleases him.

So Anthony tossed fuel on the New Jersey Nets fire, telling the Bergeron Record he finds the club’s owners, organization, and Brooklyn ‘interesting’.

Well, the feeling is mutual.

New Jersey has interest in Anthony. He’s a natural scorer. And his star power would help overshadow the Knicks when the team eventually crosses the river into Brooklyn.

However, Anthony won’t come cheap. The Denver Nuggets want Brook Lopez or Derrick Favors in a package that will include expiring contracts and draft picks.

Interest may not be enough to complete a trade. The speculation will continue, which means additional headlines and press for Anthony.

Something tells me he won’t have a problem with this. 

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe in the comment box below.  
 

If disenchanted Carmelo Anthony is still with the Denver Nuggets at trade time in February, look for the Timberwolves to make a serious run at him.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Delusional, crazy, and silly.

This is the only way to describe a reporter’s assertion that the Minnesota Timberwolves will, or should, chase Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony won’t ink an extension with Denver because they lack a co-superstar, play in a small market, and are thousands of miles from his home out east.

Consider the state of the Timberwolves: despite having young pieces, they lack a bonafide co-superstar; ‘The Frozen Tundra of Sota’ is the league’s version of Siberia; and Minnesota is far, far away from Anthony’s base of New York.

Of course, the Timberwolves can make a ‘run’ for the forward. They can even acquire him. However, they have zero chance at getting Anthony’s signature on a long-term extension.

So why bother? Think of the optics.

Suppose the Wolves pull off the impossible and land Anthony. They’d have to give the Nuggets young players, expiring contracts, and draft picks.

Come July 1st, Anthony walks as a free agent. In fact, he sprints away from Executive David Kahn and the Timberwolves.  

The forward will take less money to sign with the New York Knicks. Perhaps he’ll do the same for the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, especially if it means ditching Minnesota.

The Timberwolves would then have nothing to show for this sad saga –nothing except the shame of losing a superstar. Their have-not status would again be clear for all to see.

Like I said, it’s delusional, crazy, and silly. Here’s hoping the Timberwolves invest their time in more worthwhile pursuits.

--Oly Sandor.

Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.

"I have no worries, man," Anthony said. "Life is good." Life without Melo could still very much be on the horizon for Denver.

Anthony put his Denver-area mansion on the market this year and at his celebrity-filled New York wedding to TV personality La La Vazquez this summer, there was that now famous toast by New Orleans point guard Chris Paul about reuniting with Anthony in New York to form a super team along with Amare Stoudemire to counter Miami's trio of Dwayne Wade, James and Bosh.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s as cold as ice.

While the Denver Nuggets and their fans are concerned about losing Carmelo Anthony via trade or free agency, the superstar, himself, remains cool, calm, and collected.

In fact, Anthony has ‘no worries’. And why would he?

Despite never leading his team beyond the Western Conference Semi-Finals, Anthony holds considerable leverage over the Nuggets and potential suitors.

He’s perhaps the game’s best scorer. And he plays in an era when stars are treated like Greek gods, waited on hand-and-foot by teams and fans.

So Anthony has options: he can sign a max contract with the Nuggets or become a free agent in July, take a slight pay cut under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and pick his next home.

For Anthony, it’s a win-win. No wonder he has ‘no worries’.

--Oly Sandor.

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 For two weeks, the Knicks have been working on a deal that would include Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry and a first-round draft pick acquired from a third team. New York is also now more willing to part with Danilo Gallinari.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He could be sacrificed.

The New York Knicks may have to part with Danilo Gallinari to acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets.

Sure, the sharpshooter is a talent. His range spreads the floor. His mid-range game is developing. And each year his confidence grows.

This, however, is not enough to pass on a superstar.

Gallinari and Anthony play the same position: the three-spot. The Italian would become redundant on any squad with ‘Melo.

After all, Gallinari can’t switch positions. He’s too slow for off-guard; the Knicks gave Amar’e Stoudemire a cool $100 million to play power forward.

They could go small, though. The Knicks could give Stoudemire time at center, shift Anthony to power forward, and keep Gallinari at quick forward.

Unfortunately, moving Stoudemire to center – a position he never enjoyed while with the Phoenix Suns – would take minutes from promising rookie Timofey Mozgov.

In this situation, the simplest option makes the most sense. And Knick-nation must be willing to sacrifice Gallinari for Anthony.

--Oly Sandor.

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"He wants a place he can win," Boeheim told the Daily News Friday. "And I hope he can do that. He's in the prime of his career. He'd be a great foundation to build a franchise on."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Of course, Carmelo Anthony wants a place he can win.

He just wants to win on his terms. This means playing out east, preferably for a sexy franchise, and with a superstar pal or two.
 
If winning was the be all and end all, Anthony would give greater consideration to staying put. After all, the Denver Nuggets qualified for the 2009 Western Conference Finals.

In Denver, he’d steer clear of Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, the Miami Heat, and the revamped Eastern Conference. In Denver, he has table-setter and former NBA Finals MVP in Chauncey Billups. 

Separating fact from fiction is impossible with ‘Melo. On media day, he publicly stated he never asked the Nuggets for a trade -despite well-placed and reliable sources saying otherwise.

Anthony has also told reporters this is a ‘basketball decision’. MTV reporter and semi-celebrity LaLa Vasquez, Anthony's better-half, has a different take. She'd prefer a major market like New York or Los Angeles over Denver or Houston.

One conclusion can be made: Anthony gets it. He understands this is a public relations exercise. While he hasn’t handled things perfectly, he has been better than fellow superstar LeBron James.

So expect Anthony and his people to continue talking about 'winning' and 'basketball', even if it’s one part of where he ends up.

--Oly Sandor.

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“I still don’t quite comprehend exactly what’s going on and I don’t know if I want to comprehend what’s going on. Sometimes you get too much information. To me, I would just rather have ‘Melo and I on the same page and I think we are. The other thing is ‘Melo and I talked about if you were gonna be here I want to tell you what I was thinking about telling you. I told him that. I told him you gotta make a commitment to be a great player and make a commitment to make the next step to the next level. You still can make another step. The step I think that needs to be made is on the defensive end of the court and as a leader and a professional leader. Not a leader by voice, but by example and attitude.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: His smirk and attitude polarizes, but Coach George Karl calls it like he sees it. Usually, he’s right, too.

For instance, Karl didn’t ignore the trade rumors and speculation surrounding star Carmelo Anthony. Instead, he told Anthony to step up. And he had told the media about it.

The grizzled sideline boss informed his franchise face (for now) he must lead by 'example'' and 'attitude', not yelling. Karl believes this will help Anthony evolve.

Love him or hate him, Karl’s approach works. He won over strong personalities like Gary Payton and Shawn Kemp in The Emerald City, helping those Seattle Super Sonics advace to the NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls. The Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets both made the Conference Finals with Karl.

Karl, a former back-up point guard, is also right. Anthony has the potential to be much more than a scorer.

Whether in Denver or elsewhere, Karl wants him to take the next step.

--Oly Sandor.

-Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box.

"The Clippers recently offered Chris Kaman to the Denver Nuggets for Carmelo Anthony and got the same response."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They couldn’t be more different.

Chris Kaman is from rural Michigan, looks like a dude you’d find at monster truck rally, and has a meat-and-potatoes, low-post game.

Carmelo Anthony was raised in West Baltimore, has a marketable personality, and makes fans drool with the ease in which he puts the ball in the basket.

So naturally Kaman and Anthony may be swapped as part of a deal between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.

(Kaman would be the key part of a Clippers’ package that would likely include draft picks and expiring contracts).

Kaman, if healthy, is a solid, low maintenance center. He posts 20-10 numbers and blocks shots, too. Denver, however, would be hoping Kaman stays on-court and off the injured list.

This may be too great a risk for the Nuggets, especially if they’re parting ways with Anthony, their franchise face. (Recent reports indicate this was why the Nuggets passed on the Clippers' offer.)

This deal would work for the Clippers' marketing department. Melo’s star power would give Donald Sterling’s crew more of a local, national, and international following. 

The on-court dynamic might be more of a struggle.

Anthony would surely tire of chubby, underachieving point guard Baron Davis, who seems more committed to producing movies than winning basketball games.

The other complication is Blake Griffin. Anthony and the 2009 first overall pick are both 3-4 ‘tweeners’. Would these two gel in the frontcourt? And would Anthony hurt Griffin’s development?

Still, Kaman for Anthony is an interesting thought. It's just not a fit for either team.  

--Oly Sandor.

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Melo says he was booed at a WEC event in Broomfield on Thursday." First time in my life I've been booed."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Bravo Denver.

Carmelo Anthony attended his first event in Denver since his pending free agency and trade request became a scandal of Lohan proportion. And he got booed.

Like the rest of the world, Nugget fans are tired of ‘Melo’, too. They’re tired of the rumours, gossip, and speculation. And they want closure on the 24-hour updates with their franchise face on a plane out of town.

After all, what has Anthony won in the NBA? Well, nothing.

Sure, he’s a superb scorer, but he needed pass-first point guard Chauncey Billups to advance to the Western Conference Finals in 2009. Bottom line: Anthony’s pulling a diva act. While he’s very good, he’s yet to be great.

So keep booing Denver. It’s justified.

--Oly Sandor.

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Carmelo Anthony denied that he has requested a trade and said he plans to keep his options open until the end of the season. "I'm leaving my options open. At the end of the season, I'll sit down with my team; I'll sit down with the Nuggets," Anthony said. "I've never said I wanted to be traded," he said. "I never once said anything about trade talk. There's been a lot of speculation going on."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Ah, the old innocent routine.

Nobody believes Carmelo Anthony's denials that he had any part in off-season trade talks. For months, speculation has surrounded the superstar on where the Denver Nuggets might deal him.

Today, he reported to the Nuggets’ training camp. And today, he played the-hear-no-evil, see-no-evil-card with the media.

What else could Anthony do?

The Nuggets spent all weekend trying to deal him to the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, or Philadelphia 76ers. They failed.

So Anthony came to camp, where reporters peppered him with questions. They wanted to know his plans for the future. And he gave them nothing, except some song-and-dance about deciding at the end of the season.

It wasn’t believable. For now, it was enough.

--Oly Sandor.

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"We’ll see if he signs a reasonable extension and if he’s 100 percent happy that it’s where he wants to go," Bryant told Yahoo! Sports on Saturday. "If not, don’t make a move just to get out of the situation. ... Make sure it’s a move that you’re very happy in and you’re comfortable with."

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The Black Mamba has spoken.

Kobe Bryant, the NBA’s greatest player and resident OG, recently advised Carmelo Anthony on his situation with the Denver Nuggets.

Bryant's opinion makes sense: too often, players hastily swap one bad situation for another. Instead of weighing their options, they force trades, and aren't better off.

Wherever Anthony lands, it must be right. He has to win. Big time.

While this situation isn’t The Decision Part Deux, it has cast the superstar forward in an unsavoury light. Many fans are sick of the hourly updates, constant speculation, and comments from Mrs. Anthony.

So Bryant’s point is a good one: whether Anthony ends up with the New York Knicks or New Jersey Nets, he has to be sure.

If he’s unsure, why bother?

Anthony would soon find himself in the same predicament a few years from now. He’d be losing, He'd be miserable. And he'd be searching for an exit strategy.

Perhaps Anthony is spending the weekend reflecting on Bryant’s words. And perhaps this explains his reservations about joining the Nets.

--Oly Sandor.

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The price that the Nets would pay for Anthony in what would be a multi-team trade would be steep.

Yahoo said the Nuggets wanted power forward Derrick Favours, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft, and a protected 2012 first-round pick the Nets received from Golden State.

The Utah Jazz and Charlotte Bobcats also would be involved in the trade and Yahoo reported that the Bobcats would get all-star point guard Devin Harris from the Nets.

Charlotte would send forward Boris Diaw to the Jazz, who would send forward Andrei Kirilenko to the Nuggets. The Nets would also get point guard D.J. Augustin from the Bobcats.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The prodigal son may or may not return to his place of birth.

Word is the Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets trade rumor has hit a snag. Such is life when dealing with a diva/superstar and a four-team blockbuster that’s more complicated than those derivative mortgages that ushered in the global recession.

Here are a few of the issues:

•    Anthony, who can become an unrestricted free agent in July, has yet to agree to a multi-year extension with the Nets. No extension. No deal.

•    Anthony also isn’t sold on the Nets. He’s desperate to play with superstar pal Chris Paul, who hits free agency in 2012.

•    The Denver Nuggets aren’t ready to cut ties with Anthony, their ling-time franchise face. Although there’s been little movement on an extension, the Nuggets may want another shot at convincing the forward to stay.

•    The Charlotte Bobcats are having second thoughts on including young point guard D.J. Augustine. Right now, the NBA is stacked with point guards, but Augustine could still develop.

Make no mistake about it, this hinges on Anthony. If he wants to be a Net, the deal happens. All involved will acommodate.

Like the Nuggets’ offence, the ball is in Melo's hands. Everyone is watching to see what he'll do.

--Oly Sandor.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s not happening.

The New Jersey Nets are not trading Derrick Favors to the Denver Nuggets for embattled superstar Carmelo Anthony. The Nets love Favors’ upside, believing he could become an all-time great.

This development limits the soon-to-be Brooklyn squad’s ability to land Anthony. Remember, star big Brook Lopez is off the table. So the Nets have little to offer.

After all, Denver wants a young, blue-chip piece as part of any deal for Anthony. No Favors. No Lopez. No Anthony in New Jersey.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Chicago Bulls are interested in trading for the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, a league source told ESPNChicago.com on Thursday.

And while the source said that the team is holding internal discussions as to whether the Bulls would allow Joakim Noah to be part of any deal, Chicago has not reached a consensus. Another source close to the situation told ESPNChicago.com's Nick Friedell that Noah would not be part of an Anthony deal.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chemistry trumps talent.

The Chicago Bulls should remember this theory when pursuing disgruntled Denver Nuggets’ star Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony is talented. He’s a natural scorer, capable of dropping 25 points on opposing defences while barely breaking a sweat. And his panache, and style is marketable.

Adding a dominant player and personality like Anthony is also a risk. His need for touches and shots changes the chemistry and dynamics of any team he suits up for.

For instance, the Nuggets may hold out for Joakim Noah as compensation for Anthony. Losing Noah, their defensive anchor and gritty post, would change the Bulls’ identity.

Then there’s Carlos Boozer. Anthony’s score-first approach would impact Boozer, the club’s free agent signing this summer. Boozer is no longer a blue-collar big –like when he suited up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Like Anthony, he needs touches and shots.

Of course, the Bulls are Derrick Rose’s team. He’s the franchise face and first option. Initially, Anthony would have to defer to the third year point guard.

Is this something he would do? Is this something he can do?

Anthony has always been The Man. He might be reluctant to play second fiddle –even if it meant a long-term extension, playing in a major market, and suiting up for a competitive team.

So the Bulls are interested in Anthony’s talent. Fair enough. They should consider if he`s worth altering, or compromising, their chemistry.

--Oly Sandor.

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“For the rest of the time that I’m playing, I want to be playing for something,” Billups said. “I want to be trying to win a championship. I’m not the kind of guy who is just going to ride his career out, say, ‘I’ll play as long as I can and whatever happens, happens.’ No, that’s not me. I want to play for something. I want to play for the whole thing.”

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Memo to the Denver Nuggets. If you trade Carmelo Anthony, you’d better trade Chauncey Billups, too.

For the last few weeks, the Internet has been buzzing with speculation the Nuggets will deal ‘Melo and rebuild. And the thinking was Billups – the good soldier and hometown boy – would stick around to mentor the youngsters.

Think again.

Billups, even at 34, has plenty in the odometer. Remember, he never got regular minutes during his first five seasons in the NBA. And the veteran table-setter was traded several times before settling with the Detroit Pistons.

So Billups, while he still can, wants to compete for championships. Starting over isn’t an option.      

Trading Anthony will only be the start for the Nuggets. They’ll likely have to move Billups – their heart and soul – too.

--Oly Sandor.

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Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups plans to help recruit Carmelo Anthony to stay with the team after he leaves Turkey, where he's currently playing for the United States at the World Championships.

"Everybody knows that ‘I want Melo to be a Nugget’, and I would love for me to be a Nugget for the rest of my career and finish with him," Billups said Saturday.
"When I get back (from Turkey), I'm going to try to get back into the situation and hopefully keep Melo back in Denver."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Chauncey Billups will do his best to sell Carmelo Anthony on re-signing with the Denver Nuggets.

He’ll remind his teammate they made the Western Conference Finals in 2009. He’ll remind his teammate the bones of the 2009 team are in tact and only need to get healthy. And he’ll remind his teammate he can make the most money re-upping with Denver.

Billups, a top table-setter, can be convincing.

However, the former Finals MVP will have no answer, comeback, or retort when Anthony raises a few issues.

On and off court, the Nuggets are in transition. A new member of the Kroenke family is overseeing the team. Masai Ujiri was just hired to run the basketball operations. And Coach George Karl is battling health issues.  

Billups can still play, but is near the end of his run as an elite player. J.R. Smith is in the midst of another scandal. Chris Anderson and Nene aren’t healthy. Ty Lawson aside, there isn’t a talented youngster on the roster.

Of course, Anthony and his wife are from Brooklyn, New York. And both seem to crave the spotlight that goes with living in a major market.

So Billups’ sell job will likely be for not. Anthony, one way or another, isn’t staying in Denver.

--Oly Sandor.

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According to one report, the Nets are not willing to include Brook Lopez in an attempt to trade for Carmelo Anthony. But New Jersey's offer of Devin Harris, Derek Favors and draft picks may still give the Nuggets the best pieces in return for Anthony.

The Nuggets have had discussions with the Bulls that center around Luol Deng and Taj Gibson. The Warriors may offer Stephen Curry, Andris Biedrins and draft picks but are not sure that they will make Curry available. The Clippers are called a long shot with Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon the likely two targets whom Denver would look to acquire.

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In the midst of a slew of reports that at the very least suggest, and at the most definitively say, Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony is as good as gone, new executive vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri says the team still wants the high-scoring forward. "I love Melo," Ujiri said. "I grew up in this league with Melo, kind of. It was my first years in the league, and I watched him grow. The Denver Nuggets want to keep Melo, and that's our priority. Carmelo is the Denver Nuggets, he's the city of Denver. He's done so well on this team. So we're going to deal with the issue full force."

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: You’re hired. Now solve the Carmelo Anthony quagmire.

Last week, the Denver Nuggets brought in Masi Ujiri as their new head suit on the basketball side of things, and he stepped into the fire with the Anthony soap opera.

The superstar wants a change. He can opt-out next summer, become a free agent, and sign with the team of his choosing.

He’d prefer to force a trade, though, ink a long-term extension, and avoid a reduced salary when the next Collective Bargaining Agreement inevitably scales back the big-tickets superstars can earn.

So the speculation has been rampant. Nothing Ujiri says will be enough to convince Anthony to stay. He’s gone. It’s a done deal.

However, professing his love for Anthony is smart. It defuses the situation and buys the Nuggets time to get squeeze greater compensation from suitors in a trade.   

Hopefully, it works. Ujiri’s first test in the Nuggets’ front office will be his greatest.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Wizards recently made a call to the Nuggets to check on the availability of Carmelo Anthony, according to a league source. The source added that the same phone call was made by "29 teams. Carmelo is pretty good."

Yahoo! Sports reported Thursday that following a conversation with Denver management, Anthony made it clear that he wants to be traded.

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According to Yahoo! Sports, the Nuggets look ready to part ways with Carmelo Anthony who has made it clear he wants out of Denver. Anthony's camp has advised the Nuggets to deal the superstar forward since he plans to leave as a free agent next summer.

The relationship has become contentious, with Anthony's representatives making heavy-handed demands and Stan Kroenke responding in kind. "It’s almost a given they’re going to move him," said a team executive who has talked with both the Nuggets and Anthony’s agents.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Carmelo Anthony saga has hit the Denver Nuggets at an inopportune time.

George Karl, the coach, is battling cancer, so his future is uncertain. Masai Ujiri, the GM, is brand spanking new. The Kroenke family, the owners, are shuffling who oversees the various holdings in their empire, which includes the basketball team.

The Nuggets are in flux. Anthony - or any superstar - wouldn't sign a multi-year extension under such dire circumstances

The only thing harder than re-signing Anthony: getting equal value in a trade.

Consider Ujiri's predicament. He’s new. He has no leverage since Anthony can bolt as a free agent in July. Opposing GMs will likely lowball the former Raptors’ executive. And it’s never easy to get fair compensation when moving a superstar.  

Help will also be limited. Karl is trying to get healthy, while the Kroenke clan are preoccupied with buying the NFL’s St. Louis Rams.

At least, the Nuggets have decided to trade Anthony. However, the hard part, the actual deal, is just starting.

--Oly Sandor.

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"We were called to that location about an incident possibly involving Mr. Smith. When we got there, the officers conducted their investigation. It did involve Mr. Smith."

Numerous players were taking part in drills when members of the Nuggets' coaching staff told the player who later called police to be physical with Smith.

"They were just wanting the guy to be physical with J.R., telling the other guys, 'Hey, body up on the guys and really make them work,'" the source said. "J.R. just lost it. He tried to choke the kid, and the kid called the cops."

HoopsVibe’s Quick Call: The truth has come out. It always does.

J.R. Smith was recently involved in an altercation with an unnamed player at the Denver Nuggets’ practice facility. Smith allegedly choked ‘player X’ for being overly aggressive in a drill, even though the coaching staff encouraged intensity.

The police were called. It was ugly. 

This is the final straw. After all, the talented but temperamental guard doesn’t even speak to coach George Karl, and his behaviour has constantly confounded and frustrated the Nuggets.

It’s no coincidence recent reports had the club looking to trade Smith. It was assumed the Nuggets were shopping him because they were considering rebuilding or clearing cap space.

Instead, they realized Smith will never grow up, will never mature, and will never reach his potential. Unfortunately, the rest of the NBA realizes this, too.         

--Oly Sandor.

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