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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Another league source said Anthony, "in his heart," would like to stay in Denver but has lost faith in the team's direction.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is just the latest evidence superstar Carmelo Anthony will leave the Denver Nuggets. One way or another, he’s gone.

After seven years in Denver he’s developed emotional ties to the city, organization, and state, but the future is bleak.

For instance: point guard Chauncey Billups, while still effective, is aging; Coach George Karl’s future is uncertain due to his battle with cancer; Ty Lawson aside, there’s a lack of young talent; and there’s not even an executive to right this sinking ship because Phoenix's David Griffin turned down the GM job.

While Anthony’s heart is saying Denver, his head is saying Houston.

--Oly Sandor.

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Anthony has hesitated to sign a three-year, $65 million extension and expressed intrigue with opting out of his contract next summer to become a free agent. Despite significant speculation the New York Knicks are the team that Anthony would most likely want to join, two sources close to him insisted the Knicks have been overstated as an object of his desire. Privately, Anthony has expressed more enthusiasm over joining the Houston Rockets than the Knicks, sources said.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: For Carmelo Anthony, it's not all about New York.

Recent reports indicate Anthony is lobbying for a trade to the Houston Rockets, which would leave the Knicks in the cold. 

This is a surprise, but not a shock.

The Knicks lack the parts to trade for Anthony, so team and player would have to link up in July when the superstar hits free agency.

This may be too great a risk for Anthony, especially with a three-year, $65 million offer on the table from the Denver Nuggets. The Collective Bargaining Agreement expires next summer, and a new CBA would likely reduce the salary Anthony could earn as a free agent.

The star is trying to protect his earning power by engineering a sign-and-trade. And it explains why Anthony is considering taking the Nuggets' money and heading south to the Rockets.

The Rockets possess the assets to trade for Anthony and can still provide a solid supporting cast. He'd also remain in the Western Conference, away from the Boston Celtics' veterans, the Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard, and the Miami Heat's Three Kings.

Bottom line: Anthony isn't sleeping on Houston. Neither should we.    

--Oly Sandor.

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Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith is on the trading block, according to an AOL FanHouse report. Smith, a six-year veteran, is entering the last year of a contract that will pay him $6.03 million this season.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: This relationship wasn't ending well.

J.R. Smith has always had a contentious relationship with Denver Nuggets' coach George Karl. Smith is new school; Karl is old school. Both are stubborn.

Things are so bad that they don't speak directly, communicating through an assistant coach. Such an arrangment is dysfunctional, so it's no surprise his expiring contract is available.

The timing isn't surprising, either. Smith is Carmelo Anthony's close friend. For years, the Nuggets' franchise-face protected Smith like a little brother, ensuring the organization tolerated his immaturity.    

No more.

Lately, Anthony, who can opt-out of his contract and become a free agent next July, has been linked to trade rumors with the New York Knicks. His time in The Mile High City is ending, as an extension is unlikely.

Anthony's uncertain status has made moving Smith a possibility. Other dominoes will surely fall once 'Melo's situation is clarified.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Nuggets are expected to sit down with Carmelo Anthony soon after they hire a new general manager. The Denver Post reports that the team is likely to name a new general manager next week, with former Suns executive David Griffin the leading candidate.

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Us being in New York is a possibility," LaLa said. "It depends on Melo's career and where it takes him. There's a lot of talk about the Knicks, I mean, there's a lot of teams out there, he's a great player and I think collectively we just need to think about what makes sense for our family. But I would never say that being in New York is not an option. I'd be lying to you if I said that."

HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Their interest in the New York Knicks is understandable.

LaLa Vasquez and Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony have ties to the east coast. Both were born in Brooklyn. She was raised in New York; he spent his formative years in Baltimore and won an NCAA championship at Syracuse University.

So we get it. They’re connected to The Big Apple.

Then there’s the culture de jour of the NBA. Today, most superstars want to play in sexy markets for big revenue teams who’ll spend to win. In fact, they believe this is their divine right.

Translation: New York, the Knicks, and Madison Square Gardens appeal to Vasquez and Anthony.

But ‘Melo has a contract. For 2011. With Denver. And he doesn’t become a free agent for ten months, and then, and only then, will he get to pick his next home. All the chatter is premature.

Of course, a trade could happen. Key word: could. The Nuggets – not Anthony or Vasquez – will make this decision.  

Until the organization that has supported and paid him so handsomely makes this call, Anthony and Vasquez should tone things down.

Anthony needs to release a statement saying he won’t discuss the future because he’s focusing on the upcoming season, while Vasquez needs to avoid the press.

Not only will the league’s power couple look professional, it will provide a much needed cooling off period for the Nuggets and Knicks to, perhaps, swing a trade.

After all, such a trade is complicated. The Nuggets would be cutting ties with their franchise face. The Knicks would have time to find an appropriate mix of assets to offer.

Bottom line: the publicity, the 24-hour Carmelo Anthony news cycle, the gossip, the rumors aren’t in anyone’s interest.

In fact, it’s only making a migration to the NYC more complicated for Vasquez and Anthony.

--Oly Sandor.

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If the Rockets or Nets can present an offer that is agreeable to the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony is open to being traded to, and signing a long-term extension with, one of these two clubs. The story was reported by Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, citing multiple league sources familiar with the situation.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: If Carmelo Anthony wanted to stay with the Denver Nuggets, he would've taken their three-year, $65 million contract offer.

This thing would've been signed, sealed, and delivered long ago. There's no deal and the speculation is hitting fever pitch.

After all, reports indicate Anthony has zero intention of re-upping with Denver. Instead, he wants to opt-out of his contract next July, hit free agency, and pick his new home.

So the Nuggets have two options. First, they can ignore the headlines, hope the seemingly inevitable doesn't occur, and pray that Anthony re-signs.

This is unlikely, and will result in Anthony's pending free agency becoming such a distraction the season will be compromised. Then he'll leave.

Second, they can accept the inevitable and trade him for a new cast of players to surround star point guard Chauncey Billups. The list of suitors for Anthony reportedly includes the Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic.

The Nuggets should be able to find a deal to their liking. In fact, it seems they don't have much choice.

--Oly Sandor.

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A "methodical connecting of dots" is beginning to paint a grim picture in Denver. These are some of the dots: Carmelo's selling his Littleton estate; the constant reports of Anthony telling friends that he wants to play for the New York Knicks; his New York wedding; his East Coast upbringing; summer trade talk that has cropped up twice in his time in Denver, which hasn't always made him feel wanted; oh, and not signing a contract that averages around $21.6 million per year for the next three years, a sizable amount of money that he may not be able to earn under a new collective bargaining agreement.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s starting to feel inevitable.

Perhaps, Carmelo Anthony passes on the Denver Nuggets three-year, $65 million extension and takes less money and term to sign with the New York Knicks.
 
One sign has been overlooked: the All-Star forward has been especially active in negotiating a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with owners. The old CBA expires next summer, which is when Anthony can become a free agent.

His participation in union-owner meetings shows Anthony is very much weighing what he’d have to sacrifice to leave Denver for New York. Heading east has crossed his mind.

Whatever his decision, Anthony must handle free agency better than a certain player selected ahead of him in the 2003 Draft (for the record, we’re not talking about Darko Milicic).

--Oly Sandor.

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Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is a free agent next summer and he has told friends that he's "eager to explore playing" for the New York Knicks when his contract is up, according to CBSSports.com.

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Will he ‘eagerly’ sacrifice millions of dollars to leave the Denver Nuggets and sign with the New York Knicks?

This, of course, is the important point. Not that Anthony likes the Five Burroughs. 

Carmelo Anthony, a free agent in 2011, obviously has his eyes on the bright lights of Madison Square Gardens and New York City.

After all, Anthony and wife Lala Vaszuez were both born in Brooklyn. The Knicks are a classic franchise with the resources to sign the scorer and provide a supporting cast.

Problem is, the current Collective Bargaining Agreement expires next summer. And NBA owners want a new CBA that limits the power superstars like Anthony have over franchises.

So the Nuggets will have even greater leverage over Anthony. Perhaps they’ll be able to offer him even more money than other teams. Perhaps they’ll be able to tack on an additional two years to his contract. Or perhaps the entire system changes and Anthony doesn’t become a free agent.

Eager or not, there are many factors to be determined before Anthony heads east for New York.

--Oly Sandor.

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Carmelo Anthony may soon face the same predicament close friend LeBron James was in -- playing for a club good enough to compete but not to win a championship. We all know what choice LeBron made, and Anthony could make a similar decision next year. Anthony has been long rumored to favor the Knicks, who didn't waste their remaining salary cap money on lesser free agents, choosing to save the cash. The Nuggets stayed relatively quiet in the offseason besides the additions of Al Harrington and Shelden Williams, and they don't look dramatically different from the team that lost in the first round to Utah in May. Unless the Nuggets make some dramatic moves over the next 12 months, they risk losing Anthony for nothing.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It could happen.

Carmelo Anthony could leave as a free agent. The Nuggets could get nothing back. And the city of Denver could get angry with Anthony like Cleveland did with LeBron James.

However, two things work in the Nuggets' favour. First, there isn't a crew of superstars to lure him from Denver. The New York Knicks have cap space, Amar'e Stoudemire, and play in the media capital of the world.

They don't have a once in a generation swingman like Dwyane Wade, though.

Second, a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is coming next summer, likely before Anthony hits free agency. The new CBA will surely give teams' greater power in retaining top free agents because owners are frustrated with the leverage superstars have.

So Anthony may have to sacrifice significant money and/or term to leave Denver for the New York Knicks.

This could still happen. Anthony could also decide to take the most money available and re-sign with the Nuggets

--Oly Sandor.

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Carmelo Anthony is not expected to sign an extension with the Nuggets this summer, according to sources close to the situation. "Sources close to the situation don't expect Carmelo Anthony to sign an extension with the Denver Nuggets this summer," Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld wrote on his Twitter page.
If Anthony doesn't sign an extension this summer, he'll hit the free agent market next July.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It is risky business -and we're not referring to that bad Tom Cruise flick from the eighties.

Carmelo Anthony could lose millions of dollars if he passes on the Denver Nuggets' three-year, $65 million contract extension and opts for free agency next July.

Of course, July of 2011 is also when the NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement expires. After the inevitable lock-out, a new CBA will be ratified, and all players, even superstars such as Anthony, will likely face a pay cut. The length of  their max contracts will also be reduced.

So the Nuggets, along with every team in the league, will have less to offer Anthony.

There's also the stumbling economy. If ticket sales and sponsorships don't improve, the free agent market will sag. The great equalizer is, as always, the New York Knicks. This wealthy franchise has the resources to offer Anthony the largest contract possible under whatever financial system is being used.

Relying on the Knicks is still a risk, though. It's one Anthony seems willing to make. 

--Oly Sandor.

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The Denver Nuggets reached an agreement in principle Tuesday night on a five-year, $34 million contract with free-agent forward Al Harrington, according to sources with knowledge of the deal.

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Appreciate the Love and Concern. But I'm taking my Talents to the MILE HIGH. Lol. Love Yall Lego DENVER!! Brett Meeny THX!

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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This is a good look for the Denver Nuggets, who are enduring free agent angst with Carmelo Anthony.

‘Melo hits the open market next summer, July of 2011. However, the Nuggets - with today's signing of Al Harrington - have begun the process of selling Anthony on staying long-term by inking an extension.

After all, Harrington is locked in for five years. He’s a versatile scorer, capable of producing in a starting role, if Kenyon Martin struggles with health issues, or coming off the bench as sixth-man.

Best of all, it shows the Nuggets want to win. It shows ownership - even in these tough economic times - will commit money and term to supporting pieces.

This is important with rumors swirling that Anthony is considering swapping George Karl and the Mile High City for  Amar’e Stoudemire and The Big Apple next summer, which coincidentally is Harrington's old team.

Today is the first step. Denver will have to impress Anthony for the entire season –if they hope to keep him.

-- Oly Sandor.

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Nuggets all-star Carmelo Anthony is expected to take Denver's three-year, $65 million extension offer, an NBA source said, but Anthony doesn't have a timetable as he prepares for his wedding Saturday and waits to see how the Nuggets bolster their beleaguered frontcourt.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Does he play it safe or gamble?

On the one hand, Carmelo Anthony could go conservative and take the security of the Denver Nuggets' $65 million offer. After all, the the league`s financial structure is bound to change with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

So this could be the best offer he gets. His Nuggets are competitive. And Denver is a beautiful city. Add it up, and it seems an easy decision.

On the other hand, there's a case for playing out his contract, and rolling the dice on the open market. Anthony would be the prize of the 2011 free agent class, and could pick his next home.

For instance, Anthony could officially join Amar'e Stoudemire and the New York Knicks. And the Nets - if they strike out with free agents this summer - may save their cap space and chase 'Melo next July.

However, Anthony's decision won't come soon. The forward will first pressure the Nuggets to upgrade their roster.

It seems next summer's free agent drama is starting now.

-- Oly Sandor.

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

Amar'e Stoudemire flew into New York yesterday, and he already is recruiting other stars around the league to join him on the Knicks. "I've talked to Carmelo Anthony to come out here, I've talked to Tony Parker," Stoudemire said last night after seeing a Broadway show. "Both those guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here, so I'm gonna see if we can work it out."

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Ah Amare, there are problems with your plan.

First, you haven't officially signed a contract with the New York Knicks. Nothing is on paper; there's no deal. And if LeBron James suddenly decided he wanted to ink a multi-year pact with the NYC, he would get to pick the big he wanted to partner with.

So Chris Bosh or even Carlos Boozer could be in. And you could be out.

Second, say you end up with the Knicks. Well, guess what? You've broken the NBA's tampering laws because Anthony and Parker have contracts with the Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs. They become free agents in July of 2011, and not July of 2010.

Perhaps, you were confused.

Fortunately, James Dolan has a relationship with Corporal Stern and the suits at league head office. He can probably smooth things over for you.

Third, you've thrown Anthony and Parker under the bus. These two may have privately expressed a desire to play in New York, but they expected these conversations to remain private and not end up in the news.

Anthony must now smooth things over with coach George Karl, Chauncey Billups, and Nugget fans, while Parker has to convince Tim Duncan, crazy coach Gregg Popovich, and the San Antonio Spurs that he's committed to winning an NBA Title in 2011.

After this, Anthony and Parker will feel they can't trust you. And if they can't trust you to keep hypothetical texts and private chats at the nightclub quiet, how can they trust you on-court as teammates? 

To be fair, you were probably excited about the possibility of signing in New York. This is understandable. The Knicks are a classic franchise. Madison Square Gardens is The Mecca of basketball. And forty-one evenings a year you'd get to rub shoulders with Spike Lee.

Now is not the time to revert to the immature antics of your past. Keep your cool. Remain a professional.

--Oly Sandor.

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The Nuggets are pressing Carmelo Anthony for a long-term commitment, because if he declines a three-year, $65 million contract extension now on the table, the team must consider trading its leading scorer.

Trade Melo? Would the Nuggets really part ways with a 26-year-old forward in the prime of his NBA career? Denver might not have any choice.

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HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: The Denver Nuggets are fearful of the Chris Bosh syndrome occurring with Carmelo Anthony.

For instance, 'Melo could pull a 'CB4' and leave 'The Mile High City' as an unrestricted free agent next summer to join a star-studded contending team.

This is the current trend in the NBA. The creme de la creme of players are in constant communication, scheming on building Dream Teams and trying for multiple championships.

So the Nuggets don't want to lose Anthony and getting nothing back. Their franchise face must quickly decide if he's in or out? Is he committed to Denver or looking to test the free agent waters? 

If he won't decide, the club, it seems, will decide for him.

Got thoughts?

"I'm in a battle. I don't have time to worry about people's feelings right now," Anthony said. "I'm trying to win." 

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"We can't let (Deron) Williams hurt us," Dantley said. "We have to take the ball out of his hands. That means when he comes down the court on the left side, we don't have three guys over here hugging on the guy on the weakside. That means sprint back to the paint, keep vision on Williams at all times." 

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