Aside from excellent two-way play by the Nuggets, the team turned around a trend of beating teams with bench depth. Denver’s starters all finished +10 or better, and Atlanta’s starters finished -10 or worse.
Three Nuggets scored 20+ points, led by Lawson (23) and followed closely by Felton (22) and Chandler (21). This new Democratic scoring approach has replaced the former ‘All Melo All the Time’ Denver offense.
The Nuggets won in Phoenix for the first time in seven years on Thursday behind a breakout performance by Ty Lawson.
“I’ve always said Denver is the place I want to end my career,†said Karl after inking his new contract. “This puts me one step closer to achieving that goal.â€
There are no words to express the gratitude and appreciation I have for Denver, the Nuggets and all the fans. You will always be a part of my heart.
In a matchup of two trade-worn teams, Denver showed that their workmanlike win over Memphis was no fluke. The New Look Nuggets downed the Celtics’ Original Big Three of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with the same great effort and a lot more depth.
Anthony took his shots here, and either through circumstance or generosity Carmelo replenished Denver with a whole host of playable/tradable young talents as he left. We should all think on him fondly, welcome him back once a year with cheers, and not begrudge him his opportunity to play every other night in the Manhattan basketball theater that is Madison Square Gardens.
We in the Denver sports community wish Melo the best of luck in New York, and should do so with class and sincere gratitude. Anthony’s desire to sign a lucrative contract extension this season, along with his willingness to involve the Nets in pressure-filled negotiations over All Star Weekend, made possible a trade that gives the Nuggets a chance to avoid falling out of perennial-playoff-contender status.
The Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks nearly swapped their entire rosters to get the deal done, but the deal is done, according to multiple reports.
In the deal, Denver gets Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks 2014 first-round draft pick, the Warriors’ 2012 second-round pick, the Warriors’ 2013 second-round pick and $3 million in cash. Heading to New York are Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.
Given the dramatic nature of these negotiations and the consequences of deals falling through, Anthony’s Melo-drama has quickly become the All Star Weekend Main Event.
