NBA On The Same Road As The NFL, Just A Different Direction

As the NFL finally takes the final junction off the lockout freeway, it appears that the traffic the NBA is enduring is not letting up anytime soon.

Since the start of July 1st 2011, the NBA has shut down its operation and players cannot have any contact with ownership or coaches. The talks to revive hopes of creating a new collective bargaining agreement have since dissipated into silence as both sides have no interest in resolving their issues in the near future.

On the other side of the spectrum, an agreement was finally reached after over 130 days went by since the NFL locked out its players. Realizing that the 2011 season could be lost if they didn’t work out their differences, both the player’s union and owners decided to bury the hatchet on squabbles and bring the public what they want: playing actual football this season.

Although the NFL was able to work out their differences during the longest lockout in the league’s history, a vision of compromise by both sides to end the lockout for professional basketball in America is much hazier at the moment.

The reasoning behind this issue is more understandable when looking from the perspective of the NBA players; they have multiple outlets to which they can produce an income and play basketball.

When it comes to visibility and popularity in sports on a global level, the guys that run on hardwood courts in shorts are bigger phenomenons than their helmet wearing, pigskin-playing athletic cohorts.

Football, arguably, is the most popular sport in America, but it is practically an unknown in discussions outside of U.S. soil. Americans undoubtedly know who Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Larry Fitzgerald, and Adrian Peterson are; but putting a name to a face would be like playing a game of “Guess Who” for anyone outside of the country.

The NBA, on the other hand, have standouts that are rock stars in other continents around the world. That is evident with the recent tournament held out in the Philippines, with the notable attractions being Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul. The event was a huge success, with the players bringing out huge crowds in a country they rarely, if ever, play in.

While the NFL has gone overseas (London) and south of the border (Mexico) to play various games during their regular season, the idea of seeing Manning and Peterson heading anywhere outside of the U.S. to play a tournament or a setup game is pointless because the appeal of their sport doesn’t cross over like the NBA’s does. Not only do mass quantities of players head from their native countries to play pro basketball in America, but Americans go to those same countries and play before foreign fans as well.

With this option in their back pocket, NBA players have alternatives that will allow them escape plans if the lockout continues to extend into the coming months. If the fans of the league want to watch their favorite players they are so fond of, they will most likely have to acquire international cable outlets to get a gander.

Deron Williams is already heading out to Turkey to play since the league appears nowhere near coming to a conclusion on their problems. Bryant appears to be pondering the notion of joining the Nets’ point guard and may ultimately sign on in the near future. Carmelo Anthony and Paul are also considering playing in China as their options during the lockout.

Others might even swap sports as a means of dealing with the break they get during this trying time.

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love will be losing his basketball shoes and running barefoot atop millions of grains of sand. The former UCLA star will be heading to Manhattan for a pro volleyball tournament event in August, which may possibly lead to future events in the sport.

Now that the NFL lockout is over, another star from pro basketball is thinking about trying to see if he can get back into an activity he hasn’t gone through since college. Nate Robinson may be one of the smallest players in the league, but with a five-foot, nine-inch stature and a previous history as a two-sport stud (he played both football and basketball during his time at the University of Washington), the NFL could be his new calling if the shut down of the NBA lingers.

Given what is transpiring for the players in the NBA, they appear to be in a stronger position of shrugging off the ill-effects of not playing in their professional leagues more so than their football cohorts. The NFL and their players may have taken a lengthy period to reach an agreement, but the players understood that no other decent alternatives were available to combat the issue of trying to earn an income in another competitive football league.

All of these issues lead up to one conclusion for where the NBA lockout will be heading in the near future: stuck in neutral with no road leading to an exit.

Miami Heat vs New York Knicks For The East Finals: A Dream Come True

Two of the most celebrated franchises in NBA history.

Five superstars who have legitimate chances at making the Hall-of-Fame.

High octane offenses that want to get up and down the court with scores near 120.

Sounds like the beginning of a new great rivalry in the NBA.

If Sunday’s immensely-hyped match up between the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks showed anything to the public, it’s that this is the start of something special. Whether it’s Dwyane Wade throwing a lob for a left-handed thrashing at the rim by LeBron James or Carmelo Anthony sticking King James at the end of the game and getting a help side swat by Amar’e Stoudamire, this was a preview of what’s to come in the next five years for these two.

Now, the public can only hope for one outcome come playoff time: an Eastern conference final between these two squads.

Getting that dream to come true will be tough for both teams this season.

The Heat are one of the top seeds in their conference after a slow start to the season and are loaded with talent thanks to their big three with James, Wade, and Chris Bosh. What may stop them from reaching championship status is their lack of toughness and size on the defensive interior, while also dealing with concerns of a shaky outlook at the point guard position.

With the Knicks, their biggest problem is timing. While the Heat were able to gel the team since the offseason, the Knicks will look to take the crash course on molding a group together with only 23 games left in the season. They also have holes in regards to protecting the rim and issues swirling around the effectiveness of their complimentary players.

Along with their own personal questions, the Heat and Knicks face the dilemma of a new look in the league based upon geography.

The West has owned the title of being the elite conference since the 1990s. Teams that were dominant since that time are now hovering near the end of their runs with their stars entering the twilight of their careers (Spurs with Tim Duncan and Lakers with Kobe Bryant). Of all the current top four teams in the West, only the Oklahoma City Thunder have a face for their franchise under the age of 30 (Kevin Durant).

The dominance that has been the signature of the West is now slowly filtering over to the East. In regards to the top half of the current playoff standings in that conference, three of those teams have superstars in their mid to early 20s. The Heat’s big three are all in that age gap, along with Chicago’s Derrick Rose (22) and Orlando’s Dwight Howard (25). With many of the squads on the Eastern half of the United States improving and creating a strong core based upon youth, just getting to the conference finals will be difficult task for any of these teams, let alone a highly hopeful New York vs Miami matchup.

Yet, sports are never pre-determined, so a final of this magnitude is still quiet possible. Not only is this outcome achievable, but it would be extremely promising.

Of course, many will be screaming and clamoring for one half of the East Finals to feature the usual Celtic, especially after their hardship last season and their four year supremacy nearing the end. As deserving and enticing it would be to see a youthful team try to topple the veteran Celtic team, no other match up would have more hype and be more mouth-watering than to see New York and Miami go at it.

As former teammates on the U.S.A Olympic team in 2008, the five superstars are close with one another and all equally dying for a shot at the title. Only Wade and James were lucky enough to even reach the pinnacle that is the NBA finals, with the former Marquette superstar being the only one to actually taste success by winning it. Stoudemire, Anthony, and Bosh have all been superstars on their former teams, but never had enough to make it to that next step.

The star power of this matchup is the biggest draw of all. The idea of having all five of these players on the court, trying to out do one another, and being the key standout to win the series is fascinating. Imagine if either one of these players were to emerge as the main force carrying his team to the next level while beating the other out to earn a berth in the Finals. The concept that one of them could hold that above the others for the rest of their life would give them the gas they need to give it their all from the tip off at game one to the last horn sounding off to signal the end of the series.

If both teams were able to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, it would be a premature start to this new rivalry. Last Sunday’s matchup between the two only gave a microscopic look as to how intense and alluring this rivalry could be. Both will continue to improve with a stronger complement of players and time to gel with one another, leading to the magnitude of a rivalry that the public has never seen before.

Just as the Lakers vs Celtics rivalry changed the scope of the NBA in the 1980s, the Knicks and Heat rivalry will undoubtedly alter the landscape of the league and usher in a new era of professional basketball in the 2010s.

Maybe, if we are all lucky, we can see that time begin in the 2011 Eastern Conference Finals.

Who Got The Better End Of The Key NBA Deals?

Thanks to the trade deadline, the NBA has a new theme with a line borrowed from “The Jefferson’s”:

“Movin’ on up, to the eastside…”

Carmelo Anthony is now a New York Knick, playing in the city that he grew up in and has been dying to play for since the Lakers ended the 2009-10 season. Not to be shown up with that move, the New Jersey Nets pulled off a stunning swap and nabbed Utah Jazz franchise star, Deron Williams.

These changes illustrates both teams need to improve quickly and become a squad that must be reckoned with in the Eastern Conference.

Yet, did both teams come out their deals smelling like roses or could these transactions make them wilt in a year or two?

Here’s the complete breakdown of the Anthony trade (this was a three team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves):

Knicks Get:

F Carmelo Anthony
G Chauncey Billups
F Corey Brewer
F/G Renaldo Balkman
F/C Shelden Williams
G Anthony Carter

Nuggets Get:

F Danilo Gallinari
G Raymond Felton
C Timofey Mozgov
F//G Wilson Chandler
Knicks 2014 1st Rounder
Two Second Round Picks
$3 Million Cash

Timberwolves Get:

C Eddy Curry
F/C Anthony Randolph
$3 Million Cash

For now, the Timberwolves will be excluded from this discussion (along with the fact that they receive little to nothing in the trade except money, an underdeveloped, big man in Randolph and the expiring contract of Curry).

The Knicks gave up most of their youth to get proven commodities. Anthony is a top ten player in the league who believes nothing can stop him from putting the ball in the hoop. He accomplishes this in multiple ways on the offensive end, a unique ability that no one on the New York team has. The attention he garners from the opposition will give Amar’e Stoudemire more space in the middle to flush dunks.

Billups is a battle-tested point guard who thrives off late game situations. While Felton will have more upside and continue to improve with more years in the league (he’s 26), he will never reach the merits that Billups has gotten throughout his career. With Anthony and Stoudemire monopolizing all the attention, the 34-year-old point guard won’t have to work hard to get open shots in Madison Square Garden.

Where the Knicks will hurt more is with their role players and their bench. Brewer will be a spark off the bench, but after him the options are thin. Balkman, Williams, and Carter are all averaging less than 17 minutes per game this season and will be asked to do more in New York.

The Nuggets will lose a cornerstone piece and his sidekick in Anthony and Billups, but now have a nice foundation to reconstruct their future. Felton (26), Mozgov (24), Chandler (23), and Gallinari (22) will be key components within that outlook. They will team up with many of their current young prospects (Aaron Afflalo and J.R. Smith are both 25 and Ty Lawson is 23) and their established stars (Nene Hilario, Kenyon Martin), making this one of the deepest teams in the West.

Despite that, nine role players will not win you a championship. Not to mention that having a player of Anthony’s caliber comes around once every ten to fifteen years, that’s if you are lucky (google the Nuggets history and check their star players). New York has been praying for redemption of historic greatness, and now have that in Stoudemire and Anthony.

Advantage: New York

Here’s the deal between the Nets and the Jazz:

New Jersey Gets:

G Deron Williams
F Brandan Wright
C Dan Gadzuric

Utah Gets:

G Devin Harris
PF Derrick Favors
Nets 2011 1st Rounder
Warriors 2012 1st Rounder

Golden State Gets:

F Troy Murphy

(Similar to the Anthony trade, this discussion will not include the Golden State Warriors.)

Williams joins a situation that is different from Anthony; he is now on a team that is nine games out of the playoff hunt. He does have a potent weapon in C Brook Lopez, who is only 22 and could develop into a counterpart that resembles the old Utah years with Carlos Boozer for a post option.

The Nets get a superstar who is third in the category of best all-around point guards (behind Chris Paul and Derrick Rose). They also finally acquire that centerpiece to build a team around in Williams. Since their last appearance in the 2003 NBA Finals with their Jason Kidd-led team, the Nets have been in need of a first tier player to return to greatness.

If Wright can ever stay healthy, get consistent playing time and regain the supreme talent that made him a top prospect at North Carolina, he could be the steal of this trade for the Nets. The Warriors were skeptical about keeping a player on board with so much promise in F Ekpe Udoh, but their loss is the Nets gain. Gadzuric is picked up because of his expiring contract.

Utah understood that when Jerry Sloan left, their franchise would have to detour in a new direction. Getting rid of Williams was in their future scheme, but premature in its timing.

Harris is a speedy point guard who can zip around the court, as if he’s built with light speed. Utah will most likely pattern their offense into an uptempo, up-and-down style team that fits the way their new point guard plays. While he doesn’t have the size or the range that Williams is armed with, he does have a great feel for the game and can distribute the ball just as well as the top point guards in the league.

Like Wright, Favors could end up being the jackpot of this move for the Jazz. At the age of nineteen, this forward has the body type and raw talent that could make him an impact big man within the next five years. Surrounding him with the likes of Al Jefferson, Paul Milsap, and Andrei Kirilenko will help him fine tune his game steadily instead of stunting his growth by playing him big minutes as an under-developed post player.

The other possible big payoff down the road may be the two first round picks. New Jersey’s will most likely remain a lottery pick in the 2011 Draft. They will also have their pick, which could possibly also get lottery draw, giving them a chance to land two top ten picks this year. They may have that same situation in 2012, with the Warriors pick in hand with their own next season.

New Jersey will love having Williams be the face of the team, but with the length of his tenure in doubt(he could become a free agent after next season), it’s hard to imagine a player of that caliber sticking around if he doesn’t have the right parts around him. The promise of Favors and the two picks in the next two years is too appetizing to not like if you are the Jazz, but getting Harris in the deal is the cherry that tops the cake.

Advantage: Utah Jazz

Despite the contradiction of who won and lost in these moves, the Nets and the Knicks are as happy as Kenny Smith when Blake Griffin won the NBA Slam Dunk contest. Both teams get a significant star that are icons in the NBA.

Owners James Dolan and Mikhail Prokhorov have got to be dancing like George Jefferson with their new acquisitions and singing a new tune in their mind…

“We’re movin’ on up…”

Three Words Can Fix The Los Angeles Lakers Problem: Car…Mel…O…

With nearly three-fourths of the regular season in completion, there appears to be a new look for a team known for success in the last few seasons. Inconsistency is now more of the theme for the 2010-11 Los Angeles Lakers, no longer surrounded with the invisible aura that put fear in their opposition.

Their recent road trip started off with a bang with four straight wins, three against quality teams (New Orleans, Boston, New York). They followed that play up with a despicable loss to Orlando by thirteen, which was then supplanted by an even more disgraceful beat down at the hands of Charlotte by 20.

Despite having nearly the same roster since their first recent championship in 2009, the disparity of their play throughout the season is now starting to cost them in the standings. San Antonio is the clear favorite of the West and will most likely enter the post season at number one. Dallas is now holding the second spot and Oklahoma City is nipping at the heels of the Lakers in fourth place.

Why is seeding important for the Western Conference? The fourth place team will most likely go up against the New Orleans Hornets in the first round. While the Lakers have beaten the Hornets twice on the road this season, New Orleans currently hold the second best home record in the Western Conference and remain a dangerous first round opponent thanks to PG Chris Paul.

Regardless of how this season plays out, it’s obvious that the team needs to make a change to a roster that is using their previous credentials to intimidate opponents. That may work on feeble teams with no hope, but it will become their own demise when the rest of the best come to play the Lakers.

There is only one solution to this problem: get Carmelo Anthony.

Acquiring the superstar forward would come at a hefty price for the Lakers, but it’s a cost that can bring back some pretty big dividends. ESPN’s the Magazine’s Chris Broussard reported that there were rumors of Los Angeles sending Andrew Bynum to Denver for the former Syracuse star.

It’s easy to understand why the Lakers are timid on giving up their promising center; he’s still learning how to play the position and has a high ceiling of potential. At the young age of 23, Bynum will most likely have more years in the league in comparison to Anthony (who is 26).

Size is also key when it comes to success in the NBA. The big man is seven feet tall, 285 pounds with an affinity for swatting shots out of the paint and deceptively, overpowering post moves that leads to points. Those talents are hard to come by for a player of his stature.

That’s where the positives end for reasons why Los Angeles should keep Bynum over Anthony.

A big reason the team needs his services so bad is due to their shaky play. Aside from Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, the other parts just aren’t cutting it. That reason can be mostly attributed to Ron Artest, who’s poor play and lack of care or urgency to improve has been like a knife going into the team’s back. Acquiring the six foot eight inch, combo forward would help to give the team another scoring punch that they desperately need.

Imagine being an opposing coach and having to decide whether to live or die by Bryant, Gasol or Anthony.

It’s a scary thought.

Another reason to pull the trade centers on who would be next in line to become the team’s icon. The team historically has always had another face waiting in the shadow of their current team leader. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar passed the baton onto Magic Johnson, who in turned handed it to Shaquille O’Neal. The big aristotle handed it off to Bryant, but there is no one waiting in the wings as Bryant begins to enter his mid 30s.

Anthony could be that next person to take over.

The final reason stems on the idea of value. Is Bynum that much more valuable than Anthony? While number fifteen is older than the baby-faced center, he is only three years apart in age. That discrepancy isn’t a big difference from one another. Also, Bynum plays a demanding position that will take a toll on his body down the line. He is already beginning to show stages of that; in his six NBA seasons, he’s only had one full campaign and participated in 50 or more games in three of those years.

Along with health and difference in age, the idea of value continues when comparing Bynum to other big men in the league. Currently, J.J. Hickson and Glen Davis average more points per game than the Lakers’ center. His rebounds per game would not even qualify him for the top ten among all big men in the league. During his NBA tenure, the highest he’s averaged scoring-wise in a year is fifteen per game. He’s only averaged more than 30 minutes a game and double-digit rebounds once in his career.

Those totals don’t sound very elite for a big man.

With Gasol and Odom around to play big, Bynum is expendable in a trade for one of the Western Conference’s starting forwards in the All-Star game. Yes, they will lose presence in the paint on both the offense and defense, but gain so much more in a player who can alter the game just like Bryant does.

Pulling together a package along with Bynum would be the best way to fix the Lakers current problem. The acquisition of Anthony would be a great way to redirect the team towards success.

Not just for this season, but for years to come.

New York Knicks Can Build Champion Without Trading For Carmelo Anthony

As reported here, the New York Knicks recently offered a package for Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony that included Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler and a future first-round draft pick.

However, the Nuggets front office declined the proposal, leaving Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh no other option but to sweeten the deal if Anthony is to don a Knicks jersey this season.

The most obvious question is why the Knicks, or any other NBA team for that matter, would aggressively pursue a trade for the three-time All-Star, who has made it abundantly clear he wants to play in New York when he becomes an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

"That's like the ultimate dream at the end of the day," Anthony, a Brooklyn native, said in an interview with ESPN. "Who wouldn't want to go back home to play?”

So the Knicks’ willingness to part with a promising rookie in Fields, the top rebounding guard in the league, and a budding star in Chandler (16.9 ppg, 6.2 rpg) to acquire ‘Melo just doesn’t add up.

Wouldn’t it make more sense for the Knicks to sign Anthony as a free agent, to play with Fields and Chandler, as well as Raymond Felton (17.5 ppg, 8.7 apg), Danilo Gallinari (15.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg) and Amar’e Stoudemire (26.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg)?

The NBA’s precarious labor situation could result in Anthony leaving a significant amount of money on the table in the aforementioned scenario. Nevertheless, playing in the league’s largest media market, Anthony, who’s averaging 23.5 points and eight rebounds per game this season, would more than make up for the difference in endorsements.

If Anthony is willing to sacrifice up-front money for the greater good of his future team, the Knicks could bring another player into the fold to instantly transform New York into championship contenders next season.

With the addition of Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (9.3 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.25 blkpg), an unrestricted free agent this summer, New York would have the rebounding and shot-blocking presence that would allow Stoudemire to play a natural power forward.

That said, head coach Mike D’Antoni could potentially roll out a starting rotation comprised of Felton (PG), Fields (SG), Anthony (SF), Stoudemire (PF) and Tyson Chandler (C), with capable reserves in Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Toney Douglas, Bill Walker, Shawne Williams and Ronny Turiaf.

Like the Jackson 5 classic tune declared, it’s as easy as 1-2-3, but the Knicks appear insistent on turning this situation into a complicated algebraic equation.

To reiterate, New York is Anthony’s preferred playing destination, and he’s an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

Therefore, since the Knicks have the high ground, why are they in a rush to mortgage their future to bring a superstar into town this season that they can sign in July while keeping the current roster intact?

Mikhail Prokhorov got hip to the game when he broke off negotiations for a blockbuster deal that would have sent ‘Melo to the New Jersey Nets.

When will Donnie Walsh finally wise up and follow suit?

The Nuggets may act like they’re holding all the cards in the Car-Melodrama, but if the Knicks call Denver’s bluff the whole pot will come to the Big Apple, and so will the franchise’s first championship in nearly 40 years.

Do the math.

Click here to read the original article at SportsHaze.com.

Denver Nuggets Reject Knicks' Offer for Carmelo Anthony

When billionaire owner Mikhail Prokhorov slammed the door on a blockbuster deal that would have sent Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets, the New York Knicks emerged as the favorites to land the Denver Nuggets superstar small forward.

And Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh didn’t waste any time in pressing their advantage, as Anthony has publicly expressed that New York is his preferred playing destination.

According to ESPN 1050 Radio, the Knicks offered Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler and a first-round draft pick to the Nuggets for Anthony, who’s averaging 23.5 points and 8.1 rebounds per game this season.

The first-round draft pick the Knicks included in the proposed trade has yet to be acquired, but a rumored deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves for power forward Anthony Randolph is likely to yield the pick New York placed on the bargaining table.

Nevertheless, the Knicks will have to go back to the drawing board, because Denver’s front office rejected the latest offer for their highly sought-after three-time All-Star.

This begs the question of exactly what combination of players and draft picks it will take for New York to consummate a trade with Denver.

Fields, a second-round pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, is averaging 10.1 points per game, shooting 38.5 percent from three-point range and leads all guards in rebounding (7.4), opening many eyes around the NBA to his high basketball IQ and willingness to put the team ahead of individual accomplishments.

In his fourth year in the NBA, Chandler is on the cusp of stardom, averaging career highs in points (17.4), rebounds (6.3), blocks (1.40) and three-point shooting percentage (35.3 percent).

As a result, Chandler’s tremendous promise will be a valuable selling point for Donnie Walsh in future negotiations with the Nuggets.

So although the Knicks failed to entice the Nuggets in this round of negotiations, it appears only a matter of time before the Car-Melodrama finally ends and Anthony is playing in front of a capacity crowd at Madison Square Garden, right alongside five-time All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire.

Click here to read the original article at SportsHaze.com.

Ship Him Or Shut Up Time For The Denver Nuggets & Carmelo Anthony

To send or not to send?

The seesawing of where or when superstar forward Carmelo Anthony will be traded continues to dominate headlines. The question sprouted before the start of the season when he told the Denver Nuggets management that he wants out of their franchise and would not sign the three-year extension they offered him. His desire is to be sent to an East Coast team, an area he grew up in, with the preference to play at Madison Square Garden with the New York Knicks.

It is now nearly the middle of January, almost halfway through the NBA season, and he is still playing in the powder-blue Nuggets jersey.

The biggest issue with the prolonging of trading Anthony is the obviousness that he does not want to be there. The Nuggets management has done whatever it could to keep him and he still is reluctant to remain with the team past this season. Everyone in the league knows he’s on the market and is aware that his current team is vulnerable.

They also understand that he is a free agent after this season and that parting with valuable pieces for a player who has no desire to return to Denver doesn’t make sense to other teams. Why would anyone want to give up a promising young talent or draft picks when they can just wait another half a year to sign him?

The problem is obvious and growing more massive with each calendar month that’s turned that Denver has now put themselves in a corner. Rather than negotiating early on, the team felt they could put him on hold in hopes that maybe the Nuggets would play well and remind him that they are still a contender. They also assumed that they had an enormous amount of time and could work out a deal that would give them equal value for one of the best players in the world.

Those beliefs have now backfired as they are now in a precarious situation with the trade deadline a little over a month away and no current progress. A possible three-team, fifteen player trade is mulling around in the rumors column of sports websites, but that is quickly losing steam and it appears that Denver is caught in a last chance effort to get some value for their franchise player.

So here’s some advice for the Nuggets management: just get it over with.

The proposals, threats, assumptions, and hope that Denver has been clinging to produced no movement to persuade Anthony to stay or create a swap with another team of adequate value for him. Worst of all, they are forcing everyone to listen to it as if they finally found a conclusion to the situation.

It’s like listening to a broken record that continues to skip at the same point over and over; it can be tolerated at first, but if it continues, it begins to become annoying. So much so that you stop then you just throw it against the wall and stomp on it until you hear ultimate silence.

If the news is that he is finally sent to another team, then it should be reported; but if it’s just another possible idea or scenario, the Nuggets should just keep it to themselves.

The other end of this ongoing annoyance is who is to blame for this situation?

Do you fault Anthony for imposing his will on wanting to leave, as well as the specifics with destination and his reluctance to sign an extension depending on who gets him?

To an extent, yes he does. He should deal with the fact that sometimes you don’t have a choice in where you end up (just ask Kevin Love or Tyreke Evans). Yet, franchise stars are given the red carpet treatment that they can dictate where they play or the direction of the team. It’s been that way with all of the superstars in the NBA (like Kobe Bryant after Shaquille O’Neal left or Lebron James and the Cleveland fiasco).

No, responsibility of this exasperating, irritating mess falls squarely on the Denver Nuggets.

It’s amazing how far the team has fallen since participating in the 2009 Western Conference finals and losing the first round of the 2010 playoffs. It’s even more amazing how they have handled this situation terribly. Rather than just making the move early on, they prolonged pushing a trade in hopes of getting a better deal on their end or hoping to keep Anthony. Now with time running out, desperation is growing stronger to get rid of their star who’s a free agent after the season.

So, why in the world would a team want to overpay when they know the Nuggets have no leverage?

It is only a matter of time until the Nuggets finally pull the trigger on a Anthony trade. Yet, the drama of where he might go and the transactions being proposed is the bigger issue in all of this. What started as a light fog of likelihood has manifested into a downpour of ridiculousness with no forecast of conclusion in sight.

For the sake of the nausea this lengthy transaction has made, let’s just hope that the weather will break sooner than later.

New York Knicks Placed in Middle of Carmelo Anthony Trade Spat

After reports surfaced that the Denver Nuggets, the Detroit Pistons, and the New Jersey Jets were on the verge of consummating a 13-player deal that would have sent Nuggets small forward Carmelo Anthony, point guard Chauncey Billups and Pistons shooting guard Richard Hamilton to New Jersey, a new twist developed in the ongoing Car-Melodrama.

According to Yahoo.com, the Nuggets organization delivered a warning to the Nets by threatening to trade Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks if the trade discussions remain subject to public consumption.

The proposed trade would send Anthony, Hamilton, Billups, Nuggets guard Anthony Carter and forward Shelden Williams to the Nets.

In turn, the Nuggets would receive two first-round draft picks from the Nets, All-Star point guard Devin Harris, rookie power forward Derrick Favors, shooting guard Anthony Morrow, guard Ben Uzoh, and small forwards Stephen Graham and Quinton Ross.

Meanwhile, the Pistons would add Nets power forward Troy Murphy and center Johan Petro to their roster.

Did the Nuggets really expect the details of this blockbuster trade to be kept quiet?

If this is indeed the case, not only were their expectations unrealistic, but their threat to trade Anthony to the Knicks is blatantly immature, sophomoric and a bluff the Nets should call to remind Denver of an extremely harsh reality.

In no uncertain terms, Anthony, a three-time All-Star, has made it abundantly clear he would prefer to take his talents to New York.

Therefore, the Knicks, or any other NBA team for that matter, are under no obligation to lend the Nuggets a helping hand by compensating them for the loss for their franchise player.

And if the Nuggets did make an overture to New York in an attempt to make good on their threat, it would be prudent of Knicks President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh to immediately take Landry Fields, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler off the table.

Within the next two seasons, Atlanta Hawks guard Jamal Crawford, Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler, Denver Nuggets center Nene Hilario, Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman, Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love, New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez, New Orleans Hornets power forward David West, Orlando Magic shooting guard Jason Richardson, power forward Brandon Bass, and center Dwight Howard are on track to become free agents.

So although Carmelo Anthony remains the Knicks’ primary target, they’re no longer the desperate franchise they once were before the signings of Raymond Felton and Amar’e Stoudemire.

This much is also clear, the Knicks, one of the NBA’s marquee franchises, aren’t a bargaining chip for the Denver Nuggets.

Click here to read the original article at SportsHaze.com.

Early Stories For 2010-11 NBA Season

It’s still very early for the NBA hoops season in 2010, but the results have been quite intriguing so far.



Come back wins galore, a 30-30 game for the first time in decades, and a rookie posting a triple-double early in his career are just a small percentage of what the general public is raving about currently. Along with the ups of the season include some of the downs so far already with teams underperforming, incomprehensible trash talking and certain issues that just never change.



Here are some story lines that are dominating a year just starting in its early infancy stage:



Surprise Play Of Teams, Both Good And Bad.



Let’s just get this out of the way because it’s the team everyone will concentrate on all season long: The Miami Heat.



Disappointing doesn’t speak enough on how the Heat have been playing in their first eleven games. They do have a winning record, but could only manage seven wins during that time point, a paltry record for a team with such high expectations at this point.



Two of the big three have come on well at the start of the season. Lebron James is playing well, but that’s not encouraging for a player who set the bar high for himself over the summer. Dwyane Wade is recovering well from injury and is establishing himself as the best on his team uplifting his game to a higher level.



Chris Bosh, though, is the Achilles heal of this team currently and is becoming the biggest reason for their meager start. Although he has a 35 point game in his last outing, his numbers have to start mirroring his Toronto days if the team is to improve.



While the most captivating team in recent memory continues to find cohesion, other teams have quietly become the toast of the league.



New Orleans became the last team to remain undefeated…



Wait…



The Hornets became the last team to remain undefeated? As hard as it is to believe, they won their first eight before losing their ninth, and have Chris Paul second guessing the requests he made for a trade over the summer.



Utah has always been a contender and this season is no different as they were expected to be in the playoffs again, despite losing inside powerhouse Carlos Boozer. It’s not the fact that they are 8-4 and sit atop the Northwest, but how they have gotten those valuable wins. Four of those wins have been road comebacks against Miami, Orlando, Atlanta, and Charlotte.



Golden State was coming off one of its worst seasons and appeared to be in a state of influx with new owners overseeing the team and a new coach bringing a new philosophy. While this was supposed to be a team lost in transition, the Warriors appear to have found their way at the moment. They are 7-4 so far and are just behind the Lakers for the top spot in the Pacific.



The Monta Ellis Effect



The credit to most of the Warriors success can be given to Monta Ellis.



The sixth year guard has been scorching the rim as if he were “on fire” in the NBA Jam video game. He is second in the league in scoring behind Kevin Durant and is ahead of the likes of Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, and Dirk Nowitzki. He and Rose are also currently the only players to average ten field goals made per game.



What is even more impressive than his scoring average is his ability to score at an alarming percentage. So far, he is shooting 51.4% from the field, an impressive mark for man who stands at a miniscule six foot, three inches and doesn’t even eclipse 200 pounds.



Ellis has a chance to become the first All Star for the Golden State Warriors since Latrell Sprewell made it in 1997.



Is Everything Melo Up In Denver?



From the end of the summer to the start of the season, one of the biggest questions on the mind of many fans has been centered within the Rocky Mountain area.



What will happen with Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony?



He is currently fifth in the league in scoring and playing some of the best basketball of his career according to his stat line. Despite that, his play hasn’t inspired the team to a great start. The Nuggets are 5-5 and fourth in their division, sitting on the outside looking in on the early playoff picture.



Questions about him leaving or possible trades have been looming around for months, but now appear to be at a standstill. Although Denver and Anthony have been all quiet on their front, the barrage of requests he made and numerous trade options that were reported give the impression that he is likely gone at some point. This concept will burn hotter with truth if the team continues to play sub-par like they have so far.



Don’t be shocked if Anthony’s jersey comes with a new color and logo at some point before the trade deadline.



Can Yao Really Make A Full Return?



2009 was a Yao-less year for the NBA as the big man had to recover from foot surgery.



Now, Yao Ming returns back to Houston’s active roster for 2010, but is being held to a 24 minute per game restriction and the Rockets holding him out of second games for back-to-backs.



So far, the seven foot, five inch mammoth giant is playing below his usual greatness, but is slowly getting back into his grove. He’s averaging a mere ten points and five rebounds a game and hasn’t gone past that 24 minute restriction.



Now, the native from China is dealing with a strained tendon in his leg and has the front office people of the Rockets worried about future injuries to his foot or any other areas of his body. With their record at 3-8, will they be able to keep their franchise player’s minute restriction down?



The Rookie Watch



During each season, the most fascinating players to watch are the first timers who come into the league. Seeing or hearing about them in college or overseas and watching their freshman season in the NBA is one of the most fascinating parts of the basketball year.



Washington Wizard’s John Wall is as good as any, not just with rookies, but with all point guards at this point. He’s averaging nearly 18 points and just under 10 assists a game, as well as a triple-double under his belt. Along with the statistical factor is the leadership quality, which he has assumed over Gilbert Arenas as the face of the franchise.



Demarcus Cousins and Wesley Johnson are playing decent for their teams, but look like rookies with their reasonable play. They appear on their way to improving into key players for their squads in the next few years.



Evan Turner’s corner has been extremely quiet all season long. Although he’s getting a good amount of minutes on the floor with just under 29 minutes per game, his level of play as one of the best young players to come out of college in the 2010 NBA Draft doesn’t equate his current statistics. There is still plenty of time with the season just underway and Turner’s ability is too good for him to just be a face in the rookie crowd

NBA Out In Front Over The MLB And NFL

It’s a good time to be a sports fan.

Baseball is in its final week and while a few teams have solidified their spot in the playoffs, others are in an all out battle for the last few.

Football is going at full blast into the 2010 season with the fourth week upcoming and surprises galore all around the league.

While both of the sports are currently active and playing meaningful games, they cannot compare to the anticipation of one sport that is almost ready to tip off: basketball.

This NBA off-season has been one of the most important and influential ever in the history of the NBA. Here are the top five reasons why the sport of basketball is at the forefront of everyone’s attention.

1) The Heat Is On

If there was a vote to determine the biggest sports moment of the year, the highest percentage of votes would go to the spectacle of the Lebron James’ decision. In a close second would be watching he, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh put on the Heat jerseys and getting on the court against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, October 26th.

Heat tickets at home or on the road will be the hottest commodity anytime they are in town. Miami will have a giant target on its back and be hated by all crowds they face when going on the road. Despite that, checking in on them will be fun to watch all season long to see how the big three handle the heat.

2) Carmelo Anthony Will End Up…?

The James situation has had a reverberating effect on the NBA world. Other free agents waited anxiously like domino tiles to see where the first piece would fall. Despite training camp beginning and the free agency period come and gone, the James effect is still being felt.

The one person who has felt it lately has been Carmelo Anthony. The smooth-shooting small forward has been trying meticulously to get out of Denver.

Various articles have been published about possible locations where Melo may end up. With no deal set in stone and questions running rampant about a trade for the former Syracuse star, the team Anthony ends up with will be the second most intriguing squad to watch this season.

3) Lakers Lost In Translation

With all the hoopla over the new Heat team, Amar’e Stoudemire leaving Phoenix for the big apple and Anthony’s drama in Denver, there has been one team that remained steady and submarine-like by staying below the radar: the reigning back-to-back champs Los Angeles Lakers.

The team was stealthy in keeping the nucleus intact (only losing Jordan Farmar and Josh Powell) and upgrading with new acquisitions (signed Matt Barnes and Steve Blake). Although the NBA is topsy-turvy after the off-season, it is the Lakers that are the quiet and safe pick for a three-peat.

4) What’s Eating Gilbert’s Grape?

If there is one person who can hope to feed off the attention Michael Vick is now receiving after his miraculous comeback, that man is Gilbert Arenas. He returns back to the Washington Wizards after being suspended for most of the 2009-10 season after a gun altercation occurred in the locker room.

It will be interesting to see how Arenas will bounce back after a tumultuous year. The point guard witnessed his power over the squad become diminished with the addition of number one pick John Wall. The biggest question facing him: will he remain a Wizard and if he does, can he find a way to co-exist with the rookie from Kentucky?

5) New Changing Of The Guard In The NBA

This season more so than any will feature a new dynamic, teams that were on top dropping down and teams on the bottom moving up. While most sports feature a cyclical power change for teams year in and year out, basketball is one sport where teams remain on top for years.

Of course, there are teams that will remain at a high pedestal (such as the Lakers, Celtics and the Magic), but many top teams will drop this season. In the East, the Cavaliers were the top team last year but that was with James as the leader. They will most likely drop out of the playoff picture.

The West is where the change will be noticed the most. San Antonio is no longer the fearful team of years past with age creeping upon them. Denver is influx with front office and coaching turmoil to go with the Anthony issue. Phoenix lost a big piece of their puzzle when Stoudemire headed to New York.

Other teams will hopefully be able to move up the power ranking depth chart this season. The Bulls, Knicks, Heat and Wizards should be much improved in the East, while the Thunder, Blazers, Clippers and Kings appear to be contenders in the West.

With more stories and scenarios to go along with the ones described above, this season will prove to be the beginning of a brand new road never traveled in the NBA.

Good thing for them, the season hasn’t even started and they have everyone’s utmost attention.