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Do Denver need Melo? E-mail
Written by Don   
Wednesday, 07 January 2009 10:12
Carmelo Anthony - expendable?

meloI'd suggest that we're going to find out over the next month.  With the injury that he's suffered to his right hand, he'll miss at least 3 weeks.  That means that the Nuggets will compete against Miami, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, Orlando, Houston, Sacramento, Utah and Memphis without Carmelo Anthony.  You could probably add New Orleans and Charlotte to that list.
How Denver play during that period of time will largely determine how much they actually need Carmelo Anthony on their team.

I'm quite impressed with the maturing Anthony has experienced this season, especially since Chauncey Billups joined the team.  Gone are the tantrums, the jawing off to Coach Karl.  Yes, it's early days yet... but I think we're seeing the growth of Anthony into the star he's always promised he could be.  Promise... not through his words, but through his actions, his potential.
But do Denver need him?

melo1This next 3+ weeks present a huge opportunity for J.R. Smith.  Can he step up into the void Carmelo Anthony leaves?  Can Linas Kleiza begin to realize the potential that he's displayed?
Denver have some very good pieces surrounding 2 stars: Billups and Anthony.  Nene looks healthy and is playing well.  K-Mart's finally looking able to play 30+ minutes a game and not look completely hobbled by the end of it.  Kleiza could be a very, very good player.  J.R. Smith sometimes shows glimpses of becoming a star himself.  Yes, Carmelo Anthony looks more and more like the franchise player he should be.
But do Denver need him?

The fact that he's maturing make him all that more attractive a proposition for other teams - if he was put on the market, far more teams now would be interested than prior to this season.
Let's say that Denver goes through the next 3 weeks, and win the vast majority of those games.  If they can pick up a top-line 4, or a center... should they do it?
I'm not convinced that they shouldn't.

That said, I don't think they will, regardless of what happens in the interim.  Denver stuck by him through his spoilt, petulant delinquent phase.  It's unlikely they'll move him now that he's growing up.
Doesn't mean they shouldn't explore the option tho'...

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