Watching Denver tonight - this team is not going to go anywhere. They've added nothing significant, if at all, that will help this team from last year. I think it's time they start to look at breaking up Carmelo & AI - I just don't see it ever leading them very far. My proposal: Denver goes for the win-now. Around a package involving Carmelo and possibly a 1st round, I see them being the most attractive package. I think a Kobe + Iverson team would be a lot more dangerous, especially with the front court players the Nuggets have. Obviously the Nuggets lose their young star - but they get the best player in the NBA to go along with an aging Iverson. I don't feel like Iverson will be able to play at a high level much longer, so Kobe + AI gives them the best chance at a title in the next few years. Besides the obvious hurdles of Kobe's no trade, love for Denver hotels, etc. - I understand that these two would be unlikely partners. But I think this trade benefits everyone involved, excluding those factors.
Not likely Kobe has returned to Colorado for anything other than playing against the Denver Nuggets. So no, this ain't happening. Carmelo is only going to get better.
That's a pretty steep observation after the first game of the season. As much as I hate K-mart, him staying healthy and on the court is a significant addition compared to last season. I think they will be fine until the playoffs.
AI nearly had a triple-double, could of even had a quadruple-double. I think once the chemistry is there, Denver will go on a rampage.
I love the idea of AI and Kobe on the same team. The other 9 guys would basically just feel like offensive linemen! Hilarious. Would be worse than their current lineup, IMHO.
I don't think Kobe's "ball hog" rep is as bad it is hyped up to be. To me, he's what McGrady was - he can dish it and find teammates, but everyone else just sucks. AI Kobe JR Kenyon Camby Nene Najera Kleiza I see that team making a lot more noise. Kobe is just flat out the best player in the NBA. I don't think a lot of people realize just how good he is right now.
Good idea - at least we know Denver is one of those teams that has what it takes to land KB24. The downer is that Colorado state is likely a no-no for Kobe.
I'd definitely rather have Carmelo + fillers, instead of Deng + fillers or Josh Howard/Stackhouse + fillers. So yeah for LA it's a nice option (except they'd rather him in the East I'm sure) But I don't see it as being good for Kobe or the Nuggets as a whole. AI and Melo are just starting to really click together at the end of last year. Two offensive guys who shoot 3,000 times her game, that's just the way it is. Bringing it Kobe just restarts the whole process with him and AI (and IMO they probably drop a few seeds in the process). So now in my head they are about 7th rank, which puts them against the Suns, Spurs, or Mavs (not Rox since we will be 1st seed ) and, again IMO, lose that series. I agree that Melo is only going to get better. He might actually learn some defense in the next couple years. But AI is in the downward spiral. Denver is in "win now" mode already, it seems to me. They certaintly weren't thinking of rebuilding when they traded for AI. My 2 cents.
I like this idea, I think that Carmelo will make a more appealing trade piece than any others AND I do think that AI/Kobe is leagues above AI/Melo. They have great post play, but would have to find a rock at wingman. Kleiza is not this guy, he is a mere bench scorer. It is debatable whether Carmelo will improve, however it is ignorant to say "he can only get better." I assume you all are implying he will retain his offensive prowess and improve his court awareness and team defense, which is possible because he is an athletic freak with the wingspan prove it. But if Carmelo does anything less offensively than previously, then obviously he COULD and would be a worse player. Nothing is given, and while I would love Carmelo's potential as a GM, he still has much to prove. He is not an elite player, he is second tier right now. All in all, Kobe decides where he goes and I think he says, "I've already seen enough Colorado."
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nba/article/0,2777,DRMN_23922_5736669,00.html Bandwagon unto himself Count ESPN basketball analyst/radio host Stephen A. Smith among those who believe the Nuggets can be a force in the Western Conference. Smith, an unabashed admirer of Anthony and Allen Iverson, picked Denver to win the West during a segment on SportsCenter on Tuesday night and repeated his prediction - sort of - on his national radio show Wednesday. "If you're telling me I'm wrong because San Antonio will be standing in their way, I got no problems with that," Smith said. "But who else is a bona fide guarantee to beat the Denver Nuggets. Who else? . . . It ain't Utah. It ain't Phoenix. Phoenix don't want to run up and down the court with these boys. . . . Remember I said it."
I had the same opinion of Detroit. Detroit could try to sell some sort of Rip/Tayshaun for Kobe package and see if the Lakers and Kobe are interested. Kobe/Billups/Sheed could easily take the East when clicking on all cylinders Rip/Tayshaun/Odom could still be competitive in the West when healthy
I think it would take more than that. Prince isn't a star, and Rip isn't getting any better. LA wants someone who will put people in the seats, and IMO Rip/Tay don't fit the bill.
I agree but that was after I saw the original scenario that would have had them trading Kobe and landing Artest and Ben Wallace. Nobody is going to pay to see them do anything else but brawl...again.
