Actually, theres a good chance artest will stay. He always wanted to be the "man" on the team, and now he is. Thats why he backed off his trade demands.
Ha! I work in the oil industry. Odds are, I've probably talked in real life to someone on this board and just not known it. As for how I hear this stuff, the Nugs board I post on (private board) has a guy who's in the front office who fills us in on stuff. When there's info I can share, I do with you guys. There's quite a bit on there that I didn't that you guys would find interesting though... DAMN! Now I get the reference. I spent 5 minutes trying to figure that one out. I guess I just blocked our good friend Roy. Interesting note though, I heard a rumor that the Clippers offered Brand to the Nugs (note: rumor not from the insider on the Nugs board, but from an LA radio station). Others have addressed this, but I have to add my 2 cents. You guys can think I'm posturing, but I'm not. If the deal had been Nene for Artest, I would have been for it -- mainly because of the salary dump. Kleiza, Najera and a first for him? No way. No bloody way. Mike Miller I REALLY wanted. He was damn near perfect for this team. I'm a huge Lowry fan as well, so when that rumor came along, I was in heaven. Deal was reportedly very close as we had two different scenarios with three team deals worked out to get him (two different teams, just in case Memphis says yes and then one gets cold feet). As for the guy we got, Taurean Green, I'm high on him. If Chucky Atkins comeback is delayed (scheduled to be back ~2 weeks from now), I'd love to see Green get some PT. Anthony Carter was playing above his head the first two to three months of the season. He needs some help now that he's returned to Earth. Green is a good shooter and incredibly competitive. If Karl will play him (big if), I think he'll greatly benefit the Nugs. If he won't play him this year, I still hope he's part of our future. Provided we can't get Lowry that is. Damn, I'm still pissed I missed that sheep reference.
I understand your points - I just meant letdown in wake of all the built up anticipation of an Artest/Miller deal. I'm sure Carmelo's ASG comments added fuel to the fire - your insider said there were several scenarios on the table, and in the end you don't do it. Do you think the Nuggets can win with their current makeup? What's funny to me is a year ago we turned down JLIII for Kleiza - and now Denver won't trade Kleiza for Artest.
Since you had mentioned that Denver was in the hunt for Gasol, I thought of other frontcourt players on teams that won't make the Playoffs. If I remember correctly, Brand has a Player Option coming up. The Clippers offered Brand to Denver? The Firesale on Gasol probably distorted the Market a bit...........the price for Brand must have caused sticker shock compared to what the Lakers had to give up for Gasol. The BBS has changed since the days of Roy.
OK, first off, I don't buy the JLIII for Kleiza offer. Period. I could be wrong, but from everything I've heard from the front office over the last 2 years, Kleiza was never on the block. He would be traded for a "big" deal, but he's one of Karl's favorites. /rant Sorry, had to get that off of my chest. As for Melo's ASG comments, he's privately changed his mind ni the last few days. Reportedly, he and AI didn't want the team to do anything. I think they talked about it during the break and realized this is their best shot. Can the Nugs win as they are right now? That's the $64,000 question. We're not on the level of the Spurs, Lakers or Suns (sorry Dallas, I don't think you are either). We are in the mix with Utah, Dallas, New Orleans, Houston, Golden State, etc.. I still think we win the division. That gets us the 4 seed. We're only 4 games out of the top seed in the West. Will we get it? No, but we're closer to home court advantage than some think. My big hope is that NO comes down to Earth a little and falls to the 4/5 slot and we win the division. I think we take the Hornets in the first round. We make it to the second round and I'm happy. I think the big thing comes down to what we get out of Nene when he comes back. If he can play like he did in the playoffs last year (not real likely, but possible) -- we're dangerous. I still believe that if we drew anyone other than SA in the first round last year, we advance. I'd still love to see us add an outside shooter, but I'm hoping that Kleiza, Smith and Atkins can provide just enough for us. Yeah. I avoid the GARM board now. Kind of sad, but it's gotten too crazy. Same thing happened to the Broncos board I used to visit. It got so crowded that all of the crazy "OMG!!! SOMETHING MUST BE DONE NOW!!one!11!1!eleven1!!!1!" threads found their way to the top and the good ones got buried. Damn internet. Back in my day.....
the only reason he stays is because the kings can offer more money than most teams. stupid decision on both sides IMO.
how so? the only teams that really benefited from the trades are the lakers and hornets...the mavs and suns hurt their future alot. the rocks and nugs didnt need to make any bad moves...
