Carmelo Anthony (photo. Mannion)Three matchups to watch on Thursday’s schedule…
Denver @ Cleveland: Carmelo Anthony vs. LeBron James
The Bird/Magic dynamic never really kicked off between these two, in part because the Nuggets and Cavs didn’t have a built-in rivalry like Lakers/Celtics, and in part because ‘Melo and ‘Bron are just too friendly with each other. The rivalry-starved public will give it another go tonight, but don’t count on anything special beyond some big-time numbers.
(TNT, 8 p.m. EST)
Dallas @ Chicago: Rick Carlisle vs. Derrick Rose
When the Bulls beat the Mavs in the preseason, Rose went off for 30 points, torching every guard in Carlisle’s arsenal. As good as Jason Kidd has been lately (11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 9.0 apg, 2.9 spg), all it takes is the memory of last year’s Hornets series to know he could have problems keeping up with the NBA’s Usain Bolt. First priority for Carlisle is getting his guys to contain Rose off the pick-and-roll, where he did most of his damage before.
(NBA League Pass, 8:30 p.m. EST)
Detroit @ Golden State: Rip Hamilton vs. Rip Hamilton
Since Allen Iverson joined the lineup, Rip has been “out of sync” according to Pistons coach Michael Curry, shooting 27% from the field and going 0-for-8 against the Celtics the other day. With Rodney Stuckey slated to miss tonight’s game, A.I. and Rip will get plenty of time to work together in the backcourt, and Rip can use the Warriors’ generous D to get his shot back.
(TNT, 10:30 p.m. EST)
Related posts:
November 13th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
doc says:
I like Bron,D-Rose to get off,and Golden State for the W over everyones new favorite team to dickride.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Dagomar says:
it’s also tough to have a rivalry when one of the players (Melo) is clearly not on the same level as the other (Bron). Give me Kobe VS Lebron any day. Or Paul VS Williams. Or KG VS Duncan.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
E$ says:
I waiting to see what Bron’ does next, the guy is in a zone. If Dallas can’t beat Chi-town, it really will be a long season.
Captain Jack rips the Pistons
November 13th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Three Stacks says:
Back when Melo and LBJ were drafted, I was much higher on Melo. He had a year more experience, and led a Syracuse team outta nowhere to a national championship, while Lebron was still just a product of media hype that most people hadn’t seen play. I thought/hoped Melo would be better, and because I hate media hype, I wanted Lebron to suck. I even called him “the next Corey Maggette” to most of my friends.
Fast forward to now and Lebron is widely accepted as the most physically gifted athlete of our generation. And Melo is known for sucker punching Mardy Collins and disliking snitches. This rivalry died before it even started. Melo frustrates me, it feels like he should be so much better than he is.
November 13th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
nao_diga says:
Head-to-head, the Nuggets have pretty much owned the Cavs since LBJ and Melo started playing. The Cavs never could keep up with the up-tempo teams. They played better against the Lakers than the Nuggets.
So the most interesting thing will be to see if that’s changed with the addition of Mo Williams on the Cavs and Billups replacing AI.
November 13th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Bron42 AkA Your Moms Best Friend says:
ya, hasnt melo and the nuggets beat lebron and the cavs more since they both came into the league?
November 13th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
QueSt??? says:
melo is super underappreciated, i think they are somewhat in the same level, why does melo suck because his offensive game is flawless, because he doesnt know how to defend??? news flash lebron doesnt know how to defend either and by the way lebron overpowers opponents for layups, melo can drop buckets from every place in the court.
November 13th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
doc says:
quest-Melo gets hated on now by the same dudes that was sucking him off before saying he was better than Bron because he lost on AI team.U know dudes think AI is Jesus Christ coming back to save the world by scoring 30 on the world.But Melo is not on Bron level.
November 13th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
Dagomar says:
Bron is a very good defender. He’s better than Melo at every facet of the game except long-range shooting and freethrow shooting. Melo doesn’t “suck” - he’s just no Lebron or Kobe.
November 13th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
SayItIsntSo says:
‘Doc’, do yourself a favor and get a life…your hatred and supposed “Mr. know it all” quotes when it comes to Iverson is a little scary. Im just sayin’.
Also, I agree with “Dagomar”…Melo doesn’t “suck” but he certainly isnt on Lebrons level. Lebron has too much heart when it comes to the game then Melo does. Lebron evolves his game every year, Melo coasts..its really that simple. Its no ones fault but Melos.