Talented as they are, the Denver Nuggets (14-9) just seem to have too much “stuff” going on around the team to realistically contend for an NBA championship in 2011.

Carmelo Anthony is posting close to a career-low shooting percentage from the field (42.8%, 23.1 ppg) as trade rumors and behind-the-scenes issues with the organization swirl around him. Injuries to Kenyon Martin and Birdman Andersen have decimated the frontcourt. Read More »

At the moment, no one is sure whether Carmelo Anthony wants to play for the Chicago Bulls more or less than the Bulls want ‘Melo on their roster.

When ‘Melo and his 24.7 points-per-game career average unexpectedly became available to interested trade partners this summer, the Bulls were one of the most realistic options — they had the salaries and young talent to put together an attractive pitch for Denver, and offered the big-city appeal and contender-ready roster to earn Carmelo’s long-term loyalty. Read More »

We argue. You decide.

JOHN CALIPARI (by A. Macaluso) When it comes to family, no one is closer than the Italians. You used to be able to say the same about John Calipari and his predecessor, Rick Pitino. Both coaches have known each other ever since they worked together at Five Star Camp. Both head coaches were actually friends in the beginning, with Pitino helping Calipari land the head coaching position at Massachusetts in 1988. Read More »

Once upon a time, Carmelo Anthony lived in the shadow of LeBron James. Back when ‘Melo and LeBron came into the League together and their “rivalry” was hyped as the next Magic vs. Bird, it seemed ‘Melo was always coming in second place: in Rookie of the Year voting, in endorsement dollars, in stats and status.

‘Melo was eventually able to distinguish himself, but now he must feel like he’s back in LeBron’s shadow again. Read More »

In this day and age, athletes have out of this world physical ability. Some run faster and jump higher than us normal people could ever imagine.

There are some players in the NBA today that could start on an NFL team right now, or have at least played football during high school or college days. Watching the Monday Night Football doubleheader last night between the Ravens/Jets and Chargers/Chiefs, if got me thinking about which NBA players could make a transition into the NFL. Here are the top five, plus one coach: Read More »

How much of this summer’s NBA free agency drama is going to play out on Twitter? Chris Bosh (@chrisbosh) almost caused an international incident a couple weeks ago when he tweeted, “Should I stay or should I go?” Bosh then wrote another post — something like, “I should plan my vacation later next year” while he was watching a Lakers game — that created more rumors and speculation. Which brings us to yesterday, when Amar’e Stoudemire (@amareisreal) posted this: “Just touched down in my home state Florida. Miami what’s good?” Read More »

The NBA is off until Sunday, when the Celtics and Magic tip-off the Eastern Conference Finals (Lakers vs. Suns begins Monday). In the meantime, be prepared for 24/7 LeBron James coverage. With everybody weighing in yesterday to either breakdown what went wrong for the Cavs or speculate where LeBron will end up this summer, it was LBJ overload on Friday. Realistically, it’s going to come down to three teams: Cleveland, Chicago or New York. They’re going to throw everything they have at LeBron, but what happens for the two franchises that miss out on him? Read More »

While we’re headed for potentially the most hectic NBA offseason in history, not every team is in line for a complete overhaul. Not every team is targeting, or trying not to lose, a franchise cornerstone. But every team has an agenda.

Overall, the Nuggets are in pretty good shape. While losing in the first round of the playoffs to a lower seed wasn’t what the ’09 Western Conference finalists would consider a good run, they’re coming off a 53-win season and a Northwest Division title. None of their key rotation guys are free agents, and their two best players are far from flight risks: Read More »

With Game 5 and a possible exit for the Denver Nuggets looming tonight, ‘Melo and company will certainly have to dig deep to get it done against Utah, who is up 3-1 in the series. A lot of talk has been swirling around the Nuggets since head coach George Karl left the team to undergo treatment for throat cancer in February – and while I agree with Austin about not speaking on behalf of everyone at Dime, I know that all of our prayers are with Coach Karl and his family during this time – about Denver collapsing internally. Read More »

In the past few weeks, NBA teams have been reaching into the D-League pool incessantly. Since our last D-League Hot Hand post on Jan. 11, there have been four more D-League call ups: Mario West (Hawks), Anthony Tolliver (Warriors), JamesOn Curry (Clippers) and Cedric Jackson (Cavs). The total of D-Leaguers called up in the 2009-10 season is now up to nine.

On top of guys earning 10 day contracts, several former D-League players have been making some noise. Sundiata Gaines hit a game winner against the Cavs a couple of weeks ago and has recently been signed for the rest of the season. With NBA players getting injured left and right, expect more and more D-Leaguers to get promoted in the coming weeks. Here are five players we think will be next. Read More »