89 Nuggets, 75 Celtics

The Captain probably won't understand this excuse but the Celtics simply ran out of steam in this game. The Celtics had an 8 man rotation and were able to keep up with the Nuggets pretty good up until the 4th when the Nuggets went on a 16-0 run.

It started off ugly when Pierce had 3 points and 3 fouls in the first half. So we had our best scorer stuck on the bench in foul trouble.

They just got tired in the end. Tough day.

Celtics vs Nuggets Preview

Depth Chart

	Boston (PPG)	Denver (PPG)
PG	R. Rondo 11.0	R. Felton 17.1
SG	R. Allen 17.3	A. Afflalo 12.9
SF	P. Pierce 18.9	D. Gallinari 15.9
PF	K. Garnett 15.1	K. Martin 6.3
C	K. Perkins 7.3	N. Hilario 15.0
View full depth chart: Boston | Denver

They may have lost Melo but they proved two days ago they have enough firepower to put up 120. Do I think they will against the Celtics? no. Do I think it will be a close game? No. But the Nuggets shouldn't be a team to sleep on.

Denver is going to be all over the place offensively and not have their timing on plays down and for a very defensive minded Celtics team that just makes me believe that the Nuggets are in for a long night ahead of them.

The only guy the Celtics need to focus on is JR Smith. If they can contain him and not get him going, I like our odds.

Celtics win 110-92
Tommy Award: Pierce

Danilo Gallinari To Clippers?

Well, this didn't take long...

"According to ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard via sources, the Clippers are offering a first-round pick they acquired from Minnesota to Denver for newly-acquired Danilo Gallinari. "Pick is Top 10 protected in 2011, unprotected in 2012," tweeted Broussard (ESPN)."

I keep feeling like the Clippers should be a better team then they are. Gallinari could be a good fit for the Clippers as he is an obvious upgrade of Ryan Gomes (still the man, though). With Griffin being a great low post threat Gallinari could help spread the floor, and hit those open 3's when everyone caves in to stop Griffin. I don't know if the Nuggets will agree to this, but I think it would be a great nice move for the Clippers.

Carmelo Anthony To Knicks

Its finally over after being the 3rd overall pick and spending 7.5 years in Denver the Nuggets finally dealt the disgruntle SF to the Knicks to play in the most overrated stadium in the league (Madison Square Garden). The Knicks gave the Nuggets a pretty penny as well as they parted with Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the Nuggets, who would get additional picks and cash, the sources said. Along with Anthony, New York would acquire Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman.

In a second deal New York will send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota as part of the deal in exchange for Corey Brewer.

So once the dust settles the Knicks starting line up will be Billups, Landry Fields, Carmelo, Amare, and Ronnie Turiaf with Toney Douglas, Corey Brewer and Bill Walker coming off the bench. A decent team, but nothing thats going to win a championship this year. This is a 2 or 3 year rebuilding phase that the Knicks have to deal with. They are competitive enough to make the play offs and Melo should have an easy time transitioning into Mike D'Antoni's system as he doesn't play much defense either.

I think the Knicks gave up a lot, but like I said last week they needed to do this. This will make the missing out on LeBron pain go away and instantly make them a much more credible team then a .500 ball club. I do think they need to get a more defensive minded coach because the D'Antoni system will not work, but this move was great. Anyone who says they gave up too much is an idiot.

Breaking News: Nets- Nuggets Reach Deal

The Nets and Nuggets have reached a tentative agreement on a deal involving Anthony, multiple NBA sources told The Record. The deal is pending Anthony agreeing to sign a three-year, $65 million contract extension.
If Anthony says yes, the Nets will get Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Sheldon Williams, Melvin Ely and Renaldo Balkman from the Nuggets. In turn, the Nets will send Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, Ben Uzoh and four first-round picks to Denver.

This all goes to waste if Melo doesn't agree on the extension, but I love the move for the Nets who would have a giant player to build around in Melo. They certainly are giving up a lot, but it's worth it for a team that has nothing. If Jay-Z and the Russian can convince him on being the face of Brooklyn, I love the move.

Carmelo To Lakers?

"The Denver Nuggets have had preliminary discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers on a Carmelo Anthony trade, league sources told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard on Tuesday (ESPN)."

The report goes on to say that the deal would have to include Andrew Bynum, which they say would work financially. If my eyes in the Lakers do this it is a complete overreaction to their recent struggles. Melo has made it pretty clear that he wants to go to the Knicks and nowhere else. So, the Lakers would be giving up a 23 year center for a couple month rental. Sure a lineup that had Gasol, Bryant, and Melo would be fun tto watch, but I still think they would have a hard time getting to the finals, especially if they ran into the Spurs during the playoffs.

I just don't see this deal happening, and I think most likely either Melo goes to the Knicks in a trade, or he rides out the season in Denver and goes in the offseason.

Carmelo Anthony Trade Taking Form

"Multiple sources with knowledge of the talks expressed optimism Sunday that a three-team deal involving the Pistons featuring at least 15 players -- with Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups winding up in New Jersey with Anthony -- could be completed in the next day or two.

Denver, however, elected to play Anthony and Billups in its home game against New Orleans on Sunday night, suggesting that the Nuggets might not be ready to sign off on the trade and, according to sources, frustrating both the Nets and the Pistons at the end of a chaotic 72 hours.

A similar scenario played out in the September deal, when the Nets and Nuggets hammered out the framework of a four-team swap with Charlotte and Utah, only for the Nuggets to decide that they weren't ready to end their relationship with Anthony and back out of the deal."

I don't know if anyone would really win in this deal. The Nets are giving up a lot and taking the risk if Melo decides to flee at the end of the year. Sure they are getting a quick fix team but basing their trade on a lot of ifs, if they can get Chris Paul, if they can build around Melo, if he stays. But since the Nets had a big swing and miss this offseason they are forced to make a splash. For the Nuggets, I don't think they are getting enough in return for Melo with Derrick Favors and some picks but Melo is telling them he's not returning basically. And for Detroit, they just suck.

Melo is a Dick, Knicks fans have to be happy

Carmelo Anthony has told the Denver Nuggets he will not sign the nearly $65 million contract extension he has been offered unless he is traded to the New York Knicks, a source told ESPN.com on Sunday. ESPN

Couple things wrong here. 1 this really handicaps the Nuggets when it comes to trading figuring no other team is going to take a shot at trading for him if they know he's not going to resign. So the Nuggets are ultimately going to take back Danillo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler. 2. Is who the fuck is Melo to make this request, he seems to forget that he's a player. His comments are a big fuck you to the organization that gave him his first shot. We all have learned to not bite the hand that feeds you. 3. If I were his teammates not in a contract year, I would come close to punching him every time you see him. I don't care if he "tries hard" this year, I care that he wants out and has no loyalty to you. In fact, he is requesting to go to a lesser team (well maybe not).

Carmelo, you are falling out of my favor.

105 Celtics, 89 Nuggets

I didn't realize Melo was out. But a weird game nonetheless they were up by a lot, then let it go, then went up again and won. Kind of reminded me of when we lost to the Thuder without Kevin Durant.

My main concern was Rondo who had 3 points, 13 assists, but didn't look all that healthy. He had a good game, but still looked not right. If I were Doc, I would sit him down for the rest of the week or definitely tomorrow at Philly. You could tell he was hurting with his defensive effort, he was a little slower.

Kevin Garnett had a superb night putting up 17 points and 9 rebound on nearly perfect shooting. (8-9 FGA and 1-1 from the line). Ray had 28 points and Paul had 17 points were also efficient with their shooting going a combined 15 - 28 from the field.

Good win, 8 in a row.

If anyone wants a sure thing bet tonight, read my prediction at 2. Jesus can tell you, they are on point.

Celtics vs Nuggets Preview

The Celtics should study this commercial and realize this is the only person they need to worry about.

The Celtics are a little banged up, but I expect Rondo and Shaq to play. They have had plenty of rest and should be in tonights starting line up.

Speaking of that:

Depth Chart

	Denver (PPG)	Boston (PPG)
PG	C. Billups 15.2	R. Rondo 11.4
SG	A. Afflalo 12.8	R. Allen 15.8
SF	C. Anthony 22.8	P. Pierce 19.0
PF	S. Williams 5.6	K. Garnett 15.6
C	N. Hilario 14.4	S. O'Neal 11.3
View full depth chart: Denver | Boston

Chauncey Billups is a good point guard but is getting old and lost that Mr. Big Shot player reputation and Nene is a good story, but other than that I don't think that there is much to worry about other then Melo.

Pierce will have a tough assignment on Melo, but can probably challenge Melo's lack of defensive intensity. If he runs Melo out of the gym and makes him fight through picks, it should make Melo's offense sag a bit.

Speaking of a mismatch, KG will be facing off against old friend Shelden Williams. KG should be able to rip him apart.

Celtics win again.

108-97 Celtics

Tommy Award: KG

Carmelo Anthony Wants Out Of Denver

Carmelo Anthony wants out of Denver. First he didn't take their extension and now it's not an if but when is Carmelo Anthony going to be traded.

ESPN Reports:
According to the executive, the Nuggets want young players and draft picks for Anthony. Two teams that could offer a package like that are the Los Angeles Clippers and New Jersey Nets.

Wojnarowski lists the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets as teams who could be in the mix for Anthony and the Charlotte Bobcats as a sleeper team because they can give the Nuggets a lot of salary cap relief, due to Erick Dampier's $13 million non-guaranteed contract.

If he went to NJ this whole offseason bust would go away. Carmelo has a NY bias and if he goes to NJ or NYK he will get his way, but it seems as if the Nuggests don't care what Melo wants. I can't even throw some names out there because I don't know whats off limits or not with those listed teams, but I'm sure anyone would be available if there was a shot to get Melo.

I think he should just take a massive pay cut and come to Boston.

Carmelo Is Going To The Knicks

Some writers are starting to connect the dots, and they all seem to end with Carmelo Anthony joining the Knicks...

"These are some of the dots: He's selling his Littleton estate; the constant reports of Anthony telling friends that he wants to play for the New York Knicks; his New York wedding; his East Coast upbringing; summer trade talk that has cropped up twice in his time in Denver, which hasn't always made him feel wanted; oh, and not signing a contract that averages around $21.6 million per year for the next three years, a sizable amount of money that he may not be able to earn with a new collective bargaining agreement.

Anthony has connected some dots of his own. Even if he was completely happy with the Nuggets now, in three years he may look around at a team that is a shell of the one that reached the Western Conference finals in 2009. It could be young and inexperienced. It could be filled with mediocre talent. His NBA biological clock would be ticking loudly because he would be in his 10th season. There's no way he wants to start over 10 seasons into his career (CBS)."

Way back when all the Lebron stuff started I bought that he was going to the Knicks. Obviously later Miami was the one that could put him and his two fuck buddies on the same team. Yet, once again I am going to buy this. I think Melo really does want to play in NY, and even though the Knicks don't deserve it they will eventually have a couple high profile stars, just because of the city of NY.

The Knicks are a joke, and they are so lucky that so many people want to live in NY. If it wasn't for that this would be a bottom franchise year in and year out forever.

Brandon Marshall Going To NBA?

Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall says he has a fallback plan if NFL teams lock out players next year... He'll try out for the NBA. Marshall said he would audition for the Miami Heat or Denver Nuggets as a shooting guard.

"Right now I'm rusty," he said after Dolphins' practice Thursday. "Right now I'm no good. If I try out right now they'll be saying, 'What is this guy thinking?' But after some training I'll be fine. I'll be right back where I used to be."

The 6-foot-4 Marshall lettered in basketball three times at Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Fla (CBS).

Marshall seems like he would have the size and jumping ability to play, but I never know how seriously to take these quotes from athletes. Sure he is a freak, and I can see why a team would want him, but I just don't see him beating out guys who have been playing for their entire life. Then again, if you can just sign him for the minimum why not? I mean he should be able to pull down some boards, and he says his strong suit was his outside shot (which I thought was weird). Anyways, it's a slow day, and I hope Marshall tears his ACL during the tryout.

Nuggets Sign Al Harrington

The Denver Nuggets reached an agreement in principle Tuesday night on a five-year, $34 million contract with free-agent forward Al Harrington, according to sources with knowledge of deal. ESPN

I was secretly hoping that Al Harrington would find a way on the Celtics, but that obviously wasn't going to happen. Al will be a great fit on the Nuggets who already have a bunch of selfish players, and now with their bench including JR Smith and Al Harrington expect no one else on the second unit to touch the ball.

Al has been secretly productive the past couple of years, or it could be the case of someone had to score on a bad team syndrome. Either way, good signing by the nuggets with Kenyon Martin and Chris Anderson's futures being cloudy.

Chris Paul's Plan

"During Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony's wedding reception Saturday night in New York, Hornets guard Chris Paul reportedly made a toast in which he got in a playful jab at buddy LeBron James, saying, "We'll form our own Big Three," referring to himself, Anthony and new Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire (WEEI)."

This is interesting since all the news coming from the Nuggets states that Carmelo will ink a new deal before the season starts, because he wants to get paid before the new CBA comes out. Yet, after what Miami did, I really can't say this won't happen. If they were able to get these 3 guys together, it could be a very nice lineup for the Knicks. Paul is a great distributor, Melo is an elite scorer, and when Amare wants to be he is a great inside presence. I am sure we will hear a lot more rumors about this, but I still expect Melo to stay in Denver.

George Karl Should Return Next Season

Nuggets head coach George Karl continues to recover from throat-and-neck cancer, but there is good news coming from the Nuggets as Karl was able to attend workouts this week.

"I'm more active, I walk more, my mouth is getting better, I talk more and am more sarcastic to my staff -- and Duke players," Karl told The Denver Post. "I'm feeling very good; every week is a little better. I've been in the office a lot, energy is good, draft has got me excited, team's got me excited. It's time to get better.

"The doctors are in control, and there are still some tests and situations I've got to pass. Right now, everybody's excited. Right now, I feel good about it and being back on the bench."

There was a huge difference when the Nuggets were being coached by Karl, and after he left. They just weren't the same team. The Nuggets have the pieces to be threatening for an NBA Championship, but they are going to need Karl to be there. It sounds like he is making progress and will be on the bench at the start of next season.