Fixing the Nuggets (how to keep Melo)

[ComboGuardCity]

I think Melo for Gallinari + Anthony Randolph and a 1st Rounder would keep the Nuggets afloat and enticing for other players.

[pickIBL]

does Kobe make the personnel decisions in LA? Do you think Pierce made the decisions in Boston? What about KG in Minny? Duncan in SA? Do you think any of the guys on the Pistons made the decisions on moves in Detroit? How much input do you think Wade had into the championship team in Miami? Did Shaq ever make the decisions anywhere? Fact is there are plenty of articles quoting Jordan and Pipped about the moves the Bulls made while they were there. While they all have some input, no team gives them the say on what moves they make, the minute they do they start making moves like adding a way overpaid Ariza to the team. Or trading their flexibility for a Jamison because Lebron chose him over Amare and losing Hickson. Fact is it is fine to give the players the impression that they have some control, but to actually give them that control, does not and has never led to championships. I personally would rather the Nuggets do the same thing the Lakers did with Kobe, and tell him to shut up and play or trade his ass, then to give him control of moves that the franchise makes.

It's a balancing act no doubt. Players are starting to use their contract situations as leverage more often. In recent years and as we continue to go along players are demanding more control on what goes on in the FO (i don't like this, but i do recognize it). Using Brand was probably a bad idea for an example, but there are going to be plenty of teams looking to dump salary and my guess is to get melo to reUP with the Nuggets he's going to want one of them on the roster.

Remember Kobe made his trade demand right after he "went fishin". This possible trade request is coming out of left field in August/September. At the time Kobe Bryant was just looking for leverage and wasn't looking to partner up which a bunch of superstars (ala Wade and his biatches Lebron and Bosh or say Amare/Paul/Melo in NYC). This is a different situation the Nuggets have to deal with. And to be honest I'm not sure what available move it would take to make Anthony stay in Denver... and you dont know either.

[The Rebel]

It's a balancing act no doubt. Players are starting to use their contract situations as leverage more often. In recent years and as we continue to go along players are demanding more control on what goes on in the FO (i don't like this, but i do recognize it). Using Brand was probably a bad idea for an example, but there are going to be plenty of teams looking to dump salary and my guess is to get melo to reUP with the Nuggets he's going to want one of them on the roster.

That's crap and you and I both know it, players have been trying to control front offices and teams for decades. It goes all the way back to the 60s. This is not a new idea, it is just something that some fans choose to accept as a new thing. Fact is that throughout history the teams that allowed the players to control moves are the same ones that never won.

Remember Kobe made his trade demand right after he "went fishin". This possible trade request is coming out of left field in August/September. At the time Kobe Bryant was just looking for leverage and wasn't looking to partner up which a bunch of superstars (ala Wade and his biatches Lebron and Bosh or say Amare/Paul/Melo in NYC). This is a different situation the Nuggets have to deal with. And to be honest I'm not sure what available move it would take to make Anthony stay in Denver... and you dont know either.

This trade demand if it even happened did not come out of left field, it has been rumored for 3 months. I will agree that neither of us knows what melo wants, and what will make him happy, but I look at it much differently then you seem to. In fact I am not even really sure that New York is his 1st choice, if he actually has made up his mind. Do not forget many of the characters involved in the Lebron fiasco are also involved in the Melo deal.

you have World Wide Wes was one of the major sources that continued to leak false info with Lebron , he is also in Melo's ear and happens to work for Leon Rose and has been connected in the past to the Knicks organization, I don't doubt for one minute that he wants Melo in a major market and would not be surprised if he is leaking continual information that Melo wants out now.

Amare signed in New York with the idea that they were going to get another max contract. Rumors are that he has cornered Melo including the night before his wedding to try to convince Melo to go to New York, I don't see him excited to be a part of that team without Melo. meaning I am sure he is constantly in his ear, and may also be a leak into the media trying to get Melo to New York.

Isiah almost went back to work for the Knicks based on the idea that he helped bring Amare, tried to get involved in Lebron's decision, and will bring Melo in next year. No doubt in my mind he is still trying to be involved, and would anybody be surprised if he was leaking false info?

Now let's look at some facts. Melo and Lala reportedly want to live in New York, however Melo reportedly purchased a house in LA earlier this summer, he has also spent most of his downtime in Baltimore when not getting married or shooting his movie. Does that sound like someone longing to live in New York? hell why spend all his time in Baltimore and LA if he really wants to be in New York?

Melo supposedly wants to be on a more talented team, yet he wants to go to New York where they have 1 above average player? As opposed to staying on a team that has won 50+ games in each of the last 3 years.

He tweeted a picture of himself in a Knicks jersey, however for several days afterward he posted several letters and articles with reasons why he should stay in Denver. Does that sound like someone who has made up his mind to go to New York, or more like someone that is enjoying the attention?

Reports are that Melo wants to be in a major media market, to further both his and Lala's entertainment/ movie careers. This is one of the few things in the media that I believe, as it explains why he would pick 3 franchises like the Knicks, nets, and Clippers.

According to adrian wojnarowski (a guy who repeatedly was fed false info during the Lebron fiasco reportedly by WWW) the meeting was a horrible meeting between Melo and the Kroenke's yet according to articles released since that point, the Nuggets are saying it was a good positive meeting, there are plenty of reports that they had another meeting scheduled, and also reports are that the Nuggets are not even listening to trade offers?

Fact is Melo is a 26 year old kid, that has plenty of people pulling him in different directions and a lot of people with something to gain by getting him to New York, but very few know what is really going on. Even his college coach that he is close to has stated that he does not understand why Melo would want out, and boheim has been critical of the Nuggets in the past.

Fact is if Melo leaves it is not a basketball decision, it is in fact a decision based on advice/pressure from others in his personal circle. There is nothing the Nuggets can do that will change the fact that those forces have more to gain with Melo going elsewhere then they would with him staying in Denver. No amount of trades or signings is going to change that, and at 26 I don't know that he is mature enough to realize where the pressure is really coming from and how to handle that pressure. If he really wants out and thinks he is better off in a larger market, then regardless of what he has meant to this franchise there is no point in fighting it, and you may as well get the best package back for him possible.

[pickIBL]

According to the wiretap the Nuggets went after Rip to show Melo they could add pieces. So it wasn't Brand... but my point was still valid. T

[The Rebel]

According to the wiretap the Nuggets went after Rip to show Melo they could add pieces. So it wasn't Brand... but my point was still valid. T

According to Detroit none of it ever happened, so nothing is proven. Even still if you think Rip is the difference in getting Melo to stay, when his camp is supposedly pushing his top 4 teams as the knicks, bulls, Nets, or Clippers I would say the market size and location have more to do with Melo wanting out, then the actual team on the court.

[el loco]

According to the wiretap the Nuggets went after Rip to show Melo they could add pieces. So it wasn't Brand... but my point was still valid. T

According to Detroit none of it ever happened, so nothing is proven. Even still if you think Rip is the difference in getting Melo to stay, when his camp is supposedly pushing his top 4 teams as the knicks, bulls, Nets, or Clippers I would say the market size and location have more to do with Melo wanting out, then the actual team on the court.

I am glad that it didn't transpire into anything more than what it did. RIP has a terrible contract on par with Brand's.

[old rem]

I agree it is a bad idea to add salary until the Melo situation is solved. But to solve the Melo situation (meaning any chance to keep him) will probably involve adding salary. Brand (whoever)... pick your poison. However I am in favor of the culture change and the opportunity to dump the drama in moving Kmart and Smith. The issue here is what can be done to keep Melo. As an example... if he wants Brand (and will sign) you go get Brand.

I have a feeling Billups can bring him to the table... but I imagine he wants to see roster improvements to compete with the new Big 3, Lakers, Celtics, etc

Brand is finished but still a nightmare contract.