And the MeloDrama continues…

It is a hollow victory to see Carmelo Anthony in a Denver Nuggets jersey. This is the last place anybody involved wanted to be, Anthony wanted to go back East, the Nuggets wanted him to sign the extension and the Nuggets want the MeloDrama done.

It was apparent when Melo was at media day on Monday that the proposed four-team trade with the Nets was dead. The media can point fingers, but the bottom line the Nuggets weren’t getting enough compensation for their franchise player. While a trade with the Nets is imminent, it is a question of who will be involved and when as both teams go through their beginning drills and prepare for the season.

It is hard to get a feel or get excited about the Nuggets upcoming season with all of the questions with the squad and the MeloDrama constantly looming with this team. And the idea that the same team that was outworked and outsmarted every night last year is back.

The uber-talented, but always frustrating shooting guard JR Smith remains on the team, Renaldo Balkman, who has a perennial spot in George Karl’s doghouse returns and the always controversial Kenyon Martin is back with the team, but will likely not play until January.

For all of the weaknesses the Nuggets showed last season, none was really dealt with. The additions of Al Harrington and Shelden Williams should help.

Harrington will be a nice addition to the Nuggets’ bench, that was one of the biggest weaknesses last season. Harrington can score and said he will defend this season as well. Williams may be the next big find for Denver. He was a top-five pick in 2006 and has never lived up to his expectations. But he could be this season’s Dahntay Jones, giving the Nuggets a defensive spark.