Chris Paul Drama Is Sequel To MeloDrama
You would think with a new CBA it would fix all of this drama shenanigans. But a year later, and there is not only a new drama but two. Guess this is the new NBA.
In a way the Chris Paul and Dwight Howard rumors directly impact the Denver Nuggets, as well as most of the NBA. Agents, owners, coaches and players are all waiting to see how both the Paul and Howard situations play out and on Denver’s side the Nuggets held another practice without knowing if Nene and Arron Afflalo would be on a team this year.
It was a little over 36 hours ago when reports came out that the New Jersey Nets were going to offer Nene the max and a day-and-half later and no movement has been made. In fact, reports came out that Howard has set his sights on playing with Deron Williams and the Nets. That would impact what New Jersey is going to do with Nene. If Howard signs with the Nets, they would then pass on signing Nene. Which would put Denver as his most likely destination. However, Paul’s trade to the Lakers fell apart for the second time in three days and the Lakers turned their attention to Howard and that, once again, leaves Nene in a limbo.
What makes it tough for Nene’s suitors is he has the same agent, Dan Fegan, as Howard and obviously Fegan’s top priority right now is the top big man in the NBA.
Does this all sounds familiar? It should, especially for the Denver folks who constantly had to put up with Carmelo Anthony rumors every day last year. A new rumor popped up daily and reported trades constantly fell apart. Needless to say, Nuggets fans don’t miss that.
Afflalo’s situation comes a little more clearer as Richard Hamilton is a lock to sign with the Chicago Bulls, who were the top team pursuing Afflalo.
BILLUPS UNHAPPY WITH KNICKS
Former Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups had some choice words for the New York Knicks after they
stupidly
decided to use the amnesty clause on him – just five months after they decided to pick up his player option.
The amnesty clause is a team’s get out from under bad contract and depending on Amar’e Stoudemire’s health, it might have been good to save that clause.
Billups told Ian O’Connor that ‘I think they are probably a couple of pieces short, but I wont say what those pieces are.’ He also stated that he is tired of being the nice guy and felt that the Knicks trade was all about Anthony and that the Knicks didn’t value the other assets involved in the trade.
He also brought up a good point that he didn’t like Mike D’Antoni’s point guard heavy system being run through Anthony.
And while Knicks fans can get mad at Billups, he is absolutely correct. New York hasn’t done a good job building its team. Signing Tyson Chandler may sound great and should help their defense, he has also had some serious injuries lately and one reason why he stayed healthy last season was because he played limited minutes (27.8 a game). This signing has to remind Knicks fans of the Jerome James deal and the Eddy Curry trade.
To sum it up, the Knicks have spent more than $30 million on two injury prone big man and are going to lean heavily on young players like Landry Fields, Bill Walker and Toney Douglas. Douglas is an exciting young player, but can he be a pass-first point guard? And can any of three perform consistently? Not to mention the Knicks lack depth at every position, it’s a little scary when Renaldo Balkman may see time on the court.
Nuggets fans would love to have Billups back in Denver, but it is doubtful he’d come here and play behind Ty Lawson. And lets not pretend that he is happy with the Nuggets organization after they added him in the Anthony trade and made him move once again.
CARTER JOINS FORBES IN TORONTO
The Toronto Raptors must have a thing about Denver’s reserves. The Raptors added Linas Kleiza and Sonny Weems last season, and on Friday they signed Gary Forbes to an offer sheet and then added Anthony Carter on Saturday.
Carter was in Denver working out at the Pepsi Center last week, but it appeared there wasn’t a spot for him after the Nuggets signed rookie point guard Julyan Stone.
It also isn’t likely that the Nuggets will match Toronto’s offer sheet for Forbes and it sounds like he is ready to move on as he tweeted this Saturday
"wanna thank the Nuggets organization and the fans 4 givin me the opportunity last yr. I’m ready 4 the next chapter of my career in Toronto"
BUCKS MATCH OFFER SHEET FOR MBAH A MOUTE
Originally, reports said the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t going to match the Nuggets offer sheet for Luc Mbah a Moute, but hours later the Bucks matched the $19 million, 4 year deal.
Not sure how it makes sense to the Bucks, but no doubt Scott Skiles wasn’t going to lose his top defender.
ESPN’s stats guy, John Hollinger, wasn’t a big fan of Mbah a Moute’s signing, giving it a Thumbs Down and stating,
"Throw in the fact that he’s already 25, and I’m having trouble convincing myself that he’s really worth this kind of coin."
Hollinger has respect due to his system, but what is overlooked with it is the players that don’t make an impact in the box score.
BOWEN JOINS NUGGETS COACHING STAFF
Former Nuggets player Ryan Bowen was added to the Nuggets coaching staff. He reportedly will have numerous roles from scouting to video to coaching, according to The Gazette. Bowen worked for Iowa’s basketball team last season as an administrative assistant/video coordinator