Nuggets would be foolish to ship out Carmelo Anthony

Suffer, sadly, the fools who, this very day, would throw Carmelo Anthony under the bus, to the curb, over the cliff and into the briar patch.

Can't we see how this plays out?

In Carmelo Anthony's seven seasons in Denver, the Nuggets have won 338 regular-season games, averaging just over 48 victories per season, finished first or second in the division 6 times, reached the playoffs in every season and advanced to the conference finals once (and, yes, lost in the first round all other years).

In the eight seasons prior to Carmelo Anthony's arrival, the Nuggets won 200 games, an average of 25 per season and NEVER made the playoffs.

Yet, because Carmelo hasn't made up his mind yet about accepting a three-year, $65 million contract extension offer, because some people made cute, champagne remarks at his wedding, because the Knicks were snubbed by LeBron James and look like the buffoons they are, because some people in New York and on talk radio claim to have sources who are friends of sources who drink on barstools next to sources, some people in Denver want to run the Nuggets' most accomplished NBA player, ever, out of town — immediately.

The rest of us must suffer the fools.

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NBA : Stephen Curry Hopes to Play Saturday

Though Stephen Curry said his left ankle was at just “80 percent” in yesterday’s practice, he’s looking to play this weekend as the US takes on Lithuania on Saturday and defending world champion Spain on Sunday: From Marcus Thompson: “Doctors told him there is no structural damage to the ligaments or tendons in his left ankle.

Curry’s sprained ankle, he promises, is really just a mild sprained ankle. So much so, he is going to continue his pursuit of making the national team for the World Championships. He said if he thought the injury would linger, he would leave Team USA to make sure he is healthy for the season.

He said he is hoping to play in Saturday’s game vs. Lithuania in Spain, though it all depends on how his ankle feels. He is presumed to be in a battle with Clippers guard Eric Gordon for the 12th and final roster spot for the World Championships, which starts Aug. 28 in Turkey.”

NBA : Chicago Bulls making their “moves”

This year’s trade market was one of the busiest as well as biggest in the NBA history. With big names like LeBron James and Chris Bosh moving to Miami Heat, NBA witnessed a lot of buzz lately. Some fans consider the move would be successful whereas others have opposite views. The Miami Heat has come up with big signings, with other teams following its footsteps.

Trying to recapture the days in which they were the only dominating force in the NBA, the Bulls intended to sign LeBron James, who is expected to bring the same royals as Michael Jordan once did. After failing to sign King James, the Chicago Bulls came up signing Carlos Boozer to further boost their talented squad that lacked experience. LeBron joined the Miami Heat that couldn’t manage to get past the first round playoffs. Not only did the Bulls sign Boozer but came up with another amazing signing that strengthens three scoring abilities by bagging Kyle Korver, a three-point specialist from the Utah Jazz.

Not only this, the Bulls also managed to trade away a few players from their squad so that they could rotate the players and every person in the team could play without any conflicts.

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Stephen Curry hoping for quick recovery from ankle injury

MADRID (AP) -- Stephen Curry is eager to overcome an ankle injury, hopeful it won't impact his chances of making the U.S. roster for the world championship.

Stephen Curry didn't practice Thursday after suffering a mild sprain to his left ankle a day earlier. The U.S. team said Curry's recovery was "progressing'' but he remained day to day.

With one player still to be cut from the 13-man squad -- and most likely a guard -- Stephen Curry looked slightly anxious after watching his teammates practice.

"It hurts. To miss a great practice like this with the scrimmaging and all -- it's never great to have an injury, especially in a pressure situation like this,'' Stephen Curry said at the Magic Box center on the outskirts of the Spanish capital. "I just have to make sure I get back this weekend.''

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NBA : Rudy Fernandez ignoring Portland Trail Blazers

MADRID, Spain -- Rudy Fernandez is not returning calls from Portland Trail Blazers coach Nate McMillan, and the NBA on Thursday was investigating whether Fernandez or his agent violated league rules by threatening a holdout.

With Team USA set to play Rudy Fernandez and the Spanish national team Sunday night, the latest developments regarding the disgruntled Rudy Fernandez and the trade speculation surrounding Carmelo Anthony added 2 more subplots to an NBA offseason that refuses to take a holiday.

"I have tried to contact Rudy, and he hasn't returned calls [since the season ended]," Nate McMillan told ESPN.com. "So we'll just have to see what happens. We are looking to improve our team at all times, but I don't know what's going to happen."

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Paul Pierce still likes Boston Celtics in ever-changing NBA

When he considers the new-age look of the NBA, Paul Pierce just shakes his head. Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh keeping company in Miami. Talk of Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony leaving their respective teams.

“I have never seen a summer like this,” the Celtics captain said yesterday at his youth camp at Basketball City. “The landscape of the NBA is changing, West to East.

“It’s like the season never ended. You are seeing a new era in basketball. It’s going to be different the next 10, 15 years.”

Of course, Pierce’s team hasn’t exactly let the world pass by. General Manager Danny Ainge made several big moves this offseason, including re-signing Paul Pierce (after he opted out of his contract), Ray Allen, Nate Robinson and Marquis Daniels and adding veteran centers Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal.

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NBA : Where will Carmelo Anthony land?

After what transpired this summer, with LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Carlos Boozer and Amare Stoudemire changing addresses, it looks like Carmelo Anthony wants to get in on the fun.

As ESPN's Ric Bucher reported on Monday, Carmelo Anthony is ready to split with the Denver Nuggets, whether by trade or free agency. And if he doesn't sign an extension in the meantime, Carmelo will be the star of the 2011 free agent class.

Where will he end up? We posed that question to our 93 NBA experts.

Here are the results:

New York (60 votes)

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Celtics: How "The Big Shamrock" Will Help The Celtics

As a huge fan of Shaquille O'Neal, let me welcome the "Big Shamrock" to Boston. Ever since I started watching basketball, I’ve always loved watching the Diesel muscle his way through defenders and work the camera like no one in the history of the NBA. With that said, many people are a little skeptical of the signing because, let's face it, Shaquille O'Neal is 38 years old, clearly out of shape, and not nearly the player he once was. I look at the signing a bit differently...

We all watched the NBA Finals and saw the Boston Celtics get owned on the boards and just could not match up to the oversized team that was the Lakers. When Kendrick Perkins went down with a torn ACL and MCL in Game 6, all of Celtic Nation held their breath because we knew that we just lost one of the best defensive centers in the league at a time when we needed him most.

Even without Perk, the Boston Celtics were just a few minutes away from an 18th NBA Championship, but then that glaring hole at center really started to show. The likes of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Kobe Bryant, and Andrew Bynum started getting all the rebounds that the Celtics could not get. Boston Celtics was just worn out and could not keep up with the Lakers who were able to keep their players fresh.

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Orlando Magic Sign Second Round Pick

On Monday, the Orlando Magic officially signed forward Stanley Robinson. Robinson, selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2010 NBA draft, played four seasons for the University of Connecticut. He also was considered an integral part of the Huskies 2009 run to the Final Four.

This summer, Stanley Robinson played on the Magic’s summer league team where he impressed staff by shooting fifty percent from the floor and he also excels in rebounding and, with his 6’9″ frame, shot blocking.

Per team policy, the terms of the deal were not disclosed.

LA Lakers: 30 Team Previews In 30 Days

2009-10 Statistics

Finished 57-25, first in Pacific Division, first in Western Conference

Postseason

1st Round: Defeated Oklahoma City Thunder 4-2

2nd Round: Defeated Utah Jazz 4-0

Conference Finals: Defeated Phoenix Suns 4-3

NBA Finals: Defeated Boston Celtics 4-3

Additions and Re-Signings

Matt Barnes via free agency, Steve Blake via free agency, Theo Ratliff via free agency, Shannon Brown via re-signing, Derek Caracter via draft, and Devin Ebanks via draft.

Losses

Jordan Farmar via free agency and Josh Powell via free agency.

Revenge has never felt so good for the LA Lakers. After being ousted in 6 games in the 2007 NBA Finals by the Boston Celtics, the LA Lakers made it back to the NBA Finals to gain redemption against the team that had embarrassed them 2 years prior.

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Karl Mallone and Scottie Pippen Join Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

Getting into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has been the dream of every basketball player. This prestigious recognition seems to be the ultimate achievement for a basketball player to have.

This year, two great basketball players have joined the group. Power forward Karl Malone and small forward Scottie Pippen were among the 10 inductees listed. Karl Malone has been nicknamed “The Mailman” way back his college years for his consistency and work in the post. It figuratively means “the mailman always delivers” and these has been Karl Malone been doing in his games. Proclaimed as two-time NBA’s Most Valuable Player and generally considered one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history, and has scored the second most points (36,928) in NBA history. Deserving enough to be included.

Scottie Pippen on the other has a lot of things to brag out. He was best remembered in Chicago Bulls wherein he has been a part of their record of 1996 season of having 72 wins. He was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team 8 times and the All-NBA First Team 3 times. He was a 7-time NBA All Star and was the NBA All Star Game MVP in 1994. He has been considered to be one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History during the 1996–97 NBA season.

Karl Malone has been emotional in the induction and has dedicated everything to his mom. Scottie Pippen on the other has given Micheal Jordan for being his best team mate. “MJ, you have touched so many people’s lives, but none quite like mine. Thank you for being the best team mate. I will always cherish that experience and I will cherish our relationship forever”, Scottie Pippen said.

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