FanPost

Sick of the 'Melo Talk.


Let me first begin by saying that I understand how talented Carmelo Anthony is as a basketball player. He will undoubtedly make any team better than they already are. He's a game changer and has been the face of the Nuggets franchise since being drafted into the NBA several years ago. He has also attracted the media with his stardom status, creating hype with his athleticism and drawing crowds because of his name. But despite all of this, I'm tired of hearing Carmelo Anthony's name associated with the New Jersey Nets.

We have all heard throughout the past month or so that Proky has a serious interest in bringing Carmelo Anthony to the New Jersey Nets. there have been multiple rumors suggesting the Nets would be willing to give up two specific players in order to make this trade happen: Devin Harris and Derrick Favors. Well, it just so happens that both of these players have played very good basketball at the start of this young season, and playing for a team that has some form of direction with Avery Johnson behind the bench. Their respective stats for the first two games:

Game 1: Detroit Pistons

Players Pos Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF Pts

D. Harris(notes)

G 30:43 8-15 0-1 6-6 +6 0 4 9 3 2 0 0 4

22

D. Favors(notes) 20:00 3-5 0-0 2-4 -6 3 10 0 1 0 0 0 1

8

Game 2: Sacramento Kings

Players Pos Min FG 3Pt FT +/- Off Reb Ast TO Stl BS BA PF

Pts

D. Harris(notes) G 35:01 7-10 2-2 5-8 +19 0 5 10 4 1 0 0 4 21

D. Favors(notes) 19:49 4-5 0-0 2-2 -1 3 7 0 2 0 1 0 5 10

As you can see based upon the stats, both have put up solid numbers and have played considerable minutes throughout both games. With all things considered, they have both contributed strongly in one form or another (be it putting up clutch points or bringing down boards). But I suppose the most important thing is that they both want to play for the New Jersey Nets. Unlike Carmelo Anthony, where we have heard repeated news stories otherwise:

Melo hesitant about Joining the Nets...

Sources close to Carmelo Anthony tell Chris Broussard that the star forward is reluctant to agree to a trade to the Nets, which he can essentially veto by refusing to sign a long-term contract extension with New Jersey.

Anthony, the sources say, is willing to hold out until the trade deadline in an attempt to force Denver to deal him to the Knicks. The thinking is that the Nuggets would accept New York's offer rather than risk losing Anthony for nothing in the summer.

A good start by the Nets, who are now 2-0 on the young season, might change Anthony's mind.


Now I know that Chris Broussard is, how do you say, an ***wipe who has talked negative things about the New Jersey Nets for a long time now. I agree that his opinion shouldn't be held in the highest regard as a Nets fan because he has shown a pretty blatant bias against them. But the fact remains that we have heard this in the past regarding Carmelo and his reluctance to join the Nets, and my question is why bother trying to convince someone not that interested in joining our team for the sake of giving up two very strong players in Devin and Favors who both can help build a solid foundation for a franchise completely rebuilt. It seems counter-intuitive in my eyes. Add to that the fact that we would be giving up two first round picks in the process, and one has to wonder who would truly benefit from this deal. I would much rather see Favors in a Nets uniform struggling through his growing pains but having the potential for a double double every night than see an overhyped star in Carmelo come to a team he is lukewarm playing for.

Based upon this still early season, have your thoughts about a potential trade with Denver changed at all? Would you rather see the Nets have their ups and downs but develop a team similar to the Thunder, from the bottom up? or make the trade for a star?