It's Time for the League to Embrace the Nuggets

The Nuggets have a lot of tattoos, play emotional, crazy and sometimes rough, and yes, harbor individuals who have had legal troubles. That means fans can call them "thugs" and it's OK. I also never understood why George Karl gets let off the hook for that. He's tall, intimidating, and has eyes that could pierce a brick wall. That's your Swedish docks enforcer from central casting right there.

In some ways, Denver has remained the thorn in the side of David Stern's Bron-spurred reclamation project. Kenyon Martin will never die. J.R. Smith can't stop screwing up, and the team won't let him go. Chris Andersen absorbs love like a two-day old forehead sponge, has that inspirational story, and is white. But he showboats on the court, does his hair like an Insane Clown Posse dead-ender, and is up to his nose in ink. And then there's Carmelo Anthony, easily the most personable, and thus marketable, of the Class of 2003 crew. Yet Melo's always just a little too hood, or perceived as un-valiant, to get on the public's good side.

Oh, and how long does it really take for a team to get rid of Allen Iverson's stain on the walls, especially when they seemingly embraced him? Can you spell T-H-U-G-C-E-N-T-R-A-L. Just trade for Stephen Jackson already and get over with it.

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