David Aldridge dropping knowledge:

 The Nets were represented by, among others, owner Mikhail Prokhorov, minority owner Jay Z, CEO Brett Yormark and team president Billy King. Anthony came to the meeting with his agent from CAA, Leon Rose, and his business manager, Bay Frazier.

New Jersey wanted the meeting to try and convince Anthony to sign a three-year, $65 million extension that would keep Anthony in New Jersey after the consumation of a proposed nine-player trade with Denver. The Nuggets and Nets have agreed on a deal that would send Anthony, guards Chauncey Billups, forwards Renaldo Balkman and center Shelden Williams to New Jersey for rookie forward Derrick Favors, guards Devin Harris and Ben Uzoh, forward Troy Murphy and four first-round picks. Murphy would then be re-routed to Golden State for a couple of expiring contracts, expected to include forward Vladmir Radmonovic.

Anthony has balked at accepting the extension from New Jersey, expressing his preference to play in New York. The Knicks have made an offer that includes rookie guard Landry Fields and guard Raymond Felton, forward Wilson Chandler and forward Danilo Gallinari, along with a first-round pick. However, a source indicated Saturday morning that the Nuggets would prefer rookie center Timofey Mozgov to Gallinari. The Nuggets still prefer the New Jersey offer to New York's, and want to do the deal with the Nets. But until Anthony commits to the extension the Nets will not agree to the trade.

Several media outlets reported that Anthony met on Thursday with Knicks owner James Dolan in Los Angeles and reiterated his desire to play for the Knicks. On Friday, a league source indicated that Anthony reiterated his intention not to sign with New Jersey to friends.

The New York Daily News first reported that Anthony had finally agreed to a meeting with the Nets.

Source: http://www.nba.com/2011/news/02/19/nets-prokhorov-melo.ap/index.html

So I assume one of those 1st round picks is NJ's 2011 one? Which is almost a lock to be a top 4 pick. If not, enlighten me.

I think if it comes to the deadline, and the Knicks give up, Melo will take the deal, he wants his money more than the Knicks imo.

What you guys reckon?

Courtesy of nba.com/nuggets, and Aaron J. Lopez

Turkey week could be punctuated by the return of Birdman.

Nuggets forward Chris Andersen went through a full practice Sunday and could make his season debut Monday at Golden State. Andersen, who is listed as "probable," has not played since having surgery in late-May to repair a partially torn patella tendon in his right knee.

"My knee’s doing really well," Andersen said Saturday. "I’m ecstatic about coming back. It’s been a long time waiting and I’m just trying to be optimistic and realistic at the same time."

If Andersen is unable to "get the dust off" against Golden State, he could return Friday at home against the Chicago Bulls.

"We’re hoping that he’ll play next week," Nuggets coach George Karl said before Denver's victory over New Jersey on Saturday. "We’re practicing (Sunday) and we’ll practice Tuesday because of that. Hopefully our Thanksgiving present will be Birdman back in the lineup."

The Nuggets have been outrebounded in nine of their 13 games and could use the 6-foot-10 Andersen’s size, energy and shot-blocking in the lineup. Nene (6-11) is the only Denver player taller than 6-9 who averages more than 15 minutes per game. Andersen averaged a career-high 6.4 rebounds and 1.88 blocks last season.

Like Andersen, forward Kenyon Martin has been sidelined all season while recovering from knee surgery. His recovery is going well but there is no specific timetable for his return.

http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/andersen_return_11_20_2010.html

That's big for Denver. Depending on how long he takes to get back into the swing of things, we could get a real energy boost soon, something we sorely need.

We all know the story of the Denver Nuggets last two seasons; as talented as any team in the league, but for every bit of talent, just as volatile and inconsistent. Some nights they come out and beat the Lakers, in LA, sans their best player. Others... Well... Let's just go through what they have.

Legit NBA Superstar in Carmelo Anthony? Check.

Coach with over 900 regular season wins in Geroge Karl? Check.

6th Man of the Year candidate in JR Smith? Check.

One of the most fearsome and versatile defenders in the league in Kenyon Martin? Check.

One of the most steady, consistent PG's in the game, and widely considered the league's best leader in Chauncey Billups? Check.

Arguably top 5 Center in the league in Nene? Check.

Former Executive of the Year in Mark Warkentien? Check.

Lockdown perimeter defender in Arron Afflalo? Check.

Those are all very good pieces, and most of all, they are all integral parts in any championship team. The scorer, the leader, the voice, the brain, the x-factor, the fallback option and the supporting cast.

Carmelo Anthony, undoubtedly the most well-rounded offensive player in the game, still gets questioned on his leadership abilities and defense.

George Karl, despite being 14 wins off 1000 career coaching wins, has never made the NBA Finals.

Chauncey Billups is soon to be 34, and has visibly been tired in the Nuggets' last two playoff campaigns.

The Nuggets seemingly have the talent, and they no doubt have the desire. Who knows, if George Karl wasn't suddenly ripped from his troops due to cancer late this season, who's to say they don't go back to the Conference Finals? No knock against Adrian Dantley, but he's not in the mold of George Karl, and whatever it is that Karl does for the Nuggets, it works.

So, the question inevitably looms: What's next for the Denver Nuggets?

- Do they stay still, retain the core of the team, and hope health prevails in players and coaching staff and gear for another run? Their current free agents are Anthony Carter, Joey Graham, Johan Petro, Malik Allen and Kenyon Martin has an Early Termination option in his contract, though it is highly doubtful he exercises that option. Graham showed that he can be a valuable bench player while spelling Melo, Carter provides a veteran voice, Petro provides rebounding and length and still has upside. Malik Allen gives you Tacos.

- Do they make a couple of solid moves, get the defensive bigman and consistent inside scoring the fanbase has been screaming for the last 2 seasons to help take the weight off of Melo? The team has recently tried to acquire Tyrus Thomas from the Bulls, but he ended up in Charlotte, though it should be noted he is a restricted free agent this offseason. Michael Beasley could also be had for the right price, and with many Denver fans calling for the ouster of JR Smith, the Nuggets do have pieces.

Or...

- Do they make a big trade to land a prime player? Amare Stoudemire is not exercising his player option this offseason, and the word is being thrown around amongst Denver fans how his ability to finish inside would keep the defenses honest.

Personally, I think option #2 is the most viable, when Denver's two biggest needs are taken into account. They need a lengthy defensive bigman, and another versatile inside scorer, so the defense cannot key in on Carmelo Anthony.

Miami is listening to offers for Beasley, and Denver has expiring contracts and JR Smith. Tyrus Thomas is, as aforementioned, a free agent that Denver will no doubt be keeping tabs on. Jermaine O'Neal is another guy who could help. A defensive minded, lengthy inside defensive presence that can also score.

Something I think has some merit to it. Trade JR Smith in a package to somehow get Xavier Henry. He is basically JR with his head screwed on, and he has gobfuls of potential, and he wants to be the best. Bring in Tyrus Thomas or Michael Beasley, and that there gives us youth, and also fixes two of our biggest problems.

Denver, we have one interesting offseason ahead of us, and personally, I'm expecting big things.

Okay first up, my name's Jack. I'm not a bot. I'm a pretty intense Nuggets fan, have been since Melo was drafted in 03' (I'm only 18).

Anyways, I've been reading Andrew's blog since it was firegeorgekarl.com, but I'm here for something different. I've recently made a group on facebook that I think any good NBA fan will be interested in. I'm not asking for you to post on it or even like the statuses, just simply help this wonderful cause get a little exposure. We CAN get Kwame Brown into the all-star game! So if you have facebook, I implore you to join the group. Just imagine how comical it would be if we could have Kwame in the all-star game dropping passes and blowing dunks. Even better, imagine the way David Stern will react when he finds out that Kwame is going to start.

I'm not a bot, just a kid trying to get my noble cause some exposure haha.

Cheers guys,

                        Jack.