Los Angeles – Perhaps “omen” is too strong a word, but Carmelo Anthony enjoyed the parallel between the Western Conference player of the month honor he earned Monday and the last time a Nugget won a monthly award.
The winner was Fat Lever and the month was April 1988 – the season Denver last won its division. The Nuggets are four wins or Utah losses from capturing the Northwest Division this spring.
“Everything happened in ’88. ’88 was a great year,” Anthony said Monday.
The Nuggets’ small forward parlayed an average of 29.9 points per game on .549 shooting, including 10 30-point games, and his fourth game-winner of the season to earn the first monthly award of his three-year career.
“It’s a great honor. A lot of hard work is starting to pay off. Not just me, I think our team as a whole had a great month last month,” said Anthony, who was almost 4 years old when Lever won his award.
The Nuggets went 11-5 in March, including a 5-2 road trip, the best long trip in team history.
“I think it’s great,” coach George Karl said. “It shows the league is recognizing us and respecting his game. It’s a strong move for a young player the first time he gets it. But I have a feeling it’ll be one of a few or many.”
Center Marcus Camby added, “It was only a matter of time. He’s been tremendous all season, but ever since that road trip, he’s been playing just about as good as anyone in the whole league.”
