Though the level of interest in their stories is vastly different, both Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith had trade rumors swirling around them this summer. Nuggets coach George Karl has seen both in four days of practices and sat down with each to discuss their play.
Guess who’s coming out smelling like roses?
You guessed it, or maybe not: both.
Karl said Friday his conversation with Melo went well, though it probably won’t make a difference to Anthony as he makes his decision .
“I think right now everybody is sensitive to talking about it, but in general, I thought it was a very positive conversation,” Karl said. “Kind of what I said in my (media day) press conference, I said to him: I think this is the best team for you, from what I know of the situation. It’s a great city. Why can’t we be the team that creates the great team? Next year we will have a salary cap situation that will be the first time positive probably for five or six years.”
All along, Anthony has stayed publicly coy about his intentions, though his refusal to sign the Nuggets’ offer of a three-year, $65 million extension has the franchise looking for a trade if it can’t get him signed. Privately, there have been ongoing conversations to try to convince him to stay. Karl said his talk Thursday with Melo wasn’t any different from what the two have had in the past.
“I think Melo was very respectful, and we have a good rapport,” Karl said. “We have a good interchange on almost anything, from betting on the Steelers and Ravens (game) to talking about Carolina and Syracuse to talking about our kids. We have a good rapport.”
Karl, however, stayed away from saying the conversation was positive enough to turn the tide toward keeping Anthony around past this season. Still, he added “Whatever happens, I want Melo and I to be respectful and professional with one another. I think that will get done.”
Meanwhile, J.R. Smith is quietly putting together one of his best training camps. It’s early, but the reviews are positive for the shooting guard, who trimmed down and worked on his game over the summer.
“I’m hoping that he’s better than he’s ever been,” Karl said. “He’s come in in good shape. J.R. has probably had as solid a practice, three consecutive ones (as he’s had in a long time); that’s not what I remember in J.R. There’s always good and then bad.
“But he seems like he’s gotten more focused. I think he sees a very competitive situation for minutes. He’s still a very important part of our success. And there is a competition there. Ty (Lawson) and Arron (Afflalo) have had great summers, and I think they’ve played very well also.”
Asked if he’d like to see Smith stick around for the entire season, Karl said, “Tell me how he’s going to react to the stress and pressure of the season. I’m fine with J.R. if he’s playing the right way and playing with the right attitude. If he throws out that deflating depression, negative energy that sometimes he can bring to the team, I don’t think we’re going to tolerate that very much.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
