The end may soon be near for Carmelo Anthony.
The former Denver Nuggets superstar, and perpetual object of Nuggets fans’ scorn, when the Houston Rockets visit the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night. If reports are to be believed, , with the possibility he could be waived as soon as Monday.
For the second time in two seasons, the 10-time All-Star’s attempt at playing third banana in a perimeter Big 3 failed miserably. Team USA Melo never materialized in Houston or Oklahoma City. And one has to wonder if he ever will, regardless of where he lands next.
While some Nuggets fans might derive a level of schadenfreude from this inglorious end to an otherwise great career, I can’t help but feel a little pity for the man. (Well, as much pity as one can feel for someone who made more than $230 million over 16 years.)
I’ve always believed Melo made a grave mistake when he forced his way out of Denver all those years ago. And I bet he’d come to a similar conclusion if you fed him some truth serum and a couple of Torchy’s tacos.
At the time Melo was traded, the Nuggets were only a couple seasons removed from pushing Kobe Bryant and the L.A. Lakers to the brink in the conference finals. They had a razor sharp general manger in Masai Ujiri, and plenty of flexibility to make some moves. Even if , there was a way to make things work. You’ll never convince me otherwise.
Instead, the trade that sent him out of town took a massive bite out of the New York Knicks roster he joined, and Anthony won only one playoff series in seven seasons at Madison Square Garden.
In the end, Nuggets fans really don’t have all that much to be bitter about. One of the picks Ujiri acquired in that trade eventually turned into Jamal Murray, a cornerstone of the current roster who recently torched the Boston Celtics to the tune of 48 points. And they ultimately got some of Melo’s best years: four of his six all-NBA seasons, to be exact.
Of course, it could’ve been so much more for Melo and the Nuggets. If only we could go back and hit the reset button, I’d be fascinated to see what comes next.
— , The Denver Post
NEW 💥 If you enjoy The Denver Post’s sports coverage, we have a new subscription offer for you!
What’s on Tap?
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
.
Scoreboard
NBA: Bucks 121, Nuggets 114
Full story
NHL: Avalanche 4, Oilers 1
Full story
Must-Read
UFC turns 25 in Denver, where it began with a wing, a prayer — and a semi-automatic
It may have Conor McGregor’s crazy eyes, Paige VanZantap smile and Dana White’s nose, but it was born here. Born on a wing, a prayer and a semi-automatic. Read more…
“We’re contributing to our own demise”: Nuggets coach Michael Malone fumes after loss to Bucks
The film of Sunday’s loss to Milwaukee won’t be kind to the Nuggets, but itap the film coach Michael Malone expected his players to watch coming into the game that might have him more frustrated. Read more…
Stephens: Inside Niko Medved’s unconventional Colorado State program, handing out gold stars works. Everyone matters.
As much as no one around the Rams men’s basketball program wants to discuss the regime of former coach Larry Eustachy, acknowledging his reign is necessary to appreciate the relevance of whatap happening under his replacement Niko Medved. Read more…
Broncos’ current struggles conjure up the dark days of “Half-a-Loaf” Lou Saban”
The spirit of coach “Half-a-Loaf” Lou Saban, the ineptitude of quarterbacks such as Steve Tensi, Pete Liske, Steve Ramsey and Don Horn, as well as a losing culture that defined the team for its first 13 seasons, were buried long ago. Or so it seemed. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ As the Broncos exit their bye week, beat writer Ryan O’Halloran offers 17 thoughts, including why re-signing Matt Paradis should be a priority.
+ Focusing on the present, not free agency has made a difference for Broncos LB Shaq Barrett.
+ In the search for secondary scoring, the Colorado Avalanche turns to Tyson Jost for offensive spark.
+ For CU Buffs football coach Mike MacIntyre, injuries have become excuse No. 1, Brian Howell writes.
+ Matt Stephens wonders aloud: Mike MacIntyre, are you trying to get fired?
+ Wanted by CSU football coach Mike Bobo: Some fight.
+ It will be winner-take-all between NASCAR’s so-called Big Three and the driver once called “Sliced Bread” next week.
+ Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes continued to amaze Sunday, breaking the franchise’s single-season touchdown record with six games left to play.
+ The Chargers may be the second-best team in their own city — and division — but they’re as hot as anyone in the NFL right now after a sixth straight win.
+ The Northwestern Wildcats entered the AP Top 25 after clinching their division in the Big Ten.
Post Mailbag forms
+ Broncos Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Avs Mailbag: Have a question about the team? Ask Mike Chambers here.
+ Nuggets Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
509
Career touchdown passes thrown by Drew Brees after he tossed two more in Sunday’s 51-14 rout of the Cincinnati Bengals. That puts him No. 2 on the list, just ahead of Brett Favre at 508 and 30 behind former Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Read more…
Parting Shot
Tom Brady pulled late as Pats’ offense struggles in loss to Tennessee Titans
New England is used to taking quarterback Tom Brady out of fourth-quarter blowouts — just not when it’s the Patriots who are the ones getting blown out. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
