DP.com: Melo Backs Martin's Return to Nuggets Roster; Clockwork Has Heart Attack

[RhymesayersDU]

Just had to throw the Clockwork reference in the title, although truth be told, I think Melo is just trying to be a good teammate here, I don't know how much he (or anybody else for that matter) wants him back.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_3970305

Article Launched: 06/23/2006 01:00:00 AM MDT

Melo backs Martin's return to Nuggets roster
By Adam Thompson
Denver Post Staff Writer

Carmelo Anthony has kept a low profile since the Los Angeles Clippers eliminated his Nuggets in early May.

But as a string of fans, entertainers and even the main attraction at Denver Coliseum on Thursday - the street basketball players of the And1 Mix Tape Tour - paid homage to him at his halfcourt seat, Anthony was impossible to miss.

Speaking there in his first local newspaper interview since season's end, Anthony endorsed the return of forward Kenyon Martin but suggested Denver will need more talent if it is to get past the first round.

Asked if he thought Martin and coach George Karl could resolve their differences, Anthony replied: "Hopefully they work it out, but everybody's got to do what they've got to do....I would love to play with him."

The small forward also praised his fellow 2003 draftee, Miami's Dwyane Wade, for raising the bar for a superior draft class that also includes LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Anthony suggested the newly minted NBA Finals MVP had more help than he has, when asked what he learned from watching Wade.

"Get some guys around you," he said, adding that overall Miami had a superb team. "They had people on that team who knew what they had to do to win basketball games. Once you've got that going, it's pretty hard to stop that."

The Nuggets can extend Anthony's contract six years starting July 1, and though an extension remains likely for him, he said he did not want to address a new deal until next month.

In the meantime, he continues to work out as he prepares for Team USA's July camp ahead of the 2006 World Championships in Japan in August.

Though Anthony has no guarantees of making the team, he said he knows what to expect, having played on the 2004 Olympic team.

"I don't know when's the last time I tried out," said Anthony, who has been working out since the start of the month. "I just look at it as going out there, playing basketball, playing my game and we'll see what happens."

Although it has been nearly two months since the departure of general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, Anthony also weighed in on the man who drafted him.

"Kiki was my man," he said. "I don't know what happened in the front office. I'd rather not talk about that. But when Kiki was here, he was the one who (brought) me in. I'm going to always have respect for what Kiki did for the organization."

Anthony talked on Thursday with Mark Warkentien, Denver's director of player personnel, though he said he had no advice for the front office.

"I think if everybody in the front office puts their heads together and collaborates on those things, I think it's going to be a big summer," he predicted.

Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.

[Clockwork Orange]

You said it right in the beginning, he's being a good teammate and saying the right things. Hell, he may even feel that way, I've never really sensed any friction between Carmelo and Kenyon.

Now Camby's public support for Kenyon a few weeks ago was a big bubbling crock of ****. I still wonder if Marcus managed to get through those statements with a straight face.

I don't think it really matters because, barring a miracle, I can't see Kenyon returning to the team anyway.

[freak6]

Is it possible to even move that cancer, with that huge contract?

[Clockwork Orange]

Is it possible to even move that cancer, with that huge contract?

Yes, but probably not without taking on another headcase (Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury) in the process.

The Nuggets made their bed on this one, so they get to lie in it.

[Nuggets4]

The whole Nugs franchise is in repair mode right now with K-Mart. "No really, he's not a cancer." "No really, he can be a great contributor to the team." "No really, he can be had cheap in trade!"

[RhymesayersDU]

You know, I wouldn't mind Francis or Marbury... I realize they can be lockerroom cancers, but with that said, this team needs a second scorer to help out Melo, and I wouldn't be opposed to getting either of those guys.

I'd REALLY like that proposed trade idea of getting Ricky Davis for KMart.

[Nuggets4]

You know, I wouldn't mind Francis or Marbury... I realize they can be lockerroom cancers, but with that said, this team needs a second scorer to help out Melo, and I wouldn't be opposed to getting either of those guys.

I'd REALLY like that proposed trade idea of getting Ricky Davis for KMart.

Yeah, you're not allowed anywhere near the Pepsi Center if they're making personnel decisions.

[RhymesayersDU]

Yeah, you're not allowed anywhere near the Pepsi Center if they're making personnel decisions.
I know, I know... but man we need somebody who can put the ball in the hoop. Melo can't do this by himself.

[Nuggets4]

I know, I know... but man we need somebody who can put the ball in the hoop. Melo can't do this by himself.

So you want to bring in three headcases that rival K-Mart for being insane? I'd honestly rather bring in 3 or 4 Fred Hoiberg's than deal with more insanity.

[Clockwork Orange]

Ricky Davis is a bigger chucker than Boykins. I'll pass (which is something Ricky Davis has never learned how to do).

[Nuggets4]

Rhyme, please tell me you're not going to suggest we go after Steven Jackson or Dennis Rodman next.

[RhymesayersDU]

Well, Rodman probably does still board better then anybody on our team. Steven Jackson just isn't that good.

I just really would very much like somebody who can score points. Hell, Hoiberg pre-heart surgury could shoot the 3, I'd be down for him.

In my dream world, we draft McNamara, and the Syracuse magic lights up.

In related news, do any of you guys know anything about Antoinne Hood? Just heard on 950 that the Nuggets are bringing him in for another pre-draft work out.

[Nuggets4]

In related news, do any of you guys know anything about Antoinne Hood? Just heard on 950 that the Nuggets are bringing him in for another pre-draft work out.

It'd be nice if we drafted a player that actually was in the country with our second round pick this year.

BTW, what's up with your boy Yemi struggling so much in the athletic competitions in the pre-draft workouts?

[freak6]

I'd REALLY like that proposed trade idea of getting Ricky Davis for KMart.

omg, you have got to be kidding me right?

[Clockwork Orange]

Rhyme, please tell me you're not going to suggest we go after Steven Jackson or Dennis Rodman next.

Why not? We're already working out Shawn Klump.

[RhymesayersDU]

It'd be nice if we drafted a player that actually was in the country with our second round pick this year.

BTW, what's up with your boy Yemi struggling so much in the athletic competitions in the pre-draft workouts?
Yemi is struggling? I hadn't really heard anything about him, except that he worked out for the Nugs. What have you heard?

[Master___Pain]

Well, Rodman probably does still board better then anybody on our team. Steven Jackson just isn't that good.

I just really would very much like somebody who can score points. Hell, Hoiberg pre-heart surgury could shoot the 3, I'd be down for him.

In my dream world, we draft McNamara, and the Syracuse magic lights up.

In related news, do any of you guys know anything about Antoinne Hood? Just heard on 950 that the Nuggets are bringing him in for another pre-draft work out.

I saw Hood play quite a few times over the last few years. He certainly a baller and has great shooting range. At the Academy he had to play within in that Princton offense that they run so I don't know how much his skills were on display. He's explosive and a good rebounder. His biggest knock is he played at USAFA and that he has a milatary commitment. Can he be a contributer in the NBA? I don't know but the Nuggs must like something they see in him to bring him back for another workout. I am sure Bzdelik is pimping him pretty good too.

[Nuggets4]

Yemi is struggling? I hadn't really heard anything about him, except that he worked out for the Nugs. What have you heard?

Chad Ford's blog:

Combine results: Best athletes
posted: Friday, June 16, 2006 | Feedback | Print Entry

While the height and weight measurements from the NBA predraft camp are interesting and relevant, NBA GMs and scouts also spend a lot of time dissecting the results of the NBA physical combine.

Last year Joey Graham (Raptors) rated as the top athlete in the draft, boosting his draft stock. Rashad McCants (Timberwolves) and Luther Head (Rockets) also finished in the top 10 and saw a nice little bump to their stock, too.

Players are asked to bench press 185 pounds as many times as they can, test their vertical jump two ways (no step and maximum) and run several drills to measure speed and lateral quickness.

For the fourth straight year Insider has obtained this confidential report from a league source.

North Carolina's David Noel tested as the top athlete in the draft. He was followed by Arkansas' Ronnie Brewer, Louisiana Lafayette's Dwyane Mitchell, Michigan's Daniel Horton, Memphis' Rodney Carney, Villanova's Randy Foye, Louisville's Taquan Dean, Georgetown's Brandon Bowman, Maryland's Nik Caner-Medley and UNLV's Louis Amundson.

St. Louis' Ian Vouyoukas, Denver's Yemi Nicholson, Bradley's Patrick O'Bryant, Oklahoma State's Frans Steyn and Texas' Brad Buckman tested as the worst athletes in the draft.

UCLA's Jordan Farmar shocked everyone by recording the biggest maximum vertical with a whopping 42 inches. Five other players jumped 40 or more inches in the maximum vertical jump: Mitchell (41.5), Brewer (41), UConn's Rudy Gay (40.5), Washington's Brandon Roy (40.5) and Iowa State's Will Blalock (40). Nicholson (26) and UConn's Marcus Williams (28) had the two worst scores in the camp.

Hartford's Kenny Adeleke and Gonzaga's J.P. Batista tested as the strongest athletes in the camp. They both bench pressed a 185-pound bar 26 times. Three other players got the bar up 20 or more times: Duke's Shelden Williams (25), Bowman (24) and Cincinnati's Eric Hicks (20). Memphis' Shawne Williams tested the worst with zero reps.

In the lane agility testing, Horton had the best score, finishing the drill in 10.35 seconds. Foye and Dean tied for second at 10.53 seconds. Noel and Illinois' James Augustine (10.54) also tested very fast. Nicholson had the worst score (13.7 seconds).

In the three-quarter-court sprints, Carney led the way in a blinding 3.06 seconds. Noel (3.07), George Washington's Danilo Pinnock (3.08) and Charlotte's Curtis Withers (3.1) also tested well. Nicholson came in last again (3.72).

*table cut for formatting issues*

Analysis: The big winner here is obviously Brewer, who tested much better than expected in the vertical jump and strength categories. Combine that with his excellent measurements, and it looks like Brewer could move up in the draft. You don't find that combination of size, strength and athleticism in a guard very often. His so-so lane agility test was the only thing that hurt him, but given his size the score isn't bad.

Farmar also should get a big boost from his combine results. No one -- and I mean no one -- expected him to top out the vertical jump testing. He also tested well in the strength department. His speed scores were a little on the average side for a point guard, but given the type of game that he plays, this was a win for Farmar.

People have been saying Foye is a poor man's Dwyane Wade. How does the tale of the tape between the two compare athletically? Here's a look at Foye compared to Wade's 2003 testing:

*another table cut for formatting*

Wade is considerably bigger when you add wingspan and standing reach to the equation. Foye jumps higher and is stronger. Both have similar lateral quickness, but where Wade really shines is in the sprint. That score would've been good for third place in this draft class.

Gay, Thomas and Carney have been billed as the best athletes in the draft, and their scores certainly verified that. What was a little more surprising was Roy. He's been billed as an average athlete, but he tested better than expected -- especially his 40.5-inch vertical.

As we reported earlier, Redick tested better than you'd think in just about every category except strength. He is by no means a great athlete, but he's not a bad one, either.

Five top players really took a huge hit in the testing.

Marcus Williams tested dead last among all guards in the draft. Guys like Gerry McNamara, Carl Krauser and even Mardy Collins tested better. When several GMs called him a below-average NBA athlete, they weren't kidding.

Collins didn't fare so well himself. The lane agility score of 12 seconds is awful for a guy trying to play guard.

O'Bryant also tested poorly for a guy who looks so athletic out there. He tested as the 18th-best center at his position. That's not good. His vertical jump, lane agility and sprint were all poor. That was a major surprise.

Texas' LaMarcus Aldridge is athletic but he pales in comparison to LSU's Tyrus Thomas in almost every category. Aldridge ended up being ranked 28th out of 33 power forwards in the draft.

Gonzaga's Adam Morrison also didn't do anything to dispel talk that he's not a great athlete. Only one true small forward, Marquette's Steve Novak, tested worse. The only thing that saved Morrison from sinking to last place was a good showing in the bench press.

One note: A number of potential first-rounders were either not invited to the combine or were unable to attend, so we don't have their scores. They include Italy's Andrea Bargnani, Kentucky's Rajon Rondo, Villanova's Kyle Lowry, Michigan State's Shannon Brown, Switzerland's Thabo Sefolosha, Ukraine's Olexsiy Pecherov, Florida State's Alexander Johnson, Miami's Guillermo Diaz, Rutgers' Quincy Douby, Cincinnati's James White, UConn's Josh Boone, Colorado's Richard Roby and Texas' Daniel Gibson.

[RhymesayersDU]

Ouch. Poor Yemi.

[Nuggets4]

Ouch. Poor Yemi.

I still wouldn't mind grabbing him with our pick if McNamera isn't there. Solid player, works hard. Could be Elson's replacement.

[freak6]

Bench press is garbage though anyway, you can improve that, the other measurables you only improve on very little. Boykins supposedly benches 315, these kids can improve that quickly. That doesn't bode well for Morrison, athetically at least.

[Clockwork Orange]

There's no real downside to drafting G-Mac. It's a mid 2nd rounder, if he's a flop, who's gonna care? He can shoot and he's got chemistry with Carmelo. That's good enough for me.

[RhymesayersDU]

There's no real downside to drafting G-Mac. It's a mid 2nd rounder, if he's a flop, who's gonna care? He can shoot and he's got chemistry with Carmelo. That's good enough for me.
Not only that, but he's a big game shooter. Pretty clutch.

[watermock]

Trade Melo and K-Mart for Wade...heh...yeah, right.