Carmelo Anthony News

Melo-Billups dynamic duo
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March 4
Denver Post
 columnist Woody Paige
"The utmost 1-2 punch in sports history belonged to John L. Sullivan, the last bare-fisted heavyweight champion. But who possesses the best pair of knockout sledgehammers in the NBA today? The topic was discussed on ESPN's "Around the Horn" on Wednesday, and the responses were varied — Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd, LeBron James and anybody. Yet, two of the superior dynamic duos, legitimate contenders for the title, converged at The Can on Wednesday night. In the blue trunks were Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, playing out of Oklahoma City, and wearing white were Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey ..."
Energized Anthony fuels rout
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March 4
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony woke up as tired as he was when he went to bed, his mattress pulling him down as if he were in quicksand. Finally, the exhausted Anthony escaped Wednesday morning, but on his way to the Pepsi Center, he "felt no energy at all," needing IV fluids for hydration after a shootaround. At noon, he looked like he didn't even have enough energy to play Oklahoma City in a video game. But by game time, "the juices kicked in," he said after his 30-point effort in Denver's 119-90 rout of the Thunder, which was playing the second game of a back-to-back. "I think it was just me having some energy to do what I do on the court," said Anthony, who had subpar games on Sunday and Monday, both ..."
In battle of heavyweights, Lakers' Artest wins this round against Denver star Anthony
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March 1
L.A. Daily News
 
"In one corner, standing 6-foot-8 and weighing 230 pounds, dressed in the blue and white colors of the Denver Nuggets, small forward Carmelo Anthony. In the other corner, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing 255 pounds, dressed in the gold and purple colors of the Lakers, small forward Ron Artest. When the bell rang Sunday afternoon (figuratively, of course, since this was basketball, not boxing), Anthony and Artest went toe-to-toe or chest-to-chest or nose-to-nose, depending on the situation in the low post or on the perimeter. Anthony scored 21 points; Artest had 17. Anthony fouled out late in the game; Artest stayed on the floor. Anthony and the Nuggets lost; Artest and the Lakers won for the ..."
Nothing mellow about Anthony's array of moves
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February 28
Denver Post
 
"Those grandiose grandmasters of chess sure are cocky. Alexander Alekhine would play blindfolded. Emanuel Lasker would play mind games with opponents by purposely making questionable moves. Bobby Fischer, at age 15, called some renowned chessmasters "patzers," (that's like calling LeBron James a scrub), then KO'd many of them. And then there's Carmelo Anthony, who grinned when told he was like a chessmaster, proclaiming: "You never know what move I'm going to make." If basketball "is a chess match," as Nuggets assistant coach Larry Mangino believes, then "(Anthony) has all the moves." Sure, basketball is played at mach speed, but slow the game down and what do you have? Ten pieces, each ..."
Billups, Melo lead Nuggets past Celtics
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February 22
Denver Post
 
"In an ear-shattering falsetto that would have made even Simon Cowell speechless, Carmelo Anthony stood at his locker and sang his best Donna Summer: "I work haaaaaard for the money!" Indeed, Melo put in a hard day's work Sunday during Denver's 114-105 statement win against Boston at the Pepsi Center. Anticipating the Celtics' smothering defense, Anthony made "a conscious effort" to utilize the pass, tallying a team-high eight assists, including seven in the second half. "Sometimes, I gotta be Batman," Melo said with a smile. "And sometimes, I gotta be Robin." After Friday's dismal performance at Washington — 12 assists in a loss — Denver had 24 against Boston (35-19). In the past five ..."
Melo's MVP moment
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February 21
Denver Post
 
"Call it Carmelo's "Podoloff moment." When journalists vote for the NBA MVP - which is named for the NBA's first commissioner, Maurice Podoloff - there likely will be one image of Denver's Carmelo Anthony in the voters' minds, like a Heisman candidate returning a kick and flashing the Heisman pose. For Melo, there he was on national television Thursday, swishing the game-winning overtime jumper . . . over LeBron James. One MVP candidate besting another MVP candidate. "You want to go against the best on the biggest stage," said James, the reigning MVP, after Anthony's shot won Denver the game at Cleveland. "We both did what we had to do to put our teams in position to win the game - he just ..."
Nuggets' Melo hits winner in LeBron's face
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February 19
Denver Post
 
"The game froze. Overtime. Tie game. Six seconds left. Carmelo Anthony. LeBron James. "I knew I wanted the ball," Denver's Anthony said. "I was going to get the ball, my teammates knew I was going to get the ball — and I made the shot." It was the shot of the season. In the Nuggets' 118-116 win Thursday night at Cleveland, the cold-blooded Anthony swished a 20-footer in James' face with 1.9 seconds left in overtime. James, of course, took the final shot on the other end. But his 3-point attempt clanked off the rim, and Cleveland's 13-game winning streak was history. Down in New Orleans, Team USA point guard Chris Paul tweeted: "That game wit Bron vs Melo jus now was the best head 2 head ..."
Anthony says Nuggets' captains have to 'come together' to lead team
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February 18
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets all-star Carmelo Anthony spoke today for the first time about George Karl's latest fight against cancer, this time squamous cell carcinoma in the coach's right tonsil that has metastasized to a lymph node in his neck. "It's tough — you never want to see someone close to you go through a situation like this," Anthony said. "It's unfortunate. Yeah, we want him here with us, but he's got to take care of his health and family first. I think basketball, right now, shouldn't even matter for him — just his health is the first thing he should be worry about. "As far as us coming together on the court, and me leading this team, my responsibilities become more and more, and Chauncey ..."
Anthony's shot can't carry West for record crowd
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February 15
Denver Post
 
"The arena looked like a spacecraft, and inside, 108,713 were along for the ride, as well as a constellation of all-stars, a hovering 160-foot-wide television beamed by 300 million light bulbs, men with asteroids hanging from their necks, Shaquille O'Neal and the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders — all waiting, at any moment, to blast through the Milky Way and land on planet Earth. Sunday's NBA's All-Star Game at Cowboys Stadium was a surreal scene, featuring the largest crowd ever to watch a basketball game. "I'm way too old to fathom the reality of what we just participated in," said Nuggets coach George Karl, who coached the Western Conference in the 141-139 loss to the East. And the All-Star ..."
Melo's final shot misses Mark in loss
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February 15
Denver Post
 
"If the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony had hit the game-winning 3-pointer, surely he would have been the All-Star Game MVP, but Melo missed, so Miami's Dwyane Wade nabbed the honors. It was well-deserved. "Flash" scored a game-high 28 points and had a game- high five steals, along with a team-high 11 assists. "I just wanted to do a little bit of everything," Wade said after the Eastern Conference's 141-139 victory. "Kind of what I do, many a game. Wish I could have gotten a couple more rebounds to make it real special. But to get 11 assists and also five steals, that's the way I would like to win the MVP, then just to get 30 points. And I'm a team player, so I like to see my teammates have fun ..."
Melo may ask Karl for some extra rest
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February 13
Denver Post
 
"Rest assured that Carmelo Anthony will start in the All-Star Game, but Anthony said he might ask his coach for a little extra rest. After injuring his right elbow Thursday, the Nuggets forward said Friday he might ask coach George Karl to limit his minutes in Sunday's All-Star Game. Denver's Karl is coaching the Western Conference all-stars. "I might tell him to, I'll see what happens," Anthony said. "My elbow, man, when I got hit yesterday, it went, like, numb." Denver guard Chauncey Billups is battling some pain in his right ankle, but Karl said that "talking to Chauncey, I know he wants to play and wants to try to win the game. Melo is probably not 100 percent, but I got to look at ..."
Melo cautious heading into All-Star Game
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February 13
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony said he might have to ask George Karl to cut his minutes in Sunday's All-Star Game if pain persists in Anthony's elbow. "I might tell him to, I'll see what happens," Anthony told me Friday afternoon in Dallas. "My elbow, man, when I got hit yesterday, it went, like, numb." The injury happened in last night's game against the Spurs."
Billups, Melo on Team USA
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February 10
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets all-stars Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups today were named to the Team USA roster, which will be the pool of players for international competition from 2010-12. When training camp opens in July, Billups, 33, will be the oldest player on the 27-man roster. He turns 34 in September. "This is another important step in the reassembling of the USA National Team for the next three years of competitions that will include the FIBA World Championship in 2010, and if we qualify, the 2012 Olympics in London," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo said in a release today."
Nine gold medalists added to U.S. national team roster
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February 10
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat) and Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers) joined six others from the reigning Olympic champions who are among 27 players on the U.S. national team roster. The players chosen Wednesday will be candidates for this summer's world championships and the 2012 Olympics in London. Also returning from the team that ended the Americans' eight-year gold medal drought in major competitions are: Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets), Deron Williams (Utah Jazz) and Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)."
Karl in no rush to rest Billups, Melo for now
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February 10
Denver Post
 
"Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony will play in the NBA All-Star Game, though it's understandable that the Nuggets have discussed resting them because of their ankle injuries. But both played Tuesday against the Mavericks and should be able to play Thursday against the Spurs, Denver's last game before the all-star break. "I don't deny (that rest) has been talked about, but I think that conversation for me will be Sunday morning," said Denver coach George Karl, who will coach the Western Conference all-stars in Sunday's game in Arlington, Texas. "I'll ask, 'How much do you want to play, guys?' I think it's an advantage (being the coach). Chauncey's made it very clear to me that he wants ..."
Nuggets crush Mavericks as Melo makes return
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February 10
Denver Post
 
"Man, 103-70 . . . that's a blowout's blow- out. Then consider that was Tuesday night's score after just three quarters. The Nuggets obliterated Dallas at the Pepsi Center by 36 points — 127-91 — one night after the Mavericks won a fast-paced game at Golden State. You could say this thing was over less than three minutes in, when Malik Allen hit his second long-range jump shot, ho-hum, and Denver led 10-3. It was just the Nuggets' second wire-to-wire win this season. "We didn't expect to beat a good team like that by the amount of points that we beat them by, but we came out and played well from the beginning," said Nuggets all-star forward Carmelo Anthony, who scored 19 points in his first ..."
Melo returns, but Martin is sidelined
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February 10
Denver Post
 (scroll down)
"Anthony, who returned from an ankle injury, eased his way into the game, tallying three assists before scoring his first field goal. He finished with 8-for-16 shooting, as well as contributing four rebounds and six assists, one from tying a season high. "I felt good," said Melo, who made three 3-pointers. "I wanted to see what I can do and can't do, and I found I can do pretty much what I've been doing." Curiously, Anthony didn't get to the foul line once. But Karl said, "I don't know how much he was into trying to use his feet to explode by somebody. It'll take some time.""
Carmelo vows to play tonight
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is back -- just in time for one of the bigger games of the season. Anthony will play tonight against Dallas, his first action since injuring his left ankle on Jan. 23. And injured teammate J.R. Smith said he will also play through pain in his shoulder. "It isn't that bad," Smith said. Point guard Chauncey Billups (ankle) and center Nene (foot) both participated in the shootaround this morning and are both probable, though the two will see how much pain they're in this afternoon."
Carmelo Anthony's return still questionable for Dallas game
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February 9
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony was again non-committal on Monday afternoon when asked if he would play on Tuesday against Dallas. But the Nuggets star said he continues to improve in coming back from an ankle injury. "Hopefully I can get back out there tomorrow," Anthony said after practice today in Denver. "It felt good out there today. It's getting better each day. Pretty much I was doing a lot that I could do before I got hurt." Anthony has missed eight straight games with a sprained left ankle, but does appear to be closing in on playing either against Dallas or Thursday against San Antonio."
Melo and Chauncey sit out in loss to Jazz; Melo hoping to return Tuesday
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February 7
Denver Post
 
"As Nuggets guard Anthony Carter soared for a baseline dunk in the fourth quarter Saturday night, one wondered what was more improbable: That Carter soared for a baseline dunk? That Carter was on the court with Johan Petro, Malik Allen, J.R. Smith and Joey Graham in the fourth quarter? Or that Carter's dunk cut the Utah Jazz's lead, once 18 points in the third quarter, to three? Beleaguered and banged up, the Nuggets indeed hung around. But the Jazz pulled away for a 116-106 victory, its lone win against the Nuggets this season. "After the way we started in the first quarter, a lot of teams could have thrown it in and collapsed," said Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team beat the Lakers ..."
Melo says that he "probably" won't play tonight
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February 6
Denver Post
 (scroll down)
"Meanwhile, Denver all-star Anthony missed his sixth straight game because of a left ankle injury. Anthony fully participated in a Friday morning shootaround, but afterward said he wouldn't play that evening and "probably" won't play tonight against Utah."
Melo out, Graham in for Nuggets vs. Lakers tonight
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February 5
Denver Post
 
"Tonight, playing the role of Carmelo Anthony, will be Joey Graham. Yes, Joey "The Understudy" Graham will start at small forward tonight for Denver against the Lakers, because Melo is out for a sixth-straight game with a left ankle injury. Anthony said Friday morning at shootaround that he "probably" also will miss Saturday's second of back-to-back games, at Utah. Graham has logged a curious season thus far. Basically, he either starts for the injured Melo and plays big minutes — or doesn't play at all. "On any given day, he can be a big part of our offense and defense," Anthony said of Graham. "He's an agressor." Melo reiterated that he could play Tuesday against Dallas and in regard to ..."
All-star berth in jeopardy for Carmelo?
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February 5
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony's ankle injury is persistent. It has kept the Nuggets star sidelined for six games, and now could threaten his ability to play in the All-Star Game. If the injury keeps the Nuggets forward out of the team's last four games before the all-star break, Anthony said he would not play in the All-Star Game on Feb. 14. "I wouldn't do that," Anthony said. "I couldn't have people talking bad about me like that. I care about the All-Star Game, but I really care about my team first." Anthony went through a full practice Thursday and sounded nothing like a player who will return soon. "I got up and down the court. I ran, shot the ball well, I could slide left to right," Anthony said. ..."
Melo misses 6th game, Nuggets can't slow Suns
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February 4
Denver Post
 
"Grunt, lunge, sigh, repeat. Such was Denver on defense Wednesday night, a step slow defending the 3-ball, over and over and over. In the visiting Suns' 109-97 victory, Denver was diced by penetrating dribblers and decimated by Phoenix's pick-and-roll. When a fellow named Goran Dragic drained a 3-pointer with 8:32 remaining in the fourth, the Suns became 9-for-16 from 3-point range (56.3 percent) — and the Nuggets trailed by 20. "Our game plan started off where we were switching on everything (defensively), and I think we should have stuck with our same principles that we've been doing — staying with our man and rotating how we're supposed to rotate," said Denver's Joey Graham, who started ..."
Melo a game-time decision; Billups OK
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February 3
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony did not participate in today's morning shootaround and is a game-time decision for tonight's contest against the Suns at the Pepsi Center. "I'd say when he comes in tonight we'll see how it goes," coach George Karl said. Instead of attending the walk-through with the rest of the team on the main Pepsi Center court, Anthony worked with trainer Steve Hess on the Nuggets' practice court, and received treatment afterward. He did not speak with assembled media. Anthony has missed five straight games with a left ankle sprain. He will get back on the practice court prior to the game to see how it feels and make a decision from there on an injury that has taken 11 ..."
Anthony confident he will face Suns
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February 3
Denver Post
 
"Carmelo Anthony will likely play tonight. Such has been the Nuggets' proclamation the past few games as Anthony recovers from a left ankle sprain. But Tuesday, Anthony and coach George Karl were confident the all-star starter will start against Phoenix tonight. "I'm going to try," Anthony said after Tuesday's treatment and workout sessions. "I did a lot more today than I did yesterday. It's getting better. I'm just trying to work on my explosiveness." Anthony, who leads the NBA with 29.7 points per game, has missed the past five games. As for Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, he also has a left ankle sprain, but not as severe, and he is probable for the game against the Suns (29-21). The ..."
Carmelo Anthony hopes to be ready for Wednesday
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February 2
Denver Post
 (scroll down)
"Anthony again, didn't play because of a sprained left ankle, his fifth straight game out of the lineup. "It has gotten a lot better, man," Anthony said after the game. "I was in for three hours today, shooting, running, doing some drills.""
Nuggets' Martin scores 27 in Melo's absence to lead 103-89 road win against Spurs
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February 1
Denver Post
 
"Going back to his days with the New Jersey Nets, Kenyon Martin knows his jump shots will be open when he plays against a team coached by Gregg Popovich. Respect goes only as far as what you believe your opponent can't do. Popovich has always backed off of Martin's jumper. Wisely, in some years. Not so wisely Sunday afternoon. Martin made shots from all angles in the Nuggets' 103-89 win over the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T Center. His game-high 27 points and 11 rebounds closed out the Nuggets' three-game trip in style, despite playing again without Carmelo Anthony, who missed his fourth consecutive game because of a sprained ankle. The Nuggets finished 2-1 on the trip, and Sunday's win ..."
Nuggets coach Karl says Carmelo Anthony will try to play tonight
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February 1
Denver Post
 
"A weird week of setbacks and "not quites" has Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony looking at each day, wondering if it's the one when he actually will play again. Sunday was not that day. But according to coach George Karl, today may be. "I think he'll try to play against Sacramento," Karl said. "(Not playing against the Spurs), it was maybe the pace of the game, and it's going to be another 36 hours (of rest)." Anthony has missed four consecutive games and may not be out of the woods yet. His biggest setback of the week occurred during the team's flight from Houston to Oklahoma City, when his ankle became more swollen. Although Anthony was fine after the flight from Oklahoma City to San Antonio, ..."
Melo out for today's game vs. Spurs
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January 31
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has been ruled out of today's game against the Spurs at the AT&T Center after going through some pre-game drills. It means Anthony will miss his fourth straight game. Nuggets coach George Karl said Anthony wasn't entirely comfortable with his ability to run and cut in a game that expected to be fast-paced."
Wait-and-see reality for Anthony's return
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January 31
Denver Post
 
"Winning has afforded the Nuggets the opportunity to be cautious with injured players. Carmelo Anthony is the latest case. The star forward has missed three consecutive games with a sprained left ankle, although he's optimistic he will start today against San Antonio. If the Nuggets were in dire straits as far as their record, he might have played earlier. But the Nuggets have a big-picture focus, and rushing players back isn't in the plan. "I think because of our good start and everything like that, even with Chauncey (Billups), we haven't rushed injuries back," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "If this was the end of March and we're fighting for that second seed, I think we might be more ..."
Carmelo Anthony misses third straight game, Nuggets fall in his absence
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January 30
Denver Post
 
"In their last two trips to Oklahoma City, the Nuggets needed Carmelo Anthony to hit a game-winning shot in the final seconds. Friday at the Ford Center, Anthony missed his third consecutive game and the Nuggets needed far more than a last-ditch shot, as the Thunder snapped the Nuggets' eight-game winning streak with a 101-84 win. The loss was just the Nuggets' second by more than 12 points this season and their lowest scoring output of the season. "It's the first really stale performance that we've had in a long time," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "We've been in every game we've played in all year, and tonight that wasn't the case." Karl said he would likely find out today whether ..."
Nuggets' Anthony doubtful vs. OKC with sprained ankle
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January 29
Denver Post
 
"An ankle injury that is taking longer than expected to heal will likely cause Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony to miss his third-straight game tonight against Oklahoma City. Nuggets coach George Karl put grim odds on Anthony's availability after seeing the star player practice during this morning's shootaround. "My gut says he probably won't go tonight," Karl said. "I'm not saying he probably won't try, but after the shootaround today I'd say he's 60-40 not going (to play)." If Anthony does not play, he'll miss his third-straight game because of a sprained left ankle. Asked after the Houston game whether he'd be ready to go, Anthony was cautious, saying "We'll see.""
Nuggets stay on a roll without Melo
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January 28
Denver Post
 
"A very familiar hole dug by the Nuggets in the first quarter dissipated into something more manageable by halftime Wednesday, and then morphed into a gritty win. It was rare, to be sure. Three years since the last win here, to be exact. But the unfamiliar territory of a 97-92 win in Houston was more than welcome, no matter how far removed it was from the last victory at the Toyota Center. "It wasn't easy," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "The way we started, we gave them confidence. It was a fourth-quarter type of game. It's a gutty win on our part." It pushed the Nuggets' win streak to eight, which ties for their longest since last season, when they won eight from March 25-April 8. The ..."
Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony won't play tonight vs. Houston
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January 27
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony gave it a go in the team's shootaround this morning, but will not play tonight against Houston, coach George Karl said. "I don't think he'll go tonight," Karl said. "I think right now we're going to hold him off until Friday." It means Anthony will miss his second straight game because of a sprained left ankle. Anthony, the NBA's second-leading scorer at 29.7 points per game, is on the road trip. But with an important division game against Oklahoma City on Friday, followed by a showdown against San Antonio on Sunday — which in the long run could determine playoff seeding — the team is playing it safe in hopes he'll be ready for those two games."
Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony won't play tonight vs. Houston
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January 27
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony gave it a go in the team's shootaround this morning, but will not play tonight against Houston, coach George Karl said. "I don't think he'll go tonight," Karl said. "I think right now we're going to hold him off until Friday." It means Anthony will miss his second straight game because of a sprained left ankle. Anthony, the NBA's second-leading scorer at 29.7 points per game, is on the road trip. But with an important division game against Oklahoma City on Friday, followed by a showdown against San Antonio on Sunday — which in the long run could determine playoff seeding — the team is playing it safe in hopes he'll be ready for those two games. Anthony has had ..."
Carmelo Anthony listed as probable for tonight
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January 27
Denver Post
 
"Graham could get the start if all-star Carmelo Anthony doesn't play on his sprained left ankle. Coach George Karl sounded pretty confident before Monday's game that Anthony would give it a go tonight, but Tuesday Melo was listed as questionable by the team's medical staff. Meanwhile, reserve center Chris Andersen is probable, after spraining his left ankle in Monday's win against Charlotte."
Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony to sit out game vs. Bobcats
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January 25
Denver Post
 
"His boot is made for walking. Carmelo Anthony left the Pepsi Center on Sunday in a protective boot, a sign he might not be able to run up and down the court. Sure enough, Melo said his sprained left ankle will sideline him for tonight's game against the Charlotte Bobcats. "The best bet is to wait until Wednesday's game (at Houston) to get it better," Anthony said. "It didn't swell up, so that's a good sign. . . . I've had ankle injuries before, but this one is not as bad as the others." Anthony suffered the injury in overtime Saturday night against the Hornets, when the all-star forward landed awkwardly on Devin Brown's foot after taking a shot. Denver likely will start Joey Graham tonight ..."
Anthony out for Monday's game against Charlotte
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January 25
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets all-star Carmelo Anthony said he won't play in Denver's game Monday against Charlotte due to a sprained left ankle, explaining that "the best bet is to wait until Wednesday's game to get it better. It didn't swell up, so that's a good sign. ... I've had ankle injuries before, but this one is not as bad as the others." With Melo out, Denver will likely start Joey Graham in his place, for that's who coach George Karl has started in other games Anthony missed due to injury."
LeBron James joins Carmelo Anthony atop NBA scoring list
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January 24
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"LeBron James actually doesn't like to be referred to as a scorer, but his play recently isn't helping his cause. Thanks to a hot streak, James' scoring has surged. All the way to the very top, as it turns out. After scoring 32 or more points six times since the new year, James entered Saturday night in a virtual tie for the NBA scoring lead with friend and Denver Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony. Both players were at 29.7 points a game. With both Mo Williams and Delonte West out with injury, it figures James will continue to get an increased workload and has a chance to pull into the lead. He's leading the NBA in scoring in January at 32.1 points a game. "For me, my game won't me to focus ..."
Melo day-to-day after landing awkwardly on left ankle
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January 24
Denver Post
 
"Anthony missed a 9-foot putback at the regulation buzzer, and in overtime the Hornets swarmed him, notably on a jumper when he landed awkwardly on his left ankle and left the game after making two free throws."
Nuggets' Anthony to start All-Star Game
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January 22
Denver Post
 
"On a night when Carmelo Anthony earned his second All-Star Game starting berth, another Nugget could be staring a spot straight in the face. George Karl. If his team wins enough games in the next 10 days, the Nuggets coach could be coaching Anthony in the All-Star Game on Feb. 14. That honor goes to conference coaches whose team have the best record through games played Jan. 31. That team is likely to be the Los Angeles Lakers, but because their coach, Phil Jackson, coached in the game last year, NBA rules state he's ineligible to do so this year. That means the coach of the team with the next-best record gets the nod. The Nuggets (28-14 and Mavericks (28-14) have been in a back-and-forth ..."
Nuggets' 'Melo' named player of week
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January 20
Denver Post
 
"Ring up another honor for "Melo." Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference player of the week for games played Monday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 17, the NBA announced today. Anthony, who leads the NBA in scoring at 30.0 points per game, averaged 29.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in three games last week. He led the Nuggets to home victories over over Minnesota, Orlando and Utah."
Anthony's 37 points, Billups' big shot propel Nuggets past Jazz
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January 18
Denver Post
 
"Like Jay Leno, the Jazz just wouldn't go away. Down by double digits in Sunday night's third and fourth quarters, pesky Utah clawed back each time, even cutting Denver's lead to four with a minute left — the time when nicknames are made. "At that point in time in the game, if Chauncey Billups is open and I give it to him, I have faith in him," Carmelo Anthony said. In Denver's 119-112 win, Mr. Big Shot hit the biggest — a "dagger" 3-pointer, as Nuggets coach George Karl called it, a play that finally swatted away the Jazz (23-18). "We had a lot of big wins this season, and this is probably one of the biggest wins right here," said Anthony, whose Nuggets have beaten the likes of the Lakers, ..."
Carmelo Anthony, LaLa Vazquez ready to drive the aisle
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January 14
Denver Post
 
""At groom . . . standing 6-foot-8 from Syracuse . . . Carmelo Anthony!" Yes, the Nuggets forward is taking steps toward matrimony. Fiancee LaLa Vazquez, a television celebrity, said Wednesday on "The Wendy Williams Show" that she is planning to marry Melo this summer. The two have been engaged for five years and have a 2-year-old son, Kiyan. Asked about possible nuptials, Anthony said, "We're working on it" and said a date has not yet been set. Vazquez said on the show that plenty of people will be invited."
Carmelo Anthony returns to lead Nuggets' 105-94 victory against Timberwolves
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January 12
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony was consistent early in the game, missing from outside and inside. But then, like a thoroughbred closer, he attacked the basket and made a layup while being fouled. "Once I was able to do that," Anthony said, "it felt pretty good. . . . Just from not playing 5-on-5, it was hard for me to figure out what I can do and can't do. I was trying to ease my way into the game." It wasn't a typical 30-point Melo night, but Anthony's return was imperative in Denver's 105-94 win Monday at the Pepsi Center against Minnesota (8-31). The potential All-Star Game starter scored 24 points and hit 9-of-17 shots, his first action since injuring his right knee Dec. 28. "They were ..."
Melo in a hurry to help on court
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January 11
Denver Post
 
"The court at Arco Arena looks like all the others, with its hardwood and stripes and such. But there's something about this place that has haunted the Nuggets the past fortnight, be it Carmelo Anthony's painful knee injury or two painful losses to the Kings, who are under .500 and without their top scorer. So it was on this court, following Denver's 102-100 loss Saturday, that Anthony made a proclamation of sorts. Asked about playing tonight against Minnesota at the Pepsi Center, Melo said: "Yeah, man. I got to come back." Anthony anticipates he will play, his first time since Dec. 28 at Sacramento, when he bruised his right knee (by bumping it against an old friend, Donte Greene). And ..."
Melo, Lawson likely to play tonight
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January 11
Denver Post
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"Potential all-star starter Carmelo Anthony returned to Sacramento, the site of his last game played. But Melo missed his fifth straight game since banging knees with Sacramento's Donte Greene on Dec. 28. Anthony (bruised right knee) will likely return Monday against Minnesota. Same for rookie guard Ty Lawson (sprained left ankle), who missed his second straight game. "It's going to be Monday — it's gotten a lot better the last couple of games," Lawson said. On Friday night in the win over Cleveland, Karl complimented the unpredictable Smith for his "huge" performances down the stretch. Indeed, Smith hit a big 3 and played some defense. But that overshadowed the fact he was 3-for-10 from ..."
Nuggets' Anthony hopes to return by Monday
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January 9
Denver Post
 
"Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (right knee bruise) is unlikely to play tonight against Cleveland, saying this morning at Denver's shootaround: "I got to be smart — I want to play this game more than anybody, but unfortunately I might not." Anthony, who averages 30 points per game, said if he doesn't play tonight he also won't play Saturday at Sacramento and will shot for Monday against Minnesota. Nuggets coach George Karl said that point guard Ty Lawson (ankle) is doubtful for tonight but starting point Chauncey Billups (groin), as expected, said today he will play against LeBron James and the Cavaliers."