by Brett Edwards
The Nuggets went to NY and easily handled the Knicks. Denver was up by as many as 21 in the second half, and cruised to an easy win. Now this isn't really news that a Western Conference division leader beat the worst team in the league, even if it was on the road. What is interesting though is the maturation of Carmelo this season.
I haven't been a big fan of Carmelo since he came into the league, for a few reasons. To me, he was basically the opposite of Lebron: he had all the hype, but had none of the heart. He was constantly out of shape, showed up in videos with known criminals warning people not to snitch, and basically under-achieved because he simply didn't try. I was at the '04-'05 season opener when DEN played the Lakers. Early in the game, Voshon Leonard got seriously injured, and the entire Nuggets team went over to huddle around him when he was on the floor to see what was up and support their fallen teammate. Not Carmelo. He was the only one (players, coaches, trainers, water boys) who went back and sat on the bench. I remember seeing that and saying "what a cocksucker."
Everyone in the Nuggets organization though says Carmelo came into this season with a completely changed attitude, and it's showing on the court. His play last night was spectacular. He was straight toying with the Knicks defense, facing up his defender and swishing 20-footers at will, then smiling all the way back down court. AND he was going hard to the hoop making sick dunks and layups, before the hard fouls started to come in the 4th when the game was already over. I know it was against the Knicks, and as we used to say about showing highlights against the Clippers, "If it happened against the Clippers, is it really a highlight?" But it was impressive, and he does this on a nightly basis now.
Funny random Knick fan moment: The game was over early into the 4th quarter when DEN had their 20 point lead. Several fans stayed to the final buzzer, just so they could boo the Knicks off the floor as time expired. Classic.
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