Multi-Billionaire

lol Nene the underachieving rebounder did too...

I agree that Nets will revisit the trade if they prove to still stink even without the "distraction". Two things Prokhorov must STRONGLY consider if he decides not to trade for Melo: 1.) Can he really watch the Knicks get Melo? No matter how brilliant, genius the man is, it'd be an impossible task to compete with Knicks for fans, even after they move to Brooklyn, when the Knicks feature 2 superstars on its roster, and the Nets feature none. This is the strongest reason imo why he will get Melo at all cost: to stop him from going to Knicks. If the Knicks get Melo, he might as well put the Nets back on sale in 2 years. 2.) That means he must count on Brook Lopez to rebound from soph season slump, on Devin Harris to regain his All-Star form, on Favors to live up to 3rd pick expectations... if they are to compete with Melo and Amare's Knicks. It'd be a LONGGGG shot. I'd put my $$$ on Ty Lawson, Nene and Afflalo schooling any Knick trio (besides Amare) in a 3-on-3 game.

Nugget fans had been patient for the first 30-35 games, until he started taking games off, played like he was distracted and until this negativity started to affect the team. Kobe was in a different situation. He was ALREADY in a big market, LA, when he demanded the trade. It's easy for him to say, "Melo is not demanding trade to go to bigger market, he wants a winning situation." So, you'd go to the 22-21 Knicks than stay with 24-18 Nuggets? Kobe never felt a need to go to a bigger market because he was ALREADY in a big market. It's easy for him to say. We Nuggets on the other hand, know Melo will leave us, go to NY because besides it being his home, it's also a bigger market for him. I'd boo him too. If you go to Nugget sites/ forums, about 85% Nugget fans want Melo gone. We just don't want someone who doesn't want to play for the Nuggets/ not loyal. If you're not loyal, you're going to give half-[expletive] effort.

^I'd rather be called greedy (which I'm not, I'm pretty generous) than dumb. --- Marion also did improve steadily in his first 4 seasons... but as soon as he left D'Antoni's system, he stunk. There are plenty of interests for Fields I'm sure, but if we deal with Knicks and have to flip Fields (because we don't need him) to another team, we won't get much, for the reason that he's a role player and we'll get, in return, role player too. Heck, I'm 100% interested in Fields, if the Knicks can trade him to Nuggets for a future 2nd rounder, heck yes, I'll take Fields any day. But the interest is different when we're talking about stars... Do we give Renaldo Balkman (take him back pls) for Fields? Heck yes. Do we give Anthony Carter/ Shelden Williams/ Gary Forbes for Fields? Heck yes. Do we give Carmelo for Fields? [expletive] no. Do other teams give their Joe Johnsons, Al Horfords, Rajon Rondos, Joakim Noahs, Stephen Currys for Fields? They'd turn down the Knicks like the Nuggets have been doing. If we deal with Nets, we're talking about flipping Devin Harris (former All Star), and I'm 100% sure we'll get more than a role player in return. Here's why I think Nets-Nuggets deal could and imo will happen: 1.) Melo has stated his focus is on signing extension (not sign a new contract with a new team in summer). http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/01/18/carmelo/index.html If this is really his #1 priority, and assuming the Nuggets would rather hold on to him than trade him to Knicks for that package (and it seems to be going that way), as it nears trade deadline, Melo will soon realize he needs to give in to Denver's demands of trading him to Nets if it's what it takes for him to sign extension... 2.) Because Melo has not ruled out Nets. He stated this... ... via Chris Tomasson (former Nuggets columnist for RockyMountainNews, still has links and inside info of organization) ... because Melo will realize the Nuggets are NEVER trading him to the Knicks for that Chandler + Fields (even if you add Gallo here) package... BUT he wants the extension! But extension not with Nuggets! What team out there Denver is willing to trade him to besides Nets or teams willing to rent him? He certainly would rather be traded to the Nets because they're moving to New York, playing for far and away richest owner in the L, and immediately sign extension. 3.) Because Prokhorov still (badly) wants Melo as his franchise's face. Moving to New York and compete with Knicks for fans will be a tough challenge for Nets. It'll be tough enough for the Nets now, without Melo... But a MUCH WORSE scenario is if Nets don't go all out to get him, and the Knicks end up getting him, and Prokhorov's Nets have to compete with Knicks that feature Amare and Melo for fans. It's an impossible challenge. Prokhorov built his wealth empire with acute sense of vision, and he sees, knows and covers 1-2 steps before his competition does. He certainly sees this and can't afford to let Melo go to the Knicks. He already had Prok-lamation in his first press conference shortly after his purchase of Nets was official: "to turn New York Knick fans into Brooklyn Nets fans". How is he gonna do that if Melo (instead of being on his team) is on the Knicks with Amare? The trade call-off was just a negotiation ploy to strengthen their negotiating position. In Prokhorov's eyes, a trade for Melo is a must because it is as much about wanting Melo to be his franchise face over the next 6-7 years as it is about preventing him from going to Knicks. If Melo goes to Knicks, his Nets will never win over New York fans. 4.) Nuggets need Nets Simply because the Nets offer the best package.

Last I check it's still 23rd Jan, and we still have a month to 24th Feb. The way I see it, Denver is confident it can get NJ back in the talks, by meeting their last proposal or asking slightly lower... e.g. Instead of Devin Harris, maybe Troy Murphy instead if it's what it takes to re-spark Nets' interest. Nets clearly are not going anywhere with or without "distraction", might as well blow it up and bring in a superstar. And shortly, after Prokhorov called off the trade discussion, Melo publicly said that he actually would have loved to meet Prokhorov, saying "he's interesting man". Nets are not out of this imo.

Pretty cool video bro, but I hope it jinxes New York lol

A wingman who averages career highs 17.2ppg and 6.3rpg because he's in a contract year? Knick fans think Chandler would go on to be a 20ppg scorer... when he's nothing short of a 3rd banana at best on contending team. He reminds me of Shawn Marion... as soon as he left Suns he stunk. A rookie forward playing guard averaging 9.9ppg and 7.3rpg (gosh he leads all NBA guards in rebounding... he's stud) when he's a role player for life with limited athleticism, limited speed, unimpressive lateral speed... We already got Afflalo, further lowering Fields' value in our eyes, and as impressive those stats are for a 2nd rounder, we don't know if many teams demand him. Sure teams would line up to get a tall forward/ guard who can knock down shots and rebound, but what do they exactly give us? I don't think it'll interest us whatsoever

My suggestion for Knick fans is to just wait until 24th Feb and see. Denver would rather keep Melo, hold onto hope that he resigns, than trade him for that Knicks package. Or it would rather re-engage Nets by asking less. Even if Prokhorov wasn't aware with the details of the Melo deal until he got here, he knew the extent to how long and how hard his organization had been in the talks. Make no wrong analysis about that is how badly Prokhorov wants Melo. One of his reasonings to end the talks is to stop the distraction, but even without trade talks, they still stink, I am sure Denver can instantly re-engage NJ back in the talks when it nears 24th and they realize they exhaust all options and NJ's offer still stands as the best... either by agreeing to NJ's last proposal or asking for less. I got a feeling Knick fans will all be disappointed... the way LeBron decided not to sign. Don't get me wrong tho, I would be happy for Knicks if they get Melo... finally they can be real contenders again. I always like the Knicks especially the arena, I am just sick of what they offer us and they and their fanbase think it's good enough cuz "we won't get anything better". Fields and Chandler? I'd rather choke on a piece of steak than witness Denver do that deal.

We can get Nets back in this if we lower our asking price... 80% of what Nets offered is still better than any Knicks package. We just have to be slightly less demanding.

Gallo is my boi, but he too (according to sources) is not happy about prospect of playing for Nuggets. You don't want want players who publicly speak displeasure about (prospect of) playing for your team. Houston also got Yao's expiring insurance-paid contract to offer us, plus KMart/ Brooks, plus Knicks 2012 unprotected pick, plus Jordan Hill, trumps NY's package. I wouldn't lie, if Nets really back out (not bluff), Knicks' package of Chandler, Gallo, Fields, and picks is most attractive. But Chandler and Gallo essentially shot it down. Nugs would be fools to pursue it when they know those players are not keen on playing for the organization.

You better believe maboi Woj

^Because he won't have a choice if we trade him to a team that is willing to rent him. Whether or not the Rockets are confident about resigning him, it's none of our (Denver's perspective) business. But imo they should be. If not both of them, Kevin Martin or Aaron Brooks alone is better than the Knicks package, for the fact that their value just got a lot worse when Chandler said he's not staying with Nuggets long term.

^Like I said in my post, you don't know for sure he's a rental for them. If you're the Rockets and willing to take risk, you gotta feel confident, esp at one time it was said they were on Melo's wish list and Melo's top priority (read article below) is signing extension, not sign a new contract with a new team under next CBA. Rockets are fair-sized market, definitely bigger than Denver... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/ian_thomsen/01/18/carmelo/index.html

^Maybe... I'm not serious with that comment... but a man like that, you don't know what's up with his bag of tricks just when you think you have him figured out, he surprises you. What better than to familiarize yourself with this whole NBA thing than trading for a superstar? Learn how a franchise player can do for your sports team, success on and off the court. For a foreigner investor like him, Melo would make him see the NBA from a larger scope.

Knick fans are acting like they have the upper hands now... we don't know if Prokhorov is bluffing to prompt Nuggets to do deal... and even if they mean it, we can still turn to Rockets. Furthermore, Wilson Chandler already stated he would not play in Denver. That complicates things as he's a FA this summer... and he leaves us in the summer? Gallo also said he wouldn't want to be traded to Denver. Now this uncertainty of their (Chandler and Gallo) commitment to Nuggets just severely drop their package value. I will take Kevin Martin (at least 20+ppg for the next 4-5 years?), and I'm sure for Carmelo, the Rockets will go the next step and include Aaron Brooks... who we can trade to another team for some value. Yeah, they won't get commitment from Melo, but they should be confident because they were at one time on Melo's wish list, and Melo's top priority is security and pay esp when lockout hits.

Staff that discourage members from posting, instead of discouraging them to use personal attacks on members such as "dolt", ... lol Real, how did you get him to be on staff (discourage members from posting and personally attack members)?

I won't refute Fields is a good player, but he's not a player we (from Nuggets perspective) get excited about if he's included in the Melo trade package. Walsh: "Chandler, Curry, 1st rd pick" Denver: "No" Walsh: "Alright, we'll include Fields too, deal?" Denver: "..." I mean, he is a good player and all but really doesn't make any friggin difference! He's not that good of a player. I'd have Fields on my team though, no doubt... but he's hardly a reason why you're excited about in trade package, when your team is giving up Carmelo.

I certainly have no idea what's the real reason, it could be just to gain leverage to trigger Denver to deal, or because the price was too high (it is), or because he feels insulted. But Prokhorov is no stranger to basketball, he owned CSKA Moscow basketball team that won Euro league title, while he might not be familiar with NBA rules and players names, he certainly got an advisor (if not Billy King himself) who gives him info. Kroenke (Nuggets owner) had a non-GM team advisor named Bret Bearup although the team already had Mark Warkentein and Rex Chapman as its official GM. Whenever Wark and Chapman presented a trade proposal to Kroenke, Bearup would be in his ears advising him, "yes it's a good deal." "No, it's not a good deal, because we want to go after young players", etc. I don't expect the blunder moves he made in summer (signing Farmar, Outlaw) to continue... he will only get better as he "plays and hangs around" longer with this.

Good deals and bad deals are what decide one to be wealthy or bankrupt. Judging by his fortune, seeing good deals from bad ones is an everyday thing for him. I'm sure he (while away from US) instructed King to do whatever it took to get Melo, but he did not know the detail and extent of the deal, and how high Nuggets were asking back... I think King updated him with the progress like, "we almost got him"... and he'd reply, "keep working on it." But King never said, "we have to give up Favors, Harris, 2 first rd picks and they're still asking for more." Once he came to US, it became clear to him this deal turned from good to bad because of how much they'd have to give up. The decision to end the deal is a good one because he has the ability to see good deals from bad ones, or the good ones that have become bad, which is the case for this deal. Keep making good decisions, and willingness to pay luxury tax and commitment to winning on any price (some owners just want to own franchise to profit from revenues, not win championships), and they're definitely on the right track. This vid cracks me up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCPf95_VGyQ I never met with Carmelo and I never spoke with him, maybe he sent me e-mail but really I don't use computer... that's why I haven't/ missed it... or maybe the carrier pigeon got lost. Who knows?

I am officially a Prokhorov fan now... man got style, vision, guts, but easygoing at the same time. He's a sports addict that is committed to Nets. For all the fuss about Cuban being the best owner, he's only worth $2.4 bil. Prokhorov dwarfs him. His passion and commitment to Nets are going to be apparent without the Cuban-like baggage on court side. Although they have a bad record, Nets fans are lucky, lucky, lucky, they're in good hands.

Some experts say this is really a PR move by Melo to say no to the Nets, but Melo doesn't want to be a bad guy like LeBron to Nuggets fans, and he allows Nets to say they're the ones backing away from the deal to save the franchise's face. Or it could be a perfect good cop/ bad cop thing pulled off by Nets. They had been good cop by being desperate to Denver (King) and Prokhorov shows up and says if good doesn't work, then we'll be bad, show some pride and pull away from the deal.

I am guessing this is a way to push us back, the Nets had been willing to move heaven and earth to do this, and by stopping being desperate, they pretty much take all our leverage away. If we don't deal with Nets over petty throw ins like Renaldo Balkman, Damion James, a draft pick "more" tiny matter, Ujiri should be fired effectively and immediately. A $500K/ year man trying to control an organization of billionaires and millionaires doesn't make sense from the start. --- Although I think this is Nets strategy to position themselves better in the negotiation, I wouldn't be surprised if Prokhorov meant his words. He's pretty much been insulted by Melo, and by Nuggets with this cheap negotiation. I think he's a great owner with great vision for life (seeing his interview in 60minutes), also owner with the deepest pocket too. The Nets fans and organization should cherish having this man, not Melo.

I'll take a package of Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin over any Knicks package. Frye was untouchable in his rookie year remember? The Knicks fans' obsession for Fields is the same with their obsession for Frye back then. Fields has slow feet, unimpressive lateral speed, and so-so athleticism. Sure I think he'll be a solid (role) player in his career. I said it on draft night, that he reminds me of Rick Fox but he's a taller and longer version. He'll be that type of 3 pt shooter, defender, facilitator, slow role player, but certainly not this up-and-coming star Knicks fans seem to make him to be, and certainly not a reason to be excited about if he's included in the trade package for Melo.

He's been an improved rebounder this year, and he can really pass the ball, except he rarely runs a team like LeBron does. I believe in his defensive ability, and unfortunately, his laziness to go with it. Without a doubt, Melo's willingness to play D hinges on motivation. If he was on a championship contending team, where he believes his team really has a shot to win the whole thing, he would be motivated to be a lock down defender, e.g. in playoffs. Yes, I said "lock down", I believe he has the tools and ability to become an All NBA defensive team. He's strong, he's physical, he has quick feet to stay in front of his man, but all is missing is his willingness and motivation.

Problem is he's sticking to his guns when other top NBA sources from ESPN, Yahoo, CBS keep saying the opposite. The more he defends his sources, the stupider he makes himself. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Al8T1bONIzzTHpzcvRYIqfW8vLYF?slug=ap-nets-anthony