<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ May 19 2008, 02:41 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (tremaine @ May 19 2008, 03:30 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Netted @ May 19 2008, 02:10 PM)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>AI handles the ball and creates the majority of the time anyway. Without Melo it would be even more. Do you think they will keep JR? If so, do you think he'll stay a 6th man?</div>
Karl will never designate AI as his starting PG and he will never or at least almost never start JR at 2-guard.
The Nuggets are disfunctional and therefore unpredictable right now, so all true Nuggets fans are uptight right now about what might go down. Here is a small sample of some of the things Nuggets fans have to worry about right now:
1. The Nuggets trade C Anthony and don't get what Melo is worth in return.
2. The Nuggets despite trading C Anthony still end up with no proven, outstanding PG which they desperately need.
3. The Nuggets continue to waste JR Smith to a substantial degree, with Iverson as 2-guard starter and Smith's minutes limited due to that and due to Karl still disliking him very much.
4. In general, the Nuggets are going to return to being a door mat 24-58 type of team before Karl is finally retired or shown the door.
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You didn't answer the last part, do you see JR re-signing with Denver? And staying a 6th man?
It sounds like you don't see him staying there. Between AI being the only one allowed to play 2 guard and Karl not liking JR.
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JR wants to stay despite Karl treating him rough, but Anthony is his best friend on the team, and if Anthony goes, JR would most likely then want out. If Melo were traded to New Jersey, JR would want to go there too, especially since JR is from New Jersey and, so far as I know, all of his kin and most of his other friends are still there.
JR being very young has not gotten very upset about just being a 6th man, which I guess is to his credit, and I think he would probably put up with it for another season, but again, only if Melo stays.
As for me, the more I think about this, the more I like the idea of C Anthony playing for New Jersey and getting off of the Nuggets who have reached a dead end in the way they manage their team. The ultimate for me would be if Anthony and Smith came to New Jersey in the same trade, even if Smith was still only a backup (to VC). That would definitely spell the end of me being a Nuggets guy and the start of me being a Nets guy. I know a sinking ship when I see one, so I'd have to get on a life boat to escape the Nuggets at that point.