I canʼt wait until Wednesday night!
The Nuggets are hosting the New York Knicks, with more story lines than room on the book shelf. Itʼs gong to be an electric atmosphere at Pepsi Center for so many reasons!
First, letʼs start with the obvious. Yep, this is Carmelo Anthonyʼs first trip back to Denver since “the trade” in February 2011. A couple of years ago, maybe Nugget fans would relish his return by booing him every time he touches the ball. I ask the question: Why?
Everyone seemed to get what they wanted in the trade. Carmelo headlines a storied basketball franchise in a city that never sleeps, while the Nuggets have won eight straight games, are unbelievable at home and are one of the most exciting young teams in the league.
The Nuggets are a crew that is easy to root for. I know Wednesday night there will be the boo birds of course, but hey, Melo helped the Nuggets to seven trips to the playoffs. Today, you have a different set of guys who have a fantastic chance to go deep into the postseason. Thatʼs a lot more fun to think about!
Second, itʼs a perfect chance for the Nuggets to showcase on a national scene what theyʼve built here in Denver. Since itʼs against the Knicks we’re dealing with, more eyes from coast to coast will be on this match-up. The East Coast will have to sit up and take notice of whatʼs going on here in the Mile High City. They have no choice!
Third, besides Melo, itʼs a homecoming of sorts for five former Nuggets. Yep, five: Melo, Marcus Camby, J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin, and Raymond Felton. (Felton was here for a very short time, but weʼll still count it for the sake of the story).
As the Nuggets sideline reporter for five years, I interviewed these same guys many, many times. So, itʼs like a sibling rivalry I guess. You want to see them do well, but not too well. Wednesday night belongs to the Nuggets.
For so many reasons.