Will this be the Year for Melo?

The NBA Season is coming to a close and the playoff picture is starting to shape up to be a great one.  Sitting in the #2 spot in the Western Conference are the Denver Nuggets.  Surprised?  Me Too.  They have quietly put together a great season and Carmelo Anthony is leading the way.

Once Chauncey Billups came aboard the offense has been clicking and the defense has defensive intensity has been at an all time high.  Denver has won 53 games this season and have won 9 out of the last 10 with a 2 game lead on San Antonio for the 2nd seed out West.

Throughout Carmelo Anthony's entire career he will be compared to Dwayne Wade and LeBron James in the infamous class of 2003.  Stephen A. Smith wrote an interesting article around the time Melo was suspended 1 game for refusing to come out at George Karls request.  The fallout between coach and player plus the 15 games missed from the injury cost him a rightful spot on the All-Star Team. 

Now, Melo has put the childish ways of his past behind him and is focused on getting the Nuggets out of the 1st round for the first time in his career.  Not only are the Nuggets poised to make a playoff run; the buzz in Denver has pegged them as the odds on favorite to de-thrown the Lakers out West.  I know that sounds crazy giving that the Lakers are fighting for the #1 seed in the league, have only lost 16 games, and that they swept the Nuggets in 4 games a year ago.  Lol.  Somehow this isnt the same team..if they are healthy and click at the right time they can challenge the Lake Show and set up a showdown that has been brewing since 2003.  Melo -Vs- LeBron.

This match up I believe will be far more intriguing than Kobe -Vs- LeBron (which is the way it may end up) only because I think we could all agree that the Cavs cant beat the Lakers 4 times.  Sure the Celtics did it last year, but they had 3 All-Stars and a defense out of this world.  But the Lakers have Bynum this year, and Ariza and a bench that is unforgiving.  But, a Denver/Cleveland final would be wide open, I mean are the Cavs that much better than the Nuggets?  Melo and LeBron basically cancel each other out in the scoring department, and the role players on both teams are good.

This is my dream match up for the finals.  If the Nuggets can get through the crowded Western Conference then they will be road and battled tested to go in Cleveland and win a game or two.  The order of importance from that 03 class is..
1) LeBron
2)D-Wade
3)Chris Bosh
4)Melo

If he can win big this year in the playoffs then he can change the order, and solidify himself as a true Superstar in this league.  Or Not...

Peace,
Agent 34