Someone said earlier that the Nuggets were given a gift, with that I'd agree. But the gift the Nuggets were given was the fact that Detroit wound up with the 2nd overall pick and are dead set on taking Darko Milicic.
While Darko may turn out to be a fine player, the Nuggets don't need another "project" type player who no one has ever seen actually play. What they need is someone who has proven something in front of the masses, someone with name value, someone who can get this region excited about basketball again.
That someone is Carmelo Anthony.
He was the best player in college basketball last year and was the most outstanding player of the Final Four. What the hell more do you want? They can't get Lebron, so this is the next best thing.
Much like Darko (who is a much mroe attractive proposition than Pavel) Pavel is someone no one has heard of who won't get nary a soul pumped about the upcoming season. It just makes no sense. Besides, Kiki would lose a lot of goodwill with the fans if he lets Carmelo slip through his fingers.
Forget Pavel and forget any deals as far as I'm concerned. The Nuggets have been handed a top flight player on a silver platter without the benefit of a top 2 pick. All that's left to do is to select him.
A great gift indeed.
