Welcome

Only needed two viewings of the game tonight, and we were slappin’ the fast forward through much of the first half on the second go around. I watched the second half from beginning to end for the joy of it.

Watching the arrival of an NBA superstar… that’s must-see TV at it’s finest.

It was a team effort, no doubt about it. Kenyon was tenacious on the D (four steals) and added one of his best offensive performances of the playoffs (15 points). Nene got off for 17 as well with seven rebounds, including three on the offensive end. Chauncey was Chauncey, scoring 28 in quiet fashion, sinking 10-of-16 from the field and a perfect 5-of-5 from the stripe (not to mention 12 dimes and six boards). That’s par for the course for Denver’s 1B to Mr. 1A Elway.

For Melo, it was… showtime.

There were some of us (including your’s truly) who pondered if the kid would ever put it all together, concerned that Melo would never find his way back to the dominance he last enjoyed during his days at Syracuse. He hadn’t found the way. He’s been good, but not good enough. There was no definitive breakthrough, a monumental performance on a playoff stage.

Go back two months ago and ask any NBA fan to rank the crown jewels of the Class of 03 – LeBron, D-Wade, and our man – and the baby blue would consistently rank third in response.

Tonight, TNT’s Charles Barkley proclaimed him, “the best scorer in the league today.”

We could debate the value of Sir Charles’ evaluation if you like, but one fact is without question. When Melo stepped on the floor tonight, he was on. There wasn’t a single spot on the floor that he didn’t like. He told Josh Howard to take his broke-ass ankles any which way he wanted, ’cause it wasn’t gonna to matter.

The whole team was in the zone, but Melo just had the look. Two 25 footers, a 24 and 23 (ironic, huh?). 19, 17, 16, they all went in. He took it to the paint six times, converted on four, and made Howard disappear on all. He finished at 13-for-22, going 4-for-7 on the treys.

Not one foul.

He didn’t garner one foul. He never hit the charity stripe. No free throws. It shocks, yet if you watched, you know it doesn’t surprise.

Hard to foul a guy you can’t catch.

Our man was playing some vicious D as well. He posted up on Dirk most of the night, and while the Dirty posted 32 on the evening, 12 came on the line. That “hometown” officiating seemed to think we were still playing the Kenyon Mom Two Step with Mark Cuban’s obnoxious ass back in Dallas. Melo was taking it to him, and late in the game, when it mattered most, he won.

The only other player in these playoffs that touts the love of the kill like Melo is argument #1 against Sir Charles on the scoring debate. He’s wreaking havoc out on the East Coast. He hasn’t had to play defense yet (he can… he just plays out East). Melo is doing it all, and he’s got Chauncey by his side (or vice versa, whatever you prefer). He’s also got Kenyon and Junior and the Brazilian and the Bird by his side.

Melo also appears to have time on his side… it just feels like it’s his time.

Oh… and that debate, over the title of best scorer in the NBA? That will be settled on the hardwood. First, Challenger #1.

Thanks for stopping in.

Tags: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Chris Andersen, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Dirk Nowitzki, Kenyon Martin, NBA Playoffs, Nene