Heat Vs. Nuggets: LeBron James Might Not Play, But Carmelo Anthony Is Definitely Around

LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony used to be a marquee match-up in the NBA. But in the years since the star forwards debuted, James has become a two-time MVP and all-around champion (without a ring), while ‘Melo has fallen into the dreaded drawer labeled “scorer and nothing else.”

Interestingly enough, ‘Melo has become a better per-possession rebounder than King James, and while Anthony doesn’t pass like LeBron does, is an inferior defender and not as efficient a scorer ... well, OK. ‘Melo isn’t the player that James has become. But it may not matter tonight as LeBron will be a game-time decision after spraining an ankle in Wednesday’s loss to the L.A. Clippers.

LeBron received something like a karma boomerang; the sprain and embarrassing defeat came a night after James chided the Cleveland Cavaliers in a thinly disguised tweet yukking it up as his old team -- with whom his separation was not pleasant -- lost by 50 to the Lakers. LeBron indicated that karma caused Cleveland’s humiliation; no word on whether James has accepted that his lack of metta led to his own gut punch.

LeBron may not play, but ‘Melo will be there, in Denver, against not all odds but most odds. Anthony and the Nuggets have been dancing with the New Jersey Nets since September, and the waltz got fast enough to be called a tango last weekend as numerous reports indicated Denver was on the verge of sending ‘Melo to within a ferry ride of beloved New York. Indications now suggest ‘Melo may have to wait another month for dear freedom; by freedom, we mean “getting to be angry at Avery Johnson and chirp about it to a pretending-to-be-deaf Travis Outlaw.”

If James sits, this could actually be a wonderful game. Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh supply plenty of power for the Heat, but the Nuggets counter with ‘Melo, Chauncey Billups and the overlooked Nene. The game will air on TNT at 10:30 PM Eastern, unless Magic-Thunder runs late, in which case 10:45 looks about right.

For Nuggets analysis, head to Denver Stiffs. For more on the Heat, check in with Peninsula Is Mightier.