--It's last season's scoring champ against this season's scoring leader. But Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is downplaying his meeting Thursday at the Pepsi Center with Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. "It's not about me vs. Dwyane Wade," Anthony said. "I don't think I would guard him in that game. But I'm pretty sure it will be a fun game." But certainly there's got to be a little extra incentive going against a fellow top member of the 2003 draft class and an Olympic teammate, right?
"It's fun," Anthony said. "I'm pretty sure it will be an exciting game. The fans will get what they paid to see."
Wade led the NBA in scoring last season with a 30.2 average, and Anthony is leading the way this season with a 30.7 average. Wade already has said, though, that Anthony can have the scoring title this season.
--If Philadelphia signs Allen Iverson, his first game could be Monday at home against Denver, the team he played for from 2006-08. Nuggets coach George Karl would prefer Iverson wait a game.
"I would rather let it be the next team," said Karl, knowing the enthusiasm in Philadelphia would be tremendous since Iverson starred with the 76ers from 1996 to 2006. "I think a little edge that falls on the homecourt category doesn't turn me on all the time."
Philadelphia's game after Denver is Wednesday at home against Detroit. Iverson balked about coming off the bench last season with the Pistons and did so again earlier this season with Memphis before the Grizzlies let him go.
"I think the big thing with A.I. is, can he be happy?" Karl said of Iverson possibly returning to Philadelphia. "If he's going to play angry and frustrated and disappointed like he's played the last year, I don't think it's healthy for anybody."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "We learned from our mistakes. That is what it is about. We can't make the same mistakes twice." -- Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin, on a 135-107 win over Golden State on Tuesday, two days after a shocking 106-100 loss to lowly Minnesota.
Play Basketball Hot Streak and win prizes!
