I don't think any Thunderhead needs to be reminded about what happened the last time the Nuggets paid a visit to Loud City. Just in case, here's a quick refresher. Kevin Durant nailed a clutch 3 point shot to give the Thunder a 120-119 lead with just 1.7 seconds left on the clock, and it looked as if the Thunders most exciting game of the season was also going to translate into a Thunder victory. Carmelo, of course, had other ideas, and only need 2.6 of the 2.7 seconds Durant and the Thunder left on the clock. He caught the inbound and threw up a shot from downtown, and took the win back in stunning fashion. Needless to say Thunderfans went from their most emotional high point of the season, to quietly walking out the building, shocked at the turn of events that just unfolded before their eyes.
While we will have an opportunity to exact revenge on the Nuggets, its unclear on exactly how much of it we can to on Carmelo himself. According to ESPN, he is having his minutes restricted because he's just coming back from injury. Check out the report below from ESPN.
Player News (last updated: February 1, 2009)News: Anthony will have his minutes restricted for the next week or so by head coach George Karl, the Denver Post reports.
Spin: Anthony missed 10 games with a fracture in his right hand and Karl doesn't want to rush his star back into the 34-36 minutes a night he's averaged in the past. "I think it would be difficult for me to play him 38 minutes (against San Antonio on Tuesday) or the next game," Karl said. "I think it's going to be a progression of a week, and then another week probably before he's at that 35-minute mark. I think Melo should work to push himself more and more every opportunity he gets." To Anthony's credit he did extensive conditioning work while he was out and has returned in great condition so we don't expect it to take that long for him to get right back in the swing of things. However, don't forget about the bone spurs in his elbows and a possibility of the tendinitis flaring up down the road.