A very vexing question faces these Nuggets as they proceed, forthwith, into the din of battle against untold foes of the NBA.

Is Raymond Felton a starter?

 

With apologies to both William Shakespeare and Hamlet:

To start, or not to start: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of sitting on the bench,
Or to take arms against a sea of Spurs,
And by opposing end them? To start: to bench;
No more; and by a starting to say we end
The heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks
That starting point guard to, 'tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish'd. To start, to bench;
To bench: perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub;
For in that bench of death what dreams may come
When Raymond has shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause: there's the respect
That makes calamity of so long a thug life;
For who would bear the scars and injuries of starting,
The coach's wrong, the proud man's contumely,
The pangs of despised Ty-Ray Felson, the law's delay,
The insolence of front office and the Spurs
That patient merit of the starting job,
When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin? who would fardels bear,
To grunt and sweat under a sprained ankle,
But that the dread of something after injury,
The undiscoverd country from whose bourn
No traded player returns, puzzles the will
And makes us rather bear those injuries we have
Than fly to teams that we know not of?
Thus conscience does make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought,
And enterprises of great time and agents skill
With this regard their desire to start,
And lose the name of action. – Soft you now!
The fair Ty Lawson! Starter, in thy position!
Be all my stats remember'd.

 

Nuggets related

Kennedy: Can Nuggets Continue Winning Ways – Alex Kennedy, Hoops World
Youngster Alex Kennedy fires up the ole' speculation machine and talks about the Nuggets chances going forward. Also, he speaks with Raymond Felton about his desires to start:

"It's working so far. It's something that I can't say I'm comfortable with, but at the same time, we're winning so why say anything? Why complain? Just play ball," Felton told HOOPSWORLD.

The veteran point guard has even hinted that he'll force a trade out of Denver this offseason, saying that the situation will be resolved this summer despite the fact that he has one more year on his contract. He feels like this is Ty Lawson's team and he's not ready to become a reserve.

"It's just one of those things where if this is where he's going to be [long term], then we'll see this summer where I might be," Felton said.

Now…I don’t think Felton “implicitly” said that he will force his way out of Denver. Kennedy is taking some liberties there, but it’s definitely something to think about.
How good are the post Carmelo Anthony Denver Nuggets? – Jeremy Wagner, Roundball Mining Company
Our buddy Jeremy Wagner at Roundball has a very nice analysis of the post-Melo era Nuggets. Well worth a read.
Nene thrives in “new” surroundings – Chris Dempsey, Denver Post
Chris Dempsey from the Post has a nice write-up about Nene’s resurgence since the trade of Melo. Nene has averaged 16.3 points and 8.6 rebounds since Melo was traded.
Melo related
The Big Apple Bites back: Melo Style – Drew Litton
The great Drew Litton sums up Melo’s problems in New York better than anyone else.
Troubled Knicks vow they’ll get it right in playoffs – Denver Post
An AP wire story about the Knicks vowing that they will get their act together come playoff time. Good for them. I actually hope they do.
Have a great morning everyone!
Jeff Morton