Before jumping into Labor Day Weekend, here are some recommended links recapping the week that was in Nuggets Nation.

Melo Sweepstakes (sorry) haven’t started yet – TrueHoop Blog – ESPN
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein explains why the Nuggets can afford to wait and be patient before any possible Carmelo Anthony trade commences…if it even happens at all.

Renaldo Balkman at Home on Puerto Rico’s National Team — NBA FanHouse
Fanhouse’s Chris Tomasson catches up with Nuggets reserve – and George Karl‘s doghouse denizen – Renaldo Balkman who’s playing for Puerto Rico in the FIBA World Championships.

Time to Get Down to Business – Mile High Sports
Mile High Sports' Eric Goodman compares the Nuggets tightly controlled Tuesday press conference to that of the Soviet Union's media control tactics.  Considering the Nuggets only made Josh Kroenke and Masai Ujiri available for about 10 minutes, I have to agree.

Nuggets coach George Karl goes to bat for Mark Warkentien | All Things Nuggets
It is not a secret that Nuggets coach George Karl and former vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien are good friends.

NUGGETS: Director of admininstration proves indispensible for Nuggets 
Nuggets.com's Aaron Lopez profiles the Nuggets longest tenured employee, Lisa Johnson.  Having met Lisa a few times, I can say she's long overdue for getting some public recognition!

Looming end to these Nuggets coming much too quickly | NBA.com
Farewell, special Nuggets. Farewell to the inspirational vibe, to the talk of staying on the Lakers‘ heels in the West, to the personnel bosses who built a contender. (A depressing article by NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper.)

Nuggets’ new GM hopes to keep Anthony – NBA – Yahoo! Sports
Marc Spears discusses how Masai Ujiri will aim to meet with Carmelo Anthony and try to sell him on the franchise’s future. 

Nuggets.com Q&A: Masai Ujiri 
Lopez conducts a formal Q&A with the Nuggets new general manager.