The term "Vote Of Confidence" means exactly how it sounds if you are a politician receiving one.

In sports, a "Vote Of Confidence" is usually the kiss of death and you may want to start cleaning out your desk at the team facility.

In other professions the term "no comment" pretty much means, "look we have nothing to say." In sports, "no comment" means, "you got us on that one but you know we cannot say anything.' The latter is the predicament the Nuggets find themselves in as it regards to Carmelo Anthony-and he is not happy about it at all.

The seemingly never ending speculation about trading Anthony didn't come to an end until yesterday-and that apparently was too late for Anthony's liking. The rumors surrounded sending Carmelo to the Nets and the Pistons, though even slight discussion of a trade to the Lakers was discussed. Throughout this entire process, the Nuggets front office never commented on the situation. In other words, by not shooting down the rumors, in Anthony's mind, the organization was leaving the possibility open that Carmelo could be moved. That did not make him happy.

What is really going to nake him unhappy is that the Nuggets were doing that for a reason: They were looking to trade Anthony. It has been reported that Detroit and Denver had traded proposals, however, there was never an agreement reached.

In Anthony's mind, the team kept him and his career up in the air. Not a great move in a public relations sense, since the fans tend to side with players over management in situations like this one. Although, the Nuggets, as a franchise, have to do what they think is correct. Really, what is their other choice? Can they come out and say they are not thinking about trading Anthony and all that while be talking to interested parties in an attempt to try and do just that? Carmelo needs to understand that when you have the types of skills he has and in the eyes of many has underachieved, there is going to be, most likely,the talk of movement at some juncture.

Also, keep in mind that Anthony, to this point, has never struggled with basketball. A high school star, a college sensation, and an NBA favorite. This is his first brush with criticism---on the court. He has to get used to it. I mean, just look around, even one of his own teammates and greatest players in the NBA, Allen Iverson, became one of his collegaues through a trade himself.

Have a nice day. Hope to see you back on Tuesday, everyone.

-"z"