Rocky Mountain Hi

After two nights of action, it might be time to scale back the collective expectations for the Threet. Using a combination of mathematics and moderation (two concepts we never applied in college), we can reasonably predict an 81-1 regular season record and a complete cancellation of the playoffs by the commissioner due to Miami's utter dominance, followed by the team’s immediate enshrinement in the Hall of Fame. Diverting our attention from Miami Thrice for a minute, there are many other compelling question beyond whether or not the Three Basketeers make history. Here's a handful for the Denver Nuggets:

Where will Carmelo Anthony's final destination be? Will he be sent to a contender or a struggling squad? Will Denver get anything close to equal value when they do unload him? Will ‘Melo be motivated while he bides his time waiting to leave or will he switch to cruise control? Is he feeling slighted, since Kevin Durant may have surpassed him as a pure scorer? When he departs, can J.R. Smith, he of the Autobots and Decepticons ink, transform (see what we did there?) himself from a streaky scorer into a steady one? Will parting ways with him cause the team to miss the post-season in the Northwest, one of the most difficult divisions in the NBA? If he’s granted his wish to join the Knicks, will the coy approach he's taken adopted by other athletes? Is this his way of not snitching on himself?

Will George Karl’s health hold up in his return to the bench after a courageous battle with throat cancer? Will the team rally around the most player-friendly coach in the NBA, after collapsing in his absence last season?

Can Ty Lawson handle the PG duties well enough to allow Chauncey Billups to pace himself and not play too many minutes early on?

Is there any room left on the Birdman’s body to get another tattoo? Will Lynyrd Skynyrd thank him for the free advertising? Is he learning how to play the guitar so he can honor the musical requests that will soon be shouted his way? Will people hold lighters up when he blocks shots?

Which will be higher at the season’s end: LeBron’s ppg average or the Cavs win total?

Sorry, couldn’t resist sneaking that one in.