More specifically, the Denver Nuggets got fed up with leaks to the press, probably because their management has not come off looking too stellar, and told the New Jersey Nets to shut up or they were going to make an inferior trade with Carmelo Anthony’s beloved New York Knicks.

Despite it’s juvenile nature, the threat seems to have worked as things have been very quiet on the Melo front. If any information was getting out it was bad information — signs things could drag on until the trade deadline, the Houston Rockets’ late involvement, and that the insistence on throwing Harrington into the deal would implode the whole thing.

But now, thankfully, we have something positive, however minor, to report.

According to Marc Stein things have advanced to the point that the Nuggets have started fielding offers for what they could get in return for current Nets starting point guard and rumored trade chip Devin Harris. It is speculated that the Nuggets have no interest in Harris as it has Ty Lawson waiting in the wings to inherit the starting point guard responsibilities.

The most likely deal is apparently a trade with the Portland Trailblazers, who are said to be enamored with the point guard, which would send the Nuggets Nicolas Batum and Andre Miller.

It is possible that the Nuggets are just doing their due diligence in asking what they could get in a player they might possibly have on their roster in the future. But I’ll take any positive sign I can.

The Pistons are taking their two-game winning streak out west for a four-game swing starting tonight in Portland. Coming off of their most complete game of the season, the Pistons will have to focus on sharing the ball and pushing the pace.

The Blazers have myriad lanky defenders that could give Detroit fits on both ends of the court. LaMarcus Aldridge can hit shots from outside and also use his length and quickness to punish the undersized Pistons in the paint. But I think the key to the game will be Blazer point guard Andre Miller, a smart, methodical point guard that could pick apart the Pistons porous defense and will be responsible for making sure his team takes advantage of all the matchup problems.

For the Pistons, I think Charlie Villanueva is going to have to put pressure on LaMarcus Aldridge on the defensive end by hitting shots and not being afraid to get physical. He will  also have to deal with defensive ace Nicolas Batum if he gets hot.  Another key will be Rodney Stuckey. He’s putting up the best assist numbers of his career, but he still shoots too much. If Stuckey can put up a 7+ assist night while only taking eight to 1o shots, I like the Pistons chances … or at least I like them more than if he puts up 22 shots and only hits seven of them.