The Nuggets went all in with Carmelo Anthony this weekend hoping for a big payoff.

A 'max' deal for 'Melo.  To bad that doesn't make him a 'max' player.  

That's the problem with today's NBA.  More often than not, owners pay for potential as opposed to production. 

Don't get me wrong - 'Melo is a great player.  Good enough to average 26 points per game in the greatest basketball league there is. 

And believe me, I understand the pressure on the Nuggets to cough up the cash to keep 'Melo.  This franchise couldn't afford to let him go.  If for no other reason than avoiding the public relations disaster that would incur if they let the popular youngster get away.

But from a basketball standpoint, and more importantly a winning standpoint, there are too many questions surrounding his game to give him $80 million.

Carmelo can score.  That's not up for debate.  But he's a below average rebounder (4.9 rpg), passer (2.4 apg), and defender at the small forward position.  Come on, with as many double teams as he draws in the post he should be averaging more than two assists per game.

Compare those numbers to draft classmate Dwyane Wade.  Wade averaged a rebound more per game  as a guard (5.7), and four more assists (6.7).  By the way, he averaged more points than 'Melo too.  Bottom line - Wade gets it done in more than one facet of the game.  (I'm not even going to bring up Lebron's numbers - it's just not fair)

I'll cut 'Melo some slack on his inability to make teammates better, and his lack of locker room leadership because he's still young.  But those are both areas he will have to improve in if he's going to justify his new deal. 

Now for the good news.  Carmelo is only 21 years old.  He's shown a desire to get better and work hard.  Over time he can improve in all areas, while becoming that elusive leader in the locker room and face of the franchise that the Nuggets so desperately need.  

Carmelo is anything but a sure thing at this point in time, but the Nuggets are betting $80 million that their gamble is going to pay off.