After a month of eager expectation, the Nuggets did the expected Thursday night - but that didn't dim the excitement within the organization. The Nuggets are feeling very "Melo" now.

Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe said Thursday's choice of Syracuse standout Carmelo Anthony as the No. 3 overall selection in the NBA draft should give the franchise an immediate boost.

"Carmelo is ready to play," Vandeweghe said. "He's ready to contribute. He wants to be a leader. He wants to be out front. He's been a guy who was successful every level he has been at. And he's the kind of guy that I like, that takes a shot at the end of a game. I like to take a shot anytime. He likes it at the end of the game."

It would have been a shocker had Denver not taken Anthony, but that didn't make it any less heartwarming for Anthony or his mother, Mary. As Anthony's name was announced, Mary was overcome with emotion.

"It was hard to believe," Mary Anthony said. "It was sort of like when he went from elementary school to high school and then from high school to college. All those feelings came back. I was watching him grow up. My baby was going into the NBA."