Denver Nuggets’ Kenneth Faried tired of being ‘energy’ guy

Apr 16, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks the ball during the first quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Denver Nuggets have been in contractual talks with forward Kenneth Faried for some time, but the two have struggled to find a middle ground.

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One reason as to why is the pay Faried is likely commanding considering he’s tired of being known as an ‘energy’ guy around the league and wants to be known as a ‘superstar’.

“I respect it, but that’s not something I want – ‘Oh he’s the energy guy. That’s all he’s going to bring us,'” Faried said. “I want to be known as ‘He’s the All-Star, he’s the superstar.’ I want to be that superstar player. I know what it takes. I’ve seen what it takes. I’ve watched guys at my position make it to that level, and I’m trying to make it there, too.

“As a superstar, you’re supposed to have everything. You’re supposed to work on everything and get better at everything, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

While Faried is a talented player who does make his living off of putting in more effort than his opponent, he simply doesn’t have the skills to be a true superstar like a LeBron James or Tim Duncan (during his prime). That’s not to say Faried can’t be a good player and possibly even emerge into an All-Star caliber talent, but the abaility simply isn’t there.

Understandably, the Nuggets aren’t interested in paying him like a superstar he so desires to become so it sounds as if the two are currently in a bit of a stalemate until something budges.