Now that summer is pretty much wrapping up, NBA basketball is preparing to lead the sports lexicon yet again. Of course, when light shines on anything, positive is seen but also negative. For some, the negative is self-evident. Throughout the summer, you see well-manicured and manipulated videos of NBA stars showcasing their improvement during the off-season.
The names of the development coaches and gurus are famous. Names like Rico Hines, Drew Hanlen, Tim Grover, Chris Johnson, and Chris Brickley each use social media platforms to post videos of their prized pupils “excelling” against the competition. The reason for these videos is exceedingly simple – money. Who the money is for, now that is a bit ticklish.
Star free-agent Carmelo Anthony is that aging lion trying to stay with the pride. Currently, without a team and with minimal interest, it seems like Anthony is at the end of the road. However, Anthony believes otherwise.
The closeout of Carmelo Anthony has been both entertaining and painful to watch. It appears that NBA franchises successfully prevented Anthony from being able to get a shot off. Such aggressive denial is in stark contrast to Anthony, who as a player was not committed to playing defence and at times was an absolute turnstile. While Anthony is a legendary scorer and certain Hall of Famer, no team has shown interest in acquiring his services.
Melo Dramatic
Remember, Hoodie Melo? Well, that died. Similarly, how about Olympic Melo? An ideal if there’s ever been one, also dead, presently standing next to Hoodie Melo. In a last-ditch attempt to resurrect his career, Anthony made the sports media rounds recently. On ESPN’s First Take, Anthony spoke of the disappointment of being sent home.
Said Anthony, “It felt like *expletive*, somebody in power telling you they no longer need your services, it felt like I got fired… I felt like I loved the game, but the game didn’t love me.”
One must recall, that Carmelo Anthony has been a basketball success and champion at every level except the NBA. His Olympic exploits are legendary as he is the most decorated American basketball player in Olympic and plausibly international history. This has proven to be the summer of nightmares for Anthony.
Currently, Anthony is yet to receive an offer from any NBA franchise to play in the upcoming season. According to reports, Anthony reached out to the Team USA Basketball brain trust with hopes of being considered there. USA Basketball quickly and quietly rebuffed Anthony’s overtures.
What is a suitable role for Anthony?
Anthony spoke of the impossibility of all NBA teams possessing filled rosters with more talented players than him. That’s troubling on many levels. Clearly, Anthony has forgotten or remains completely ignorant to the NFL’s Colin Kaepernick exclusion. It is very easy to justify Anthony’s omission or non-consideration by any team’s front office.
There’s also a logical way to look at this. Question: What position would Anthony play? Former Coach of the Year awardee Dwane Casey said, “You are the position you can guard.” If that were true, Anthony can’t be considered for selection. Anthony’s defence has been abhorrent forever.
Is Anthony a starter, or a reserve? Who can forget this snippet from the press conference in OKC!
My, my how times have changed. To be fair, Anthony has since stated that he has reconciled with the fact that he’s no longer necessarily a primary option. “To come off the bench, that was a major ego hit. But I came to a point in Houston where I accepted that” Anthony explained.
Does Carmelo Anthony deserve to play?
Easy answer, sure! He’s a hall of fame certainty when he officially retires. However, it remains self-evident that the game has passed him by. Physically, this is year 17. How much more can the body truly handle? Mentally, the fact is Anthony is a savant in an obsolete style of play. What value is there in a team sacrificing a roster spot for a dinosaur? Like the wooly mammoth, the dinosaur and the legend Allen Iverson, the game of Anthony is now considered extinct.