Based on the rookie year and Olympics, is there any question that Lebron is and will be better than Melo?
No way! Every time I do that he misses three shots. I don't want the US to lose. As an aside -- the fact that Brown sticks with him through all that shows how much 1. he likes him as a player, and 2. how much he hates Anthony.
I wonder what's going on with Brown and Anthony. A friend of mine told me that Carmello was asked a question at the end of the game against Puerto Rico (or maybe Greece), and Mello responded, "Why are you asking me, I didn't play?" Did anyone see that?
Yup that Anthony kid got bad attitude. Why isnt he playing you ask? Because Anthony think this is a one man show team and think he's all that so bench you go if you don't think and play as a team.
Yeah, I saw it, that's what happened. Brown's comments about him today were pretty harsh, something like "well the people that practice hard get to play" or something like that.
^ nice. Odom was just as important as Lebron in this game. Half of the Aussie 4th quarter TO's were thanks to Odom.
All Lebron did was dunk on a few 6" aussies, he shot like 2 or 3 air balls! they guy is crap won't amount to nothin.
in the coverage we had, in that last time-out the USA had, with under 2 minutes to go.... you could fully hear Brown say 'are you going to go in Carmelo?" (it was in a do you want to go in Carmelo tone?)
From http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/writers/08/19/carmelo/index.html Welcome to the doghouse Casual approach, shot selection land Anthony seat on Team USA bench Posted: Thursday August 19, 2004 4:10PM; Updated: Thursday August 19, 2004 4:12PM The question of what's up between coach Larry Brown and nailed-to-the-bench young forward Carmelo Anthony is not, to be sure, the most important one facing the United States men's basketball team. The team's poor shooting -- after going 3-for-17 in Thursday's 89-79 win over Australia, the Yanks are now 10-for-62 from 3-point range in three games -- and the unexplored issue of horrendous perimeter defense are much more significant issues that speak to America's chances of turning around a shaky Olympic tournament. But Larry vs. Carmelo is relevant. It defines the generation gap currently going on in pro hoops, and the differences between what a marketing-oriented selection committee is looking for and what a veteran coach is looking for. Anthony says he can't understand why he is so deeply in the doghouse that Brown even summoned rookie-to-be Emeka Okafor for garbage time before he went to 'Melo. I think I believe him. To most players' way of thinking (and that includes the 20-year-old Anthony), as long as you're not acting out overtly -- throwing tantrums, fighting, nodding off on the bench -- what's the problem? But Anthony is learning that being a teammate and representing your country is about many other things. Brown has complained about Anthony's general comportment, his poor practice habits and his refusal to integrate himself with the team. And, oh yes, hoisting up a jump shot almost as soon as he gets his hands on the ball when he does get a chance to play hasn't helped either. Anthony just doesn't get it because he was never told he had to get it. He's been a superstar almost since he picked up a basketball, and the superstars of this generation adhere to the rules of a different culture. If Anthony is legitimately at a loss to understand what he's doing wrong, let me call attention to his pregame "routine" on Thursday. I watched him for 20 minutes, never took my eyes off of him. Here's what I saw: He never -- repeat, never -- went under the basket to retrieve the ball and throw it back to a teammate. Instead, Tim Duncan, the best player on the team, a two-time NBA champion and a two-time MVP, threw it back to him. The only time 'Melo parted with the ball was when two of them bounced toward him at the same time. He never -- repeat, never -- worked on any particular move, never jab-stepped, never took a pull-up jumper, never got the ball and dribbled into an imaginary seam -- a situation he would find in a game. On three or four occasions, however, he did kind of sweep the ball toward the basket in the event the United States might need a 20-foot shovel shot at some point in the game. After the game, in which he played about two minutes, he turned and abruptly headed for the locker room but happened to notice that his team was gathering at mid-court for the obligatory Olympian two-team handshake and wave to the crowd. 'Melo half-heartedly ambled over, shook a hand or two and turned away again. Simply put, he doesn't get it. He doesn't begin to get it. There's no doubt that the situation has become difficult and embarrassing for Anthony, particularly since his close friend, LeBron James, with whom Brown has not been entirely enchanted during the last three weeks, is back with the in-crowd. James has actually learned, in contrast to most of America's team, that screens and give-and-go's not only can be run against zone defenses but should be run against them. James was the player chosen to go into the postgame press conference with Brown and talked about "buying into the system" and treating his Team USA time "as a learning experience." But Anthony had his chance. He played well in America's first two exhibition games, and had he done the right things, he would no doubt be getting minutes now because he is somewhat of a perimeter threat, the term being used loosely in the case of this U.S. team. For as far down the bench Anthony is now, it still might not be too late for him to make a contribution, but the clock is ticking. Man, carMElo sucks, who the hell he thinks he is??? You wear Air Jordan doesnt mean you are Michael Jordan or some sort of superstars.... he is such a selfish player, whiner n cry baby
I am both shocked and shattered! Can't believe how close the game was - and can't believe that the Aussies CANNOT score in the 4th quarter of their basketball games - I think it's fair to say that's why we lost to both the US and Greece now.... long periods in the 4th with no offense! Still looking for our first ever win against the US... Cannot understand why Maher and Smith didn't play in the 4th - they were shooting the lights out all game, but Goorjian goes with Bruton (turnover) to close the game out. No coincedence in my mind that we didn't score with him in - if he's in there as a point why not get Heal a couple of looks?? Lebron was fantastic! He was the difference - but I've gotta say that Bogut (from Australia) will no doubt be a top ten pick in the draft in a couple of years! Be interesting to see if the Aussies can make the next round from here!
There never was in my mind. If we didn't all have to deal with the Yao vs. Lebron (back to back # 1's, I know) media circus...we might all like him more. I think there's a "he's not that good" mentality when pining defense of Yao. Lebron is a freak of Basketball nature. I am firmly in his court - he's the reason we take Gold this year. The legacy is passed down... By the way, if given the chance, I'd still take Yao over Lebron
Most people think the Pistons taking Darko over Anthony was a BIG mistake...right now Brown is probably thinking they dodged a bullet.
