Why not Melo?

If you’re a basketball fan then you know that something is extremely wrong with what’s going on with Carmelo Anthony. If you are not, then keep reading because you are about to be informed on one of the most iconic players that basketball has ever seen.

Before I get into stats and his achievements. Let me start by saying Carmelo Anthony is one of the greatest small forwards to ever step foot on a basketball court. I think you would agree with me when I say that. In his early years playing for the Denver Nuggets he could easily give you a triple double and a double on a regular night. I’ve seen Melo play at some of the highest levels than any player to ever put on an NBA Jersey.

Minus the rings and the championship trophies. Melo’s resume screams nothing but a winner! Not to mention he is s complete threat on the offensive end. But maybe that’s what the problem is. A lot of people like to think that melo built his career on states more than he built it on winning. Former teammate and ex bad boy Chauncey Billups like to think so, in fact he even said it in an interview, and I quote. “Melo is no doubt a great play, when I was playing with him in Denver I had the chance to see it up close. But I was worried, I think scoring 30 meant more to Melo than getting a win”. Billups who played two seasons in Denver with Melo quickly tried to clean up his comment after fans took to Twitter to defend the 12 time all star. He then said “I didn’t mean anything by my comment, Melo is a friend of mine and I respect him..but these are facts”.

Is Melo being blackballed?

During this time of struggle you would think most of his former teammates or even some of his closest friends who vouch for him. Which honestly most of them have. Most have expressed their concerns via twitter, former teammates and ones who are just colleagues of his. People like Kendrick Perkins, Kyle Kuzma, Isaiah Thomas..who have all expressed their concern about Melo not being in the league. Steven Jackson even uploaded a video expressing why he thinks the former all star and scoring champion is being blackballed out of the league.

At first you could say, maybe these guys are just people vouching for a close friend..but lately it seems to be looking like it has some truth to it. Just the other day the Detroit Pistons signed Joe Johnson to a one year deal. Now let’s not take nothing away from Joe Johnson because just like Melo he is also a player who can give you some serious depth to your roster.

But you can argue with the fact that picking Joe Johnson over Melo is a bold move. What’s even more mind blowing is that Melo even sent out a request to play for team USA who in fact just been eliminated from the World Cup which haven’t happened since they put together the dream team. The team which Melo played a huge role in bringing back to their Olympic glory.

How does Melo feel?

On an episode of First Take. Melo was interview by Steven A Smith who also feels that Anthony is being treated unfairly by the NBA, asked Melo how he feels about the USA team denying him, what happened in OKC and Houston and why he feels those things didn’t work out in his favor. Melo admitted that at first he was being a bit stubborn and wasn’t comfortable with coming off the bench. He said it was a pride issue with him but more of a “know your worth” deal. When he was in OKC he was told and promised things that once he got there, it was never delivered. He said, ” When I was in OKC I was ready to do whatever it took to help the team win”. It came down to where he just didn’t fit into the OKC system. Not only was it not a right fit but OKC wanted to make room for cap space and didn’t see Melo as a good investment for their future moving forward.

Melo would then be picked up by the Houston Rockets in hopes that he could be a fit. Which shouldn’t have been a problem since he would be teaming alone side one of his banana boat friends, Chris Paul. When asked what happened and why things didn’t workout in Houston, Melo begin to get a little emotional. Stating that he didn’t know what happened. For the first time he really just wanted to play basketball and didn’t care how or what he had to do to accomplish that even if it meant coming off the bench he just wanted to be doing what he loved to do and that’s playing.

Melo felt he did everything right, whatever he was asked to do for the franchise he was willing to do it. But, like every other team Houston didn’t think Melo was a good fit for their system. Which was fine, but the way they went about it is what Anthony seems to have a problem with. Melo then went on to explain the situation and how it ended in Houston. He said, “I was there to help the team and do what I had to do”. The response he got was “Your services are no longer needed” Melo then went on to say, “What do you mean? What are you talking about?” The GM went on to say “Nah, things just not working out and you have to figure out what you have to figure out” Melo responded “What do you mean? I have a game tomorrow” GM response “Nah, you not suiting up”.

Melo felt that the reason he was dismissed from the team wasn’t simply because of basketball but it was far bigger than that. Melo felt he became the scapegoat for Houston starting off to a 4- 6 that season. When asked if he felt that James Harden or Chris Paul had anything to do with it. Melo instantly cleared both of his former teammates name. Saying they had no idea what was going down. He said “The minute I found out I called James and Chris right away and asked them did they know what was going on, their friendship was on the line” both of them admittedly denied knowing anything about it.

He was then asked how would he feel playing alongside Lebron James. He said ” I would love the idea, that’s something we talked about since we were 18 years old” at one point in time that was possible. If they would’ve signed a 3 year deals with their teams it would have left them a free at the end of their contracts to sign together. But Melo ended up signing a five year deal with the Knicks which killed any chance of that. Melo admitted that it was an immature move and at the time he was thinking about the money. He didn’t understand why would he leave two years of guaranteed money on the table. He said it is a decision that haunts him to this day.

Melo should be on a roster

Over his career Melo has averaged over 35 ppg. 6 rbp And 3ast. Not to mention the Scoring Titles and the Olympic Gold Medals, or the All Star appearances and that unforgettable run he made back in 02 with the Syracuse Orange. I would say Melo has had a pretty solid career.

Bringing me back to my first question again. Why not Melo? Well if you asked me I say he his being blackballed. It’s clear he can still play as one of the top players today if given the right chance and situation. Let’s be honest. Melo never had much of a team to work with. Think about the team Wade had when he won his first championship in Miami and then follow that with the teams he had when he won back to back with Lebron and Bosh. Melo has always had it tough but he dealt with what he had and still was able to push his team to the playoffs. There’s no way that a guy of Melo’s  caliber should be at home sitting when there are guys in the league that should be shining his shoes. I know it, you know it the whole world knows it. I just can’t understand why the NBA doesn’t see it.

I hope the NBA figures something out because I would love to see Melo back in NBA Jersey and I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Photo Credit: NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 12: Carmelo Anthony attends Black Ops Basketball Run on September 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images)