GLIAC Men's BasketballAug 11, 2016
Carmelo Anthony is the Hero America Needed
Carmelo Anthony is the Hero America Needed
It's been said that the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio will be Carmelo Anthony's swan song. He's been the one consistent member of a team that features the bes
It's been said that the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio will be Carmelo Anthony's swan song. He's been the one consistent member of a team that features the best and brightest stars in the National Basketball Association (NBA) while others have dropped out of the National Team program.
Last night against Australia, Carmelo Anthony not only became the new All-Time Scoring Leader for the American Olympic team, but did it while putting the team on his back in the final quarter to win a hotly contested game. Melo was lights out from the field, hitting four of five three-pointers in the opening period. He finished the game with 31 points overall. He entered the game third behind David Robinson (270) and LeBron James.
His international career started with the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Those games were a mitigated disaster for the American team that just couldn't come together as a cohesive unit. A 19 point loss was the lowlight for those games where Melo, along with Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, received limited playing time. Anthony averaged 2.4 points per game. Despite three losses in those Olympics, the team still took home a bronze.
It was the 2008 Olympics in Beijing that Anthony became an integral member of the United States team. Dubbed the "Redeem Team," this squad had only one goal: win gold. Now fives into his professional career, Anthony had come into his own as a player. He contributed 21 points in a winning effort against defending Olympic champions Argentina and finished those games with 92 points.
At the 2012 Olympics in London, Melo was a key player in Coach Krzyzewski's "two line" system. Despite coming off the bench, he was the American's second leading scorer, including a 37 point effort in the United States' drubbing 156-73 drubbing of Nigeria in group play. He finished those games averaging 16.3 points.
His leadership is obvious. While stars such as Steph Curry and Lebron James chose to sit out these 2016 Olympics, Melo and Kevin Durant put their country ahead of summer activities. They have the experience needed to keep a team motivated because they've been there before. They've been to the dance and understand how important it is to represent the United States.
This applies especially to Anthony. He was a member of the 2004 team that came up short in Athens. He was a member of the 2006 FIBA World Championship team that didn't even medal. He understands that the United States is expected to win. It's gold medal or bust. Over the course of his Olympic career, Carmelo has transformed himself into locker room leader and one of the greatest international scorers on the court.
Last night, with their backs against the wall because of a lights out Australia team, the United States team needed a hero to step up to avoid another Olympic embarrassment.
Carmelo Anthony was that hero.
Related: FloHoops Talks Carmelo Anthony's Scorching Performance Against Australia
Last night against Australia, Carmelo Anthony not only became the new All-Time Scoring Leader for the American Olympic team, but did it while putting the team on his back in the final quarter to win a hotly contested game. Melo was lights out from the field, hitting four of five three-pointers in the opening period. He finished the game with 31 points overall. He entered the game third behind David Robinson (270) and LeBron James.
His international career started with the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. Those games were a mitigated disaster for the American team that just couldn't come together as a cohesive unit. A 19 point loss was the lowlight for those games where Melo, along with Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, received limited playing time. Anthony averaged 2.4 points per game. Despite three losses in those Olympics, the team still took home a bronze.
It was the 2008 Olympics in Beijing that Anthony became an integral member of the United States team. Dubbed the "Redeem Team," this squad had only one goal: win gold. Now fives into his professional career, Anthony had come into his own as a player. He contributed 21 points in a winning effort against defending Olympic champions Argentina and finished those games with 92 points.
At the 2012 Olympics in London, Melo was a key player in Coach Krzyzewski's "two line" system. Despite coming off the bench, he was the American's second leading scorer, including a 37 point effort in the United States' drubbing 156-73 drubbing of Nigeria in group play. He finished those games averaging 16.3 points.
His leadership is obvious. While stars such as Steph Curry and Lebron James chose to sit out these 2016 Olympics, Melo and Kevin Durant put their country ahead of summer activities. They have the experience needed to keep a team motivated because they've been there before. They've been to the dance and understand how important it is to represent the United States.
This applies especially to Anthony. He was a member of the 2004 team that came up short in Athens. He was a member of the 2006 FIBA World Championship team that didn't even medal. He understands that the United States is expected to win. It's gold medal or bust. Over the course of his Olympic career, Carmelo has transformed himself into locker room leader and one of the greatest international scorers on the court.
Last night, with their backs against the wall because of a lights out Australia team, the United States team needed a hero to step up to avoid another Olympic embarrassment.
Carmelo Anthony was that hero.
Related: FloHoops Talks Carmelo Anthony's Scorching Performance Against Australia