Here I sit, channeling my best impression of Chris Crocker, minus the violent screaming, uncontrollable tears, and effeminate make-up. With that said, I may or may not be writing this from the security of a protective fort made up of my own bed sheets. In all seriousness, malice towards Denver Nugget forward Carmelo Anthony is getting out of control and is hardly justified. The "Melo-Drama" that has taken the NBA by storm over the past month has a bit less to do with 'Melo than you think.
I apologize, but before I get into this topic, I have to go on a bit of a tangent. I hate it when the media stumbles upon some sort of play on words pertaining to a situation that is actually pretty darn clever and, as a result, they drive that very saying into the ground until it's no longer clever in the slightest. The term "Melo-Drama" falls under that category. It's funny because his nickname is 'Melo, and the trade "drama" surrounding him is similar to the storyline of a melodrama which, by definition, is a dramatic work which exaggerates plot and characters in order to appeal to the emotions. Get it? I'll pause while you laugh heartily.
Now, as I was saying, Carmelo Anthony is not some sort of selfish monster. Believe me, I'm not all that big a fan of Anthony in the first place. I admit I don't necessarily dislike 'Melo like I do other players such as LeBron, Kevin Garnett, and, of course, Sasha Vujacic; but there are definitely some flaws in his character that I don't appreciate. I think he's always had a bit of a smug air about him that has always prevented him from being considered a true MVP candidate. Let's not forget his little incident at the Garden in 2006 when he autographed Mardy Collins' jaw with his knuckles. (Yes, it is sad that the most notable moment of Mardy Collins' NBA career centers around him getting punched in the face.) Finally, he's also been known to butt heads with Future-Hall-of-Fame Denver head coach, George Karl, over silly issues such as playing time. Bear in mind, it wasn't until that Denver team found a true voice of reason and leadership in Chauncey Billups that they were considered a true force in the dog-eat-dog world that is the Western Conference. With trade rumors running rampant, Carmelo Anthony is starting to catch some flak for being so non-committal to Denver and courting teams--some flak that for once Carmelo Anthony doesn't deserve to bear the brunt of.
Is the Carmelo Anthony situation a distraction and detriment to his teammates, the Nugget organization and fan base? Absolutely, but let's not forget that it's the media that blows every little thing that occurs in this debacle out of proportion. One second he's going to Jersey, then New York, then L.A. and then the moon. Chris Broussard's "sources" I suspect to be none other than Miss Cleo, because her guess as to where Carmelo ends up is as good as anyone's. The media jumps the gun and posts these stories in an effort to promote readership, ratings, and to scoop other media outlets. These trade talks have played out in the public eye and, as a result, the Denver Nuggets have an understandably hard time focusing on basketball.
Understandably, teams are hesitant to trade for Anthony without a guarantee that he will sign an extension. Obviously you don't want to trade away the future of your team for half a year of Carmelo's services, only to lose him to free agency at the end of the season. As far as I know, Dallas is the only team willing to do that. With that said, how can you be made at a man for not wanting to play somewhere?
Not that I'm telling you something you don't already know, but the NBA is a business. Carmelo Anthony has to do what he feels is right for him and his family. LeBron is not a pariah because he left Clevelant; he is a lightning rod for public scrutiny because of how he left Cleveland (among other reasons).
New Jersey was among the teams courting Carmelo, and a three-team deal was all but set to send him to New Jersey. In addition, the deal would save Rip Hamilton's career from the abyss that has become Detroit. All that was needed was a guarantee that Carmelo would sign the extension to stay with the Nets beyond the 2011 season. Carmelo refused, and consequently the Nets walked away. Being upset with 'Melo for not signing the extension goes against one of the cardinal rules of life that's been crammed into our heads ever since we were old enough to under the actual content of the lyrics of the songs we heard on MTV. (I am, of course, making a bold assumption that you can still remember when MTV played music.) The cardinal rule is this: You don't go and do something just because everyone else is doing it.
We've been hearing about the perils of peer pressure ever since our teachers told us not to smoke cigarettes. While I don't mean to imply the Net or Nugget organizations endorse adolescent smoking (although I've heard it's all the rage in Russia), this situation was similar. The Nuggets and Nets had a potential deal in place, and in an effort to resolve this 'Melo matter quickly, pressured Carmelo into signing the extension. Carmelo refused the deal and was ridiculed for it because the deal had unfolded in the public eye. To my memory, this is the only time the public has had such inclusive access into the business aspects of the NBA. Because of such a magnified eye on the off-the-court situation by fans and media alike, both squads were distracted on the court and abandoned trade talks. Carmelo has been noncommittal to the media, not because he's being coy or playing games, but because he is trying to be professional about the situation. If he didn't want to be politically correct, he could easily say that the only time he'll voluntarily go to Brooklyn is to see a Jay-Z concert. However, in an effort to keep what should be said behind closed doors behind closed doors, Carmelo is being as quiet as he can about the situation, and letting his game do the talking.
Cafrmelo is averaging 25 ppg to go along with eight boards a contest. He is coming off a 50-point performance in a losing effort against Houston, and (with a whole lot of help from Arron Afflalo) recently led a momentous fourth quarter comeback against my Mavs. Carmelo may want a change of scenery, and this his prerogative; but until he dons the blue and orange under the bright lights of NYC, it's clear that he wants to do what he can to win basketball all games no matter where he calls home. It's 'Melo's job to play basketball, and it's Denver's job to find a deal that will appease everyone. If you ask me, one of those two is doing their job better than the other.
The Carmelo Anthony trade situation is a distraction for the Nugget organization as a whole, and is becoming a black eye for the NBA. The more time it takes for the Nuggets to make a deal, the worse the organization and league look as a result. The media has helped this "'Melo-Drama" balloon to monumental proportions while the nation sits and watches with restless anticipation and/or varying degrees of annoyance. Time will tell where Carmelo plays ball this March and next season. In the meantime, you can expect Carmelo to compete on the hardwood as he always does, and the media to make mountains out of molehills as it always does. If you're going to get made about it: Don't hate the player, hate the game.
Until next time, say no to cigarettes.
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