“[They] You can be in Australia in a beautiful city and (with) a beautiful beach, get the proper development and training, and play against professionals who may not be NBA pros, but are still professionals.
“If guys have the opportunity to experience that, and they’re very intent on what you want to do, then I think that’s the place for you.”
Perth forward Izan Alamansa, who hails from Spain, looks to be the NBL Next Stars pick this season, but South East Melbourne’s Malik Lewis has shown some promise with his athleticism around the rim.
In a wide-ranging interview, Anthony (a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, or the best 75 players in the competition’s history) also spoke about the future of the Jedi; The cold and hard reality of trading without warning; the legacy of Stephen Curry and LeBron James; The NBA’s notorious dress code for its players.
Jedi “worth starting”
Anthony said it was unfortunate Australian star Josh Guede had to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder when they became title contenders.
“It was sad to see Jedi leave OKC because I know the team they’re building there and the energy and the role he played (in that),” Anthony said.
Australian Josh Guede drives to the basket at Paris 2024.Credit: Getty Images
“But I think he’ll be a good fit in Chicago — they have a good, young team, (and) they just lost DeMar DeRozan (six-time NBA All-Star), so they’re trying to rebuild and get some young energy.” This is the appropriate situation for him.
“Start, you know what I mean? You deserve to start, you deserve to be the starting point on the team, not to come on the bench.
Boomers Josh Green (to Charlotte) and Dyson Daniels (to Atlanta) were among several NBA players traded in the offseason, and Anthony said he hates it when teams can move players without notice.
Josh Green dives for a loose ball this NBA season. Image source: Getty Images
Green, who helped the Dallas Mavericks reach the NBA Finals, was one of those players who had no idea he would be affected.
“It’s the dark side of the game that I never agree with,” Anthony said.
“I hate this part of the game; That someone could be trading you without you even realizing it.
“They don’t do that in any other industry but basketball and sports. That’s one of the parts I don’t agree with.
Anthony wants to show more interest in players who are traded.
“I’m just saying there’s a level of respect that’s missing when it comes to sports, and that’s the one thing for me,” Anthony said.
“Let’s care a little more about families, situations and individuals – let’s not take the spirit and emotion out of them.”
Why we’ll appreciate Steph Curry and LeBron James when they’re gone
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) drives to the basket against Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) in 2016. Credit: Julie Jacobson, AP
Anthony is no longer the face of an NBA franchise, just a face among the fans, and he couldn’t be happier.
From an unforgettable college championship with Syracuse in 2002-03 to a 20-season NBA career, plus three Olympic gold medals, the 10-time All-Star has a legacy that sits comfortably among the greats.
However, he always seemed to carry a weight on his shoulders — first as the prodigy who was supposed to pull the Denver Nuggets from the doldrums to the title, then as the New York Knicks’ established franchise player, who is still capable of doing so. They never found their way back to the top of the NBA.
But Anthony, now 40, was relieved as he sat down with the headline announcement during his Australian tour, which included an ‘An Evening with Carmelo’ event.
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“I did it for 20 years at the highest level, and I couldn’t be impressed by people (the other players),” Anthony said.
“At this point, what’s done is done. I’ve always had an appreciation for the game, and I think what people are seeing now is a real appreciation for the game.”
Anthony was on the court at Paris 2024 as LeBron James and Stephen Curry led Team USA to the gold medal.
But one thing he doesn’t want is to be an “old hag” criticizing younger players, even if the United States starts losing games once James and Curry retire.
“It’s inevitable that iron sharpens iron — as the rest of the world gets better, American players, in the NBA, are going to get better and better,” Anthony said.
LeBron James and Steph Curry team up for the USA in the Olympics. Image source Getty Images
“The competition is going to be very tough. We don’t appreciate what we’ve seen from this group of players who are about to retire and move on with their lives.
“We’re going to appreciate these guys when this younger group is in place, and now we’ve got to cheer them on and try to stick to what we can say, and what we can’t say without being like the old man out there.”
The NBA’s notorious dress code
Anthony has always been a player whose style attracted attention but was not always welcomed.
NBA legend Carmelo Anthony. Credit: Eddie Jim
In 2005, Anthony and Allen Iverson were among the stars targeted by NBA Commissioner David Stern’s dress code, which banned T-shirts, baggy jeans, excessive jewelry, and sunglasses indoors (among other things) and ordered players to wear business casual attire while in public. Matches and dressing. Lawsuits on team benches.
“It was difficult, especially when you became one of the alleged reasons for implementing this dress code,” Anthony recalls.
“It’s like, man, I’m 21 or 22, I get it, but I don’t know anything about wearing a suit.
“No one told me how to wear a suit at 20 – I don’t know what that means, do you?
Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James speak at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles in 2016.Credit: AP
“So, don’t come in, put your fist on the ground and say this is happening. Explain to us what’s happening.
It was for the better, to improve the game and the look; NBA aesthetics. It worked at the time.
“Now, if you look 20 years later, it’s included (in the games).”
So what would happen if current NBA Commissioner Adam Silver made such a ruling today?
“Adam… his resignation is coming soon,” Anthony said with a laugh.
Melo loves the “neutral zone”
Following Anthony’s “A Night With” event in Melbourne, a fan tweeted a message to him thanking him for kissing his son while he got on stage.
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“I don’t think twice about it. It’s just who I am, especially if they’re there for me. I’ll show you love,” Anthony said.
“Before, you were walking in as a player, and you didn’t know who was cheering against you, and you were being shouted at, and booed, and all kinds of things. The fact that I can be on neutral ground, just being a man. That means a lot.”
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