Anthony Ready To Come Back And Be Better Then Ever...

[James]

with his team struggling and Anthony being out the past month and having time to workout and what not, he should be back and better...

Updated: Jan. 21, 2007, 2:44 PM ET
Nuggets star says he'll be 'better, stronger and smarter'ESPN.com news services


Carmelo Anthony apparently has put his time way from the game to good use.

The Denver Nuggets star is expected to return to the lineup Monday night against Memphis after serving a 15-game suspension for fighting, and he is excited.

In an open letter issued Sunday by the team, Anthony thanked his fans, teammates and Nuggets organization for their support the past month.

"I have been going crazy for 36 days waiting to return," Anthony wrote. "All my life playing basketball has come easy to me, but not being able to play has been the most difficult thing I have ever experienced as a player.

"I've spent this time off working on my game and reflecting on who I am. And who I want to be. I want all of you to know that I plan to be better, stronger and smarter on the court than I've ever been before. I've never been more dedicated to becoming the best player and teammate that I can be."

Anthony recently was chosen as USA Basketball's male athlete of the year for his role in the United States' bronze-medal performance at the world championships. He averaged 19.9 points and scored a U.S.-record 35 points in a victory over Italy in pool play.

His suspension stems from the role he played in last month's brawl with the New York Knicks.

Anthony met with NBA commissioner David Stern for about 90 minutes on Friday in New York City, sources told the Denver Post. Anthony also reportedly met with NBA deputy commissioner and chief operating officer Adam Silver.

During a Dec. 18 media teleconference, Stern said of Anthony: "Obviously, I am hoping to meet with Carmelo. I fully expect that he'll be back in the rotation, and we'll do what we have to do to help develop his career over the very long time that remains in it. But he did what he did and he has to accept the full responsibility for it."

Anthony wrote in the letter that he is expected to "lead by example" and "be a professional."

"It has been very tough watching the team play without me, knowing that my mistake has made it very difficult for my teammates, the franchise and the fans," Anthony wrote. "I've spent the time working extremely hard, and I plan to come back better than ever.

"I've also spent time thinking about the huge responsibilities I have as the captain of the Denver Nuggets, the captain of Team USA, a face of the NBA, and a role model to young people. I'm aware that a great deal is expected of me, and not just as a player."

Through 22 games this season, the former first-round pick out of Syracuse is averaging 31.6 points and 5.6 rebounds.

Source

 

[shutmouth]

he will come back, him and AI will put on a great show for about 5 games,

Then AI will go back to his ball hog self, carmelo will punch AI and then run.

 

[cdt]

I didn't read the above article but he said he was taking boxing classes...

There is no single sport tougher then boxing IMO..it's you vs another there's no one else to rely on...the cutman is just there to keep you from getting DQ'd for blood loss.

 

[Mac]

Try playing rugby.

 

[Karma]

Try playing rugby.

Now we are talking. Why I keep playing after 23 years is beyond me. Boxing however is a great cardiovascular workout.

 

[RuanuLaw]

MMA (UFC's style)

(If you don't know what MMA is, it is Mixed Martial Arts. It is what they use in the UFC and Pride Fighting Championship)

Boxing is great, but UFC/Pride is better IMHO.

 

[cavincali]

Wrestling is tougher or as tough as boxing, they go through hell just to be able to compete, weight.

 

[Mac]

Well that's because they are stupid and won't wrestle in their natural weight class.

 

[Kypus]

Then AI will go back to his ball hog self, carmelo will punch AI and then run.

I can totally see that happening except for the punching part. It's going to be interesting to watch 2 leading scorers try to mesh. Iverson loves to isolate and take stupid shots, but his assists are way up in the past few years (I hate him at PG, but have to admit his passing is better).

The Cavs don't have any real vested interest in how it turns out (unless it's some hidden 2nd rd draft pick from 5 yrs ago), and I don't care about the Nuggets one way or the other . Another possibility is their 2 posses get into it or something stupid, without either player even being involved. So I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the fireworks.

 

[LyXo]

Denver is a real running team. They push the ball whenever possible. Anthony and Iverson will already be on the break once the shot comes off. Ball hogging won't affect transition game. Having two potent fastbreakers will only fuel it, and that's exactly where AI gets all of his assists from.

Problems in Philly with AI were with the fact that he never really had a true point guard. All he was left with was Eric Snow, who we know has no offense and can't playmake... and then Willie Green, Larry Hughes, etc. All combo guards, like him, forcing AI with all the ball handling duties. Now, he has super efficient Steve Blake... who actually passes first, knows how to shoot from behind the arc, and knows a little about how to run an offense... which shouldn't be hard because he has AI on one side, Carmelo on the other, and Reggie Evans and Marcus Camby rebounding, without ever needing the ball for any offense whatsoever.

So if they base their offense on the transition game of both Anthony and AI, and Blake can distribute the ball properly in the half court(Hard, but it's up to Karl more than anyone) and hit his shots... then they have a pretty dangerous offensive team.

 

[Deadlock]

Boxing? Rugby? Wrestle?

You kidding me? Watch a live event of UFC and then come back to me. If you can last in that you are a beast. Seriously I went to one in the summer and pretty much they started with white shorts and needless to say they were covered in their own blood.

Thats the roughest thing I have ever seen in my life, them kids are fuking insane.

 

[KingJamesMVP]

I was impressed with Iverson and Anthony's ability to coexist last night..I thought they would both dominate the ball and it would be a trainwreck...