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Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Sayson: I want what I do not have
By Homer Sayson
Second Overtime
CHICAGO– Although he might not admit it, Carmelo Anthony is desperate to measure up with old pal and now Cavs juggernaut LeBron James. Well, the way things are going, the thin air in high-altitude Denver will turn thick first before Melo edges King James in both performance and demeanor.
And here’s why:
LeBron is simply the better player, and he has the hardware (Rookie of the Year award) and the validation (All-Star appearance) to show for it.
Although Melo came in a close second to the ROY voting last summer, he wasn’t good enough to be a part of last month’s All-Star Game, which was held in his own backyard. Ugh, that hurts.
LeBron is more dedicated to his craft. After a rookie season where he averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per, he is breaking out further in his sophomore campaign, hiking his numbers to 25.4 points, 7.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists per.
Melo, on the other hand, is helplessly watching his stats sheet bleed with red ink. After averaging 21 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season, Melo’s numbers have plummeted slowly but surely, like Kobe Bryant’s image: 19.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per.
LeBron James is a better teammate, and I’m not just talking about the assists. He plays hurt, treats his teammates well, and merrily cheers the Cavs on when he’s on the bench.
Anthony, on the other hand, is not as thrilled with the idea of playing hurt. He once disrespected his peers by refusing to re-enter a game after a timeout; and he pouts like a spoiled brat when he’s sitting on the bench.
Such trashy behavior, of course, isn’t new to Anthony. Remember the Olympics, when he publicly condemned the lack of playing time? Remember last summer, when a camera caught sweet Melo talking to a known drug dealer? Remember the time when he was caught in the airport with some marijuana in his backpack?
Last week, Anthony’s trail of aberrant behavior hit a low-water mark. After being benched in the final seven minutes of the Nuggets’ 97-94 overtime win in Memphis, Melo threw a towel at the direction of Denver coach George Karl. Melo then compounded his outburst by declining to address the media.
When he was pulled out of that Feb. 25 game, Melo had just 13 points on 3-of-13 shooting. Yes, he had eight rebounds, but he negated it with five turnovers and zero assists. Karl had every right to put such a player, a starter or not, in the cooler.
But Melo believes otherwise. His low IQ must have told him that being a starter is an entitlement, and that it guarantees playing time regardless of the muck he throws in the court. Guess what, Melo, only contracts are guaranteed in the NBA. Just ask Isaiah Rider or Dennis Rodman.
LeBron James is as tidy as Mr. Clean. He is beloved in Cleveland; corporate CEOs queue his doorstep begging him to peddle their products; and the media admires his professionalism and respect for the game.
These are the qualities that helped propel LeBron as an All-Star, qualities that make him so easy to like. These are all the qualities that Melo doesn’t have. And yet, Melo keeps wondering why he was left out in the rain during the 54th NBA All-Star Game.
I hate judging other people, but who can ever blame me? Whatever walks like a brat, talks like a brat, and behaves like a brat, is a brat. Right, Melo?
LETTER FROM TIMOTHY. After catching his breath following C-Webb’s unexpected migration to Philly, Timothy Valdez of Livingston Christian Academy in Liloan (tywazzup@hotmail.com) e-mailed me his thoughts on the trade:
“Why in the world did they do it? Trading Webber was like Sacramento losing its foundation. Also, Webber was really doing well and this was how they repaid him? Sacramento is no longer like its old self, but I guess I have to face reality.”
Okay Timothy, C-Webb was the Kings foundation, I’ll give you that.
But I’m sorry to tell you that Webber as a foundation was crumbling with injuries. He missed 28 games in the 2001-02 season, 15 in the 2002-03 season, and another 59 games last year. Besides the hurt, C-Webb was bleeding with so much animosity it was time to let go. Hello, Peja Stojakovic.
Timothy, before you stamp the Kings as ungrateful, please know that it was the Kings who signed Webber to a $127 million contract in 2001, and all that money is guaranteed wherever C-Webb plays.
For whatever it’s worth, I’m sorry for your loss, Timothy. Rest well in the knowledge that with Mike Bibby and Peja on board, the Kings could be great again.
(homsay@hotmail.com)
(March 2, 2005 issue)
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