Boeheim says Rio will be good for Melo
LAS VEGAS — Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said he knew Carmelo Anthony was wavering about playing in the 2016 Olympics given all the defections and health controversies in Rio.
So Boeheim placed a call to the player who helped him win the 2003 national championship to try and convince him Team USA needed him. Boeheim gave him all the reasons why the Olympic experience would give him momentum going into next season.
It turned into a golden call. Anthony is here at training camp as the undisputed emotional leader of the U.S. Olympic team, while Boeheim is back as assistant coach to Mike Krzyzewski.
“I called him to see what his thought process was,’’ Boeheim said Wednesday at UNLV. “He was squarely on the fence. I told him how he’d be good for our team. We knew LeBron [and others] weren’t going to come. It would be great for our team to have you. ... I said it would be good for you in my opinion, you’ll get a great experience playing basketball again.”
Knicks management appeared indifferent on Anthony’s Olympic plans. His left-knee surgery was 17 months ago, but there was a groundswell of thought he should protect his knee as he just turned 32.
Nonsense, said Boeheim.
“I’m of the strong opinion the guys who play with us lift the game to another level and they get in great shape,’’ Boeheim said. “They’re not overworked. Our practices — 20 minutes in a game — they’d spend more time in a gym that wouldn’t be as useful. They’re doing stuff useful for them under supervision and in a competitive situation that’s going to help them.
“I truly believe guys benefit. Every guy we have has had real good years after the summer. He’s going to work out two hours a day, five days a week in the summer anyway. I’ve seen the [pickup] games he plays in. He gets those guys together and they play full-court for an hour-and-a-half straight. Those critics think he’s in a rocking chair in the summer time. He works out every day.”
The Olympic team will play its first exhibition Friday at Vegas’ new hockey arena versus Argentina. The team’s Olympic debut is Aug. 6 against China in Rio. And Anthony may not have been going for a record third basketball gold medal if not for Boeheim.
“He had actually had some great points,’’ Anthony said. “I already knew what he was saying, but it was exciting and motivating coming from somebody like that. Did it have any effect on my decision? Maybe. I had to really think about some of the things he was talking about.’’
Anthony had second thoughts in May. Not having James and Chris Paul with him was just one element of concern.
“Who’s going to be on the team and the same worries everyone else has,’’ Anthony said. “I watch the news, what you write about Brazil — the economy, the viruses. Those things definitely came into play about my decision.’’
Anthony, who missed 10 games last season — all Knicks losses — said he isn’t worried about his knee.
“The knee actually feels really good,” he said.
Anthony had one of his best seasons coming off the 2012 Olympic gold in London. The Knicks went 54-28 in 2012-13 and he garnered an MVP vote. Anthony hasn’t had a winning season since.
“I told him: Look, you’ve had two, three bad years, let’s have a good experience playing basketball,’’ Boeheim said. “That’s what this is. It’s not easy, but it’s a good test and will be good for him.’’
The Syracuse coach, who said he watches almost all of the Knicks games, has been critical of Anthony’s supporting cast. Not anymore.
“I think he’s in a whole different position now,’’ Boeheim said. “If everybody’s healthy, the Knicks have a chance at a good year. They have enough pieces. No one guy can do it in the NBA. That’s all I want for him. I want to have a good year in New York. I’m kind of a New Yorker though I’m upstate.”