Anthony’s exit is one for the ages
Carmelo closes Olympic career by capturing third gold medal
Carmelo Anthony had one last thing to teach his young teammates after Sunday’s 96-66 victory Serbia.
On the podium wearing his third Olympic gold medal, Anthony, who led an inexperienced Team USA from the moment it first gathered weeks ago in Las Vegas, pointed toward one end of Carioca Arena, to the spot where the US flag was about to rise.
“I just told them: ‘Look at the highest flag,’” Anthony said. “And that’s what we did.”
Now there’s nothing left to do for Anthony, whose Olympic career began in disgrace and ends with him being the most decorated player to ever wear a US jersey. It’s a comeback that’s difficult to believe.
“I don’t think I can explain how I feel right at this moment,” he said, adding he will retire as an Olympian.
“I know this is the end. This is it for me. I committed to this in ’04, and I’ve seen the worst and the best. I’m here today three gold medals later.”
The only US male player to be chosen for four Olympic teams, Anthony became the first to win three golds as Team USA saved its best for last.
Sunday’s blowout capped a remarkable 12-year journey around the five interlocking rings for Anthony, only 20 and fresh off his rookie year in the NBAwhenheplayedona2004 team remembered for failure.
The US lost three times at those Athens Games, and the sight of the players wearing over olive wreaths on their heads, bronze medals around their necks and disappointment on their faces was a low point for USA Basketball.
But along with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant and others, Anthony helped pump pride and power back into the program.
Anthony became a leader during his Olympic run, spanning games in Europe, Asia and South America. He matured as a person and found his voice, which he has used to address social issues at home. He became more than just a player whose talents seem to perfectly suit the international game. Paul George, on Anthony
So often criticized for not winning NBA championships with the New York Knicks, Anthony became the model for Team USA.
He showed commitment, dedication and heart. While James, Paul and others skipped these Games, Anthony signed up for another tour of duty for his country.
“It’s just his love for the game,” said forward Paul George, who completed his own amazing story following a horrific leg injury.
“It’s his passion for the country and his love for the game, that’s all that it comes down to.”
During his stay in Brazil, Anthony became the leading scorer in US history and he returned late in the second half of Sunday’s rout just so he could snatch one rebound and move past David Robinson on the career list.
However, Anthony’s most significant mark in Rio might have come when he visited the city’s blighted slums he compared with Baltimore’s inner city of his youth.
It’s another sign of his maturity, which outgoing US coach Mike Krzyzewski saw developing 10 years ago.
After the US lost to Greece in 2006 at the FIBA World Championships in Tokyo, Anthony sat at the postgame podium with Krzyzewski and expressed humility and determination.
“He didn’t make any excuses,” Krzyzewski said.
“He took responsibility for the loss and gave credit to the Greek team, and we’ve built on that.
“I call it character, and in that moment, sometimes after a loss, you find out a deep character in someone.
“That’s what happened with Carmelo, and in the commitment of LeBron and Kobe and Chris, all these guys have great character and it just built to where we now have a great culture.”
The US men’s team has not lost in 76 straight games, counting exhibitions against the best of the rest.
Anthony was a big part of that incredible run.
And now he owns three golds — as precious to him as an NBA championship ring.
It’s his passion for the country and his love for the game, that’s all that it comes down to.”