Former superstar Carmelo Anthony is at rock bottom
NEW YORK – If Carmelo Anthony was already at rock bottom, this latest development is the People's Elbow. No NBA team has signed the former All-star to a free-agent deal, not even at a minimum salary. Now, a depleted Team USA has opted not to add Anthony to its Olympic roster – and that's after Anthony's camp inquired about joining the team, not the other way around.
Remember, this is a Team USA that can use all the help it can get. The country is sending its C team, not even its B Team, after stars like James Harden, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Tobias Harris and Bradley Beal withdrew from Team USA training camp to focus on the upcoming season. Anthony, who is at the tail end of his prime and coming off the two most embarrassing seasons of his NBA career, wasn't even invited. He was reduced to asking for a seat at the table, then was denied that seat because he's viewed as a side show.
"I understood why the agent, he's looking to get him the exposure, looking to get him another shot. But the only way (Anthony) can really be satisfied is for him to have another shot in the NBA, with another team," Team USA director Jerry Colangelo said. "With us, that would've been more of a distraction, as we discussed it. We need to focus on this team concept. We have a bunch of new guys and we're going to go with this new group. And when you insert a different element and it detracts in any way, you lose it.
"That was it. That's no reflection on Carmelo."
Yes. Yes it is.