Latest news with #CarmeloAnthony
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2 hours ago
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"Tell me I can't play defense" - Artest recalled how Barkley and Carmelo lit a fire under him before the 2010 playoffs
"Tell me I can't play defense" - Artest recalled how Barkley and Carmelo lit a fire under him before the 2010 playoffs originally appeared on Basketball Network. In 2010, Metta Sandiford-Artest was far from the uncontrollable maniac that roamed the NBA courts during the early part of the decade. Nevertheless, that did not mean that Artest lost his competitive edge, especially when he heard others downplay his impact in the game. In a July 2010 interview with Sam Alipour of "ESPN The Magazine," the 2004 NBA Defensive Player of the Year admitted getting worked up after hearing criticisms from Charles Barkley, Carmelo Anthony and a few others about his alleged decline. "There is one thing that gets me really mad," Artest told Alipour. "Last season, Tim Legler, Charles Barkley and Carmelo Anthony all said something like, 'Ron Artest is a step slower and can't play defense no more.'" "I was fine, in my peaceful little world, until I heard that. It pissed me off so much!" Ron confessed. Artest was on a mission The 6'7" forward took a pay cut to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2009. Even though he struggled learning the Triangle at first, his physical defensive presence was always a welcome addition for the Purple and Gold. Guys like Barkley, Legler and Anthony begged to differ, but that only lit a fire under Artest. "I put myself through my own midseason training camp," Artest detailed how he responded to the criticism. "Didn't take a sip of alcohol from that time all the way through the playoffs. And by the Finals, I'd lost 20 pounds in two months. The problem was I was exhausted during that part of the season. That's why I was struggling. I was working out at 1 a.m., on the treadmill, in the gym. But I hit my stride in the playoffs." Naturally, Artest drew the toughest defensive assignments. He was tasked with slowing down Kevin Durant in the first round of the 2010 playoffs and did an admirable job. Even though KD averaged a series-high 25, he practically jumped through hoops with Artest all over him. Durant only shot 35 percent from the floor and 29 percent from deep. Later in the 2010 finals, the Lakers got their money's worth as Artest hounded Boston Celtics All-Star Paul Pierce throughout seven games. "The Truth" connected on only 43 percent of his field goal attempts and was only 5-for-15 in Game 7. "Three years straight, Paul Pierce is shooting 40.8% against Ron Artest. So, go ahead, tell me I'm slower. Tell me I can't play defense. Thank you," declared longer the same guy As Ron admitted, he was a changed man in 2009-10. Even though the outside comments bothered him, Artest used them as fuel to do better instead of resorting to conflict and confrontation. He tuned out all the crazy trash talk from fans (the Utah crowd allegedly called him "Osama bin-Ron") and continued playing his game. "I'm much more mellow now," Artest stated. "I can control myself on the court. If I get fouled, I say what I gotta say and move on. I don't mind being punked anymore. If someone gets in my face, I just walk away. Against the Celtics in the Finals, Tony Allen got in my face, but I don't got the time for Tony Allen. Now, if you're a star and you're talking trash, I'll talk back." Artest's 2010 run proved that maturity didn't dull his edge. The same fire that once fueled technical fouls and confrontations now powered late-night workouts and disciplined defense. At this point in his career, he didn't need chaos to bring out his best. But even though the antics were gone, the intensity that made him a defensive force never story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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Tracy McGrady Says Carmelo Anthony Got 'Slighted' For Rookie Of The Year Over LeBron James
Tracy McGrady Says Carmelo Anthony Got 'Slighted' For Rookie Of The Year Over LeBron James originally appeared on Fadeaway World. Tracy McGrady has reignited a classic NBA debate: Who really deserved Rookie of the Year in 2004? On a recent episode of the '7 PM in Brooklyn' podcast, the Hall of Famer made it clear he believes Carmelo Anthony was snubbed in favor of LeBron James. McGrady pointed to Melo's immediate impact in Denver—including leading the Nuggets to the playoffs—as proof that the award should have gone to him. Twenty years later, it's a reminder of just how tight that rookie race was, and why some still believe the NBA got it wrong. "You knew Camelo and LeBron and those dudes were gonna be tough. Honestly, no shade to anybody, but I thought [Carmelo Anthony] should've won ROTY [over LeBron James] 'cause you took your team to the playoffs," said McGrady. "That is a tremendous accomplishment for a rookie to come in, have that spotlight on him like that, and to get slighted on ROTY. I ain't like that at all." The 2003 NBA Draft is widely regarded today as one of the most important in NBA history. It was a truly star-studded class that included several historically great players. Taken third overall by Denver, Anthony wasted no time proving he belonged, and he showed flashes of stardom right away. "I knew he was gonna be tough because right away, you see the physicality on the offensive end," said McGrady. "Typically, young guys come in and try to ease their way, but this motherf**cker was like a bruiser. You had to withstand that for 40 minutes of hell. I admired that young core coming in and being who they were at that time. Because when you talk about Kobe, me, AI, and Vince, now we got some young energy coming in this motherf**ker that's confident, aggressive, and got game." With averages of 21.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, Anthony was getting a lot of attention as a Rookie of the Year candidate. Best of all, his Nuggets were actually somewhat competitive in the West with a 43-39 record. Despite his efforts, Anthony lost the Rookie of the Year to LeBron James, who completed an explosive start to his NBA career. In the 2003-2004 campaign, he averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game on 41.7% shooting. His stats were nearly identical to Carmelo's, except for the team win count, which sat at 35-47 for the Cavaliers. With more points, rebounds, and team success, many fans still argue that Carmelo Anthony was the rightful Rookie of the Year. Others, like Dwyane Wade, believe LeBron and Anthony should have been co-winners of the award. It would not have changed much in their respective places in the NBA hierarchy, but it would have honored Melo with the recognition he deserved. Two decades later, the debate still sparks emotion. While LeBron's legacy as one of the greatest players in NBA history is secure, McGrady's take is a reminder that awards don't always reflect the full picture. For Carmelo Anthony, Rookie of the Year might have been a small chapter in a big career, but to some, it's still a recognition he was unfairly story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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DeMar DeRozan Reveals How Kobe Bryant Played "Mind Games" That Left Him Stumped Many Times
DeMar DeRozan Reveals How Kobe Bryant Played "Mind Games" That Left Him Stumped Many Times originally appeared on Fadeaway World. DeMar DeRozan's relationship with Kobe Bryant evolved from idolization to mentorship over time. DeRozan grew up watching Bryant and eventually made him his mentor when DeRozan was drafted to the NBA in 2009. In his recent appearance on 7 PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony, DeRozan revealed his perspective on Kobe Bryant's game and how he left him at a loss for words with a lot of the things he said to him. 'Kobe is the type to say some sh** and you be like, 'What?' You remember the Kanye commercial he was in? And he said, 'What the f**k are you talking about?' It really be that sh** when you [face him].' 'There have been times I was working out, and I'm like, 'What the f**k are you—how? what?' But I just go along with it, but later down the line, something accidental may happen. I'm like, 'Ah, that's the sh** he was talking about.' You know what I mean?' 'Like he'll play mind games from that type of standpoint when it comes to a lot of sh**, you know what I mean? That was one thing that was great about him because it showed how cynical he was in his mind.' 'And at the same time, if you could take and kind of a little comprehend where he was coming from with something, it'll be beneficial. You know what I mean? And that was one thing that was, what I say, the most bizarre thing.' DeRozan goes on to recall an incident between Rudy Gay and Kobe Bryant, where Bryant got hit in the face. When Gay went to ask him if he was okay, Bryant had a baffling response. "What? Don't soak me moth**f***er." These are the type of mind games that Bryant played to in a way psych himself out, like DeRozan said. It was this type of mentality and mind games that made Bryant one of the most unpredictable players to go up against. Players who have faced DeRozan have also claimed that the influence of Kobe Bryant's game on his skillset is very visible. But since his retirement, no one in NBA history has been able to replicate the mentality that Kobe Bryant played with, which he arguably learned from Michael Jordan, one of the greatest to ever play the game. Kobe Bryant's influence is still visible in the modern era of players who pay tribute to him in many ways. But can any of them replicate the killer mentality and attitude that he played with? Let us know what you think in the comments story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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2 days ago
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DeMar DeRozan Slams Young NBA Players Who Are Too Sensitive To Public Opinion And Use Their Phones During Games
DeMar DeRozan Slams Young NBA Players Who Are Too Sensitive To Public Opinion And Use Their Phones During Games originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The new generation of NBA players has grown up with social media as a constant companion. They tend to even use their phones during games at half-time to check what is being said about them on social media. This did not sit well with DeMar DeRozan, the Kings' veteran forward, who expressed his frustrations with the modern era of players in an interview with Carmelo Anthony on his '7 PM in Brooklyn' podcast. Anthony brought up Chauncey Billups' recollection of how an NBA player posted his highlights when the Trail Blazers were down 18 points at halftime, and DeRozan responded. 'Mo****f***ers getting on their phone, so worried about what's on their phone, what somebody says. To even this point, I've seen a mo****f***er put his name in the Twitter search to see what they were saying somebody… and I'm like this to the point we at? You know what I mean? Like that was never a thought. Yeah. You know what I mean?' 'But to that point, it's that like mo****f***ers always ask me like, "Man, you can play another four or five years?" But it's that part of the game that sucks the energy out of you.' 'Everybody is so worried about everything else now instead of what it was built on, like your game, competing, winning, going out there, you know, giving everything you got. It's like everybody's so caught up in all the sh** that doesn't matter anymore. You know what I mean? What I'm wearing, Mo****f***ers in the mirror fixing this, doing that, exfoliating and all this sh**.' The modern era of basketball can be divided into two subcategories: the modern playing style and the modern media. While players appreciate the evolution of the game in terms of floor spacing and more isolation-based plays, they are not the most appreciative of the media. Be it social media or the type of questions they face in press conferences. The six-time All-Star DeRozan is going into the 17th season of his career and has seen a varying set of cultures in different teams. He has played on four different teams and averaged 21.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game in his career. If he is seeing a decline in the culture of the NBA as a whole, then there is definitely something to worry about. With the new generation of players like Jared McCain, Jalen Green, or Jalen Williams who indulge in these social media platforms or accessorize with nail polish, and whatnot, the future of the NBA looks a bit too Gen Z for the old school fans. But is he right, though? Will this culture of social media in the NBA make weaker stomached players for the future? And will that severely hamper the attractiveness of a team to serious players? Many interesting questions arise while thinking about the direction in which the NBA is headed. It is my personal opinion that such extravagance is not new to the NBA. From Dennis Rodman's days in the NBA, the new generation highly values a liberal expression of their true selves. So self-indulgences like makeup and social media are not harming the culture in the NBA. However, getting way too caught up in public criticism could become a spiral that costs players their potential. Like what happened with Ben Simmons in the 76ers. So to avoid that, there should be some gametime discipline to avoid being driven by public opinion, but also find the balance in their expression of who they story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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3 days ago
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"Stream these guys. Sit there and watch old clips" - Carmelo Anthony on how today's players can realize past NBA eras actually deserve respect
"Stream these guys. Sit there and watch old clips" - Carmelo Anthony on how today's players can realize past NBA eras actually deserve respect originally appeared on Basketball Network. During a recent episode of Carmelo Anthony's "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast, the roundtable — featuring co-hosts The Kid Mero, Kazeem Famuyide, Rudy Gay and guest DeMar DeRozan — dug into one of the NBA's pressing undercurrents: the widening generational divide. The conversation cut through the usual chatter, focusing on how few younger players truly engage with the game's legends. Several strong points emerged, but one made by Anthony stood out. The growing generational disrespect Generational tension in the NBA isn't new, but it's gotten noticeably louder in recent years. Two moments illustrate the shift. In April 2022, JJ Redick — now head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers — stirred controversy by dismissing earlier eras, claiming the league was full of plumbers and firemen. Then, in August 2024, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards added fuel to the fire, saying that in the 1990s, nobody but basketball icon Michael Jordan had skill. While not as controversial as the aforementioned examples, Famuyide noted on "7PM in Brooklyn" that he often sees young players watch clips of all-time greats — like Chris Webber or Patrick Ewing — with no idea who they're actually looking at. DeRozan, soon heading into his second season with the Sacramento Kings, didn't hold back on how that sits with him. "That makes me mad," the 35-year-old said. "Like, that s— pisses me off." It's easy to understand that frustration. After all, as DeRozan explained on the episode, he took pride in knowing the game's history and said he'd never disrespect the eras that came before him — because of everything they taught him. "I take everything off these old motherfu—s, everything," said the six-time NBA the past You can see it clearly on the hardwood — DeRozan doesn't just respect the old generation, he actively uses their skills in his game. For instance, during the candid discussion, the roundtable highlighted how similar his footwork and mid-range shooting are to those of the legendary Kobe Bryant. After studying and even training with Kobe early in his career, DeMar has made those skills his trademark. Reflecting on that, Carmelo can't understand why more young players don't follow suit. The 2013 scoring champion pointed to how often the new wave spends time on their phones, mostly streaming content. His advice? Use that time wisely by streaming compilations of NBA greats. "All they have to do is go on there and do their own research. Stream the highlights. Stream Pat [Ewing], stream Mitch Richmond. Like, stream these guys. Sit there and watch old clips and do the same s— you would do if you were streaming anything else," said Anthony. The soon-to-be Hall of Famer said their perspective "would be a lot different." By first engaging with past eras and then adopting what made those old-school legends great, many of today's players would quickly realize that past NBA eras actually deserve the opposite of disrespect. Sure, the game has evolved — and Anthony admitted that highlights of players from the NBA's early days, like Bob Cousy, might not be the best teaching tool today — but there are still countless players to learn from. Ewing and Richmond, whom he mentioned, are certainly a good place to story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
