Anthony shows he's got game, but not maturity
By Chris McCosky / The Detroit News
AUBURN HILLS--At this point, Carmelo Anthony probably looks upon the Pistons the way a deer looks upon a crowded freeway — bad things always happen there.
First, Anthony’s feelings were hurt when the Pistons chose not to draft him or have him work out last June. On March 6 in Denver, after Anthony had talked about making the Pistons regret their decision, he endured an awful 3-for-17 shooting night while getting abused defensively by Tayshaun Prince and Corliss Williamson.
The worst, though, had to be what happened at The Palace on Friday. Rarely do you see a team’s chemistry unravel as publicly as we saw the Nuggets’ unravel, and Anthony was at the heart of it.
“I really don’t feel like talking,” was all he would say afterward.
But his actions told the tale.
Anthony started strongly, making eight of his first 14 shots and scoring 16 of his 20 points in the first half. But, he would make just one of his next six shots, raising the ire of his teammates and coaches with his poor shot selection and lack of effort on defense.
With 6:02 left, the Nuggets called a timeout. Anthony had just taken two long and errant jump shots early in the shot clock. Point guard Andre Miller was incensed and began shouting to the coaching staff about Anthony.
Earlier in the game, Marcus Camby had come to the bench much the same way, shouting at the coaches to do something.
Anthony was clearly upset by Miller’s tirade. He sat down at the end of the bench, away from his teammates and refused to go back into the game. Coaches, players, even Miller, tried to coax him back onto the court. He refused.
“He got off early, but we weren’t challenging him,” Chauncey Billups said. “When we did challenge him, he stopped.”
Stopped producing, then stopped playing.
It was an immature move by a kid who has played way beyond his 20 years all season. No doubt he will have some explaining to do today.
