Incident happened March 18th
ESPN.com news services
With the Denver Nuggets fighting for the eighth playoff spot in the West, Carmelo Anthony wants to put a spat at the end of Friday night's loss to the Detroit Pistons behind him.
The star rookie refused to play the final six minutes of the 94-75 loss, peeved by teammates' comments about his shooting, the Denver Post reported in Sunday's editions. He talked to the team and apologized at practice Saturday, according to the paper.
"I apologized for quitting," Anthony told the Post. "That's not me. That's not me. ... I never did that a day in my life."
General manager Kiki Vandeweghe told ESPN radio on Sunday that he sympathized with Anthony.
"I've seen most great players at one time or another get frustrated and make bad choices in games, and Carmelo's no different," Vandeweghe said. "I think it's important to remember he's only 19 years old, and we would not be where we are without him. He has apologized to his teammates, and I've let this pass and now it's time to move on."
Vanderweghe told the Post that he did not plan to fine Anthony.
Coach Jeff Bzdelik, who tried to get Anthony to re-enter the game, told the Post the apology ended discussion of the issue.
"He is a terrific young man who has shouldered a lot of responsibility," Bzdelik told the paper. "He was man enough to acknowledge to his teammates that he made a mistake. Now we move on. What is important is what lies ahead."
ESPN.com news services
With the Denver Nuggets fighting for the eighth playoff spot in the West, Carmelo Anthony wants to put a spat at the end of Friday night's loss to the Detroit Pistons behind him.
The star rookie refused to play the final six minutes of the 94-75 loss, peeved by teammates' comments about his shooting, the Denver Post reported in Sunday's editions. He talked to the team and apologized at practice Saturday, according to the paper.
"I apologized for quitting," Anthony told the Post. "That's not me. That's not me. ... I never did that a day in my life."
General manager Kiki Vandeweghe told ESPN radio on Sunday that he sympathized with Anthony.
"I've seen most great players at one time or another get frustrated and make bad choices in games, and Carmelo's no different," Vandeweghe said. "I think it's important to remember he's only 19 years old, and we would not be where we are without him. He has apologized to his teammates, and I've let this pass and now it's time to move on."
Vanderweghe told the Post that he did not plan to fine Anthony.
Coach Jeff Bzdelik, who tried to get Anthony to re-enter the game, told the Post the apology ended discussion of the issue.
"He is a terrific young man who has shouldered a lot of responsibility," Bzdelik told the paper. "He was man enough to acknowledge to his teammates that he made a mistake. Now we move on. What is important is what lies ahead."