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| The Nuggets new frontcourt looks pretty different after all the injuries. |
You have to feel for Carmelo Anthony. Not only did he get drafted behind LeBron, but he's spent three years playing in the shadow of the next MJ/Magic/Lord Jesus Christ, so only people who actually pay attention to basketball (like my fact checkers) know about his game. He's seventh in the league in scoring and about to take his third straight trip to the playoffs with a Denver team that loses a player to injury about once every Rasheed Wallace technical. What's worse, he had to talk to me on the phone. Here's how it went.
You're averaging 27 ppg, your team is going to win its division, and you've hit about ten game-winners this year¿why the hell aren't you an All-Star yet?
I have no idea. I wish I had the answer to that. I'm waiting my turn.
Do you feel snubbed?
Somewhat¿I just use it as motivation, though.
Here's more fuel for the fire: Three of your draft classmates—LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh—have already played in All-Star games. Where do you think the 2003 draft ranks in terms of best-ever?
Ah, man¿probably, like, two or three. You know, you still got the class of '96, with Camby, A.I., Kobe, Stephon, Steve Nash, Shareef, Jermaine O'Neal, still got all them guys. That was one of the best classes.
Speaking of everyone's favorite cornrow ambassador, why didn't they invite A.I. to try out for the Olympic team?
I have no idea.
At least you still get to make the trip to tryouts—are you looking forward to that?
Yeah, I'm looking forward to that. Loads of talent, gonna be competitive. I'm looking forward to playing with everybody.
You think we can get the basketball gold back home where it belongs?
I hope so. They're gonna put a team together that's got a good chance of winning.
Shifting gears—you also sponsor an IRL team. Do you think you could hold your own in an IRL race?
Probably not. I can hold my own in anything I do, but I don't know the ins and outs of getting behind that wheel and how to handle the turns and all that stuff.
Gene Simmons from KISS is also in on your IRL deal. Who do you think has crazier groupies: rock stars or NBA players?
Oh, rock stars, by far.
Maybe you'll soon have a little more firsthand experience since you've got a record label, Kross Over Entertainment. Would you ever consider signing Ron Artest to a music deal?
Not at all.
You don't like his stuff?
You know, I've never even heard his stuff. But I don't consider him a rapper. I just look at him as a basketball player.
I look at him as pretty damn crazy. So let's get back to hoops talk: Why does David Stern care so much about men wearing tights?
I wish I could tell you the answer to that. I have no idea.
Do you think it's a little ridiculous that he's trying to ban something like that?
This is only the second time I've ever heard something about that, so I don't really know the deal behind it.
It's probably better to ignore Mr. Stern as often as possible, anyway. What do you do to keep from getting bored on the road?
Well, I'm a gadget freak, so I take my iPod, my big iPod speakers, my laptop, and I never get bored. I also go to Best Buy in every city to get the movies.
Which city's the most fun to visit for a road trip?
Well, New York. You know, I have a lot of family in New York, family and friends. So I feel like I'm home again.
You were born in New York but played a lot in Baltimore in high school. What city produces the best basketball players?
That's tough. New York is bigger, so New York is gonna have more basketball players. Baltimore is probably the size of one of the boroughs up there.
Who's the toughest one-on-one defender in the league?
Well, I get double-teamed and tripled-teamed, so¿I got three people to deal with.
Who talks the most trash in the league?
I haven't really been hearing a lot of people talk trash. You still have your players here and there.
Like the older guys?
Yeah, Gary Payton, Sam Cassell.
Aren't they too old to be talking?
Yeah, but, you know, Sam Cassell's still doing it, though.
If by "doing it" you mean "scaring toddlers," then I'd have to agree with you. Who's got the worst hair in the league?
You have Steve Nash¿you have Scot Pollard. He always comes with a different hairdo every day.
Who do you think is the most underrated player in the league?
Me.
First Gilbert Arenas, then Elton Brand, now you?
Yeah, I'm next.
Are you sure? I heard the WNBA got next.