The common theory amongst most NBA fans is that pre-season doesn’t really mean anything to the superstars. Carmello Anthony laid the smackdown on that theory tonight posting 45 points on 14-19 from the field and 16-17 from the charity stripe in a win over the Pacers. It’s not often you see a superstar take to a pre-season game like that, and this was fun to watch. Was it the fact it was in China? There’s plenty of money to be made there if you’re popular, just ask LeBron. Or was it just Carmello Anthony sounding the warning bells for the rest of the League?
Here I come, ready or not?
Oct 12, 2009He’s the closest thing to a superstar to score 45 in a pre-season game…
And he’s certainly building his way to superstar status.. albeit slower than some of his ‘03 draft buddies.
Oct 12, 2009Carmello Anthony is an enigma to me – Is he an amazing baller, yes. Is he a superstar, no. Will he be a superstar, erm, maybe??
During his high school days, you couldn’t split him and Bron as phenom talents. Now, there is a clear and obvious difference between the two – Bron uses his talents to lead his team and inspire greatness in his team mates whereas Melo just seems to fly solo and score alot hoping everyone else will follow.
Granted Denver hasn’t had the most responsive line up in the world recently but i don’t think that Melo has the minerals to take that next step and become a true “Superstar” of the game.
Oct 12, 2009He definitely declined a little last season but I think he’ll bounce back strong. He has the best team around him that he’s ever had in the NBA… and expectations are “mile high” in Denver.
Does he have what it takes? Not sure… but at the very least it’s a good start to the season. 
Oct 12, 2009Add 4 fouls, 3 turn overs and only 2 assists to his 45 points and it really just intrigues me… plus Danny Granger only played 9 mins, so who was guarding Melo… no one apparently =P
Oct 12, 2009As with the nature of these pre-season games… you can never really take TOO much notice of them… but he did only play 24mins…
So it’s always going to be half good and half bad… 
Oct 14, 2009Last season was the best of his career as he focused more on rebounding and defense, rather than just being a chucker. I say thank’ya Chauncey for that inspiration, but I don’t see him doing much more development. He just doesn’t seem to ‘get it’. But then Paul Pierce didn’t get it for a long time too.
Oct 14, 2009Melo’s numbers were actually down last year overall… and agreed with the addition of Chauncey the Nuggets excelled. But I see him developing further for sure… that Olympic experience has lit a fire under a few players involved.
I credit Kobe and LeCrab.
Oct 14, 2009Come on Paul, you of all people with all your talk about numbers not being the guide of a great player should be better than that.
His scoring was down, but his rebounding was up and his turnovers were down as he stopped taking so many 1-5 drives to the hoop and shooting contested jumpers. Hell, a quick Melo web search even shows pictures of him in a defensive stance!
12:32 pm
Melo is no superstar. He’s just a good teams best player. Superstar is thrown around too much in the league I reckon.