New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony’s Third Gold Medal Elevates Legacy
New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony captured his third gold medal. How has his trip to Rio De Janeiro changed his legacy?
The United States men’s basketball team captured gold in a 96-66 victory over Serbia. New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony held back tears when he spoke to reporter Rosalyn Gold-Onwude about his journey that started in 2004 as an Olympian.
Furthermore, Anthony continued to spread the word to his fellow Americans about sticking together through all the rough times and tension within the country. He’s been on a crusade to bring opposing sides together on social issues. It’s fitting he closes his Olympic chapter with a resounding message filled with patriotism and unity.
As an athlete, he’s the first men’s basketball player to call himself a three-time gold medalist, which separates his basketball career from the rest.
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Everyone has opinions on whether a gold medal surpasses an NBA title in major accomplishments. Nonetheless, we must acknowledge Anthony achieved something worth putting into perspective. Over the span of 12 years, he’s been one the best NBA players to go abroad and represent the country.
After a rocky start with a bronze medal finish in 2004, Anthony’s experience with the best went from slightly disappointing to fulfilling. This year, as the veteran on the team, he took on a leadership role. Though Anthony didn’t finish strong, he brought an initial spark to Rio and his teammates fed off the energy.
Due to Anthony’s strong voice in social awareness, 13 years in the NBA and now three gold medals, the buzz around Anthony seems different.
Knicks team president Phil Jackson acquired Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah to push for a postseason run with Anthony still playing at a high level. Like the Olympic team, the three-time gold medalist will lead the charge on a talented team that Rose calls a super team.
While it’s debatable on how to categorize the current Knicks roster, it’s clear Anthony will play with possibly the most talented teammates around him in his career.
In the recent past, skeptics have poked holes in Anthony’s game and demeanor off the court. Is he a true leader on an NBA team? Does he pass the ball enough? Is he a selfish teammate? What does his three-point celebration mean?
Anthony told Gold-Onwude, this is his last Olympic appearance on the court. During his trip to Rio, we saw a different side to the Knicks’ star forward that’s often buried under the click-bait headlines about his questionable demeanor.
Whether it’s a video of him playing with the kids in Rio’s favelas, continuing to carry his social message advocating unison or growing into a leader among the best basketball players in our country, there’s nothing to criticize as he stands proudly on the pedestal to accept his third gold medal.
After watching him embrace Jackson’s offseason roster moves, his demeanor at the Olympics and his stand on social issues, it’s time for the skeptics to rethink their perception on Anthony. Now, with solid talent at virtually every position, when healthy, we’ll see what he’s worth on a stocked roster.
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If Anthony suits up for another 72 games, averaging 30-plus minutes per contest, he’ll lead the Knicks into a deep postseason run. With Rose at point guard in a pivotal contract year, Kristaps Porzingis absorbing another year in the pros and Noah providing toughness on the interior, NBA analysts and pundits should take the Knicks as a serious threat in the Eastern Conference.
At 32, with ample NBA experience, an unparalleled Olympic accomplishment and growing voice in social awareness, Anthony brings a certain cachet to the roster—one that qualifies as true a leader.