Ramsey: Anthony a changed player in Beijing

BEIJING • Here's a news flash from China for a state that's given up on Carmelo Anthony.

Big news, Colorado. There's a new, vastly improved version of Carmelo.

He's a rah-rah teammate. He passes to the open man at first sign of a double team. He seeks rebounds with snarling desire. He even shows interest - gasp! - in defending.
Anthony smiled. He realizes the idea of ‘Melo as shutdown defender is shocking.

"We have the best scorers in the world," he said. "I just want to show the world that I can play defense."

I know. All this sounds too good to last. For months, Anthony has delivered little but bad news to Denver Nuggets fans.

A drunken driving incident near downtown Denver. A listless performance in the Nuggets' first-round playoff surrender to the Los Angeles Lakers. A lingering refusal to put team before points and self.

But Anthony's talent never departed. He's lost his good sense a few times, but always retained his powerful frame and dazzling set of dance steps in the lane.

He scored 15 points, all in the first three quarters, to help push his teammates to a breezy 116-85 win Wednesday over Australia.

The U.S. meets Argentina Friday in a grudge rematch in the semifinals. In 2004, Argentina ended the Americans' hopes for gold.

U.S. point guard Chris Paul, the New Orleans Hornets star, is impressed by Anthony's endless effort.

"I love his willingness to do whatever it takes," Paul said. "I pay attention to the little things. He never rests."

It's hard to remember, but not long ago basketball fans talked about Anthony and Dwyane Wade and LeBron James in the same breath.

That was before Wade won a title with his Miami Heat and James carried his Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA Finals. While his friends soared, Anthony crashed, vanishing each spring in the playoffs.

There a few sure things in life. Sun will rise in the East. Mom will love you, no matter what. And the Nuggets will crumble in the first round.

Maybe, just maybe, the last one will change. Anthony is only 24 with a dozen prime years ahead. He has a mountain of reasons to mature. He still can alter his basketball destiny.

Four years ago in Athens, Anthony pouted through the entire Olympics, revealing a man-child whose psyche trailed far behind his immense talent.

Here in Beijing, Anthony has been content to watch others - Kobe Bryant, Wade, James - grab the points and the glory. He has declined to speak one discouraging word. He's relatively anonymous, and happy about it.

"I think this is anybody's dream - to not have to be that guy to carry four other grown men," Anthony said. "I feel good just being out there. I can just come out and give a defensive effort and not have to score 40 or 30 points to try to win a basketball game."

When Anthony returns home to Colorado, he will not be surrounded by one of the greatest collections of basketball talent. He'll be expected to lift a depleted version of the Nuggets and, finally, emerge as a consistent leader and solid citizen.

His history in Colorado has left millions of fans in the Rocky Mountains filled with doubt. If you're reading these words and doubting, I understand. A part of me wonders if Carmelo ever will grow up.

Yet his performance in Beijing offers hope. A long way from home, Anthony walks through his basketball life as a changed man.
-
Contact the writer: Columnist David Ramsey can be reached at 476-4985 or david.ramsey@gazette.com. Check out David's blog at http://daveramseysez.freedomblogging.com