Carmelo Anthony said he, LeBron James and Chris Paul talk “all the time” about winning a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics.
While LeBron remains noncommittal, Melo has become more overt about his plan for Rio.
Al Iannazzone of Newsday:Anthony, who has experienced soreness in his surgically repaired left knee this season, believes he will be fine and will be able to commit to playing in a record fourth Olympics for the men’s national team.
“I want to go,” Anthony said. “I look forward to being a part of that.
“Not too many people can say they played in four Olympics and have a chance to win three gold medals. Not too many people can say that. To me that’s the way I look at it and the way I approach the Olympics.”
Unlike LeBron and Paul, Melo doesn’t have to worry about playing after a long playoff run. His Knicks will be done in April.
Does Melo have to worry about earning a place on Team USA?
LeBron and Paul George are the only players USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo has assured a roster spot if they want it. Melo is apparently competing with the other 28 players (including Damian Lillard) for inclusion on the 12-man roster. If selection were purely merit based, I’m not sure Melo would make the cut. Relative to his competition, he’s a one-dimensional scorer. So many other players offer similar scoring ability and better complementary skills.
But Melo’s longstanding enthusiasm for Team USA and his prior experience should count for something. That he’s already declaring his intention to play should only engender more loyalty to him.
If Melo can’t simply declare himself onto the Olympic squad, he nears that status.