I'm a Syracuse basketball fan and have loved Carmelo Anthony as a basketball player every since his freshmen year at the school. Forget the fact that he showed up in "Stop Snitchin", a DVD aimed at police informants who rat out the criminal element. I let that slide. This guy just sucker punched a fellow basketball player, and promptly backpedalled himself to safety. Whether it was a sucker punch or not is debateable, but you can't say that Collins could be expecting a punch at that point of the melee. If he so strongly felt the need to defend his teammate, sure, go ahead and throw the punch. If you REALLY need to throw it, go for it and face the consequences. But DO NOT throw that bunch and run away like a little b*tch. I have now lost all respect for the guy.
With Kobe being a possible raplst, Dwyane Wade and 'Melo were the brightest stars in the NBA's future. Now Wade stands alone as the main star that kids can look up to in the NBA.
He punched Collins, who brought down JR Smith by the neck, while he was surrounded by Knicks players. Doesn't sound like a "punk" move to me. In order to avoid being a "punk" you are supposed to stand there and let yourself get killed? I think not.
Carmelo is a punk because he threw a sucker punch when the situation had died down. At that point, everyone was cooled down. He pulled a hit a run like a chump. He will get suspended at least 30 games because that is what Stephen Jackson got two years ago.
? Stephen Jackson ran into the stands and started randomly hitting fans. Carmelo punched a guilty player. He'll get a hand full of games at best. This was nothing like the Palace Brawl.
Mateo, you need to watch the footage again. There were more Denver players near 'Melo than there were Knicks. And there were zero Knick players near enough to even throw an immediate retaliation punch. He threw his own, then got the F out like a punk.
You're telling me that David Stern isn't going to initiate strict punishment? This isn't just punishment for a punch, but the context and precedent of the situation. David Stern is going to show that violence is not tolerable anymore. The bar was set at the Palace fight. There is no such thing as guilty player.We've seen hard fouls all the time and the worse thing that happens is foul talk and a little push and shove. Carmelo crossed the line by punching a player when the situation had died down. Everyone was separated and he laid the punch and backed away like a coward.
I agree, Jaysisko. It was a sucker punch, he threw a punch when Mandy didn't know they were fighting, then he ran for safety ... but the sucker was Melo.
Melo is a sucker because he threw away who knows how many games for his team, and who knows how much respect with fans. He threw away an all star appearance as well.
The game was over. What kind of mentality burns down a forest to toast a marshmallow?
Tom-great line. Maybe he will now be known as "Marshmello" Anthony.
JaySisko-You're right about the separation. Up to that point he probably gets nothing worse than any other player in the brawl. He really put time on the suspension meter with that move.
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What is the problem with black athletes? Why can't they be happy with the millions they are overpaid and just behave themselves? It's just like the #### celebrations after touchdowns? You don't see quarterbacks imitating James Brown, do you? Is anyone gonna be honest here?
I agree completely jaysisko. I know what Collins and Robinson did was wrong and should get suspended. But if Carmelo doesn't get at least 10 games and even more, I will be upset. Thats the kind of punch that almost killed Rudy
Tomjonavich,not to mention thats the most coward and punk move I have ever seen. People like chops will have unfair judgements about this and make it something that its not.
Carmelo is a punk/thug and now he's a sissy. Can't see why the news/sports broadcasters think so highly of him. Melo, as he so affectionally called, doesn't backpeddle that fast after the other team scores.
Collins shouldn't get anything more than what a flagrant foul would warrant. He was not the one who initiated the fight because there has been numerous hard fouls that didn't lead to a fight. Nate Robinson stepped in to clam the situation, but Smith was fired up and shoved him into the stands. Then as the incident began calming down, Melo kept opening his mouth and gave a cheap shot to Collins.
I can't say it any better than Tom already has here, and elsewhere. Great line about the marshmallow, by the way.
I'm not about to bash Anthony as the only guilty party, but he will probably take the bulk of the blame in the public eye.
No character, no class...by several of these players.
I don't know what motivated Melo, but he acted well after the actual incident...and punched a guy in a crowd that was already being held back, and couldn't retaliate. Doesn't take much of a man to do that.
And how about Nate Robinson? I nominate him for the official "Fighting Chihuahua Bark but no bite" Award.
You guys coming down on 'Melo are missing the big picture and getting lost in the details. Isiah Thomas is the problem. He is an incompetent basketball executive and coach. I suppose it might not be uncovered in the investigation if his players protect him but we all know he either expressly or impliedly approved Collins thuggery. He needs to be suspended for the season and fired.
While I certainly don't condone the the players actions there are mitigating circumstances. Collin's hard foul was approved by Thomas. You have to expect Smith to stick up for himself. Robinson, Anthony, and Jeffries were sticking up for their teammates. You can quibble about the details of whether they did it the right way or not but you can't blame a guy for helping out a teammate. 5-10 games suspensions for the players involved and run Isiah Thomas out of the league.
You guys coming down on 'Melo are missing the big picture and getting lost in the details. Isiah Thomas is the problem. He is an incompetent basketball executive and coach. I suppose it might not be uncovered in the investigation if his players protect him but we all know he either expressly or impliedly approved Collins thuggery. He needs to be suspended for the season and fired.
While I certainly don't condone the the players actions there are mitigating circumstances. Collin's hard foul was approved by Thomas. You have to expect Smith to stick up for himself. Robinson, Anthony, and Jeffries were sticking up for their teammates. You can quibble about the details of whether they did it the right way or not but you can't blame a guy for helping out a teammate. 5-10 games suspensions for the players involved and run Isiah Thomas out of the league.
Thomas is a big problem but Melo threw a sucker punch on the guy that makes him a little ####, he needs to learn a lesson, big ol suspension, and probation if you ever swing at another player in the league your done period, if your defending yourself than fine but don't going swinging on other players he sure lost a lot of respect from the rest of the guys in the league and fire Thomas now what a lousy coach and manager he is, Great post Jaysisko
I don't think it was as clear of a sucker punch as you guys are making it out. I've seen the video and Collins is looking right at him and I bet is talking all sorts of ####. Melo is surrounded by Knick players so of course he is going to back off afterwards. You guys think things were dying down but you just don't know what is being said. Sure Melo shouldn't have done it. He should have walked away. He should be punished for it. But the bottom line is YOU might have done about the same thing in the same situation. I'm sure JR Smith appreciated the support and that is probably all that Melo cares about. Those guys are buddies as well as teammates. If I get in a fight I want my buddy to have my back. He won't be my buddy anymore if he won't do it because he gives a #### about what the rest of the league thinks.
Think about it – do Melo's teammates think more or less of him after this incident? Do you think Alan Iverson wants to team with Melo more or less after this incident? I'm not condoning it. I think it was a bad decision to throw that punch. Carmelo needs to find a better way to support his teammates. It was a punk move. But Collins hacking on Smith was the punk move that started it all. When your getting hacked on its nice to know the leader of your team has your back.
You need to look at why this started in the first place. Don't just nit pick the superstar.
You guys who feel that anyone would have done what Carmelo did under the circumstances are missing the point. It is intolerable because he could have ended Collins career, ala Rudy Tomjanovich. Collins is a player who is fighting hard to stay in the league and Carmelo could have ended his career and ability to earn good living. Think about that.
jaysisko .... It tells us all we need to know about 'Melo by his deeds that night. A complete lack of maturity and self discipline.
Role model ? I don't think so !
If we're to believe that there'll be an act of contritiion then we'll be sadly mistaken. What we're seeing the NBA develop into now is a sad indictment of the sport.
Whatever punishment the NBA deems necessary, it will never be enough !
The punishment doled out has to be seen to fit the crime ! And that will be down to Stern and the hierarchy of the NBA.
And why was it i stopped watching NBA games?Oh yea,i'm not wasting my time watching a bunch of overpaid,classless,tattooed up thugs ruin what men like Johnson,Bird and Jordan brought back from the ashes.And when i label these wastes i'm talking about black and white,no racism here.Lets just let the NBA go back to what it was in the 70's why don't we.And you guys who have been around awhile know what it was then.
The league needs to put an end to the flagrant fouls, which were behind this fight & the one at Palace Hills in Detroit. When the league doesn't have the backbone to do that then we'll just keep seeing more of this stuff, like we now have with this incident.
I'd give players who commit flagrant fouls an automatic ejection & a warning: they do it again they go up before an independant arbitration commitee to determine their eligibility for future employment in the NBA. They have to go before the commitee a 2nd time? There is no 2nd time, they're gone.
Other stars you might want to think about...Kevin Garnett,Lebron James,Steve Nash,T-Mac. Try not to think about what just happened and live by that but keep an eye on them to see if they don't make the same mistake twice. Most people make mistakes they are not proud of. Basketball players are no different and Melo is paying dearly for that mistake.
I dont care how good these guys are, fighting is ridiculous. They are suppose to be professionals, and to most kids they are role models. They should suspend players indefinitely for fighting, shouldnt matter if they are "superstars" or not, there are always more great players coming up every year
Let me see if I got this right? You hate snitches cause they get criminals locked up but since that was just a movie you "let him slide" but since he made a mistake which he will pay millions for an never ever have the image again, you're done with him at age 23? Boy I hate to think what you would do to someone who snitched on a murderer.
I don't like "thugz" in the NBA but it amazes how most you people will defend a player until the day he's no longer on your team. Lebron James took a 70,000.00 hummer and 100,000.00 cash in high school to play ball and then claimed "just a loan" and the NBA and all you Lebron worshipers say "just a loan". Loans to high schoolers in the amount of 175,00 to play basketball is illegal. But hey you love Lebron.
that's not the point. Jackson went into the stands, Melo didnt'. the punishment fits the crime on mello. Funny how you people stood up and cheered on this blog when the #### boy from the suns illegally clotheslined Kobe and he got three games. OOOOOHHHHHH you said. Kobe deserved it for being a ball hog. Very selcting morals here.
I feel everyone is being to hard on Carmelo, It's an emotional game. These guys love what they do and that's all it is to it. Personally I like the passion for the game. They're not here to be role models for your children, that's your job. They are human beings blessed with a gift that they're using to support their families.
This blogger is a New Yorker, born and raised. I'm a huge sports fan, following pretty much every major sport out there. Sadly, this does not include hockey, NASCAR, or boxing. Hockey lost my affection during the lockout, NASCAR is not a sport, and boxing has become incredibly boring since the dawn of MMA. If you want to talk football, baseball, basketball, or MMA, then I'm your man. I could also debate NASCAR with anyone, but we would probably end up just going around in circles...
