Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James, earlier this week, both earned their second Olympic Gold medals of their careers. LeBron now joins Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as the only players to win Olympic gold and the NBA Championship in the same year. And if you ask me LeBron James has never looked better, I don't mean that physically either. When i looked in LeBron's face holding up the NBA Finals trophy I saw relief and happiness. But after the USA Men's basketball team defeated Spain just the other day, I saw that same face with the same expression on LeBron once again. Though this time around, Lebron might feel even more relieved and more happy.
If you don't think Melo is watching LeBron and seeing that he is happier than ever right now, you're crazy. Melo has already motivated himself to not only join LeBron as an Olympian but as a NBA Champion as well.
Now it can not be mistaken, Melo loves playing for the USA in International basketball. He has been playing since 2002 and played every year by his own choice. Melo is happy and proud of his two Olympic gold's but he is not satisfied. Melo wants that elusive NBA Championship. He would burry his gold medal, possibly both, and put a tombstone over it to win the NBA Finals. The Tombstone would probably read something like "Sorry, not Sorry." He sees how all of a sudden LeBron is now loved by more than ever, a clutch player, and undoubtedly the best player in the world right now. He wants that too.
At the start of the Olympics, it was clear Melo has made an effort to get in better shape. He has a lot to prove this year. He has more to prove than any other player in the league.
Coach Woodson must have done something right, because in early May, Woodson told the media Melo needed to be in better shape and its now mid-August and Melo already seems to have made strides in accomplishing that request.
All that needs to be said, is that Melo is going to be ready to win this year. If he is able to mesh with his teammates and make it work is a whole other story but it can definitely be said that Melo wants that Championship more than ever right now. And if Melo, his Olympic teammate Tyson Chandler, and Amar'e Stoudemire can come together with a little help from their friends, a run for that title is possible. Still unlikely, but possible.
Article by: Dan Benton
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