Carmelo Anthony touched on his trip to Paris to watch Team USA face off against Serbia in the Olympic semi-final game while speaking on his '7 PM in Brooklyn' show. While talking about Bogdan Bogdanovic mimicking his celebration, he noted that he didn't take any offense, and knew Bogi was showing him love. he praised Bogdanovic for his game and lamented that he couldn't cheer for him at the moment.
"That's my son right there!... It was real time, real sh*t going on. I'm not even saying nothing to Bogi. While he's playing, he makes a shot - 'Oh I like that Bogi, I see you'. I'm talking that sh*t to him."
"So, I appreciate everybody taking my side, but the real sh*t was, he was showing love. I really wanted to cheer. He knocked that three down like that, I can't show no emotion, just accept what comes with it. I really wanted to be like 'Yo, that was crazy'. I wanted to point at him. That was probably one of the greatest games I've ever, ever been to."
“That’s my son right there.”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 15, 2024
- Melo on Bogdan Bogdanović
( @7PMinBrooklyn )
pic.twitter.com/6BcQaucCZI
Bogdan Bogdanovic spoke after the game and explained why he did that gesture and clarified that he didn't want to disrespect Melo, but was actually trying to show him love and appreciation. Anthony is a player Bogdanovic has long admired, and he was giving him his flowers by paying homage to his iconic gesture.
Bogdanovic had a great game against Team USA, putting up 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists. Serbia wasn't able to get the win, but were able to secure the bronze medal, by defeating Germany. The Serbian fans gave the players a raucous welcome back when they arrived in the country with their medals.
Carmelo Anthony played a massive role in Team USA's win over Serbia, despite being on the sidelines. In real time, Melo drew up a brilliant play for Kevin Durant to sink the dagger for Team USA, and secure the win against Serbia. Anthony explained how that moment felt, and why it made him so happy to be involved again.
"In this, it was no holds barred. This is really us against the world. And I have to do everything I have to do to give back to this game, to help you (USA) win this game. Whatever I can do from this perspective over here, I'm gonna do it. 'Bron, we gotta dig deep, we gotta go. I need you to tap into that'."
"End of the game - 'Joel man, slip out. Set the screen, get Steph open. Yo Joel, flare! Go set it for KD now! Now, KD we got what we want'. I also knew what we was trying to do. I've seen it ahead of time."
"I look at the five, look at the time - 'Okay, no, KD go get the ball, Joel flare for Steph then go set the screen. Slip out, they're going to switch'. This is what we want. I'm not saying... I was just having fun with this sh*t and talking basketball and being competitive from the sidelines. I felt like I was on the team again."
Melo says he enjoyed having fun coaching Team USA's players from the sidelines
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 15, 2024
“I felt like I was on the team again.”
( @7PMinBrooklyn )
pic.twitter.com/oVqcjdsK1k
Melo is one of the most legendary players in Team USA history, tied with LeBron James for the second most successful male Olympic player in the country's history. One can argue that his drawing up this play is right up there in importance compared to some of the other big moments he had while being on the court.
It's good to hear that Melo had such a good time in Paris, not just rooting for Team USA, but also getting his flowers from Bogdanovic. Anthony is one of the all-time great scorers in basketball history, and it is wonderful to see him be shown the love and appreciation he earned in his career.
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