Here’s a little-noticed sidelight in the Carmelo Anthony-Mike D’Antoni saga: D’Antoni is an assistant coach on Team USA, and Anthony is considered a shoo-in to make the roster that will compete in this summer’s London Games. Now comes news, however, that Anthony’s status with USA Basketball may have been damaged by his icy relationship with the former Knicks coach.
Anthony's role in D'Antoni's abrupt departure from New York, whether intended or not, “did not sit well with USA Basketball authorities,” and his “hold on a prominent role with the team in the London Olympics could be jeopardized by how his body of work with the Knicks is viewed by Team USA officials,”
The CBS Sports report, however, contradicts a recent statement by USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo. "Ultimately, as the guy who makes the final decision, I'm telling you, no, it will not have any bearing whatsoever. None," Colangelo told USA Today earlier this week.
Anthony plays power forward for Mike Krzyzewski’s Team USA squad, and Berger notes there are plenty of other options at that position—Kevin Love, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge, who could play for his former coach in Portland, Nate McMillan.
"I don't even think Carmelo is thinking about this, but I think it's going to hurt him," an international basketball source told CBS Sports. "I don't think he's playing as well as the other power forwards are right now. He's not a bad guy, but he needs to start playing better because the USA team is looking at that, and Mike is an assistant. (A spot on the team) should not be given to him."
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