Don't frown; Melo snub is a godsend (Rips Manu)

[TMTTRIO]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_3534079,00.html

Lincicome: Don't frown; Melo snub is a godsend
February 9, 2005

A detail of the impending NBA All-Star Game of most interest hereabouts is the absence of any Nugget of note on the final list, there being only one Nugget of note, of course.

Carmelo Anthony has not yet exhausted his notoriety, though as the speeding sedan that is LeBron James disappears far in front of Melo, there is a growing sense of a dog barking at tail lights.


When we wrote this script a couple of drafts ago, anticipating Denver's Pepsi Center playing host to the All-Star Game, Anthony was a starter on the West, having leapt his own legend in a single bound. :lol

Not to be too fanciful, Anthony would be at least a reserve, paying his dues, not moving too fast for his signature shoes. But having an All-Star Game in Denver without Denver's All-Star was unimaginable. Now it is the best thing that could have happened to Anthony.

Oh, an argument could be made for Melo, fourth in voting at his position, ahead of both Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion, two of the three Phoenix smudges on the final West roster, guard Steve Nash being the other.

It seems, in fact, that the only care given the fill-in part of the process was to crook a finger at Phoenix and Seattle for warm bodies. Denver has a reason to wonder, but Sacramento ought to demand a recount and a Breathalyzer.

The 12-man roster of the West comes from seven teams, and while the Suns are a nice little story so far, Marion is no more an All-Star than is Manu Ginobili.

You might remember Ginobili. He was the happy Argentinian at the Olympics. The one with the gold medal around his neck.

Turns out, who knew, that Ginobili also plays for the Spurs of San Antonio, averaging about four points and a rebound less per game than Anthony but otherwise still happy and so forth.

This is not to say Anthony should be on the team instead of Ginobili. Not at all. This is to say that almost anybody should be on the team instead of Ginobili. Chris Webber for one. Mike Bibby for another. Tony Parker from his own team. Brad Miller. Lamar Odom. Peja Stojakovic. Elton Brand.

All of these should be on the team before Anthony, too, but come to that, I'd take this neglected bunch and whip either the East or West, provided Ginobili and Marion are on the floor together.
Anthony will be in the sophomore game, or whatever it is called, the game that matches second-year players against first-year players, of which Anthony was one himself only a mere season ago. It seems longer.

This is quite a tumble from representing the West. Instead of being in there with Kobe and Yao and Duncan and the rest, trying to whip the best, Anthony will be teaming up with Udonis Haslem and Kirk Hinrich to try to keep Emeka Okafor in his place.

James is, by the way, starting for the East, sharing the floor with Shaq and A.I. and Vince and Grant. That would be Grant Hill, that last one, a starter by some sort of memory muscle, a name from the mists of promise. Hill would seem to prove there are second acts in the NBA, as well as second halves, though I'm thinking Hill is the Ginobili of the starters.
Or maybe that is Kobe Bryant, injured of late, maybe injured enough to not play, which would allow the commissioner to drop another name onto the West roster.

Since Ginobili is already there and Dirk Nowitzki (who should be starting instead of Kevin Garnett) and, in the East, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the more exotic corners of the alphabet are pretty much used up.

Maybe the simple-sounding Melo could still have a chance, though the previous time he squeezed on to an all-star team, the U.S. Olympic crew, he got nothing but scars and scorn for his trouble.
It is best for Anthony to be outside looking in, to be the house host who needs a ticket to use his own furniture. And Ginobili's example might be a better model than even James'.

The 27-year-old Ginobili was a half-hearted draft choice who answered the only pertinent question of the Spurs. Why not? After playing in Europe and coming off the San Antonio bench, he neither defied nor met any expectations, because there were none.
It is one thing for James to do exactly what he is supposed to have done already. Anthony can look at James and imagine that somehow the two of them are still connected in potential and splendor, but he should be looking instead at the energetic Argentine and seeing what hard work and patience can achieve.

Maybe in another seven years, Anthony can be an All-Star, too.

[email protected]

:pctoss :rolleyes :wtf :flipoff :makemyday

This makes me glad that some of the media don't vote. If Carmello really wanted to be an All Star he would have his team near the top instead of having one of the worst teams in the west. What's up with this guy so into Manu. Is he mad that Manu didn't sign with them or that Manu beat the cr*p out of him in the olympics.

[timvp]

TMTTRIO, I moved this to the Spurs forum so Spurs fans can get outraged.

Good find.

:smokin

[Kori Ellis]

[email protected]

Fire away Spurs fans.

This guy is a dumbass.

[Pat McGroynne]

What a goober. His arguments and gripes don't even make sense.

[Mark in Austin]

Incohereant ranting and sputtering does not a column make.

Why do I get the feeling he's really really bitter about the "Carmelo is as good as Lebron / Carmelo is Bird to Lebron's Magic" bubble bursting?

It's not our fault Kiki drafted an immature twit instead of Dwane Wade.

[orhe]

yeah i have read this article
boy i was kinda furious while reading it.
well i realized he was stupid lol so i didn't care to post this

[MannyIsGod]

Oh, it's fucking ON. The mofo doesn't tip, but he's still my boy


Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2005 01:34:33 -0800 (PST)
From: "Manuel Salgado" <[email protected]> Add to Address BookAdd to Address Book
Subject: In regards to Manu - Do they have League Pass in Denver?
To: [email protected]

Hello,

From the article I just read I can only surmise that
the answer to the question I posed in the subject line
is clearly no.

As someone who has watched Manu play in almost every
game as a Spur, and has seen a large amount of NBA
games over the past 3 seasons I think that Manu is not
only an allstar, but one of the better ones in
conference. And Marion? He's averaging a double
double on the team with the 2nd best record in the
leauge.

Your tunnel vision viewing of stats certainly makes it
seem as though Manu was a ridiculous choice for the
West Reserves, but that is only if you omit a few very
important facts.

First, Manu is not the only star on his team. While
players such as Melo benefit statistically by being
the number one option, Manu has to defer to an MVP
candidate and another emerging star. I trust you have
at least enough basketball knowledge to figure out who
I am referring to?

In addition, Manu is the only allstar to play less
than 30 minutes a game! Every player you compared him
to plays in the upper 30s.

To say Manu is not an allstar is ignorance in it's
purest form. You can ignore the intangibles he brings
to the table such as defense, hustle, and clutch play,
but fortunately the coaches of this league do not.

"Maybe in another seven years, Anthony can be an
All-Star, too"

Sure, but not before he learns a thing or twenty from
a certain Argentinian.

Better luck with your next article,

Manuel Salgado
[email protected]

[Warlord23]

Way to go, Manny!

[GrandeDavid]

Its too ignorant, funny, sad and wasteful...and frightening that such idiots could actually pull paychecks writing about basketball. Not worthy of much more commentary than that. I think I'll email this to that clown.

[Buenos Hairys]

TIME HE PAY

[MosesGuthrie]

Don Harris gave this guy's email address out on his show yesterday. Write early and often.

[travis2]

For some reason I remember Lincicome working somewhere else...am I imagining things?

In any case...what an asshole!

[waly.mg]

In the Beggining of The talks about of the Posibility of Manu in the All Star Game, i never Think then he can Do it

Because i Think Melo and Peja, must to Play, but Both aren´t in great Shape this year

Melo have his Votes in the All star Ballot, but he´s not improving his game

Checks his Numbres:

His First Have Lebron´s Numbers

03-04 FG% .426 3FG%.322 FT%.777 OR 2.20 DR 3.80 TR 6.10 AS 2.8 ST 1.18 TO 3.01 PTS 21.0
04-05 FG% .401 3FG%.278 FT%.774 OR 1.50 DR 4.10 TR 5.60 AS 2.9 ST 1.05 TO 3.17 PTS 20.0

Lebron:

03-04 FG% .417 3FG% .290 FT%.754 OF R 1.30 DR 4.20 TR 5.50 AS 5.9 ST 1.65 TO 3.46 PTS 20.9
04-05 FG% .494 3FG% .344 FT%.739 OF R 1.40 DR 5.80 TR 7.20 AS 7.7 ST 2.36 TO 3.27 PTS 25.1

[picnroll]

This guys punishment for this dumbass article will be having to cover Melo on the Nuggets for the next few year, writing article after article about how Denver could have drafted Wade or Bosh instead.

[Sec24Row7]

:flipoff Let's order this guy about 30 pizzas and have them delivered to his house.

[Useruser666]

Melo should be starting in the ASG like Denver should be the number one seed.

[Spurs košarka kultura]

I just sent him the nastiest e-mail I could muster.

Melo's 3pt fg% .278 (and this is their #1 option?) No wonder the only thing this idiot has to look forward to is the all-star game with it's bright lights and shiney things. I pity the FOOL. :fro

[Solid D]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/images/columnists/lincicome.jpg

Isn't he their movie critic? :hat

[LilMissSPURfect]

:flipoff Let's order this guy about 30 pizzas and have them delivered to his house.
:lol

[maxpower]

All that needs to be pointed out is anthony is the #1 option and Manu is the 2nd or 3rd option.

ohhh and the sheer fact that coaches choose.

Wow...must be nice to know that not only are you so overhyped..but even so the fans don't think you are popular enough to vote you in and the coaches think even less of your skills to pencil you in. :lol :lol

[IX_Equilibrium]

I just wrote him.

What a tool.

[bigzak25]

well, i expect the hometown writers to take up for their guy, but the bashing and hate for manu is sequ-esk...

i hope he tears this muthafkn game up and shows the world once again what he's made of....frankly, i'll be watching the allstar game for the first time in quite a while just to see Manu.... :smokin

[waly.mg]

The last Time when i See Manu for World Televisión, Manu Scores 48 Póints

I going to See Melo on Friday vs Lebron

Who is gonna win?

Melo or Lebron

My Choice is Lebron

[SpursWoman]

http://www.boomspeed.com/sweetc/sourgrapes.bmp

[waly.mg]

Hey Guys ¡¡¡¡¡¡

If there are 5 Players of one Team in the All Star Weekend (3 in The Big One and 2 in the 3 Point Shootout) , and One Player leads the offense after being losing by 17 Points and wins to them

Would not have he to also be in the All Star Game?

[smeagol]

Manuel, your article was a thing of beauty!

[nkdlunch]

What a dick. this guy is definitely a hater. Just 'cause he's stuck in Denver w/the sorry ass Nuggets. Hopefully some argentinos up in Denver will turn his ass into an asado(steak)

[Rummpd]

SENT

Mr. Lincicome:

I have read many of your past articles and usually am in strong agreement about with your points but not over a recent column dissing the all star selectons.

First, I want to say that firmly believe that Carmello may come back even next year in a spectacular fashion. Why, he won at the collegiate level, he is not afraid of failure and he has incredible skill = champions comeback and he has a solid coach in Karl.

However, this letter is about Ginobli.

The case for Ginobli as an Allstar is very simple:

One cannot deny that he is a proven winner at every level, a former MVP of a professional league and arguably one of the 2-3 most exciting players in the game to watch today even without the ball. He is unselfish and one of the best passers in the game.

Besides that he is a total player whose defense is outstanding and he also has that special “clutch” factor of coming up in big games, i.e. Olympics, recent game against Suns etc. You cannot say that about Webber, Stoj, or many of the players listed at least yet – let them prove they can win something or play defense!

As an expert on statistics, I guarantee if you look at this all around statistics contribution on minutes played or more importantly, his teams point differential when he is on the floor or any measure he will be near the top and above most who missed the cut. He is surely one of the key reasons that this years Spurs have one of the largest point differentials in history.

The truth is that he is always a threat to upstage anyone, especially around his size, in any game or on any stage, I don’t care if its Kobe, James, Wade you name it.

The bigger the game, the bigger the stage = the better historically. It has often been true of Ginobli, can you honestly say that about any King - please?

The coaches know this. They also know that he is simply Mr. Excitement, a winner, and a player any coach would droll having on any team in combination with any other 4 players on the floor for his all around game and guts. In addition, you give me him and let me pick 4 other currently selected WCF player and we will thrash the team you talk about with his flexibility to play the 2 and 3. Your statement about the neglected players was a joke surely beating the selected team?????

My hope is that next year Manu is back and hopefully Carmello will show maturity and earn it too.

Regards,

Peter D. Rumm, MD,
Director the Center for Public Health Readiness and Communiction

(Maddoc)

[bigzak25]

SENT-



Hey Bernie, read your manu bashing article....your a real dick.

-big z

[Supergirl]

Manu is a difference-maker on a team that is expected to win the championship. THat's why he was selected, and all the others weren't. The only one who one could argue should be there instead is Tony Parker. `

[ALVAREZ6]

What a mother fucking retard, this guy shoul die.

[duncan2k5]

I too wrote him. i argued that manu is averaging less points and like 1 less rebound due to the fact that he plays way less minutes while averaging more steals and a better fg%. and i said that when Melo can take over a game single-handedly to talk to me about being an all-star. until then he can have fun in the sophmore game while the real all-stars do the ballin

[ALVAREZ6]

I sent him a message, but it wasn't very friendly....

[SPARKY]

duncan2k5 doesn't mess around.

[duncan2k5]

Grrrrrrrrrrrr...:makemyday

[Phenomanul]

Grrrrrrrrrrrr...:makemyday
:lmao :lmao

[Marhq]

Sorry if already posted...

It seems you can be very persuasive :lol



Lincicome: Roster's big enough for genuine Ginobili

February 19, 2005

So, what's a skinny Italian from Argentina doing in a place like this? Having the time of his life, to hear Manu Ginobili tell it. And he can tell it in several languages.

"Just three," Ginobili said in his third accent after Spanish and Italian. "I have no room for more."

Being multilingual is, of course, a highly prized skill, whereas one tongue is trouble for most NBAers. Dunking over Amare Stoudemire might cause more immediate gasps. Or scoring 48 points on a night that rescues your team from a 17-point hole. Of such things is made a spot on the NBA Western Conference All-Star team - that, and having your own coach coaching doesn't hurt.

The Mystery of Ginobili, as I like to think of it, or "Why Is This Man an All-Star?" caused me to observe when the All-Stars were named that anyone but Ginobili deserved to be on the West team.

This innocent, if overstated, impulse was not received well in places where Ginobilimania has roots, places such as San Antonio and Buenos Aires and Bologna - the town rather than the lunch meat.

To quote one of my correspondents, "Are you a freakin' idiot?"

Getting punked by disc jockeys can fill up the e-mail quickly and redundantly, but to honest questions I give honest answers and my answer is, "Usually not until later in the evening."

Feeling duty-bound to actually meet young Ginobili, rather than to work from impressions and statistics and the distance of press row, I asked the question directly. Did he think he deserved to be on the NBA All-Star team?

"I'm not sure," he said. "But I'm doing good on the best team at the moment, so . . ."

No resentment at the question, no scowls, no bile. This is going to be harder than I thought.

Here is what I already knew about Ginobili. He is full of energy, he can shoot a bit, he is not afraid to take his Adrien Brody body to the rack, and he was most responsible for Argentina winning the Summer Olympics.

"We've been together eight years as a team," Ginobili said. "The USA had been together, what, a month?"

Gloating would have made it easier to reinforce my original opinion of Ginobili, not that pride is a misdemeanor or a character defect. I mean, if Ginobili wanted to trash talk, he could diss an entire wing of the United Nations.

Here is what I learned. Ginobili is charming and modest and happy and grateful. Once again, these are not obvious traits of the NBA sort.

"I just came from a room," Ginobili gushed. "And within 15 minutes, there is (Tracy) McGrady and Kobe (Bryant), and I'm used to Tim (Duncan). And there is K.G. (Kevin Garnett) and Yao (Ming) and me. I must say it is a very nice feeling.

"I have some dreams inside of me, and I have a chance to make them true. Yes, being here is a great gift."

Now it is getting difficult to stick with my initial impulse. I like the guy. And what's more, I believe the guy. He is so proud and happy, and he promises to enjoy the All-Star experience more than anyone else.

I remember the years with Michael Jordan, when he would just write a check for the fine that goes with missing the sideshow duties of the All-Star Weekend, go play golf, show up for the game, and disappear before his head was dry from the shower.

But this is Ginobili's first time in the main room. Last year, he was a peripheral, like Carmelo Anthony was and still is. Even Shaquille O'Neal was civil and audible in his first All-Star Game.

Ginobili takes a local question. The Nuggets made a run at Ginobili - a serious run last summer. He considered Denver, he said. He stayed with San Antonio because the money was good enough and he likes it there.

Another local question. Who is more popular in South America, Nene or Manu? Nene is, of course - the Brazilian center who may one day help the Nuggets. "Brazil is bigger," Ginobili said. "But maybe I can beat Nene because of the (Olympic) championship."

And here's the clincher. Ginobili feels a responsibility to the kids. I suppose to world peace, too, if asked. His example, being at the All-Star Game, helps kids to dream: "To see me as part of their dreams."

OK. Enough. I give in. Manu is my All-Star.

Who was it I said deserved to be here before Ginobili? Half the Sacramento Kings, for sure. Chris Webber. Mike Bibby. Tony Parker from his own team. Brad Miller. Lamar Odom. Peja Stojakovic. Elton Brand.

I will amend my list. Not Stojakovic. And I expect to hear from Belgrade before noon.
Link (http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_3560507,00.html)

[FromWayDowntown]

Kind of half-hearted if you ask me. This is an "I get it, Manu is a good guy" column; it is not an "I get it, Manu is a tremendous ball player" column. Rather than asking Manu, who is modest almost to a fault, the guy should have asked some of the other all-stars, just to see what they had to say.

In the end, it seems that he's convinced only that Manu is more deserving than Peja, but still not more deserving than Anthony, Webber, Bibby, Parker, Miller, Odom, or Brand.

[usckk]

Dear Lincicome,

Your going to f*cking die. Maybe your bud, Carmelo, can save you, biotch... Muhahaha.

[FearDaFro]

wait, Mello got snubbed? But I thought he MADE the all-sophmore team......

[usckk]

Here is another article from him, this time supporting MANU. Haha.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_3560507,00.html

[FromWayDowntown]

Here is another article from him, this time supporting MANU. Haha.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/sports_columnists/article/0,1299,DRMN_83_3560507,00.html

Excellent find -- did you just click on Marhq's link to get it or did you search for the article that Marhq posted about 4 entries above yours in this thread?

Either way, props to you on your investigative work there, Sherlock.

[Useruser666]

All moron team forum.

[TMTTRIO]

I heard someone say that the Denver play-by-play guy said that this guy really doesn't even show up and watch any of the games. I wonder what he'd be saying if Manu was a Nugget.

[SequSpur]

Manu is not an allstar. He is a TNT star.

No more, no less.

[ALVAREZ6]

Manu is not an allstar. He is a TNT star.

No more, no less.
Quit bullshitting about Manu dude, why don't you shut the fuck up and support your team damnit, you fucking ass New Jersey fan.

We already heard you say this 1000 + times, nothing new, so just STFU or die.

[Solid D]

Manu is not an allstar. He is a TNT star.

No more, no less.


:lol

[ALVAREZ6]

This innocent, if overstated, impulse was not received well in places where Ginobilimania has roots, places such as San Antonio and Buenos Aires and Bologna - the town rather than the lunch meat.

To quote one of my correspondents, "Are you a freakin' idiot?"

Getting punked by disc jockeys can fill up the e-mail quickly and redundantly, but to honest questions I give honest answers and my answer is, "Usually not until later in the evening."
HAHAHAHA!!!!

I guess this shitbag got our e-mails hahahahaha.

[E20]

Lebron > Carmelo

[FearDaFro]

Lebron > Carmelo


Manu -2 feet, -1 arm>Melo.

Wether or not Manu was deserving is up for debate, but what the **** does Mello have to do with this? Other than being drafted the same year as LeBron James, what has he ever done?

[TMTTRIO]

^won the whining contest :baby :p

[scott]

Maybe Carmella can make the WNBA All Star team.

[E20]

Manu -2 feet, -1 arm>Melo.

Wether or not Manu was deserving is up for debate, but what the **** does Mello have to do with this? Other than being drafted the same year as LeBron James, what has he ever done?

Lebron > Camelo

[Spurminator]

BUMP

[T Park]

HAHAHA

Great find Spurminator.

[beirmeistr]

:flipoff Let's order this guy about 30 pizzas and have them delivered to his house.
Make it turd pizzas with mushrooms and jalapenos.