Carmelo Anthony wants everyone to know that even though he had to wait an extended period before he got signed to an NBA team, he’s not done. Carmelo Anthony via Shams Charania of The Athletic:
“This ain’t a damn farewell tour,” Anthony said. “My love for the game don’t stop. I don’t know where this ‘farewell tour’ thing came from. I’ve never talked about a farewell tour. I know what I can do and I believe in myself. When a farewell tour comes, it comes. That’s not something I think about. I’m not thinking about retiring right now. I had (thought about it) during this past stretch over the summer. But ain’t no retiring in my mind. I believe in what I have left.”
It could just be a natural assumption that this was his last year, given his age and him having to wait for an opportunity to play this season. Anthony sounds almost offended that this was even suggested. But thinking back, he hasn’t a good season in years, hell, he looked like he was done when he was with the Rockets. Now, he just had the best game in a long time with the Blazers and has played adequately so far. Sure a couple of games doesn’t mean that Carmelo Anthony can keep this pace all year long, but as of right now, he is feeling himself. He is a team cancer though. A farewell tour could be evident later in the season if the Blazers struggle and/or Melo struggles.
Melo is only 35 though, he could play many years before he wants to retire. I mean, Vince Carter is over 40 years old and is still playing, and that could be the case for Melo too. While retirement has been on his mind, he has neither confirmed nor denied when it will happen. But as of right now, there’s no farewell tour planned, and Melo wanted everyone to know.
