For those of you who follow Nuggets basketball, you know I sat out for a few games this past week. My elbow was killing me. And I can play through pain. I mean, my elbow hurt even when I dropped 33 in a quarter against the T'Wolves. But it got to a point where it kept getting worse. So I said to myself, "I can fight through the pain, but I wont be 100% for a while or I can sit out 3 games, let it heal, and then be a 100%." So I sat out, rested, got some much need treatment and...I dropped 32 against the Knicks the other night. My plan worked!

*********** Go to NBA.com and vote for me for the 2009 NBA All Star Game!***************

As you probably know by now, I cut my braids off. It was just time. I have had braids since I was in high school. And I just felt like it was time to do something different. Everyone I know has said I look younger. For the first couple of days I felt different. If you want to know why I really cut my braids go to my website CarmeloAnthony.com. There is a video of me getting my haircut.

The crazy part is just before I cut my hair I opened a barbershop here in Denver, called Studio 15. I was thinking about calling it Melo's, but I like the sound of Studio 15. I went to the barbershop every Friday as a kid and I always wanted to open my own place. So know I have a fresh new look and my own barbershop.

***By the way go to NBA.com and vote for me for the 2009 NBA All Star Game!***

A letter from Carmelo Anthony

Dear Nuggets fans, teammates, Stan Kroenke & the Nuggets organization,

The day is finally here. It has been a very long wait for my first game back. Before the game tomorrow, I wanted to take the time to thank all of you for your support of our team and your support of me. I greatly appreciate the e-mails and letters from those of you who wrote to me expressing your support. I also wanted to let you know how excited I am to get back on the court and play with my new and old teammates. I have been going crazy for 36 days waiting to return. All my life, playing basketball has come easy to me, but not being able to play has been the most difficult thing I have ever experienced as a player.

I've spent this time off working on my game and reflecting on who I am. And who I want to be. I want all of you to know that I plan to be better, stronger and smarter on the court than I've ever been before. I've never been more dedicated to becoming the best player and teammate that I can be. It has been very tough watching the team play without me, knowing that my mistake has made it very difficult for my teammates, the franchise and the fans. I've spent the time working extremely hard, and I plan to come back better than ever.

I've also spent time thinking about the huge responsibilities I have as the captain of the Denver Nuggets, the captain of Team USA, a face of the NBA, and a role model to young people. I'm aware that a great deal is expected of me, and not just as a player. I'm expected to make the right decisions, lead by example and to be a professional.

Once again THANK YOU for your support. I hope to express my appreciation by continuing to develop as a player and as a person. I can't wait to get out there and show everyone what the Denver Nuggets are capable of. I'll see you at the Pepsi Center on Monday night. I'll be the first one there.

Sincerely, Melo

MySpace Launches ``Artist-On-Artist'' Community Giving Users Exclusive Video
Interviews of Their Favorite Cultural Icons

Leading Lifestyle Portal's New Interview Series Community Found at http://www.myspace.com/ArtistOnArtist

By BusinessWire
LOS ANGELES, BUSINESS WIRE -- MySpace.com, the world's leading lifestyle portal, announced today the launch of a new profile community for the site's popular "Artist-On-Artist" series, featuring exclusive video clips of cultural icons, actors, athletes, filmmakers, musicians, and other artists interviewing one another. The profile is presented by New Line Cinema's upcoming theatrical release of "The Number 23" and can be found at http://www.myspace.com/artistonartist.

"The unique nature of the Artist-On-Artist series, creates a 'fly on a wall' experience for our users," said Josh Brooks, VP of Content and Programming, MySpace. "These exclusive interviews have become so popular in our video channel that we wanted to create a unique community dedicated to specifically showcasing these viral video interviews."

Additional Artist-On-Artist interviews featured on the new profile include:

-- Leading NBA scorer and Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony and comedian Katt Williams

-- Musician Mike Patton and actor Danny DeVito

-- Rapper Mos Def and former Vice President Al Gore

-- Actor and musician Zack Braff and director and actor Kevin Smith

-- Musician Mike Watt and Red Hot Chili Pepper band members Anthony Kiedis and Flea

-- Incubus' Mike Einzinger and actor Jason Schwartzman

-- Fashion designers Heatherette and Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters

-- The Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl and Jack Black and Kyle Gass of Tenacious D

-- Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and comedian Fred Armisen

"MySpace is a global community right there at your fingertips. I open my laptop and people from Baltimore, Sydney and Tokyo are all talking to me," said Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets. "The last few weeks have been tough for me and the Artist-On-Artist interview is a unique way for me to communicate with my fans, it's something I really appreciate."

Each Artist-On-Artist interview is housed on the artists' personal MySpace page and/ or music profile page in addition to the highly trafficked MySpace Video home page. Relevant artists will engage in interviews based on the response of the MySpace community, current events as well as upcoming music, film, and fashion news. The MySpace Video channel is a blend of user generated, promotional and professionally created programming (such as MySpace's The List music franchise and the Artist-on-Artist series). Both MySpace Video and MySpace Film have become the home to thousands of creators of premium content ranging from viral video to documentaries.

About MySpace.com

MySpace, a unit of Fox Interactive Media Inc., is the premier lifestyle portal for connecting with friends, discovering popular culture, and making a positive impact on the world. By integrating web profiles, video, mobile communications, instant messaging and more, MySpace has created a global connected community with a wide array of communication choices. As the highest ranked website in terms of page views(a), MySpace is the most widely-used and highly-regarded site of its kind. MySpace's international network includes localized community sites in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Germany, Australia, and Ireland.

(a) Among the top 2000 domains comScore Media Metrix, November 2006. For more information on comScore Networks, please go to http://www.comscore.com.

MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5314049

Copyright Business Wire 2006. All Rights Reserved

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / January 16, 2006

Carmelo Anthony Honored As USA Basketball's
2006 Male Athlete Of The Year

– Anthony Now Eligible For 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee Award –

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 16, 2007) – The Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony, who helped lead the 2006 USA Men's Senior National Team to a 13-1 overall mark and a bronze medal and an 8-1 record at the 2006 FIBA World Championship, was selected the 2006 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year, USA Basketball today announced.

"I'm very honored to receive this award," Anthony said. "I want to thank Mr. Colangelo and Coach K and his staff for giving me the opportunity to play for this team. I worked extremely hard over the summer to prepare because I take great pride in playing for my country. I also want to thank my teammates. They're a great group of guys and we had a lot of fun playing together. I look forward to continuing to work hard for USA Basketball and helping us get that gold medal in '08."

The USA's leading scorer at the 2006 FIBA World Championship averaging 19.9 ppg., Anthony was the lone American named to the five-man 2006 FIBA World Championship All-Tournament Team.

"The USA Basketball Executive Committee identified a well-deserving athlete for this award," said USA Basketball Executive Director Jim Tooley. "Carmelo was a team tri-captain and the USA's leading scorer. His outstanding performance at the World Championship was a major factor in the team's 8-1 record and bronze medal finish. All of us at USA Basketball are proud of the leadership he provided for the team and the way in which he represented his country."

Selected by the USA Basketball Executive Committee as the recipient of its Male Athlete of the Year award, USA Basketball also submitted Anthony for the U.S. Olympic Committee's 2006 Male Athlete of the Year award, which will be announced by the USOC in January 2007.

"Carmelo was on a mission to make our team and he did much more than that, he led our team. He had a terrific summer with the USA team and demonstrated his overall basketball talents and his leadership. In my mind he is deserving and a great choice for this award," stated USA Senior National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo.

"Carmelo was the ultimate team player," offered USA Senior Men's National Team head coach Mike Krzyzewski. "He had an outstanding summer, starting with our training camp in Las Vegas and ending with being a dominant player in the FIBA World Championship. He was a man after victories and showed how classy and mature he was in our one defeat. I love the way he plays the game, but I love the way he carries himself as a leader on the Senior National Team even better. He is very deserving of this award. With Carmelo, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James as the core of our National Team over the next two years, we have a lot to look forward to in USA Basketball."

Anthony, a tri-captain of the USA World Championship Team, averaged 19.9 ppg., 3.7 rpg., 1.9 spg. and

1.4 apg. He shot 50.4 percent from the field and 44.0 percent from 3-point, and his 179 points scored and 19.9 ppg. rank as the second most by a USA player in World Championship history, trailing only Luther Burden's 182 points and 20.2 ppg. average in 1974.

Among all 2006 World Championship participants, Anthony ranked sixth in scoring, ninth in 3-point field goals made (22) and tied for ninth in steals (1.9 spg.).

Anthony, the team's high scorer in five World Championship contests, opened preliminary group play with 21 points as the USA team earned a 111-100 victory over Puerto Rico, and in a hard-fought 94-85 victory over Italy, Anthony scored a USA World Championship record 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting from the field.

Advancing to the eighth-finals and faced with a win-or-go-home scenario, Anthony helped the USA claim its sixth straight win with an impressive 20-point outing against Australia. Moving on to the quarterfinals, Anthony tallied 19 points as the U.S. squad recorded a win over Germany. Next meeting an undefeated Greek team in semifinals play, the USA gold medal hopes ended when, despite a 27-point effort from Anthony, Greece posted a 101-95 victory over the Americans.

Prior to the 2006 FIBA World Championship, the USA cruised to 5-0 in its series of exhibition games, with Anthony averaging a team-leading 16.8 ppg. on 56.4 percent shooting from the field. Anthony led the USA scoring in three of the team's five exhibition games. In the USA's 114-69 win over Puerto Rico in Las Vegas, Nev., Anthony tallied 18 points, he scored 16 points in a 90-86 win over Brazil in Guangzhou, China, and 19 points as the USA topped Lithuania 111-88 in Seoul, South Korea.

Teammates of Anthony on the 2006-08 USA Senior National Team are: Gilbert Arenas (Washington Wizards); Shane Battier (Houston Rockets); Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs); Elton Brand (Los Angeles Clippers); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards); Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks); Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns); Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings); Adam Morrison (Charlotte Bobcats); Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers); Chris Paul (New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets); Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics); J.J. Redick (Orlando Magic); Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks); Luke Ridnour (Seattle SuperSonics); Amaré Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns); and Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat).

The 2006-08 Men's Senior National Team and Duke University head coach Mike Krzyzewski was assisted by Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University, Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns and Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Named a member of the 2006 All-NBA third team, Anthony helped lead the 2005-06 Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Northwest Divisional title, a 44-38 regular season record and the 2006 NBA Playoffs. He averaged a career-best 26.5 ppg., 4.9 rpg., 2.7 apg. and 1.1 spg., while shooting career bests of 48.1 percent from the field and 80.8 percent from the foul line. Anthony finished the season ranked eighth overall in NBA scoring, fourth in field goals made, fifth in field goals attempted, seventh in free throws made and attempted and 19th in total efficiency points.

Anthony previously helped the USA capture bronze at the 2004 Olympics, playing in seven of the USA's nine games, averaging 2.4 ppg. As a member of the 2004 Senior National Team, Anthony averaged a team third-best 10.1 ppg., 2.8 rpg. and 2.0 apg. as the U.S. squad compiled a 5-1 record.

In 2002, Anthony was a member of the USA Junior World Championship Qualifying Team that finished with a 4-1 record and a bronze medal in Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Starting all five games, he averaged a team-leading 15.6 ppg., a team second-best 6.2 rpg. and 1.8 apg. while shooting 54.1 percent from the field. Anthony tallied 23 points in a win over Argentina, 21 points and seven rebounds in a win over Mexico and 13 points and 10 boards in a loss to Venezuala.

Anthony also participated in the 2001 USA Basketball Men's Youth Development Festival for the silver medalist East Team and averaged a team-high 24.0 ppg., tying with LeBron James for the Festival's best scoring average. Shooting a Festival best 66.1 percent (39-of-59 FGs) from the field, Anthony also collected 4.3 rpg.

In capturing the 2005 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year honor, Anthony enters into the impressive company of previous honorees.

In its 27th year, the USA Basketball Athlete of the Year award has been garnered by notable athletes such as Shelden Williams (2005); Sean May (2004 co-recipient); Chris Paul (2004 co-recipient); Tim Duncan (2003); Reggie Miller (2002); Chris Duhon (2001); Alonzo Mourning (2000 and 1990); Gary Payton (1999); Elton Brand (1998); Earl Boykins (1997); Scottie Pippen (1996 and as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team); Ray Allen (1995); Shaquille O'Neal (1994); Michael Finley (1993); Christian Laettner (1991); Larry Johnson (1989); Dan Marjerle (1988); David Robinson (1986 and as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team); Chuck Person (1985); Michael Jordan (1984 co-recipient, 1983 and as a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team), Sam Perkins (1984 co-recipient); Glenn Rivers (1982); Kevin Boyle (1981); and Isiah Thomas (1980).

Life of Reilly
Knocked Out by His Own Punch
By Rick Reilly

8 January 2007 / Sports Illustrated

Volume 106; Issue 1; ISSN: 0038822X

CARMELO ANTHONY is wide open, nobody within 20 feet of him, lonely as a Pinto salesman. Yet he can't get the ball. He throws his arms up, stomps his feet, yelps, but his teammates don't even notice.

That's because Anthony is pacing his family room, miles from his Denver Nuggets teammates, slowly going out of his mind.

Ever since he landed a roundhouse right in the Nuggets' brawl with the New York Knicks on Dec. 16, the 22-year-old forward says he's been in "jail, man, solitary." His suspension cost him 15 games, $782,340 and, worst of all, maybe his team.

The day after the sentencing the Nuggets traded for hoops icon Allen Iverson, and Denver suddenly turned into Allentown. Fans followed snowplows through blizzards just to see the Answer in blue. And on this night, as Anthony chewed through table legs wishing he were on the court, Iverson scored 44 points and dropped 10 assists to clobber the Seattle SuperSonics.

"AI is like this big Christmas present I got," Anthony groans, "but I don't get to open."

What kills him is that he was having one Dreamboy of a year. He was leading the league in scoring. The team was winning. He was shedding his street-thug image. He'd donated $1.5 million to the Carmelo Anthony Youth Center in Baltimore, his hometown. He'd given Syracuse, his alma mater, $3 million.
His girlfriend, LaLa Vazquez, is due in March. "He's growing up," the world beamed.

Then came the Punch.

"One incident, and you're a gangster and a thug again," he says, slumped in an empty Denver locker room, his teammates on the road. "It's a fight in a basketball game. I felt like they were beating up my little brother. I'm not going to just stand there. I'm going to go help him." He shakes his head dolefully. "It's one bad moment, and all of a sudden people don't see any of the good things you do."

He regrets it, but--"Fifteen games? That's too much," he says. So why not appeal and try to get it reduced? "Because then it'd be my name across the ticker tape at the bottom of the TV again... CARMELO ANTHONY APPEALS. I just wanted to do my time."

Of course, it didn't help when Anthony announced how he was going to stay in shape during his time off: boxing lessons.

Alex, I'll take Clueless for $1,000, please.

He's allowed to practice with the team, but he has to be out of the arena two hours before game time, when it's back to the family room with his two dogs and a big screen that mocks him. "I try not to watch," he says. "It hurts too much. But then the game starts, and I know I've got to watch."
During the Sonics game, TNT talked so much about whether Anthony and Iverson, the league's top two scorers, could exist on one team, he turned off the sound.

So whose team is it, yours or AI's?

"It's still my team," Anthony insists. "Look, man, this is his 11th season.
He's tired of always being the Man. He wants to sit back and let somebody else be the Man. He just wants to win a championship. And he knows he can't do it by himself.... I mean, I know how he feels. I've been the Man on this team for 3 1/2 years. It gets overwhelming."

Somebody put out an APB for Melo's smile. He's about as cheery as a meter maid with bunions. "I just feel like, Damn, where do I fit in? I don't even know how to fit in. I've never had to before."

And into this tangle of uncertainty comes the stabilizing and fatherly influence of... Allen Iverson?

"I know what he's going through," says the 31-year-old Iverson, who has made nearly every mistake Anthony has made--brawls, feuds with coaches, drug-toting friends--and more. "Every day you wake up with a bull's-eye on your chest. You're like, Why's everybody coming at me all the time? But, with time, you start to realize you are that special talent, you are that franchise player, and you have to accept it. He's got to realize that more people want him to succeed than he thinks."

And one of them is Iverson, who's made it a point after home games to have dinner with Melo and scheme for the day he returns, Jan. 22. "Man, I don't care about 40-point nights--I've done that, I don't know how many times,"
says Iverson, who's done it 77 times. "He's 22. He needs to get his 40s and 50s. As long as we're winning, I don't care who shoots it."

What Iverson wants now is assists. "I want to be there for [Anthony]," he says. "I want to have a positive impact on his career and on his life."

Allen Iverson: Voice of Reason?

Hey, kid, maybe you're not as alone as you think.

TALK BACK If you have a comment for Rick Reilly, send it to reilly@siletters.com.

To my MySpace friends,

Last night's altercation with the Knicks escalated further than it should have. Please know that I take full responsibility for my actions in the matter. In the heat of the moment I let my emotions get the best of me. I wish the incident could be contained to what is was - men losing their temper in the heat of competition. In reality though, it can't be. I am on a worldwide stage and to the public, I represent my community and my NBA peers. For the good of all of us, I need to understand my burden and my responsibility to be better.

Today though, I apologize to you, all the fans, the Nuggets, the NBA, my mother, and my family for the embarassment I have caused them.

I also want to make a personal apology to Mardy Collins and his family. My actions were inexcusable, and I am sorry for making this an even more embarassing situation.

What makes this all the more painful is that this was one of the most important weeks of my life. Opening a Youth Center in Bmore has always been one of my dreams and to see the community excited and hundreds of kids smiling was an incredible feeling. Now I'm deeply hurt at the thought of thousands of kids - including my friends and fans here on MySpace, seeing that incident on TV. My actions are a misrepresention of me, my community and my NBA peers. This is not the example I want to set. I owe ALL of you more than that and hope that you can accept my apology for the damage I have caused.

Thank you for your support and understanding,

Melo

Youth center gives Anthony an outlet
The Nuggets' star forward invests his time and money in a Baltimore facility that will benefit inner-city kids.

By Marc J. Spears, Denver Post Staff Writer, 12-15-06

Baltimore - With Carmelo Anthony and hundreds of kids watching intently Thursday, Baltimore city councilman Bernard "Jack" Young applauded the Nuggets forward for not forgetting where he came from.

Anthony was thanked for investing $1 million in a youth center formerly run by the Boys & Girls Club, which closed in January 2005, outside of downtown Baltimore. While in high school, Anthony played pickup basketball there with Sam Cassell. Many of the kids who play there live in poverty in an area often linked to drugs, crime and violence.

"You put it in your heart to come back and give back so these kids could have an opportunity for recreational programs, educational programs and to stay off the streets so they won't become a statistic," Young said. "They could be become productive citizens in the great city of Baltimore. And with that, I want to thank you."

Thanks to Anthony and Jordan Jumpman Brand, the building was renovated in September, re-opened and is now called the Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center.

Anthony, his mother, Mary, and many local dignitaries were on hand Thursday for the official grand opening. Anthony's agent Calvin Andrews said his client has committed to paying about $1 million for the center. Jordan Brand manager Roman Vega said his company has given about $100,000.

"I came a long way to be sitting in front of you guys today to opening up a rec center," said Anthony, 22, who grew up in a tough Baltimore neighborhood. "My rec center got closed down and taken from us when I was about 13 or 14. ... For the kids to have a place to come to where they can get off the streets and stay out of trouble, I think they are going to love it."

Said Mary Anthony: "I'm so proud of him. (It's) incomprehensible."

The rec center will include The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development program, which was created through a partnership with the Living Classrooms Foundation, the Carmelo Anthony Foundation and the Housing Authority of Baltimore County to respond to the community's need for intervention to support the academic and social development of disadvantaged youth. The program will provide services in five areas displayed at the building's entrance: education and career development, life skills instruction, sports and recreation, mentoring and motivational life skills.

"I'm very excited because (my two sons) have a structured environment they can go to," Baltimore resident Jennifer Williams said. "They enjoy coming here. They are here every day from 3 to 6."
Numerous community events will be held at the center, including immunizations and lead screenings, youth workshops and conferences, job fairs, family night activities and basketball tournaments. Camp Melo Summertime Fun & Discovery from late-June to mid-August will be free to 100 local youth from six housing developments.

The venue has a gymnasium, computer lab, dance studio, recording studio, library, an outdoor basketball court and a meeting space. Many of the walls were painted, including some in Nuggets' blue and yellow. There are also huge posters of Anthony.

Said Jamal Childs, who has two daughters who visit the center: "When this facility closed, (the kids) could have went to other activities, but most of them were in the street."
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e288/lkagawa/melologoonyellow311076.jpg

http://wjz.com/video/?id=23457@wjz.dayport.com