Chauncey Billups says he knows why Carmelo Anthony remains on the outside looking in. Carmelo was a star with the Knicks and Nuggets but has not played in the NBA since he parted ways with the Rockets in mid-November.
Why isn't 'Melo in the league right now?@1mrbigshot shared his thoughts on his former teammate with @DarthAmin, @EvCoRadio, and @hoopscritic from #SummerLeague. pic.twitter.com/yFmSnv22gq
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) July 10, 2019
“The reason he’s not in the league – because he’s still worthy – he hasn’t mentally taken that step back to say ‘Okay, I’ll come in and play against backups. I’ll try to help the team out. I know I might not be able to close, but I just want to help the team out,'” Billups said during a recent interview with SiriusXM radio. “He’s not there yet.”
A 10-time All-Star, Carmelo and Billups were teammates with Denver and New York from 2008-11.
“I feel bad for Melo and here’s why,” Billups said. “Melo was like a good teammate, man. Melo practiced every day. He didn’t miss any games. Now, the one thing I will say – and I’ve even told Melo this – scoring 30 meant too much to Melo. … Because, he could have games where he had 20, 22, we win the game, and he’s mad. He might have 36 … we lose the game and he’s in there (the locker room) picking everybody up.”
Some say the Los Angeles Lakers have interest in signing Carmelo. However, they have made many other roster moves and he was not included.