Nuggets' Anthony awaiting decision

Forward apologizes for fight; suspension could be 10 games

Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 18, 2006 at midnight

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It looked to be another banner week for Carmelo Anthony, who already has on his mantel two awards this season for player of the week.

His donation of $1.5 million to The Carmelo Anthony Youth Development Center was announced and a grand opening was held Thursday in Baltimore, where he grew up. The Nuggets forward was coming off games of 37 and 42 points, and he was putting the finishing touches on a 34-point effort Saturday in what would be a 123-100 win at New York.

But with one punch, the NBA's leading scorer saw his season take a hit.

Anthony now awaits today's expected word from the NBA on how many games he will be suspended for throwing a right jab at Mardy Collins, a Knicks rookie. Collins had touched off a brawl with a flagrant foul on Anthony's good friend and teammate, J.R. Smith, late in Saturday's game.

In a statement Sunday, Anthony apologized and said he takes "full responsibility for my actions."

Talk around the NBA is it wouldn't be a surprise if Anthony were to be sat down for 10 games. Several other players and a coach also are in line to receive suspensions and fines.

"We're praying for single digits," said Anthony's agent, Calvin Andrews. "I'm hearing 10 (games suspended). I'm hearing six. Who knows?"

Spokesman Tim Frank said the NBA spent Sunday conducting interviews and watching film. He said a decision should be announced today on punishments, with the Nuggets playing host to Washington and the Knicks playing at home against Utah.

There is speculation Smith could be suspended for about five games, and forward Nene is expected to receive an automatic one-game penalty for leaving the bench area. In addition to Collins, New York players Nate Robinson and Jared Jeffries are looking at suspensions, as is Jerome James, who also left the bench.

"I think he's facing two or three games," Smith's father, Earl Smith, said of his son's suspension. "Five at the max."

Also in jeopardy is Knicks coach Isiah Thomas, who said after the game the decision by Nuggets coach George Karl to leave starters Anthony and center Marcus Camby in played a role in Collins' foul. Andrews said Anthony told him Thomas warned Anthony shortly before the brawl there could be repercussions due to the starters still being on the court.

Many believe the NBA, still recovering from a November 2004 brawl involving Detroit and Indiana, will come down hard. Anthony, who gave his side Sunday to an NBA investigator, is expected to get the harshest penalty.

"In the heat of the moment, I let my emotions get the best of me," Anthony said. "I apologize to the fans, the Denver Nuggets, the NBA, my mother and my family for the embarrassment I have caused them. I ask you all for your forgiveness."

With the Nuggets leading 119-100 with 1:15 left, Collins grabbed Smith around the neck as he went in for a breakaway dunk or layup. Smith got up and jawed at Collins.

Robinson jumped in and the fight escalated. Smith and Robinson grappled and tumbled into the front row, and Smith threw a punch at Robinson.

The situation, which ended with all 10 players in the game ejected, then seemed to die down. But Anthony, while being held back by Knicks assistant Mark Aguirre, punched Collins in the head and retreated toward midcourt, with Jeffries chasing after him before being stopped.

"He said that he was provoked. He said Collins said something to him," said Andrews, who said Anthony wasn't specific. "But that's still no excuse for the nature of the confrontation."

Anthony has made great strides to rebuild his image since he had several negative off-the-court incidents two years ago.

"It's sad," Andrews said. "All I can say is the kid had been doing so many great things. For this incident to happen now is just sad all the way around. . . . He's very apologetic."

Anthony had been all smiles at his youth center two days earlier.

"What makes this all the more painful is that this was one of the most important weeks of my life," Anthony said. "I just realized one of my biggest dreams when we opened the Youth Center in Baltimore that bears my name. . . . Now the thought of thousands of kids seeing this incident on TV pains me. . . . This is not the example I want to set."

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien, who cut short a scouting trip and returned to Denver, indicated Sunday afternoon he might have a comment by evening but didn't return messages. Neither team practiced, and Karl and Thomas weren't available.

Andrews said the incident "could" cost Anthony a spot in the All-Star Game, although he hopes Western coaches, who vote for reserves, won't hold the incident against him. Andrews said it also will depend on how many games Anthony misses.

Suspensions could be tough on the Nuggets. Anthony is averaging 31.6 points and Smith is second on the team at 16.7.

Earl Smith was at Saturday's game, sitting in the front row at the opposite baseline. He blamed Robinson for escalating the fight but said his son also was at fault.

"He's a young kid," Earl Smith said. "Everyone makes mistakes. He'll learn from this. He grew up real quick. . . . He's apologetic."

Earl Smith said he saw Nene leave the bench as a peacemaker, but that still would result in a one-game suspension. He said Anthony came to the defense of his friend.

"J.R. and Carmelo are real tight," Earl Smith said. "I think he thought J.R. was hurt (he wasn't). He was like a big brother protecting him."

Now, another Big Brother, the NBA, will administer justice.

Carmelo Anthony's statement

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony issued this statement Sunday through his agent, Calvin Andrews:

"Last night's altercation with the Knicks escalated further than it should have. 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 apologize to the fans, the Denver Nuggets, the NBA, my mother and my family for the embarrassment I have caused them. I ask you all for your forgiveness.

"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 embarrassing situation.

"What makes this all the more painful is that this was one of the most important weeks of my life. I just realized one of my biggest dreams when we opened the Youth Center in Baltimore that bears my name. To see the community excited and hundreds of kids smiling was an incredible feeling. Now the thought of thousands of kids seeing this incident on TV pains me. This is not the example I want to set.

"It's my hope that we work to move forward from this event and never let something like this happen again."

Carmelo Anthony

tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5125

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