LINCICOME: Anthony perfecting another game: sorry

By Bernie Lincicome, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Chris Schneider / The Rocky

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony arrives at a news conference Tuesday to address his arrest on suspicion of DUI.

Carmelo Anthony is not only sorry, he is truly sorry, a greater degree than plain sorry and sorrier now than he was the last time. And the time before that.

One wonders if, to save time, Anthony should not just get a "Sorry" tattoo in some of the remaining available body space and, when appropriate, just point to it.

An Anthony apology, unlike wedding dresses and coffins, should not be limited to the one time, but should, like the plastic grocery bag and the pocket comb, be reusable.

None among us, after all, thinks this will be the last time Anthony will feel the need to send his regrets. This is a young man of great variety, capable of getting off the rails without great effort, and always sorry, now truly sorry, about it later.

His short apology was OK, as far as it went. Truly.

But I think, just in case, that Anthony might want to have preissued apologies for future indiscretions.

He could have one for all-purpose misbehavior.

"To Denver Nuggets fans and my teammates, I am here to man up for my actions. I was wrong. I accept my punishment. I realize what I did was thoughtless and selfish, whatever it was, and it will not happen again unless it does."

Anthony could have one for general casualness.

"I want to say I am sorry that I have only so much room in my life, or you could be here with me. I would like to look each of you in the eye and tell you that. And I would like you to look me in the eye and tell me, 'Carmelo, you can't do what you do,' but coach says I have to be quiet now."

He could have one for general style.

"To those who do not wear a headband or a stretch bandage on one arm to work, this is not meant to scorn your lack of imagination or your inadequate sense of panache. I realize that not everyone has my flair for design, and I do not mean to imply that I am unhappy to share my shoe brand with Michael Jordan, but what has he done lately?"

He could exhibit a role model's sense of responsibility.

"I ask for public forgiveness for any children I may have influenced to, oh, I don't know, get caught in a street video condemning snitching or having marijuana in a backpack at the airport. I would ask you to please remember that small forwards do not warp your children when you aren't looking, the Internet does."

Anthony should have a standing account with a florist and leave a standing order with the mailing addresses of league officials, his teammates and coaches, assorted opponents and anyone who has bought his jersey.

He could send tulips for immaturity, roses for failed sobriety, carnations for bad judgment and calla lilies for missed free throws, though nothing shows real sincerity quite like a fern.

The card would read, "Please accept my apology and these lovely (check one)."

Anthony should have an apology for his defenders, too, those who see his growing public record as mere mischief or youthful misjudgment. Let anyone among us who has never been stopped for DUI and driven to a five-star hotel by the cops cast the first stone.

"To my fans and well-wishers, I want to apologize for continually abusing all the good opinion you have of me and for misusing the good will you extend to me.

"When they were leaving me off the All-Star team, you have stood by me. You were there when my youthful enthusiasm and closed fist got me 15 games at Madison Square Garden and then allowed Allen Iverson to get his foot in the door of my house.

"Those of you who overlook my not getting out of the first round of the playoffs and see the greater good of my helping the national team win trinkets, you have my undying appreciation.

"I know these are not just empty gestures, but come from a real approval of me as a person and an athlete and with a genuine affection for me that I have done little enough to deserve."

Or Anthony could just have a short version printed on business cards so he can hand them out whenever it becomes necessary.

"To whom I may disappoint: I would like to apologize for whatever you think I may have done, or am about to do."

Truly.

• April 17, 2008

  10:42 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jbowen43 writes:

  What a cynical and ignorant column, but what we have learned to expect from the Denver media. We may have big league sports teams, and hall of fame players, but it will take considerable time and effort for the sports writers to get to the big leagues. Time we have, but effort we haven't seen, except for Woodrow Paige.

• April 17, 2008

  7:25 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  nmbronco1 writes:

  Like usual, the Denver media makes a huge deal about a mistake made by one of the local sports heroes.

  This weekend I'll turn 53, and I can well remember being a "young buck" and "feeling it" and getting into trouble in the quasi-nazi state of Colorado during my early and mid-20s. Colorado is all about youth but, boy, if you act youthful, you can be in a world of trouble.

  Of course, I was just a construction worker in my mid 20s, not an NBA superstar - but like Carmelo, I had relationships, things weren't always cool, and sometimes I drank or partied too much. I can assure you that the cops were always there to let me know when I crossed the line. And, like Carmelo, I had to deal with the consequences and repercussions - only the media wasn't there making a huge deal about it. It is part of growing up. Today I own and operate a successful construction company and still can outwork many people in their 20s. Nope, not worth millions, but I sure wish I could play B-ball like Carmelo does (too bad I'm only 5'9!)

  Now, small minded, basically limited in experience wimpy sports column writers can spend a bunch of time knocking the local 23 year old basketball star from the streets of Baltmore who made a mistake - and then write ridiculous columns about how classy golfers are. GIVE US A BREAK!!! Basketball, football, hockey, and baseball even at their worst are 10 times more interesting as golf. Perhaps the players sometimes "step over the line" - but don't you think that is part of what makes them INTERESTING? And as for your recent article "T.M.A.I." - I hope you have to eat your words big time about how you knocked AI (Allen Iverson) when the Nuggets give the Lakers a run for their money or better. Too many times, Lincicome, you sound like you are a sports writer from Oakland or Indianapolis or Dallas. Maybe some paper in one of those towns should give you a job. Until then, lighten up on the local teams and start giving support instead of the type of destructive criticism that seems to dominate in your tiresome columns. All of those cities would love to see columns bashing Denver and it's teams - maybe you should consider a career change!

• April 17, 2008

  8:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  cusefan writes:

  what an ignorant column. you ever see "A Bronx Tale"? I would like to re-enact the scene where sonny and his goons lock all the bikers in the bar and beat the crap out of them. Only we would lock these idiot columnists in the bar and we should let the athletes rough them up.