CARMELO WAS TURNED DOWN BY USA BASKETBALL

[The_Hater]

Keep in mind this guy had a nice contract with OKC for another year and he whined his way out of it. Melo got exactly what he deserved. He refused to adapt his game, he refused to stay in shape, and he refused to come off the bench. With that said, the guy is underappreciated. He is an easy HOF'er. It's time to let it go.

Being in NBA shape at 35 isn't exactly easy.

Especially for a player who was never known for his high fitness level and great workout schedule.

[The_Hater]

I think he should be on the team.

So team USA is so desperate right now that they’re going to start adding players who aren’t even good enough to hold down NBA jobs?

[Ben Simmons]

Melo would have scored huge for Team USA.
He's definitely good enough to be on the team

[ShazamDaShiznt]

Jerry is a POS for making a statement like that, all he had to say is "we want young guys on the team". All this Melo being distraction is just old man with privilleges feeling too comfortable talking on guys who dedicated their time for team USA multiple times.

In a typical rich people fashion, he gives his talentless son a great job opportunity, but then talks on professionalism like he promotes that 100% of the time

[ChiCitySPORTS#1]

Ehh kinda bogus. He earned his stripes there, they should've gave him a role on the team.

[Sandman88]

I don’t get why people feel bad for Melo or think he deserves a spot. He makes it very clear that he’s a starter and scoffs at the idea of being a role player. He has no leadership qualities and he can’t even score with average efficiency. It’s well documented that he’s been a detriment to his teams over the last few years, so why does he deserve to represent the most stacked country?

Just because he had a few good tournaments with team USA doesn’t mean he gets a lifetime pass.

He was just on First Take saying he'll take any role a team gives him whether its off the bench or starting. It's clear that he's humbled, and the fact he was a key contributor to winning gold for his country and can't even get an invite at this point is pretty disrespectful IMO.

[Sandman88]

I think he should be on the team.

So team USA is so desperate right now that they’re going to start adding players who aren’t even good enough to hold down NBA jobs?

He is absolutely good enough to be on an NBA team right now and its obvious that he's not on one because of political reasons.

Now that his First take interview came out, I think he'll start getting some feelers and end up somewhere by the end of the year.

[dhsilv2]

I think he should be on the team.

So team USA is so desperate right now that they’re going to start adding players who aren’t even good enough to hold down NBA jobs?

He is absolutely good enough to be on an NBA team right now and its obvious that he's not on one because of political reasons.

Now that his First take interview came out, I think he'll start getting some feelers and end up somewhere by the end of the year.

Admitting you watched first take deserves respect. Thinking Melo is good enough to play basketball at that level however...that's just crazy talk. We've seen him back to back years...he is completely done as a pro level player outside of china. He can't defend anyone, at all.

[Duke4life831]

Im not getting the "he deserved to be on this team" takes. Kobe was great on Team USA as well, does that mean if he decided he wanted to come out of retirement to play, Team USA should open a spot for him because of things he did in the past?

The last time Melo was on the team he was still an all star on the Knicks and scoring 22ppg in the NBA. The last we saw of Melo was playing horrible for the Thunder then only making it 10 games with the Rockets last year and he hasn't been signed to another team since.

If we want to talk about someone earning the spot on the team, how about one of the young guys who are playing their asses off and are currently better players than him. Give me a Bagley or Collins over Melo on this team.

[The_Hater]

I think he should be on the team.

So team USA is so desperate right now that they’re going to start adding players who aren’t even good enough to hold down NBA jobs?

He is absolutely good enough to be on an NBA team right now and its obvious that he's not on one because of political reasons.

Now that his First take interview came out, I think he'll start getting some feelers and end up somewhere by the end of the year.

Well he's not and we only have to watch the past 2 seasons for proof of that. He's been a huge net negative on both ends of the court and isn't a team player who does any of the little things that role players do to help teams win games.

You're not the only person who is stuck on this outdated notion that Melo is still a quality NBA player, there's a few of you kicking around still. He's had a great career and is going to the hall of fame but time and age eventually pass every athlete.

[Frank Dux]

I think he should be on the team.

So team USA is so desperate right now that they’re going to start adding players who aren’t even good enough to hold down NBA jobs?

He is absolutely good enough to be on an NBA team right now and its obvious that he's not on one because of political reasons.

Now that his First take interview came out, I think he'll start getting some feelers and end up somewhere by the end of the year.

He's a defensive liability and has had a TS% of .501% and .513 the last two seasons. Tell me again how Carmelo brings value to team USA and NBA teams?

Carmelo is good for 13 points a game on 12 shots. What a tragedy that this guy can't find a team, it's definitely all political .

[Frank Dux]

Ehh kinda bogus. He earned his stripes there, they should've gave him a role on the team.

Using your logic, we might as well bring these guys back

[Plutonashfan]

Damn! Joe Harris got an invite over him!

[madmaxmedia]

Ehh kinda bogus. He earned his stripes there, they should've gave him a role on the team.

At the very least, give him a chance at making the team.

[madmaxmedia]

So team USA is so desperate right now that they’re going to start adding players who aren’t even good enough to hold down NBA jobs?

He is absolutely good enough to be on an NBA team right now and its obvious that he's not on one because of political reasons.

Now that his First take interview came out, I think he'll start getting some feelers and end up somewhere by the end of the year.

Well he's not and we only have to watch the past 2 seasons for proof of that. He's been a huge net negative on both ends of the court and isn't a team player who does any of the little things that role players do to help teams win games.

You're not the only person who is stuck on this outdated notion that Melo is still a quality NBA player, there's a few of you kicking around still. He's had a great career and is going to the hall of fame but time and age eventually pass every athlete.

When players have a 'come to Jesus' moment, I usually have a soft spot for them and hope they end up in a camp somewhere to at least get a shot. But yeah the last 2 years have not been kind for Melo.

[Catchall]

USA likes their Khris Middleton, Jayson Tatum and Joe Harris. Plus they have a few guys on the Select team they could call in if they needed to.

[Ayt]

So now don't get all bent out of shape that players do not want to play for this team.

Because they turned down a guy that isn't even in the NBA anymore?

[SF_Warriors]

This year is the first time in 13 years the US national team has lost. Last time was when they took the bronze in the 2006 FIBA world cup. To be honest - they might have benefited from some leadership.

They have kyle lowry on the team, who is a nba champ and olympic gold medalist.multiple veteran guys like brook, middleton, kemba, tucker..they need talent, not vets who cant play.

[SichtingLives]

Someone needs to sit this dude down like Brenden schaub and tell him its over

[predators]

Melo was arguably a better Fiba player than NBA player. This is going to be the least talented roster we've taken to worlds in awhile, I kind of like the idea of having a veteran on the team even if he's end of the bench.