Jordan calls Melo ,K-Mart vs. Timmy T - Don King To Promote?

[Ataraxia]

Jordan phones to check up on Melo

Basketball not part of conversation, Anthony reports

By Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News
December 11, 2004

TORONTO — In the midst of one of the toughest stretches in his young career, Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony received a call from the boss.

Not general manager Kiki Vandeweghe. Not coach Jeff Bzdelik. Not owner Stan Kroenke.

M.J. His Airness. Michael Jordan.

"I talked to him a couple weeks ago," Anthony said Friday before Denver's game against the Toronto Raptors. "He hit (called) me. It wasn't nothing about basketball. Just talking to see how I was doing. He was checking up on me."

The short conversation came after Anthony's signature Brand Jordan shoe, the Carmelo 1.5, debuted in stores.

Word out of Chicago was rdan was unhappy Anthony was selected as the next young face of the Jumpman line produced by Nike.
Anthony dismissed the notion that he and Jordan have any problems.

"There's always rumors going around, man," he said.

The rumors no doubt were driven by the bad publicity Anthony has received over the past four months.

The lowlights have included a nightclub fight, a petty marijuana charge that was later dropped and a cameo appearance on a bootleg DVD that glamorizes drug dealers and threatens informants who go to the police.

It has been more than a week since Anthony has had to deal with any off-the-court issues, and his play has reflected his renewed focus.

In the past four games, Anthony has averaged 26.8 points on 39-for-71 (.549) shooting.

"He's growing up in front of America's eyes," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "He's always experienced success, but there's always a next level to get to.

"We'll just keep working every day on the court to get him heading north."

READY TO RUMBLE: For the first time since last year's playoffs, Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin and Knicks forward Tim Thomas will share the court.

Thomas called Martin a fugazy — fake — tough guy during New Jersey's first-round sweep of the Knicks. He later said he would like to fight Martin in a boxing ring.

Though certain to be surrounded by plenty of New York reporters Sunday, Martin refused to get caught up in Thomas' antics.

"Just another gym," he said. "It wasn't a playoff battle. I'm a grown man. I ain't got time for all that."

Don King apparently said he would set up a match between the two players but David Stern said he wont allow violence in the NBA except in Detroit.

[Drex]

Don King apparently said he would set up a match between the two players but David Stern said he wont allow violence in the NBA except in Detroit.

READY TO RUMBLE: For the first time since last year's playoffs, Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin and Knicks forward Tim Thomas will share the court.

Thomas called Martin a fugazy — fake — tough guy during New Jersey's first-round sweep of the Knicks. He later said he would like to fight Martin in a boxing ring.

Though certain to be surrounded by plenty of New York reporters Sunday, Martin refused to get caught up in Thomas' antics.

"Just another gym," he said. "It wasn't a playoff battle. I'm a grown man. I ain't got time for all that."

Even if Martin were a "fugazy" tough guy, I'd still think he could kick Thomas ass.

[MC Hao]

as a knicks fan, im not on tim's side, he sucks so bad i hope martin will beat the shit out of him so he cant play no more and we can get some medical exception or something.

[cklitsie]

Yeah, K-Mart should just throws chair on him or something like that, so that the Knicks can just release Tim Thomas without keeping his contract.

And I'm with you on the "Knicks Eastern Conference Champs"

[John-John Joe]

Yeah, K-Mart should just throws chair on him or something like that, so that the Knicks can just release Tim Thomas without keeping his contract.

And I'm with you on the "Knicks Eastern Conference Champs"

Love that avatar Big C!