By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
April 17, 2006
Carmelo Anthony didn't write to Dear Abby. Nevertheless, the Denver Nuggets forward is getting plenty of advice.
After holding Anthony to 15 points on 5 of 13 shooting in a 100-82 win Saturday, Sacramento Kings forward Ron Artest said Anthony needs to "do more without the ball."
He said he could help a player like Anthony with coaching.
"I appreciate that," Nuggets coach George Karl said Sunday. "It helps us coach."
Karl then offered his own thoughts about Anthony's recent play.
"Anybody that knows basketball knows that Melo has got to develop the other aspects of his game," Karl said.
"He's had (17) consecutive games where he hasn't had more than five rebounds. You can't do that. . . . Especially if we play (the good-rebounding Los Angeles Clippers in the playoffs)."
Anthony, whose rebounding average of 4.9 is down from his 5.9 career mark entering the season, agrees he must do better. But he was not enthralled with Karl's public declaration.
"I don't need him telling anybody what I need to do," Anthony said. "I just go out and do it myself. . . . I'm not saying I'm perfect in anything. . . . I'd rather just (have Karl) tell me what I need to do."
As for Artest's comments, Anthony laughed them off.
"I've been playing the same way since I was a little kid," he said.
Artest said he doesn't want to give Anthony "too many of my tips." But he said Anthony should "pass to his teammates a little more."
In the fourth quarter Saturday, Anthony merely watched.
Karl sat him and point guard Andre Miller because the score was lopsided and Karl said neither was playing well.
"I wanted to play," Anthony said. "(But) it's nothing I can be upset about."
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