Nuggets coach George Karl plans to go a bit easier on Carmelo Anthony when preseason camp begins, considering the star forward is playing for Team USA at the world championships in Japan.
“What Melo is learning and the responsibilities he’s being given are 10 times better than the fatigue factor,” Karl said Thursday.
Anthony has shined for Team USA, and also as a leader, as acknowledged by coach Mike Krzyzewski, who named Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as team captains Thursday.
Anthony led Team USA in scoring in five exhibition games – which the Americans won by an average of 34 points – leading up to the world tournament.
“We do have really good shooters,” Krzyzewski told reporters in Japan. “Carmelo has been unbelievable.”
Team USA begins tournament play tonight at 11 p.m. MDT against Puerto Rico.
