Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony apologized publicly Tuesday for his actions Saturday night at Madison Square Garden that led to a 15-game suspension. He has not yet decided whether to appeal.
Anthony was suspended Monday by NBA commissioner David Stern for punching Mardy Collins of the New York Knicks late in the Nuggets’ 123-100 victory.
“I think it’s embarrassing,” Anthony said. “I was doing good out there. For a situation like that to happen in the heat of the moment and everything, you’re doing so good for one second and then the next second you’re down to the bottom.”
Anthony had issued a written apology to the media Sunday but had not talked publicly about his actions until Tuesday.
“I’ve got to live with it,” he said. “I live and I learn from my mistakes, and you’ve got to move on.”
Anthony said Collins said something to provoke him, but declined to say what it was.
Anthony added that he was surprised Knicks coach Isiah Thomas didn’t get suspended. The Nuggets believe Thomas ordered his players to commit a rough foul late in the game because of his displeasure with Nuggets coach George Karl keeping his starters in the game.
“Very, very surprised about what happened on his behalf,” Anthony said. “It is what it is.”
Anthony’s agent Calvin Andrews said it’s uncertain if an appeal will be filed. He’s concerned whether it would get to an arbitrator before the suspension ends. He is talking with players union leader Billy Hunter.
“We’re looking at what makes sense. We are going to present that to Melo at the end of the day to see if that is something we want to do or not,” Andrews said Tuesday.
Unless he wins an appeal, Anthony’s suspension will keep him out of play until Jan. 20 at Houston.
During that time, Nuggets strength and conditioning coach Steve Hess said Anthony and J.R. Smith will continue to train.
“They are going to do a ton of basketball-related stuff,” Hess said. “I’ll monitor it.”
Smith was suspended for 10 games, and Nene will return tonight from his one-game suspension for leaving the bench. Smith will be available Jan. 8 against Milwaukee.
Smith said Tuesday he plans to appeal his suspension but was unsure when that would happen.
“I did the wrong thing, and I was in the wrong,” Smith said. “I feel embarrassed for myself and for my team … and for Carmelo because I put him in that situation. My family is embarrassed by this.”
Staff writer Robert Sanchez contributed to this report.
