MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Carmelo Anthony missed his fifth consecutive game Wednesday night when the Nuggets faced the Grizzlies.
Sitting out is officially getting old for the all-star forward.
“I’ve been hoping to return every game, but it’s not happening like that,” Anthony said. “It’s frustrating sitting out anyway, especially when I want to be out there. The team needs me out there and I can’t help them from the back of the locker room.”
Anthony shot jumpers after the morning shootaround and tried to warm up prior to the game, but the ankle didn’t respond well enough for him to give it a go. He’ll get two days’ rest before the Nuggets’ next game, Saturday at home against Charlotte.
“Sometimes I think that I can go out there and still be me,” Anthony said. “But it’s still kind of hard for me to push off, but it’s getting better and better each day. It felt better today. I made progress today. Before, I couldn’t even do what I did (at shootaround), jumping up and down, shooting. Now I’m going to start working on cutting and doing things like that.”
Anthony said he’s not coming back until he’s fully recovered.
“I don’t want to feel forced to come back, tweak this ankle again and make it carry on throughout next month and the month after that and stuff like that,” he said.
Welcome back, Chucky.
Chucky Atkins returned to Memphis for the first time since playing for the Grizzlies last season, but not in the matter that he would have liked — in street clothes.
“I’m just here to support the team,” said Atkins, who signed with the Nuggets as a free agent after the season but is out until March after having sports hernia surgery. “I had fun here in Memphis. It was definitely a good experience for me.”
Footnotes.
According to , Nene is deciding whether or not to undergo chemotherapy further to reduce the risk of his cancer returning. “There is discussion, probably opinions and second opinions are being discussed on what is the best way to go,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “I think the truth of the matter is Nene has to make that decision, but I think he’s gathering information.” . . . All-star reserves will be revealed today. The remaining players are chosen by league coaches. Nuggets center Marcus Camby is vying for a spot on the team. Anthony and Allen Iverson were selected as starters for the Western Conference.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
