BEIJING — Carmelo Anthony almost floated off the medal stand and whisked through the flash-popping frenzy, his body as light as the moment was heavy.
He then locked eyes with an onlooker, who screamed, “Melo, is this the best feeling of your life?”
The question hit Anthony — hit him hard — and suddenly you could see the moment’s significance seize his face. Before he opened his mouth, you knew what answer was coming.
On Sunday, the Nuggets all-star reached his personal pinnacle, a gold medal for Team USA, which defeated Spain 118-107 in a heart-thumping game, one the U.S. team led by just four points with 2:11 left.
After an uninspired effort at the 2004 Games, the 2008 “Redeem Team” exemplified teamwork.
And Anthony, who hasn’t won a playoff series in Denver, felt this summer’s experience will help him when the season arrives this fall.
“As a player, I’ve got to take this momentum, this confidence, into the season,” said Anthony, 24. “My main thing was going out there and doing things other than scoring — defending the other teams’ best players, rebounding and just helping my team out.”
Anthony’s scoring performance was shaky during these eight games of the Olympic tournament. Only Michael Redd had a lower shooting percentage on Team USA than Anthony’s .421. And though he made the second-most 3-pointers (14), he also missed the second-most (23). But Anthony found other ways to contribute offensively, notably getting to the foul line, as seen in the semifinals against Argentina, when he made all 13 free-throw attempts.
Overall, he averaged 11.5 points and 19 minutes per game, the fourth-highest scoring average on the squad.
And Melo embraced playing defense.
“He’s already one of the best players in the world,” Team USA forward Carlos Boozer said, “and this is only going to enhance what he can already do — especially if he starts playing on the other side of the ball like he’s playing here.”
Anthony repeatedly said you can’t slouch on defense when playing for the “Redeem Team.”
The Nuggets finished eighth in the Western Conference last season but blew a handful of winnable games, mostly because of complacency. If Denver had won just some of those games, it would have had a higher seed and a better chance to advance in the postseason.
Perhaps Anthony’s experience in Beijing will give him motivation to focus in on, say, games at Atlanta or Milwaukee, potentially easy wins, which last season were deflating losses.
How has Anthony become a better defender? Coaches and players here say his attitude has improved, as has his desire to guard better players.
“He’s guarded Dirk Nowitzki, Luis Scola, guys who are really good players, and he’s rebounded well,” said Team USA assistant coach Jim Boeheim, Anthony’s coach at Syracuse. “The international game is so physical, and he’s probably our most physical guy, him and Dwyane Wade.
“He’s guarding tougher guys, he’s helping better. I’ve seen a big improvement defensively in LeBron (James), Carmelo, Dwyane — noticeable improvement — since they started here.”
One could sense Anthony’s intensity in the semifinals against Argentina, when he and Scola square-danced (trapezoid-danced?) in low-post battles, again and again. At one point, Anthony threw a forearm at Scola, not a wise move, but a revealing one, showing Anthony’s passion to battle. Another time, Dwight Howard was fouled hard, and it was Anthony who hopped in the hacker’s face.
“He’s a tough guy who can mix it up,” said Wade, who played with Anthony, James and Boozer on the 2004 team. “He gets into little things on the court — well, he’s protecting his teammates. He’s a glue guy with unbelievable talent. It’s great to have him.
“I don’t think he gets credit that he’s been a very good defender for us in these Olympic Games.”
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
