Playing in FIBA World Cup is Only Thing That Can Save Carmelo Anthony

If Carmelo Anthony wants to return to the court sooner rather than later, why not do so in China?

No, not the Shanghai Sharks. The FIBA World Cup.

Olympic Melo is a basketball legend. With an immense amount of talent around him and free reign to launch threes at will, Melo -- especially at this stage of his career -- is best-suited in the Team USA environment rather than an iso-heavy one.

Anthony was Team USA's second-leading scorer in 2016 with 12.1 points per game, behind Kevin Durant's 19.4. Melo has shot 45 percent from three-point range in 2012 and 2016 as well.

If Melo's goal is to get onto an NBA roster by October, why not showcase his game on a stage where he's already proven himself?

The experiments in OKC and Houston did not work at all, and at this point, the Lakers might not even consider him for a roster spot. Melo needs the FIBA World Cup as a way to prove that he can still score at a high level.

Team USA has seen the following stars withdraw from the tournament: Zion Williamson, Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, James Harden, DeMar DeRozan, CJ McCollum, Eric Gordon, Tobias Harris and most recently, Kevin Love and Damian Lillard.

Team USA is in need of a veteran presence to keep the young up-and-comers company. USA is expected to be represented by the likes of Jayson Tatum, Donovan Mitchell and Kemba Walker. The oldest player on the roster is Paul Millsap at 34, who is a nice player but lacks the star power.

Melo has to represent his country and move his agenda forward by playing in the FIBA World Cup. It's time to put his ego aside because his go-big-or-go-home stage is right in front of him.