Team USA is Rejecting Carmelo Anthony for All the Wrong Reasons

Are we the only ones clamoring for Carmelo Anthony to be gifted one last chance in the Association? It just so happens that a tournament is looming that would present the 10-time All-Star with the perfect opportunity to showcase what he has left in the tank: the FIBA World Cup.

However, Team USA shockingly opted to leave Melo off the 35-player roster, despite him being the Olympics Team's all-time leading scorer. Well, we now have a reported reason for his omission, and believe us when we say it makes NO sense whatsoever.

Per TMZ Sports, Team USA overlooked the former Scoring Champ out of concern that he'd be a distraction to the squad.

"...For where we are and what we’re doing, that conceivably could have been a distraction," said Team USA's basketball sporting director Jerry Colangelo. "I understand why the request was made. He’s trying to reestablish himself. I think that has to be done in the NBA.”

Sorry, Mr. Colangelo. Your explanation is genuinely illogical. Melo wanting to reestablish himself means he would give it ALL for America in the tourney. James Harden, Kawhi Leonard, Damian Lillard, and Kevin Love all withdrew their names from consideration and you manage to turn down a player desperate to represent his country...because you fear he'd be a diversion?

At this point, the biggest distraction is the amount of players who decided NOT to play for Team USA.

Who cares if the Syracuse product is past his prime? He's an icon on the international basketball scene and has represented Team USA honorably in the past.

Colangelo and Co. are ostracizing Anthony for ALL of the wrong reasons.