Knicks: Playing For Team USA Will Help Carmelo Anthony

Staying Fresh

The most common misconception about a player going overseas to play with Team USA is that it’s risky from a physical perspective. There are obvious injury concerns, but it’s actually a great way for players to stay fresh.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Team USA assistant coach Jim Boeheim believes that NBA players benefit far more than they suffer from the Olympic experience.

"“I’m of the strong opinion the guys who play with us lift the game to another level and they get in great shape,’’ Boeheim said. “They’re not overworked. Our practices — 20 minutes in a game — they’d spend more time in a gym that wouldn’t be as useful. They’re doing stuff useful for them under supervision and in a competitive situation that’s going to help them.”"

Boeheim, of course, was the head coach of the Syracuse Orange team that Carmelo Anthony led to a national championship in 2003.

Boeheim is entirely accurate in the statements he made. The practices are light, the minutes played in games are limited, and the surroundings consist of star-caliber players and brilliant coaches—and nothing less.

Not only is the physical experience more of a refresher than a burden, but every player’s game is elevated by merely surrounding themselves with great talent and intellect.

That’s proven true throughout Anthony’s career. When he goes overseas to play with Team USA at the Olympics, he comes back at an extraordinary level and dominates in the NBA.

In other words, the New York Knicks shouldn’t be worried about the fact that Anthony is playing for Team USA; the Knicks should be enthralled.

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