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Carmelo Anthony to the Miami Heat could be a dream or nightmare

By Brandon Johnson

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks greet each other before the opening tipoff at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2015 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 27: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat and Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks greet each other before the opening tipoff at Madison Square Garden on November 27, 2015 in New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 15: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Utah Jazz during Game one and Round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – APRIL 15: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the game against the Utah Jazz during Game one and Round one of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 15, 2018 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Challenging An Ego

Miami needs a go-to scoring presence who won’t back down from adversity. Part of that adversity involves joining a team that asks every player to buy into it’s vision.

Anthony’s track record is scarred by an ego not even Madison Square Garden could contain. In New York, he played chicken with Phil Jackson, refusing to waive his no-trade clause seemingly out of spite. In Oklahoma, Anthony scoffed at coming off the bench to deepen the Thunder’s rotations.

"“Ay, P, they say I gotta come off the bench,” Anthony laughed in a preseason press event."

Moments and comments like these are unshakeable, even for the associations’ best. A year after being labeled a snake, cupcake and everything in between, Kevin Durant is still wrestling with being the superstar who took the easy route.

Coming to Miami would be a challenge unlike anything Anthony has faced. It’s been four years since James left Miami to return to Cleveland, and Riley and James’ relationship is still subject to scrutiny. Some suggest buying into Riley’s and head coach Erik Spoesltra’s plan entailed sacrifices James wasn’t’ fully able to accept, given his position as an all-time great.

In Miami, Anthony would become a leader in ways that have yet to be asked in his 15 seasons. Balancing the act of mentoring Miami’s youth while keeping his ego in check when getting an earful from the Riley, Spoelstra or Udonis Haslem could be too much to bear for a player willing to jeopardize a playoff team like the Thunder.

Next: Miami Heat: Rook 1 and Rook 2 getting more confident in their games

Miami will gladly welcome a renewed Anthony. Just be sure to leave your ego at the front door.

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