Carmelo Anthony may be sending Denver Nuggets fans on an emotional roller coaster while he decides whether or not he wants out of the Mile High City, but at least one thing's for sure: he won't treat fans the same way that LeBron James did last summer.
James, the reigning NBA MVP, infamously dragged out a media frenzy surrounding his free agency for weeks before announcing on a tacky ESPN special that he was leaving Cleveland for the Miami Heat.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Melo said he would avoid such tactics.
"I would never go about it the way LeBron did it," the Nuggets' three-time All-Star forward told Sports Illustrated's Ian Thomsen. "If he [LeBron] could do it all over again, he wouldn't do it that way -- he would do it a totally different way, I can guarantee you that."
Anthony's future has been a hot topic among NBA fans since the 26-year-old forward turned down a 3-year, $65 million extension that the Nuggets offered last summer. The Nuggets, in an effort to avoid the catastrophe that struck the Cleveland Cavaliers when James left in free agency, would like to trade him so that they at least get something in return for losing their franchise player.
In an interview over the weekend, Anthony said it was his dream to play for the New York Knicks, although most rumors have centered on the New jersey Nets, who could offer Denver a more attractive package of assets in a trade.
Melo also talked about hearing boos from Nuggets fans. "People throw away that whole seven-and-half years, and that's what makes me laugh," Anthony told Thomsen.
The Denver Post reported that Anthony jerseys were selling for 50% off at the Pepsi Center in Denver over the weekend.