'Melo's got talent, but it'll take more to be NBA royalty

PHOENIX -- The Nuggets were here in Phoenix on Monday for their fourth game in five nights.

You're here now to answer a simple question: Has the basketball world finally embraced Denver forward Carmelo Anthony as NBA aristocracy?

The wording almost presupposes the answer.

Carmelo Anthony's visit to the desert capped a run of 22-for-65 shooting over three games. (Getty Images)

As you listen to a steady stream of the game's most respected coaches and players saying the only things opponents ever say (unless you're Shaquille O'Neal talking about Dwight Howard), you're ready to add your stamp of approval.

"His ball-handling," Suns guard Steve Nash said, "coupled with his height, his strength and his shooting ability makes for a special mix."

The numbers don't lie. Through Tuesday, Anthony was third in the league in scoring at 28.6 points per game while averaging 6.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a career-high 1.3 steals per game.

That is a rare mix.

Everyone is talking about the free-agent class of 2010, headlined by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Anthony will top the list in 2011.

"Whatever team he joins, he’ll make them a contender," Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said.

Just look at the individual honors.

"Anybody who gets named a starter on the Olympic team and in the All-Star Game is definitely one of the game's elite," Suns forward Amar'e Stoudemire added.

Anthony was the All-Star Game's fifth-leading vote-getter, so you nod in agreement, and then recount the anecdotes.

There's D'Antoni lamenting Anthony's season-high 50-point performance against New York in November.

"We've had so many of those performances against us it's hard to separate them," D'Antoni quipped. "But what I do remember is that he completely took over the game. He just exerted his will and that was that."

And then there's that game-winning shot over LeBron two weeks ago -- the one that's been replayed so many times you've memorized the clothing lines of every fan in the frame.

"He's good on the break, on the outlet and he's also pretty good driving in an isolated slot," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "Once those things come together, you really have to get concerned with his outside shooting, and he can have a hot streak."

That's what you're waiting for: Something memorable to cement your view.

Instead, Anthony turns in a third straight stinker against the Suns, hitting just 7 of 21 shots in a 101-85 loss. The night before, Lakers' straightjacket, Ron Artest, held him to 7-of-19 shooting before fouling him out by drawing a charge with 2:13 left.

On Friday, Anthony hit just 8 of 25 shots against Detroit.

"You may be seeing his worst performance of the season," a Denver writer said.

And you figure that must be it. Just an off-night -- or three -- in an eight-month grind.

But it's not the shooting that bothers you so much. As so many coaches have told you, shooting comes and goes.

It's 'Melo's passive approach that has you unsettled. He doesn't exert his will when the Suns open a 20-point lead, or when the Nuggets claw back within striking range late in the fourth quarter. Heck, he barely registers a pulse.

You remember how Michael Jordan never took a night off, and then you think that comparison isn't fair to anyone. Jordan is the gold standard for competitiveness.

So you try to envision Kobe Bryant content in the role of spectator for any stretch in an 82-game season.

Or LeBron. Or even Anthony's opponent on this night, Nash.

You just can't do it. Anthony has always possessed rare individual gifts. While they are central to the argument here, they are not the only criteria for measuring the NBA's very best.

"I don't look at people like that. That type of stuff is not important to me," Jackson said. "I look at people as what they do for their basketball club and how they help them win."

Anthony did help lead the Nuggets to the Western Conference finals last season. If he can repeat that feat, he'll add more beef to his menu.

But as gifted as Anthony is, Nuggets coach George Karl still sees the forward's game somewhere off center on the continuum of progression.

"In the basketball world, the measurement is success in the playoffs," Karl said. "As with all great players, that's his test."

Karl thinks Anthony can get there. But there is still work to do.

"Kobe went through years not being able to elevate the Lakers. Now he's definitely elevated the Lakers," Karl said. "Michael Jordan took what, four, five years to win in the first round of the playoffs?

"Melo is in that category. Last year, he got probably an A-minus. Hopefully, we're trying for an A-plus this year."

Nothing less is suitable for the NBA's A-list.