For Carmelo Anthony, the Hoodie Melo phenomenon over the summer might have been the high water mark for the 2017-18. Especially when the low point is becoming the butt of a startling number of jokes and memes on social media after his performance in the playoffs for the Thunder.
Anthony’s season in Oklahoma City was one full of highs and lows. At one point, the Thunder boasted the best defensive rated team in the league. Then Andre Roberson got hurt, and all of the defensive warts became clear as the Thunder finished the season crashing and burning against the Utah Jazz in the first round of the NBA playoffs.
One can always rely upon the internet to add insult to injury (in this case Anthony’s pride). An NBA meme account on Instagram declared that fellow NBA veteran Kyle Korver was a better player in the league than the aforementioned Anthony. Anthony, always one with a decently manicured social media presence took time to respond.
Melo's out here in the IG comments 😂 pic.twitter.com/VksOZcBVzg
— SB Nation (@SBNation) May 23, 2018
In Anthony’s defense, if I were a multiple time all-star and had a few gold medals on my mantle there’d be some anger too. It stands to note that had Anthony been a bit more secure about his place in the NBA, he might not need to defend himself so fiercely in some random Instagram account that he just made famous.
Anthony has a bit more to worry about, though. While he will almost certainly choose to around for the 2018-2019 season for the hefty price of $28, there’s a chance that the Thunder will try to make that decision a bit more difficult. A bench role for Anthony is out of the question as he’s already dismissed the notion during exit interviews.
As scary as it sounds, Instagram memes might be the kindest belittling that Anthony takes this offseason. Because the real body blows to his ego seem inevitable on the horizon.
