A Lesson In Class

(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

When you hear "Jordan" and "50 point-game" in the same sentence, your mind automatically defaults to His Airness, who did the deed more than a few times in his illustriousl career. But a Google search of those terms will bring up a more recent listing.

On Feb. 8, Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony netted a career-high 49 points versus the Washington Wizards, coached by Eddie Jordan. Following the game, the big story wasn't Melo's effort, nor the Nuggets 111-100 win. Reportedly, Jordan was upset that Anthony checked back into the game with six mintes left in the fourth quarter, thinking that the Nuggets were trying to embarrass his team.

"I thought it was very classless to close the game out," Jordan said. "I have my opinion. I can say what I want to say. That's what I thought it was."

The kicker? The Nuggets were only up by 10 points when Anthony returned! A lead like that is NOTHING in the NBA.

So here's a message for Eddie Jordan: JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!

In the final minute, Anthony drained a three-pointer from the top of the key to give him 47 points. On the next possession, he was fouled and made two free throws. When the Nuggets got the ball back one more time, giving Anthony the chance to reach the milestone point total, Jordan actually instructed his squad to double- and triple-team Anthony to prevent him from getting the ball.

And the Nuggets are classless? Here's one: If you don't want one of the most prolific scorers in the league to go off against you, don't wait until he already has 49 points to decide to put more than a single single defender on him. For the game, Anthony shot a blistering 19-25 and made all eight free throw attempts. (Notice they were playing him man up the whole game, until the end)

I'm sure that Jordan didn't mind when his own player Gilbert Arenas dropped 60 and 54 points on the Suns and Lakers in consecutive games last year. Jordan needs to learn to be a man and take his whuppin' when it comes to him.