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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The night began with Carmelo Anthony?--?while all 11 of his teammates were still on the floor finishing their pregame warm-ups -- sitting alone on the Team USA bench with his arms stretched widely and casually.The night was winding down when Anthony leapt off that bench before anyone else in red, white and blue and headed straight for DeMarcus Cousins, determined to console Cousins, who had just fouled out.Im not really a hugger, Melo confessed afterward.But on this occasion?Sometimes you just gotta give [Cousins] a hug, man, and tell him everythings gonna be all right.Thats Anthony. He always believes its going to work out.Yes: Even with the Knicks.Hes a Hall of Fame optimist.Hes an uncertain hugger but definitely not a worrier. Hes not going to sweat a slow start against Venezuela at the Olympics, hes not going to fret about the foul trouble Cousins and DeAndre Jordan endured against the Venezuelans and presume that even bigger problems on that front loom Wednesday night against Australia, and hes most certainly not going to listen to the naysayers who say hes a better player in FIBA competitions than the NBA.I havent heard that one, Melo said.And thats, of course, because hes not listening to the judgy pundits whove been batting that one around for the past five or six years.Hed prefer to listen to peers such as Team USA point guard Kyrie Irving, who asserted the other day that an NBA championship and a gold medal are pretty much the same.I believe so, Anthony said in support of Irvings proclamation, insisting he finds tremendous satisfaction in his status as the only four-time Olympian in U.S. mens basketball history ... with a record third gold medal now just six wins away.I believe so.It obviously behooves Anthony to take that stance, with no championship in sight back home for Melo and his beloved New York Knickerbockers. Yet he seems so at peace these days in this incarnation as Team USAs elder statesman, in addition to his leading role in the world of athlete-driven social activism, that you tend to believe three gold medals will be enough for him if thats how it plays out.If theres ultimately no NBA ring in his future.I enjoy it, I enjoy it, Anthony told ESPNs Hannah Storm in a SportsCenter interview that aired this week, explaining the pull of representing his country for a fourth time when three big names from what he calls our brotherhood -- LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade -- either passed on the chance to do the same or (in CP3s case) were sidelined by injury.I like it. I enjoy learning about different players personalities, not just as basketball players, but as people. I feel like Im that bridge, that gap, between the veterans and the young guys.Me and Draymond [Green] instantly clicked, Anthony said, because its like we just sit back and we just talk trash all day. ... This whole team, man. ... [On] the first day, we put together a group text, and its like nonstop trash-talking. I know people wish they could see these group texts, these team chats.On this night, folks had to settle for seeing Melo, as Team USAs older leader, stepping up in the second quarter when little else was working. The Americans finally stopped fouling Venezuela in that quarter and watched happily as Melo scored 10 of his 14 points in the period to restore some much-needed order.Really what changed this game was the steal by Melo, Team USAs Paul George said after finishing with a team-high 20 points. Kyrie?came down and kicked it out for a 3. That really ignited us on the bench. That ignited Melo, it ignited that group out there on the court. That was really the turn of events in this game.Not that Anthony was terribly impressed with himself. He has now played in 25 of these Olympic basketball games, more than any other American man, and he just passed Michael Jordan to become the United States third all-time leading scorer in the Olympics -- but predictably, he wasnt aware of the milestones until a reporter informed him postgame.I never even knew that, Anthony said.Why would he?Tuning out the noise and wanting what youve got, Sheryl Crow-style, is working well for a thirtysomething whose NBA legacy remains a matter of fierce debate but whos destined to go down as one of the most versatile and impactful players in the history of the international game.Its all basketball, Melo said. Its all the game of basketball.Perhaps we should be listening more to him. Fake Nike Air Max 270 . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. https://www.cheapnikeairmax270china.us/ .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Nike Air Max 270 Sale . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Nike Air Max 270 Outlet .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco.Andy Carroll is set to return from a hamstring injury for West Hams trip to Southampton on Saturday. The England striker, who resumed training after a month out, has been hit by a number of injuries since joining the Hammers in 2012 and has registered just seven Premier League starts this season.But manager Slaven Bilic has revealed the 27-year-old is likely to be included in the squad to face Saints, live on Sky Sports. Andy Carroll is back, hes been training with us since Monday, said Bilic. We are going to see on Thursday and Friday but he should be involved.Carroll could be joined at St Marys by January signing Emmanuel Emenike, the Nigerian striker who arrived on loan from Fenerbahce.Emenike sat out Tuesdays 2-0 home win over Aston Villa but has since received the work permit required to join up with the squad.We will see about Emmanuel, added Bilic. He is going to train with us for the first time. Hes naturally fit, but I would like to see him. Slaven Bilic says Emmanuel Emenike is a strong, quick, direct goalscorer The Hammers are on course to challenge their best ever Premier League finish of fifth, a feat they achieved in the 1998-99 season.ddddddddddddBilics men are only six points off fourth-placed Arsenal after 24 games and their impressive form has raised hopes that the club could qualify for next seasons Champions League or Europa League. We are fit, we are good, we are collecting points and I hope we are going to continue like this. Slaven Bilic We are good, we are consistent, I would like us to be more consistent. Of course there is always room for improvement but we are very confident, Bilic said.We have 14 games to play, which is a lot, but we are fit, we are good, we are collecting points and I hope we are going to continue like this.We shouldnt be looking at the table at the moment, all we can influence is our performances so thats what well concentrate on. Bilic has been pleased with West Hams consistent displays West Ham face a Southampton side who won three games in a row prior to their hard-fought goalless draw at Arsenal on Tuesday.Yes, they have been unpredictable at times, but they are playing good, especially recently. They are a good side, they like to play football, added Bilic.They have great individuals and great pace on the counter-attack, so I am expecting a very, very tough game and a very good game on Saturday. Also See: West Ham video West Ham fixtures West Ham stats Get ￡10 free bet ' ' '