Column: Melo's actions say everything

So Carmelo Anthony is going to "man up" - as he stated emphatically earlier this week.

He wants people to believe his words and to think he is not some spoiled adolescent.

He wants people to believe he is a man.

Yet instead of taking questions and talking about his DUI on Monday - being forced to take responsibility for his actions - he cowered like a kid who hides beneath a blanket when he is being scolded by their parents.

He read his statement - whether he looked at his notes or not - and in his mind that's all he needed to do.

Some man.

"I'm here to man up to my mistake, just to let you know that I'm truly sorry for what happened and everything that's going on," Anthony said. "What happened Monday morning was truly and totally unacceptable."

Anthony says all the right things - after events like this - yet his actions prove otherwise.

Continually.

At every turn, Anthony continues to prove he just doesn't get it.

No matter how many incredibly stupid things he does.

There are only so many times grown human beings can hit their foreheads against a wall before they say to themselves, "You know, this is really starting to hurt."

In 2004, Anthony was caught with marijuana in his backpack during the preseason, but he saw the charge dropped when a friend said the pot was his.

Anthony also appeared - although he did not say a word - in a video titled "Stop Snitching." It told people not to work with police under any circumstances in regards to crimes.

And then there was last season in New York when Anthony was part of a brawl at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks that garnered him a 15-game suspension for throwing a punch.

At some point if you are Nuggets coach George Karl, you have to take away his play time like any good parent would.

"I thought we were past this point," Karl said. "We were looking at more of a celebration of having a great year, finishing up this year as a special season then him winning a gold medal in 2008 (at the Summer Olympics)."

You will have to take away what really matters to him before Anthony will finally grow up. This, of course, being basketball.

At least you would think this would be true, but at this rate how do you really know for sure? Especially after what he pulled Monday with his team in the midst of a playoff push.

Instead of being a responsible man, putting his team first and just going home, Anthony chose to go out and get loaded.

If this isn't bad enough, he decided to drive.

Yet again, some man.

Yeah, some teammate too.

If Anthony wants to act like a child, he deserves to be treated like a child.

All with the hope that he eventually grows up and puts all this behind him.

Forget for a second that he is one of the best basketball players in the world.

Forget that he does things most only dream about - on the basketball court and in life.

At the end of the day, Anthony is a still a human.

Just like you.

So the same rules that apply to every normal person in this country should apply to Anthony.

But we all know that isn't how society works, and Anthony will continue to be coddled like Paris Hilton - like he has his entire life.

By this Nuggets franchise.

By the NBA.

By the fans.

Until Anthony learns there are consequences for his actions, nothing will change.

His behavior will stay the same because in his mind he knows he can get away with anything.

As Dr. Phil likes to say - I can't believe I'm quoting Dr. Phil - past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior.

So Anthony can state emphatically all he wants he is going to "man up."

Karl can come to his star's defense all he wants.

"I was raised on two words - respect and responsibility," Karl said. "You did hear those words (Tuesday)."

Yet until Anthony's actions prove otherwise, he's nothing but a spoiled adolescent who never will grow up.

Staff writer Ian St. Clair can be reached at 633-3123 or istclair@wyomingnews.com.