Melo: ‘As a country, we have to stand united’

4:18 AM ET

LAS VEGAS — Carmelo Anthony wants more than a better U.S. basketball team heading into the Olympics.

He wants a better U.S.

Anthony wants an end to the gun violence, the killing of African-Americans and the targeting of police, and right now his quest for that seems bigger than his desire for what would be a record third gold medal.

“It’s unfortunate, it’s sad,” Anthony said Monday. “You can’t really put into words what’s going on throughout the whole country, throughout the whole world. For us as a country, we have to stand united. We have to come together.”

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The New York Knicks forward has spoken out more and more lately, challenging fellow athletes to do the same. He has taken his message to Instagram and the ESPYS, and if he wants another forum, there aren’t too many bigger spotlights than the Olympics.

Will he take his message all the way to the medal podium?

“We always say that the timing could not have been any better for us as a country, having a chance to come together and being united,” Anthony said, “then go over there on the biggest stage you can possibly …

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