Outtakes

Kenny Mayne gets a compelling sales pitch from Carmelo Anthony.

KM: Did you play all sports growing up? Or was it basketball from the get-go?
CA: Actually, baseball was my first sport and is my favorite. I didn't really get into basketball until I was older.
KM: Did you suddenly grow five inches over one summer?
CA: Yes, between my sophomore and junior years.
KM: How tough was that on your family? Did you have to get all new clothes? Or did they say, "You're growing too much. Wear high-waters until the sales"?
CA: No, I couldn't have done that. But I was wearing a lot of basketball shorts and sweatpants, so nobody knew the difference.

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KM: You were born in Brooklyn.
CA: Yeah. We moved away when I was 8.
KM: Did you see all the Brooklyn stars? Chris Rock was probably a kid in your neighborhood, and Spike Lee was making movies at that point.
CA: Yes, Spike made all his movies like 15 minutes from where I lived.
KM: Do you feel that you were overlooked for a part in Do the Right Thing?
CA: No, no. I'm pretty sure they did the right thing.

KM: Being from Baltimore, are you somehow an Orioles fan?
CA: We're struggling right now, but yes, that's my team.
KM: Where were you the night Cal Ripken set the iron-man streak?
CA: On my block, riding my bike up and down. You could see the Orioles' stadium from there, so I was able to watch the lights and the celebration. I was 11.
KM: At that age, my friends and I played a lot of Wiffle ball. Did you?
CA: We played everything. If we could get our hands on a stick and a ball or a rock, we were trying to hit it.

KM: Do you have any superstitions?
CA: No, I just take things as they come. But I know players who wear the same socks or shoes if they have a good game or won't wash their jersey.
KM: Do you tell them how stupid that is?
CA: Hey, it's their choice. It's their superstition.

KM: It seems like athletes are always drawn to entertainers. Has there been anyone you've met who made you think, Wow?
CA: Oprah. I was on her show a few months back. That meant a lot.
KM: Were you a mess? Did you start babbling excitedly?
CA: Nah, I held my own.

KM: You have a MySpace page. Is it yours? Or did someone co-opt your name?
CA: Well, it's in cahoots with me, but I don't run it.
KM: Oddly, it had an ESPN logo on it. Did we buy time on your MySpace page?
CA: No, but you could if you want. I'll e-mail the prices over to you.

KM: You recently cut your cornrows. How did your fiancée feel about that?
CA: She was happy. And shocked. She didn't believe I would do it.

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