Carleton MyersBy Paul Virgo
Published: 2004-12-01 Why don't they just walk off? Who’s going to say anything to Maldini if he says “Right, lads, we're not playing today?” What could they do, kick him off the team? They haven't got the power [to do that to Maldini], especially because he'd be doing something beautiful, positive. Fuck the money! Who cares about the money — if you believe in something, you've got enough money. Muhammad Ali didn't go to war and took on the whole nation because of what he believed. You spent the first nine years of your life in London. Do you still feel British at all? Of course. It's like a child being adopted by another woman. That child can never stop loving its first mother. I was born in London. I could never say “Oh, I hate London.” I could eat beans, bacon and eggs every day. (Laughs) It's a part of me. Over the last ten years, you've been Italy's most important player. Do you think you could have made it in the NBA? Only God can answer. I'm sorry now that I didn't go and give it a try when I had the chance. Life is perhaps too good in Italy to leave. I regret my decision. Do you think the NBA will eventually go global? Can you imagine a truly international championship with teams like the Shanghai Hornets, the Belgrade Arrows? To tell the truth, I don't really see a great future with regards to everything that's happening around the world. It's been going on for years, wars and all that, and I think it's getting worse every day. I think we need to sort ourselves out in certain situations and start thinking about having peace all over the world. You can't just shut your eyes and say “Oh, 10-15 years from now, we can have a team in China, a team in France, let's do this.” There are too many problems at the moment. Is sexual temptation a natural by-product of fame, or is the NBA simply decadent? I'm not capable of judging anything. One thing I can say is when you are famous, popular, and when you are black, you need to keep four eyes open. You need to be very careful. Are there any sports figures you especially admire? Obviously Muhammad Ali is at the top. But, you know, I admire Michael Jordan, like 99 percent of all basketball players. How do you unwind after a key game? By eating. MYERS' KOBE NIGHT On Jan. 25, 1995, Carlton Myers set the Italian single-game scoring record with 87 points. Myers, then a guard for A-2 (second division) Teamsystem Rimini, pumped in 23 field goals, including nine treys, in a 149-99 win over Libertas Udine. His numbers in that historic game: minutes played: 38; total points: 87 (Italian record); total points in a half: 51 (Italian record); field goals: 14-22; 3-pointers: 9-19; free throws: 32-35; rebounds: 7; assists: 4 |
PERSONALITIESRaffaele CarcanoThe head of Italy's atheist and agnostic group seeks relief from Catholicism.  Barbara AielloRabbi Barbara Aiello has linked her vivid Jewish present with Calabria's hidden Jewish past.  Olga Rudge"They'll always pick on [Ezra Pound], but I know he wasn't an anti-Semite." Claudio Cappon"The Italian scene lacks what's accepted as normal professionalism in most places..."  Andrea BargnaniAndrea Bargnani is the first Italian to reap the full benefits of basketball globalization. More Personalities |
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September 7, 2010 | Rome, Italy | Partly Cloudy, 25°C
