RIO DE JANEIRO – With that silly looking wreath replacing the trademark headband on his cornrows, and a bronze medal hanging around his neck like an anvil of failure, Carmelo Anthony had the rudest of rude introductions to his international basketball career as he stood on that podium in Athens as part of that suicide squad known as the 2004 Olympic team.

Team USA had taken enough of a hit back home, but Anthony absorbed an unfair portion of the blame in Greece for someone who rarely played. Because he did a poor job of hiding his frustration, he was often captured after practices shirtless instead of covered in USA Basketball gear – and coach Larry Brown had no problem singling him out – Anthony’s behavior was interpreted as someone who didn’t want to be there, and hadn’t bought into the program. It was a tough spot for any kid – especially a barely 20-year-old who had just finished his first season in the NBA. Anthony was hurt, misunderstood and always knew that he wasn’t going out like that.

“It left a bitter taste in my mouth,” Anthony told The Vertical. “I’ve always owned up to whatever it was. Even if it wasn’t my fault, I always take the onus on my shoulders and roll with the punches. But that’s what makes this situation much better.”

This situation is the one Anthony still couldn’t have seen back then, or even back in March, when he wasn’t exactly convinced that he needed to put his body, or his family, through an unprecedented fourth Olympic Games. But after some convincing from his former college coach from Syracuse and Team USA assistant Jim Boeheim, Anthony decided to give Rio de Janeiro a chance, even as longtime buddies LeBron James and Chris Paul elected to take a break.

View photos Carmelo Anthony became Team USA’s all-time leading Olympic scorer. (Reuters) More

The experience has been both rewarding and cleansing for Anthony, allowing Anthony a chance to assume some enhanced leadership responsibilities on a team with numerous new faces and, at times, take on the role as resident grump, rolling his eyes at morning sing-alongs and the joking nature of his younger teammates.

When Anthony returns home to New York, he will own the title as the leading scorer in U.S. Olympic men’s basketball history and – should the Americans defeat Serbia in Sunday’s final – a third gold medal that no other player in his sport can claim. Anthony has been criticized for his inability to capture an NBA championship – and the failings of the New York Knicks in recent years – but didn’t hesitate when asked hypothetically if he would trade all of his medals for one ring in the league.

“I wouldn’t trade, hopefully my three gold medals, in for nothing,” Anthony told The Vertical. “I hope I’m never put in that position. That’s a tough position. But I always say, ‘Winning is winning is winning.’ No matter what level you win on. Hopefully, I do get an NBA ring, but that’s two things. … I wouldn’t try to compare or force myself to make that comparison.”

Anthony has come to rely on his summers with USA Basketball to provide some balance for his complex career and stumbles in his personal life. When he started recruiting talent to fill out the country’s pool for international competitions, USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told Anthony he would overlook any past mistakes and give him a clean slate. Anthony raised his hand as one of the first to commit to what would require him to sacrifice three consecutive summers. They have proven to be beneficial: He made his first All-Star team the season after participating in the 2006 world championships. He led Denver to the conference finals the season following the 2008 Olympics. And he led the Knicks to their first division title the season following the 2012 Olympics.

“We ask the guys for a commitment and selfless service,” Coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “But Carmelo is a perfect example of commitment for the Olympics. That’s his entire playing career and to devote that amount of time is remarkable really, and it’s not been done. He’s been such a good guy to coach.”

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