NEW ORLEANS — He walked his royal walk down Bourbon Street, held court in many a pressroom and, on the only court that matters, showed why he was crowned in the first place.

Like royal subjects, pedestrians showered Carmelo Anthony with praise as he hit Bourbon Street, his hooded sweatshirt draped over his shoulders like a robe. And journalists here have clung on his every word, knowing he’s as much jester as king.

But no one’s joking about the decision that confronts The King. It’s the decision the royal palace keeps silent about. It’s the one thing The King refuses to discuss.

“And the NBA, Carmelo?”

“Nah,” The King said with a wave of his hand Friday. “I haven’t thought about that yet.”

Perhaps not, but his royal subjects sure have. And if The King wants to make a decision good for both himself and his following, he’ll wave his hand at the NBA, too. At least for another year. If he’s smart, The King won’t surrender his reign quite yet.

Not because he needs another year to learn his way around the court. Please. If one thing became certain this Final Four weekend, it’s that Anthony is a talent as rare as bad jambalaya in this city.

His 33-point, 14-rebound performance Saturday against Texas will be talked about for years. SU head coach Jim Boeheim called him the best rebounding small forward he’s ever seen. Kansas coach Roy Williams said he’s probably never seen a freshman do what Anthony’s done.

That’s because Anthony has done it all, save winning a national championship. And even that shouldn’t factor in Anthony’s decision. If the Orangemen lose tonight, Anthony can bring them back one year from now. If the Orangemen win, he can still bring them back.

“I’ve been around basketball a long time,” said Texas guard Brandon Mouton, who tried, fruitlessly, to guard Anthony in the second half Saturday. “If a guy can play ball, he can play ball. And he can play ball.”

“He’s not the type of guy where it’s a fluke,” Anthony’s roommate and SU guard Billy Edelin said.

So why not be king again? After all, Anthony loves college, relishing his royal role. He adores his teammates. He’s charmed when the public bows at his feet.

To be sure, the NBA’s Kings (not just the ones who play in Sacramento) are afforded such luxurious treatment. Perhaps even more so. And one day, no doubt, Anthony will be among them. But why next year?

Not for money. The King will receive his riches soon enough. Even if he gets injured, an insurance policy guarantees that. Why should Anthony spend a year anonymously winning five games with the Cleveland Cavaliers or Memphis Grizzlies when he can stay seated on his throne in Syracuse?

Anthony had to be wondering that himself yesterday when he spoke about players jumping from high school to the NBA.

“If you go straight out of high school, you could end up playing for some sorry team in the NBA,” Anthony said. “You don’t win national championships that way.”

You aren’t king that way, either. Check out the Cavs’ per game attendance this season (10,997). There aren’t too many loyal subjects in Cleveland.

Anthony’s entourage has shown him extraordinary loyalty this season. Three times, more than 30,000 fans have shown up at the Carrier Dome. Teammates never whine when Anthony takes 17 shots a game. And his coach has not once mentioned the NBA to him this season, allowing Anthony to make the decision himself.

“At the end of the day,” Boeheim said, “I’ll say to him, ‘Do what you want to do. You can make money. Or if you want to stay, stay.’ Most kids would just go out. But he’s the only kid, I wouldn’t be surprised if he said, ‘You know coach, I’ll just come back.’ I wouldn’t be shocked if he said that to me. I’d also be very happy.”

In a matter of weeks, maybe even days, Anthony has a chance to give back some loyalty.

When interviews concluded Friday, the caravan of journalists tracking Anthony’s every move dispersed. Anthony raised his arms and shouted, “I’m Free.” The King has never been more right. Now, let’s hope he makes the right decision.

Pete Iorizzo is sports editor at The Daily Orange, where his columns appear regularly. E-mail him at pniorizz@syr.edu.

Published on April 6, 2003 at 12:00 pm