Stay Melo: Carmelo in San Juan's Toughest Slum & the Knicks in Puerto Rico

To most, Puerto Rico is currently an island in economic decline. But to Carmelo Anthony it's a place of family, opportunity and a growing sports culture. With both seasons around the corner, we spent a few days training with a group of Knicks (including rookies Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant) and seeing the stadium that will house Melo's Puerto Rico FC NASL team. We took a trip to La Perla, one of PR's most notorious hoods, to hang out with reggaeton legend Tempo, fresh out of prison after a 12 year bid.
Music by Owwwls.
WATCH NEXT: Stay Melo: Carmelo Anthony in the Streets of Cuba - bit.ly/1LVk6FJ
Carmelo Anthony on the Free Agency Decision - bit.ly/1N5Ejc5
Subscribe to VICE Sports here: bit.ly/Subscribe-to-VICE-Sports
Check out VICE Sports for more: www.vicesports.com
Follow VICE Sports here:
Facebook: / vicesports
Twitter: / vicesports
Instagram: / vicesports
More videos from the VICE network: www. vicevideos

[@Brodie-cs7df]

He said he’ll play for puerto rico in 2020👀🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@xxjer23xx91]

its 2020 and WE STIL HERE WAITIN edit: 2021 👀

[@davidlillo1489]

@@xxjer23xx91 we in the middle of a pandemic he can't join the Puerto Rican team because the fiba cup and Olympics are canceled so we gon be waiting for awhile now

[@rollercoaster9290]

But he already played for team 🇺🇸

[@BryanLVO]

Carmelo Anthony loves PR more than even so called Puerto Ricans athletes. Here in PR, and to be specific in Ponce, he trained with the Ponce team at a very young age. A coach here told him he had no future in basketball, fast forward a few years later and Melo was a star in Syracuse and went on to become an NBA player. Even with all of this, Melo still comes here, builds basketball courts through his foundations, spends time with people from these neighborhoods, and more. Yet, there are still some people who ask themselves why Melo decided not to play for Puerto Rico and play for the US instead; that's easy to answer, the coach who told him that he had no future was once in control of the national team, who in their right mind would like to play for a guy like him? To put it clear, Melo was not given a shot here so he instead explored with the US, and he's extremely successful there, where they believed in him. After all of this he stills believes in PR and does his charitable work here. No other Puerto Rican athlete, born and raised here, does that at the same magnitud Melo does. Carmelo Anthony is a true Puerto Rican.

[@anonimoanonimo7671]

+Bryan M. He was going to play but then the NCAA change the rules and declare the PR league, the BSN a profesional league. So he couldn't play. Before that the PR league was considered "amateur" because tecnically the players did not receive a salary but a diet compensation. Of course instead of $20 a day the diet was for the best players around 100K to 200k for a 3 month league, plus a car and an apartment. That way Carlos Arroyo play 4 years for FIU and at the same time earn close to 1 million in "diets" playing for Santurce. I think they sign Carmelo and he was going to Syracuse for around a month and then we will come to the end of the regular season to play for Ponce but at that time the NCAA change the rules. That was the reason he didn't play for Ponce.

[@LeopoldMaysonet]

No cuz, Fuck you!!

[@antoniorobles3498]

FACTS 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🔥🔥🔥💯

[@AJOak-lk2vr]

Wow great info. Whoever's in charge of these national teams does a terrible job. They played their stars until they were like 40, never giving opportunities to younger guys. Now the team sucks and they haven't found an identity. Coming up in P.R. I've seen so much High school talent that should of already been on national teams, or at least given chances, yet there seems to be bureaucracy even on sports teams from PR.

[@BryanLVO]

Anthony J Robles Maldonado I made this observation 4 years ago. Over the course of that time I was seeing first hand many basketball players from my local university getting overlooked by the national league here. I know of two of them playing in college at good schools in US. I won't blame them if they decide not to play for the national team. There may not be a spot for them even if they wanted to, sadly.

[@Mykford1]

Melo seems like an intelligent guy.

[@TheColombiano89]

I never knew he was Puerto Rican or what he has done for his people, Respect!

[@BreuckelensFinest]

My man Melo, showing love for his Puerto Rican roots! My brother in law is very tight with him. Redhook Brooklyn baby. I hope one day I can help him along with other Boricua's, to rebuild our precious beautiful Island to it's glory days. God willing.

[@Militantreturns]

Glory days? Of What slavery Oppression Colonization and MURDER?

[@BX2CT]

BreuckelensFinest I took my vacation there last year was supposed to be Jamaica but wanted to go an help in a small way by helping the economy by taking my vacation there it was amazing the people of PR are resilient and are making amazing progress with the little help or mid managed help they have gotten

[@BreuckelensFinest]

@@Militantreturns Must you take a shit on everything positive or maybe you need to rethink & realize that maybe you're just the problem by how you view the world? But hey I don't expect nothing but the worst kind of response your ego can think of. So go ahead, let's see if you've changed for the better since your last post to me. I do hope you feel better though. Salud.

[@BreuckelensFinest]

@@BX2CT Thank you so much for this. Puerto Rico needs this badly. My family are still suffering to this day after the Hurricane & my family here in the States are doing all we can yo help them. I'll be heading out there in about a month or two to visit family & support my people's too. Salud & thank you once again.

[@gilbertmartinez3299]

brueklens finest and Bx CT...Gil from Moore houses 149th Jackson ave in the Bronx....Glad to hear what you do...Im born and raised in the Bronx...went to cardinal Hayes ...My family is from Ponce...I always go back..even when shit hit the fan with the hurricanes..in good times and bad...I worked in Brokerage business many years...I have gone to small family businesses..little restaurants...with my brother teddy ..family and relatives..and have given to them to help boost their establishments...Little spots..as you drive on the roads...little family restaurants...I could go on and on...I get very emotional regarding this..but Much respect to you and anyone else that helps in anyway possible...And as for that asshole with the stupid comments...just another punk ass coward who ain't worth shit

[@TheRealLeeM]

did I hear a spanish verision of future fuck up some commas?

[@deandrenukhopkinsnuk273]

lmao !

[@joshchen9854]

+Lee M yes lol

[@thegivingsociety]

+Lee M Messiah hes a dominican rapper

[@professorfinesser7629]

Or is futures song an ingish version of that one?

[@TheRealLeeM]

Yanuel Aguirre lol

[@gladysrosario4241]

Su papá era puertorriqueño murió cuando Carmelo Anthony apenas tenía 2 añitos de edad. Lamentablemente su papá no le pudo enseñar como amar la isla, su gente ect ect, pero la sangre llama y es más fuerte. Carmelo regresa siempre a la isla y dice que está en casa. waoo!! Admirable! Muchos deben de emularlo. ❤ #boricuapaquetulosepas

[@antoniorobles3498]

Muy orgulloso de mi gente y mi Isla 🔥🔥🔥🔥💯🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷💪💪💪

[@yeuriventura3064]

debio representarlo a ustedes porque jugo por usa y no hizo como karl towns que jugo por RD y lo volviera hacer

[@isabelreyes6387]

I've been there and La Perla - San Juan is one of the most beautiful, culturally rich places I have visited and I have visited many paces. The people were wonderful, for a place and people that have been hit with such hard economic times - they hold their heads high and show so much pride. Such a beautiful people - Lindo Puerto Rico.

[@soflokid954]

As a fellow Puerto Rican that knows how rough things are right now in Puerto Rico, this brought so much joy to me. Ive been living in the states for a few years now, but Rican blood runs through my veins and its just great to see this short film that showcases some of the slum in my island. Im very thankful for what Melo does for the island. He is definitely a man of good intentions.

[@bentybaroon8938]

Stefan. Lol. You love P.R. so much that you live in the U.S. Okay, I get it.

[@angelcarrillo4638]

melo does more for his people than any other american athlete

[@oyandoo6962]

he is black right

[@HanzSygnal]

+angel de mexico Donated 3 million to Syracuse but only played one season

[@Augready]

+HanzSygnal thats crazy cuz he definetely doesnt owe syracuse anything....

[@xxxwwwhhh]

You must have not heard about what Lebron does

[@Augready]

***** the most hated is kobe

[@mikecolon1098]

Boricua from NJ over here. Love what Melos doing for our island. Prayers to my family out there and everyone who's enduring the tough economic times. Somos Los Boricuas. Borica Hasta la muerte

[@IM_ROBBY]

when Carmelo was like 18 y/o I think, he was practicing for the Leones (Lions) of Ponce, Puerto Rico and a coach (whose name will never be revealed for the sake of his carreer) told him he wasn't "good enough" to play in Puerto Rico's pro league.. now he's an 11 time All Star in the best league in the world..

[@LetThereBeLightxx]

that coach es muy bobo

[@rockyursock]

+Roberto Carlos 8 time all-star. Lebron and Wade are 11 time.

[@IM_ROBBY]

My bad g.

[@anonimoanonimo7671]

+Roberto Carlos He was going to play but then the NCAA change the rules and declare the PR league, the BSN a profesional league. So he couldn't play. Before that the PR league was considered "amateur" because tecnically the players did not receive a salary but a diet compensation. Of course instead of $20 a day the diet was for the best players around 100K to 200k for a 3 month league, plus a car and an apartment. That way Carlos Arroyo play 4 years for FIU and at the same time earn close to 1 million in "diets" playing for Santurce. I think they sign Carmelo and he was going to Syracuse for around a month and then we will come to the end of the regular season to play for Ponce but at that time the NCAA change the rules. That was the reason he didn't play for Ponce.

[@josealeman8208]

That is false. Carmelo practice with the cangregeros de Santurce but he was always a top talent he was never going to play in Pr. He was debating going to Nba straight out of high school so why would he even think of playing for scraps.

[@antoniorobles3498]

LOVE MELO FOR SHOWING LOVE TO MY HOMELAND PUERTO RICO !!!!!!!! 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥...... MY PEOPLE ARE AWESOME !!!!!

[@gibstuh420]

Puerto Rico stand up!

[@WizardTezOfMos]

Yo spanish future got me lit right now.

[@eddiesille9628]

LoL

[@TylerTJBonner24]

+Mos Tez lol thinking the same thing

[@iNFaunTae]

+Mos Tez yea messiah nigga !

[@ncjetsflyhigh]

Future about to collect his check lol

[@jmellothagreat131]

😂

[@rockyvelez865]

Carmelo has done more for Puerto Rico then most athlete's for there country when Puerto Rico needed relief money when the hurricane hit melo donated more then 1 million dollars to help the people recover from the disaster spread all over the country melo showed his heart for his people , i love melo it shows his heart not just as a professional athlete but as a human being and his character people forget melo is half Puerto Rican so he's one of us.

[@noelcepeda1245]

Suave con los embustes, careful on that1, u got Ivan Rod, Carlos Beltran, Yadi, man i cant mention them all cuz they were a lot who helped us, with huge sum of money.

[@noelcepeda1245]

@@rockyvelez865 u r totally wrong amigo, u r the one who needs to get the facts right. All the names mentioned b4 have donated more than you think, they kept it on the low. You just dnt knw. And Beltran owns a Baseball Academy though

[@rockyvelez865]

@@noelcepeda1245 your right I just checked it out lol Beltran has donate 4 million to his academy, all good melo still was there when puerto Rico needed it the most there's still know denying that amigo

[@noelcepeda1245]

@@rockyvelez865 jeje its all right man, at the end of the day they are all good fellas and help the country that politicians keep ruining

[@carmeloocana9869]

Proud of Melo, because only few remember the low class, the slums, where they came from. But this man, not only remembers where he came from, he goes and blesses this people. To me that’s priceless. Thank you Melo. From Juana Matos and La Perla. Thank you.

[@zachbell8252]

All the stars do this kind D of shit, Melo, LeBron, Wade, Curry all of em. Melo taking it next level going to where his ancestors came from, the other half of his family from PR. Dude is next level modest, and just the humility that he had for others is inspirational. #StayMelo

[@juliosierra3300]

Im Puerto Rican but was born and raised in Boston, Im living in Ponce, Puerto Rico for a year to work and the vibes here are cool af. Its good to see Melo doing this because people here really look up to and get inspired by pros like him who support their island when they dont have to especially now thar the economy is struggling.

[@Bigquonn]

What’s wrong with these economy why are they struggling??? I always thought that pr would be thriving

[@kptyler5]

Went on vacation there, a beautiful island!!! Had the time of my life with my fiancé... can’t wait to go back!!!

[@rauldiaz7309]

Shouts to Melo. I was in San Juan and Arecibo just this February 2019 and I enjoyed it very much. Made it to La Perla and surprisingly there were very few people walking the streets and not a soul on the basketball court on a beautiful mid day. Took some great photos there and around San Juan. I'm not going to sugarcoat the whole trip, since I was intrigued by the condition of how much of the city and other areas were in very bad shape (not seem hurricane related) It got me even looking into the economic history of the island, it's commonwealth of the United States, and the struggles of the people. Looking for hopefully great things in the future of Puerto Rico. I will be back one day. Yo soy mexicano.

[@Cutsman562]

This just turned me into a carmelo anthony fan

[@armandorodriguez6447]

Marlon Fuller I feel you Ma dude...I guess I can say the same 🤜🏽👍🤛🏼

[@leonscott543]

Man.... VICE is one of the realest journalist ever. You guys do ACTUAL Journalism... the reason I know is because I know the struggle of the black and latino and inner city community.... and I know how poorly portrayed it is to the public. I've seen the rough side, and I've seen the happy side, and the happy side is 80% more prevelant than the rough side. And you guys show the whole story.... Its a constant battle between those who have given up hope in the hood and those who want to give back and lift people off the ground. And the major media outlets are blind to this, and if they know this, they censor it.... But I'm so glad the VICE actually does their job as Journalists....

[@Sleepingcoffee979]

+chem 123 Lol Latinos tend to be happy and love and joy what bull shit is this you guys have to move to another country to find jobs because your own country is shit

[@0091william]

+chem 123 Most ignorant comment of the year.

[@thagreatfrank3071]

20 16 Umm Puerto Rico isn’t a Country... 🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️

[@rockyvelez865]

+ chem that's because latino's work do there jobs and make money while the rest of you fat ass's talk about Latinos an sit on the couch wondering why you don't have a job !!! Lol

[@Jumpman90]

Carmelo gets too much shit from people, good guy

[@jasongonzalez2856]

Dope to see Melo with our people on our 🌴!Much love from Humboltd park Chi rican here to boricua land✌🏼🙏🏼🇵🇷❤️

[@TheDtruth29]

All love to Carmelo ...Lets GO KNICK !!!

[@y_o_oj754]

Good Looking Melo. Much respect and have a good season with Portland

[@isabelreyes6387]

Love that Melo is trying hard to lift up his homeland and his people.

[@moneyball09]

I'm from NY and my fam happened to be in PR during the melos mini training camp. As a huge knicks fan is was crazy to find out that melo was actually staying at the same hotel as me on the same floor

[@CHUPAQUI100]

Fan boy shit.

[@jasminecatrina4017]

I love this! What an amazing guy!

[@JoseReyes-ed9jy]

What a humble person Melo!

[@armandorodriguez6447]

Oh this was nice to see...4 years later but still I enjoyed this👍

[@maliekjcksn]

He's definitely has the genes. I can tell by his footwork on the court.

[@Vader93]

I swear are there any people left in Brooklyn. Their is always that one dude everywhere who is from Brooklyn.

[@jeromeyrome7561]

Salute Melo Boricua Pride right here great to see #ILovePuertoRico

[@phillysportsskouterkilla1574]

Gracias MELO por tu apoyo ala nuestra isla .. PR DIOS TE BENDIGA

[@jurzyjohner432]

Beautiful Island, and the people are very welcoming, God Bless that heaven, one day I can afford to go back. Cant wait.

[@twisted5544]

God Bless any good person and athlete that gives back to his community, everyone always needs a little help and a kick start to get them going,,,

[@JazzlineV]

🙌🙌 I appreciate what he's doing man! That's 💯

[@johnandrews238]

I've been to La Perla and received a nice welcome! I love the Puerto Rican people

[@DSmith365]

Seeing the football stadium and knowing Melo is vested in his club, makes me feel good to know somebody in the NBA besides Bron likes football. Can't wait to get my boys down there to tryout for #PRFC, Weepa Mira!

[@eltopito9004]

Tempo es un humildon y mis respeto para Melo🙏🏽

[@jcextranow]

Even tho they know how much money Carmelo got, they still didn't try to do nothing to harm him while he was shooting this video which says a lot about the people on the island. They look out for they own.

[@wjoshua281]

God Bless you Melo. You're doing good things Good guy.

[@JohnnyDeJesusRodriguez]

Big respect to Melo. I know right now he might going to rough times ,god bless Melo.

[@astroot6629]

Crazy Voltage that nigga made bank during his career he straight trust

[@williamsgarcia3325]

Hes not talking about money, but hes back in the league now

[@dnyce8224]

Very nice!!! B’more and red hook are struggling too. I can’t wait for that video.

[@marilynmonroe5545]

Melo mannnn, he's so great and good people.

[@ibingly]

2:07...sneaking that video while still trying to look "hard"

[@imhellag]

+ibingly hahahah

[@WalkingCorpse111]

lmao

[@williamsgarcia3325]

Thats his boy, dudes a pro player. He was prolly takin that for his snapchat to show his boy.

[@clarkpedican5766]

Say What, Melo with Puerto Rico Basketball Team; Heck Yeah! Gotta real good feel to it !

[@5518sw]

I was walking around in San Juan tryna find some weed. Went in the wrong area but I made it out with some fire 🍃🍃.

[@davetheteen1]

Hats Off to this Man!!! Doing something Great !!!

[@myroommatesacat]

man melo so hood....i love it

[@gavinloge373]

Wow much respect for melo

[@impossibleisjustanopinion9898]

Puerto Rico is always voted the most happiest people!!! They work and enjoy the weekends of course the ghettos could get ruff but still the best people extremely hospitable!!!

[@chromebomb]

I love PR! Yea MELO!!!

[@saquonbarkleybeezy26hunnit32]

Melo>LeBron

[@BARSCIENCE101]

+Odell Beckham Jr. darko>melo

[@jjmu92]

+BARSCIENCE101 BAHAHA

[@Hot33333333]

boy stop lol

[@kingDrAgOnZoRdS]

No

[@youtubewatcher-mv9ft]

Feels good to feel free in Puerto Rico just got back love our island

[@MichaelCobbs]

Excellent interview. #PuertoRico

[@puranen]

Big respect

[@therealgangstergator]

S/O to the world baseball classic team for uniting Puerto Rico

[@brandocorleone2902]

shout out to my man for staying Quiet

[@PR_GTR]

I love you melo boricua🇵🇷🇺🇸💗💗💗💗💗

[@steven1boricuavideo]

PONCE & AGUADA 💯✔️

[@julesjerometimogan5698]

Always be my man 🏀

[@TonyMac183]

Thats whats up melo in pr 🇵🇷💯

[@MoneyOverFame]

Much respect to Melo.

[@emiliobonet1508]

mad to love yo carmelo. boricua

[@Tiger24kicks]

Need to go back home Dominican republic watching this made me miss home

[@porterrock3501]

Melo doin it

[@gordonleighclark]

VICE doing great work, per normal

[@makinmoneywithjuan1108]

It’s 2020 you still gonna play for Puerto Rico 🇵🇷

[@chrisstyle7497]

Salute to melo red hook houses 🇵🇷🇵🇷

[@mimimoral567]

i deff respect this man for doing this puerto rico needs all the help it can get if im rich and from pr a quarter is going to la perlas

[@byrongriffin6000]

Realist one in the NBA... Melo!

[@martini549332]

No

[@TooJewelious]

"Its too early for that henny tho b"

[@johnadams-rx6gf]

that older couple at the beginning is goals af

[@Hardbody94]

La Perla. That's a tough neighborhood man, i've heard mad stories about that place.

[@johhnysenattrra8411]

it's hard bro

[@savage166daboss7]

Props melo 💯💯.

[@FUCKTURY]

THE PASTEL TRUCK THO GOD I LOVE MY PPL

[@VICESports]

We spent the day training with a group of Knicks and seeing the stadium that will house Melo's Puerto Rico FC NASL team. In the afternoon we took a trip to La Perla, one of PR's most notorious hoods, to hang out with reggaeton legend Tempo. *WATCH NEXT*: Stay Melo: Carmelo Anthony in the Streets of Cuba - bit.ly/1LVk6FJ

[@saquonbarkleybeezy26hunnit32]

Melo crip

[@Mr713mexican]

+VICE Sports Tempo!!!! the best

[@willoc.444]

+VICE Sports Tempo as Melo's host at La Perla makes no sense, it will make in Ponce, Tempo's hometown, which is also known as "La Perla del Sur". Tempo can be considered a legend, more because his incarceration than his musical career, he got a story for VH1 Behind The Music script formula because that, but calling him "hero" is giving too much props.

[@CharlieHaggis]

Lol wait, so balkman was chillin in puerto rico?

[@Eknylive]

+CharlieHaggis Charlie Renaldo has Puerto Rican roots as well

[@Mister2wo3]

respect

[@przmc42]

Lol Damn I knew it! I was on my honeymoon while they were out there in August. Idk if Melo stayed at the same hotel as me but I know the rookies did. Randomly one day there was just a bunch of tall dudes rocking Knicks gear walking around, I didn't put 2 and 2 together till now

[@terencegdmn]

You still married to the same woman from that day?🤔

[@e.b.2429]

@@terencegdmn lol

[@nicecolour]

Screw Tempo! But thanks for all the other good you are doing, Melo.

[@26zilence]

jajaja same here

[@jtorres12307]

George Gracia for real fucking tempo🤦🏻‍♂️

[@williamsgarcia3325]

With his fake ice

[@roberttejeda8607]

Soy Dominicano, I love PR to death, we share culture

[@yamiletteedgardoaguirregar4863]

weeepaaa tomorrow am going to my little island Puerto Rico

[@jakemattos8757]

dammnnn thats guy Tempo its a legend ! The best rapper from Pr

[@CHUPAQUI100]

Nope. Chyno Nyno is the best lyricist from Puerto Rico. Listen to his music.

[@daavatar2538]

melo Spanish wow we lit

[@javiercolon498]

Buen Trabajo.

[@zure1330]

That Air Ball on 1:38 tho

[@ca3rlosandresfigueroafigue864]

Bueno ya es 2020 a venga otra vez y juegue

[@stefan2serb]

We don't talk like that in Europe (trash talk) because we have a deep culture of respect. Even boxers you will very very rarely hear talking smack or shouting at their opponents in the press conferences etc. One of the first principles of sport is to show respect to not only your coaches/managers and teammates but also your opponents no matter what

[@stefaniaolivet1395]

you're my favorite player on the Knicks Carmelo

[@Edwin.Herrera]

Coolest cat in the league

[@medosuohu1355]

That blue kick's at 7:25 is lit. is it his signature shoe?

[@jmellothagreat131]

Great Character

[@RickyCardoTv]

2020 coming up...

[@lujanjoseburgosheredia1138]

nice i love p.r.

[@Elon2024]

New respect for Melo..He is a winner in the game of life and the courts. Paying it forward.WOW!

[@steveirungu3132]

I have tromendous respect for you CarmeloAnthony by Steve Irungu Jermaine

[@FloridaJay]

Power move in that investment with the soccer team.