Where Tomorrows Aren't Promised: A Memoir of Survival and Hope (A Bestselling Basketball Memoir)

When I pre-ordered Melo’s new memoir, I expected to read about his illustrious, Hall of Fame NBA career. However, the book only covers up until the day of the NBA Draft. Instead, Melo writes about his extremely challenging upbringing, where despite that all the cards were stacked against him, he perseveres.​You don’t have to be a fan of the NBA or even basketball in general to enjoy this memoir. It is more about growing up in the projects in both Red Hook, Brooklyn, and even more so near the “Murphy Homes” in Baltimore. The Murphy homes nicknamed “Murder Homes” are the subject of HBO’s “The Wire”. Melo describes how the sounds of gunshots were a normal, everyday sound. Murder and death are commonplace and Melo’s loved ones aren’t invulnerable. Melo is very candid in this book about the mental struggles he endured in this environment which provide a powerful and moving perspective. The main hero of his story is his mother, Michelle, who made seemingly impossible ends meet to support Melo and to provide an inspiring role-model.​Overall, Melo shares his story in a very meaningful and moving way. Already being a fan of Carmelo’s game, reading this made me become more a fan of him as an individual. Melo’s powerful message coupled with casual readability make this a memoir that I would recommend to most friends.

You don't even have to know who Carmelo is or what a basketball is to love this book.

Nothing but net! We get caught up in an athlete's talent, cheering them on, but few of us know of the pain and grief that preceded it.Carmelo Anthony grew up in Red Hook, Brooklyn and later in West Baltimore, Maryland. The "housing projects", built mostly in the 1930's and 1940's, still stand in many low income urban areas. These brick and brownstone communities have become harbingers of crime, drugs and death and many who find themselves living there are lucky if they can get out alive; some of them not wanting to get out at all. As a young toddler, this was the world that Carmelo lived in and the only view he had of that world was through a side window of his families first floor apartment. There, he would watch the "hoopers and hustlers" play their games, engage in their pursuits and he would dream of being like his older brothers and cousin, who were also products of the same dismal environment. Despite the poor odds that were looming outside of his window, there were plenty of happy family times. Large family gatherings and neighboring friends would stop by to eat and partake in the hospitality that Carmelo's mom provided. As he grew older, Carmelo would watch, learn and play basketball; still looking up to the ones in his circle of friends and family who taught and supported him.Even as he enjoyed and matured as a young boyhood basketball player, the dangers and the uncertainty all around him pulled him down into a depression but somehow he found his way and continued on. It wasn't just the streets that endangered his well being, the educational system that he was entered into subjected him to emotional abuse by ignoring and excluding him and even at times, exploiting him. Trying desperately to move forward, his struggles and the pain of life continued as he lost loved ones who became untimely victims to the environments around them.Despite unsurmountable odds, Carmelo, with the advice and support of family and friends succeeded and took his talents to the basketball court of Syracuse University; leading the way to a 2003 national championship and later, onto the NBA where he continued to thrive. He often wonders:How did a kid who’d had so many hopes, dreams, and expectations beaten out of him by a world of violence, poverty, and racism make it here at all?This book opens up and expands the view of what young Carmelo saw through his apartment window as a toddler. It reminds us that we can never claim to really know what it's like to live in those conditions. Only someone who has lived it totally understands; but they also know that hope, inspiration and determination can lead to greatness. Nothing but net! I loved it!

You do not need to be a fan of Carmelo Anthony or of basketball( although I am of both) to appreciate this book on love and appreciation for family and chosen family, a belief in oneself and others around you, gratitude, and surviving trauma and the societal ills that a child or young person should never have to bear. It is written so well and there are sentences(sentiments) that I keep re-reading, “Being True to yourself looks to a lot of people like losing your mind”. This book is a gem. I hung on every word, felt every joy and and every pain. I was sad to reach that last page. I wanted more. It is my hope that another book is written. I am invested and want to know how his family and friends are and what Melo had to navigate or endure as he plays in the NBA. This book deserves a literary award.

Carmelo’s audio version is performed by the man himself. He makes you believe that he is sincere as he presents his life with reference to a united front among urban souls navigating the constant dangers in poverty riddled housing. No doubt is left about an unfair experience early in his high school career which still to this day encapsulates bitterness during his recollections. It is no surprise that Carmelo followed his family’s lessons to bring in as much good into their lives as possible by offering their good hospitality as much as they could. There is also no surprise that they let in bad as well as good, but the surprise is that after it was over he is still able to tell the entire world that what is right is right after all. This justification will prove essential for the purpose this hero has to change for the better, both his and ours.

Amazing story of what Carmello had to go though to get out of the worst projects in NYC and Baltimore. Close family and love of Basketball not only kept him from becoming a statistic but he went on to be the top high school player in the nation.

Being from Denver and having seen him around the book gave me a different perspective. It ss amaznghe made it.

I bought this as a loyal Syracuse alum. I ended up being surprised by Carmelo’s thoughtful narrative. Very honest, sometimes painfully so. His gratitude for those who helped him is particularly compelling, especially his mother. My only beef was with the section on the national title in 2003. He described it quickly and as if he was the only player on the floor. Otherwise a nice read.