Carmelo Anthony Stays With Knicks

Carmelo Anthony will remain a Knick.

The news comes after an agonizingly long wait. Anthony, who has never been one for withholding opinions, indicated that he would opt-out of the fourth year of his contract – before it even started. Just two weeks before the start of the 2013-14 season, Carmelo admitted to wanting to be a free agent at the end of the year. Instead of brushing off the rumors and playing through the season, like a normal superstar, Carmelo told the truth. It’s not what fans want to hear, and its certainly not what the teammates want to hear. Coming off a 54-win season and second round playoff exit, the Knicks were expecting big things. The absolute last thing they needed was a Melo-drama heading into the season. But that’s what they got.

In return, Carmelo got exactly what he didn’t want. Tyson Chandler went down with a right knee injury in the 4th game that would keep him out until mid-December. This happened to a roster already missing reigning sixth man of the year, J.R. Smith, and with a strict minutes limit on Amar’e Stoudemire’s knees. The Knicks started the season on a 3-13 train wreck, despite 9 double-doubles from Anthony over that span.

When Chandler finally returned to the 8-17 Knicks, any optimism was quickly dispelled when Bargnani took the dumbest shot in Knicks history. And that’s saying something. Especially when you have guys like J.R. Smith on your team. Having filled the role of lowest basketball IQ for his entire career, it was clear that Smith took offense. Not 7 games later, Smith landed a beauty of a counterpunch with this shot against Houston. While Smith proved a formidable opponent, he was ultimately no match for the Italian Stallion. In a meaningless game against the 76ers, Bargnani ended the War of Stupidity, and his season, with the worst dunk attempt anyone has ever seen.

At this point, it seemed like the season and Carmelo’s career with the Knicks were finished. Over the past month the Knicks had become the laughing stock of the NBA due to the aforementioned blooper reel. The roster was constantly in a state of flux, undergoing changes due to injuries and desperation from Mike Woodson. Despite a hot start to the 2014 calendar year, the Knicks followed it up with a 5-game losing streak. At 15-27, the team morale was at an all-time low. Not only had the Knicks sucked, but they had done in the most idiotic, heart-breaking fashion possible. In all my years watching horrible Knicks basketball, this had to be the most disappointing. It seemed for sure that Anthony would bolt in the off-season.

Then something happened. It was a seemingly meaningless night. The Knicks were hosting the Bobcats, just hoping to escape with a win to end the 5-game skid. The Garden crowd had no idea what they were about to witness.

Carmelo jumped out to a red hot 20 first quarter points – not unusual for Anthony – but this flame never went out.  At the start of the second quarter Carmelo stayed in the game, when he would normally come out, to tack on another 14 points. It seemed like Melo would go into the half with 34 points, when he got the ball off a turnover with 9 seconds left. The crowd, and Mike Breen, erupted as Anthony confidently drilled a half-court shot that everyone KNEW was going in. The Garden was alive and it could feel what was coming.

Not even halftime could cool Carmelo’s scoring frenzy. It felt as though everything he attempted was going in. In spite of growing fatigue, Anthony was able to pour in another 19 points to end the third quarter with 56 points. Despite being up 101-66, Carmelo came back out onto the floor at the start of the 4th quarter. Carrying the burden of anticipation, Melo finally scored his 62nd point on a runner inside the lane. With 7:18 left in the game, Woodson pulled Carmelo from the game to feel the embrace of the crowd.

[youtube width=”100%” height=”100%” autoplay=”false”]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cd4McSK6-k[/youtube]

In the midst of a dreadful season, Carmelo Anthony produced the greatest scoring feat in Knicks history.  He outperformed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Bernard King and Michael Jordan to put on the greatest scoring performance in MSG history. Carmelo Anthony put on the greatest scoring performance in Knicks franchise history, on the greatest basketball stage in the world.

The performance was more than just a blip in the history books. It reminded Carmelo of why he came to New York in the first place. Melo put on a show, and the Garden responded. Forget the money. Forget the fame. Carmelo Anthony came to New York to create a legacy. It was mired beneath a season of perdition and embarrassment. When Carmelo scored 62 points, it brought his original sentiments back to light. Practically overnight, he experienced the extreme low and high of playing in New York.

In spite of their championship drought, Knicks fans are the best in basketball. This is not the place where highlight reel plays can substitute team basketball and consistent effort. There is a reason Charles Oakley and John Starks are two of the most beloved Knicks of all-time, despite their lack of elite athleticism or championship production. They are respected because they gave New York every ounce of capability they had. They gave everything they had to the game, and most importantly, to their team. If you combine this with talent, you get Patrick Ewing. Despite being the best player the Knicks player since the 1970’s, and coming so close multiple times, he was never able to capture a championship. Ewing gave his heart to the game and New York. Even though he wasn’t able to win the big one, New York fans cherish the years he was here.

Carmelo Anthony has the unique chance to be a marquee player in Knicks history. For anyone who doubts his dedication to being great, pay closer attention to Anthony’s performance last year. This was the worst team that Carmelo had been on his entire career. It was the only time Carmelo has missed the playoffs in his entire career. They missed the playoffs in the East for god’s sake. Despite all of this, Melo never wavered in his performance. In fact, it was the best year of Anthony’s career. Due to the revolving door of injuries, Melo played a career high 38.7 minutes per game. He also posted career highs in rebounds at 8.1 per game and 3-pt efficiency, shooting 40.2% from downtown. Over the past two years, Melo has played his most efficient basketball. His 24.8 PER in 2012 and 24.4 PER in 2013 are the two highest in his career.  If Carmelo builds upon his determined play from the past two years, he’ll be considered an all-time great Knick.

At the end of the day, you can believe whatever you want. You can believe he stayed for the money (it doesn’t hurt). You can believe its his ego (maybe a little). I believe it came down to loyalty, legacy and a little Phil Jackson. Back in 2010, Carmelo Anthony actually wanted to come to New York. Like everyone involved with the Knicks organization over the past 15 years, the politics and mediocrity wore on him. He’s human. The 62-point game reminded him of the greatness and appreciation that can be achieved in New York. The addition of Phil Jackson brought a glimmer of hope, and much needed stability. Together they have the potential to contend for the Eastern Conference. And just a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals would provide the most tangible success since the Ewing era. It won’t be easy, but Carmelo has a chance to provide results to a franchise desperately in need. If he delivers, Melo will be one of the most beloved Knicks to put on the uniform. This is the opportunity that Carmelo embraced when agreed to come back to New York.