Knicks: Jim Boeheim Doesn’t Get the Carmelo Anthony Hate
Jim Boeheim has come to the defense of former Syracuse Orange player and current New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony. In doing so, he raised a fair point.
2014 was a landmark year for the New York Knicks as an organization. James Dolan stepped out of the limelight, 13-time NBA champion Phil Jackson was hired as team president, and franchise player Carmelo Anthony was re-signed to a five-year contract.
Despite having just two very short and injury-plagued seasons together, neither Anthony nor Jackson has been able to escape the wrath of Knicks fans.
Syracuse Orange head coach Jim Boeheim, never one to bite his tongue, took to the radio to defend Anthony. The legendary Boeheim, who coached Anthony to a national championship in 2003, doesn’t understand why fans are so hard on the 31-year-old.
In an interview on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN 98.7 FM, Boeheim questioned why people are so quick to criticize Anthony when he displayed what so many in the modern era have asked for: loyalty (h/t Ian Begley of ESPN New York).
"“I know he’s committed to New York, I think he’ll stay here,” Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said in an interview on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN 98.7 FM. “He’s got two or three really good years left. I hope they give him the help that he needs.”“He loves New York. He loves being there,” the coach said. “He wants to win in New York. I think he should be praised for that, not abused for it.”"
Truth be told, it’s hard to justifiably dispute what Boeheim is saying.
Many have suggested that Anthony was chasing money instead of rings by re-signing with New York, but would the same have been said if LeBron James chose the Cleveland Cavaliers over the Miami Heat in 2010? Would the same theory have existed if Ray Allen or Kevin Garnett never left to join the Boston Celtics?
After the backlash those three players met, one would think Anthony would win some type of recognition for being loyal to New York during trying times.
Anthony could’ve left to sign with the Chicago Bulls in 2014, thus joining a roster that would’ve included Jimmy Butler, Joakim Noah, and Derrick Rose. His signing may have prevented the acquisition of Pau Gasol, but the star quartet in Chicago would’ve been fearsome nonetheless.
Butler has since become a two-time All-Star, Noah won Defensive Player of the Year in 2014, and Rose is a former NBA MVP who provides flashes of brilliance when healthy.
Yet, during an era in which James has been crucified for joining a team with established stars, Anthony is being thrashed for not doing so. Butler wasn’t the star he’s since become, but Noah won Defensive Player of the Year mere months before Anthony’s free agency, and Rose still had something of a star aura.
Rather than taking what is traditionally labeled as the uncompetitive route, Anthony remained loyal to the Knicks and put his trust in Phil Jackson—a man whom Boeheim believes in.
"“I would have gone to Chicago,” Boeheim said. “… I think that was the best chance to win, but he told me that he loves New York, he is loyal to New York and he wants to see a winning team in New York. They have Phil Jackson, who knows what he is doing. I think it’s a very loyal move.”"
"“He needs a little help,” the coach said of Anthony. “Hopefully the Knicks will get that, they’ll be great and everything will be fine in New York.”"
Objectively speaking, there’s no question that Anthony needs more help in New York.
Anthony currently leads the Knicks in points, rebounds, and assists per game while simultaneously holding opponents to 40.5 percent shooting from the field. Yet, New York is 28-35 in 63 games played with Anthony in 2015-16—a number that, while underwhelming, is both disappointing and intriguing.
28-35 is well below .500, but the Knicks are 0-8 without ‘Melo—a telling sign of how much better he makes this team.
Admittedly, Anthony’s track record has created his reputation. He’s believed to have forced the Denver Nuggets to trade him to the Knicks, with neither organization necessarily winning the trade as both sit on the outside looking in of the postseason in 2015-16.
Neither team has won a championship since the trade, either.
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The question is, can The Zen Master reward Anthony’s faith by surrounding him with the talent Boeheim is alluding to?