Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Says The Time Is Now To Contend
For Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks, the time is now to contend—and Anthony will be the first person to tell you that.
Since Jeff Van Gundy resigned in 2001, the New York Knicks have made the made the playoffs just four times in 15 years. New York seemed to shake those demons by making the playoffs in every season from 2011 to 2013, but have since been watching from home in three consecutive seasons.
Following what can lethargically be defined as a productive offseason, the Knicks have finally built another postseason-caliber roster.
Team president Phil Jackson started the offseason with a bang, hiring Jeff Hornacek as head coach and trading for 2011 NBA MVP Derrick Rose. He then signed the likes of Joakim Noah, Courtney Lee, and Brandon Jennings, thus eliciting an uncharacteristic sense of optimism from Knicks fans.
According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Carmelo Anthony embraced the sense of urgency displayed by the front office and made a powerful claim: the time is now.
"“The time is now for us,’’ Anthony said Monday. “The time is now for the city and the fans. The time is now. Everybody is tired of waiting and waiting. Now it’s time we can go out there and put a competitive team [on the floor]. For me, the time is now. For us as city and an organization, that should be the mindset — the time is now.’’"
There’s no time to waste for a 32-year-old superstar who’s hungry for his first ring.
Rose, Lee, Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, and Noah form one of the better starting lineups in the Eastern Conference. Jennings has the raw ability to excel as the sixth man, and the re-signed Lance Thomas has established himself as a glue guy.
With a coach, Hornacek, who’s willing to adapt to his surroundings, the Knicks have the makings of a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference.
Anthony is a nine-time All-Star with a scoring title and six All-NBA selections on his resume. He’s joined by Noah, who won the 2014 Defensive Player of the Year award, and Rose, who was named MVP in 2011.
Though all three have fallen out of favor in many NBA circles, even the most skeptical of critics has expressed a certain measure of intrigue with what they can accomplish together.
Beyond the established stars is the promising Porzingis, who was unanimously selected to the 2016 All-Rookie First Team. Furtheremore, Lee has 50 games of postseason experience and an NBA Finals appearance, and Jennings was a borderline All-Star in both Milwaukee and Detroit.
Anthony understands that paper rosters can’t win games, but is understandably excited by what this team projects to be able to do.
"“We have a very special team on paper right now. I think we have a good opportunity to do some things this year. It’s all about what we do. It’s all about us now, how we come together and jell together. For the most part, the pieces are there.”“On paper, we look good, real good. It’s matter of everyone coming together and buying into what we want to do.”"
If the Knicks remain healthy, anything is possible.
One might argue that there’s still work to do, and that’s an indisputably fair opinion. The star power and depth are undeniable, however, and a healthy Knicks squad has the raw talent to go toe-to-toe with any team in the Eastern Conference.
As fans beg the Knicks to stop breaking their hearts, Anthony is ready to answer the call and lead New York to glory.
must read: Five reasons to love what Phil Jackson has done this offseason
The time is now.