New York Knicks: It’s Time to Shut Carmelo Anthony Down
The New York Knicks are in the midst of a lost season. On Monday, February 9, they became the first team in the NBA to secure a losing record as they fell to 10-42.
After that very game, news arrived to create one unfortunate conclusion: it’s time for the Knicks to cut their losses and shut Carmelo Anthony down for the rest of the 2014-15 season.
According to Michael Wallace of ESPN, Anthony aggravated a left knee injury during New York’s 109-95 road loss to the Miami Heat. The scare occurred after landing awkwardly upon converting a jumper with 7:30 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Anthony attempted to downplay the injury, all the while acknowledging the risk in continuing to play.
"“I think I just irritated it when I tried to plant — and I went down too low,” Anthony said. “It was too much pressure on that one leg. I felt it when I came back [to the locker room], and it was just too sore when I came back here.”Anthony said initial tests taken in the locker room ruled out any structural damage to the knee, but the Knicks said he would be re-evaluated Tuesday in Orlando before Wednesday’s game against the Magic."
According to Chris Herring of The Wall Street Journal, Anthony is close to shutting it down.
Melo, on if hes close to shutting it down for season: "Im not getting that pop or that bounce [anymore]. So Im getting close to that point."
— Chris Herring (@Herring_NBA) February 10, 2015
There’s no viable reason for Anthony to remain active or postpone what’s been called an inevitably surgery.
With the Knicks on pace to miss the playoffs, the only reason for him to continue playing would be to appease the fans who purchase tickets. Even then, the organization would be risking its long-term future by keeping the eight-time All-Star active.
Per Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Anthony has already acknowledged that, at some point in the future, he’ll need to undergo surgery.
Carmelo says "the easiest thing for me to do" is to shut it down now. But "if I have an opportunity to go play I’m going to go play."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 12, 2015
Contrary to the, “Why wait?” mentality, ‘Melo stated that if he can play, he will play.
Carmelo says "the easiest thing for me to do" is to shut it down now. But "if I have an opportunity to go play I’m going to go play."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 12, 2015
At some point, the coaching staff and front office must step in. That point is now.
Anthony is expected to play during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game. He was voted in by the fans, and while there is risk involved, many players feel they owe it to the people who made this opportunity possible.
For the sake of the Knicks’ long-term future, shutting him down before All-Star Weekend would be ideal.
The All-Star Game is more of an exhibition than an all-out effort, but it’s still 48 minutes of professional basketball. With Anthony suffering a knee injury and an aggravation in the same season, it makes little sense for him to suit up for the Eastern Conference.
Feb 9, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after injuring himself during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Miami won 109-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Should he choose to play, Anthony would be risking his already injured knee just six days after the aggravation in a meaningless All-Star extravaganza.
According to Jorge Castillo of The Washington Post, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall recently weighed those same options. While he will compete in the All-Star Game, he chose to remove himself from Taco Bell Skills Challenge.
Per Castillo, Wall would rather rest as much as he possibly can.
Wall isn’t hurt (beyond the sprained ankle and headaches he’s been dealing with already). He’s not participating just to rest.
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) February 10, 2015
A wise choice.
Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reported in early January that the Knicks had advised Anthony to rest his knee. This was before the recent aggravation, which likely has the front office’s concern at an all-time high.
Rather than gambling on an improbable turnaround—New York trails the No. 8 Miami Heat by 12.5 games with 30 left on the schedule—Anthony should undergo surgery as soon as possible.
By enduring the procedure in February, there’d be little doubt about whether or not he could play at the start of 2015-16. More importantly, he’d be closer to full health this summer, when he’s expected to help New York land star-caliber free agents.
Anthony himself told reporters that he’d be participating in the process.
Carmelo says he wants to be involved in recruiting FAs this summer: "This is why i wanted to come back, to be a part of the plan." #Knicks
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) January 12, 2015
It’d be a tough sell to convince a free agent to join forces with a soon-to-be 31-year-old who’s coming off of a severe injury.
Surgery is surgery, but it’s less of a red flag when it’s not the result of a complete tear or a break. Rather than risking the possibility of that transpiring, the Knicks should shut its star down and avoid any further injury to an already bothersome knee.
It’s never easy to admit defeat, but the 2014-15 NBA season is all but over for New York’s team.
It’s time for Anthony, Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher to cut their losses.
Next: Times are hard, but there's no need for the Knicks to get desperate.