Carmelo Anthony: “We Could’ve Gotten LaMarcus’’

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Carmelo Anthony felt that the New York Knicks could signed LaMarcus Aldridge this summer.

"We could’ve gotten LaMarcus,’’“I believe the conversations me and him had, it was a big chance he’d end up in New York. I don’t really know where playing the center position comes in. I know when I was talking to him we had a very great shot.’’"

Anthony seems baffled by the fact that Phil Jackson wanted Aldridge to play center, who apparently was “excited” to play for the Knicks before that realization. Aldridge confirmed the cancellation of the meeting, stating it was “mutual” since he did not want to play center to accommodate New York’s rookie; Kristaps Porzingis.

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Jackson insisting Aldridge play center is baffling because it is widely known that Aldridge sees himself as a power forward and does not care to play center. Aldridge played alongside the new rugged Knick center  Robin Lopez when he was with the Portland Trail Blazers. The Phoenix Suns signed former-Knick and defensive player of the year Tyson Chandler quickly, JUST SO that Chandler could accompany the Suns in Phoenix’s pitch to show that Aldridge would not have to play center for their organization. So to say it is baffling as to why Jackson insisted Aldridge play center is not enough… It is astounding… One might even say that Jackson never wanted Aldridge in the first place and just sabotaged the whole situation.

Anthony did not react well when Aldridge confirmed that playing center was the reason he is not a New York Knick, as per Marc Berman.

"Anthony said Aldridge told him that “the other day,’’ after which Anthony laughed and said, “I threw my headband.’’"

I would throw my headband too…if that was true… Not to mention a whole lot more…

LaMarcus Aldridge, a Knick, I guess one can only dream of what could have been. Although…this all just seems to be complete utter nonsense because WHY in all that is holy would Aldridge choose the Knicks over the San Antonio Spurs… The Spurs were the NBA Champions as recently as 2014 and was most likely going to repeat if not for a lucky off-balance Chris Paul bank-shot…this past season.

San Antonio have THE BEST organization in ANY professional sport, with five NBA Championships to their name. Should have been six…if it wasn’t for Ray Allen‘s miraculous shot…in 2013.

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It is incredibly hard to envision a world in which Aldridge actually declined to be a Spur to be a Knick…

When Aldridge and other high-profile All-Stars rejected the Knicks, New York quickly moved to “Plan B” signing free agents Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez. Anthony was asked about New York’s lack of ability to convince top free agents to sign, to which Melo replied

"“New York wasn’t too hard a sell,’’“It wasn’t hard at all to none of them guys — LaMarcus, DeAndre, other guys. It wasn’t hard to sell them on New York. It wasn’t hard selling them I was doing what I had to do to get back healthy. They saw the plan, they saw the vision. It all comes down to the basketball part of it. The overall picture. Everyone has different things going on in life whether family, other businesses. They get homesick.”“Just because it wasn’t broadcast doesn’t mean I wasn’t doing my job. I was very active. I knew everything that was going on. Steve [Mills] and Phil did their job. I tried to do my job on my end.’’"

The best way to attract top free agents to New York is to show them that the Knicks are headed in the right direction. The Knicks will need to be at least somewhat respectable this upcoming season in order to convince any free agent to come join the franchise. The ability to win basketball games precedes any advantages that living in the city of New York can offer.

Next: DeAndre Jordan on Knicks Meeting: They Had a Great Plan