New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Is Starving For Success
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony is starving for success. The Knicks are dangerously close to being able to achieve it.
Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons. It’d be irrational to place the blame squarely on Anthony, who’s changed his game to fit the front office’s vision, but the results are what they are.
Three years without a postseason appearance is three years too many, and Anthony has made it clear that he will not accept a fourth year on the outside looking in.
Phil Jackson addressed the need to win now by dealing Robin Lopez, Jerian Grant, and Jose Calderon for Derrick Rose. Rose has an extensive history of injuries, but on talent alone, he’s one of the most dynamic point guards in the NBA.
During a recent interview with Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Anthony spoke at length about how much he loves the Knicks’ decision to trade for Rose.
"“We’re ballplayers. We’re competitors. We want to win. I know [Derrick Rose] wants to win. I’ve talked to him. I’ve watched him over the years. I’ve seen how hungry he worked to come back from his injuries.”“I feel a little bit more confident now that we actually made that move, made that decision,” Anthony said. “It shows me they are looking at now, and not the future just yet. The time is now. We have to capitalize on what we have right now. Of course, the front office also has to look at the big picture, but the time is now.”"
A vast majority of Knicks fans would be inclined to agree.
Kristaps Porzingis represents the future of the organization. Porzingis is already a phenom, but expecting a second-year player to lead a team to the playoffs is irrational.
It’s the combination of Anthony and Rose who must alleviate the pressure from Porzingis and thus lead the Knicks back to the postseason in 2017.
New York still has money to spend in free agency which implies the Knicks aren’t quite done making improvements. That’s exactly what Anthony wants to hear, as he’s in danger of exiting his prime with four consecutive missed opportunities to make the playoffs.
13 years into his NBA career, Anthony isn’t just hungry for success; he’s starving, per Begley.
"“I’m hungry,” Anthony added. “I’m starving right now. Like I said, I’m starting to feel better. I feel healthy. We have some more work to do, but I’m looking forward to playing with him.”"
Knicks fans are just as famished as Anthony.
Four of the five players selected in the Top 5 of the 2003 NBA Draft—yes, including Darko Milicic—have won a championship. Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade won two titles together, but James and Wade also won rings separately.
That leaves Anthony as the only Top 5 selection from the 2003 NBA Draft who hasn’t won a championship.
As for the Knicks, New Yorkers haven’t seen an NBA championship since 1973. That 43-year title drought is one of the most infamous in all of sports, as it’s been accumulated in, arguably, the most prominent sports market in the United States of America.
The rational hope is that Anthony and Jackson’s shared yearning for success will lead to a return to the postseason in 2016.
must read: All Derrick Rose wants to do is win
Anthony simply will not accept another season without a trip to the playoffs.