Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks can finally move on
Following an emotional regular season opener, Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks can finally move on and put the past behind them.
When new broke that the New York Knicks had traded Carmelo Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder, conflicting emotions inevitably arose. Anthony had been the face of the organization since 2011, and led New York to its greatest success of the post-Ewing era.
Following the most appropriate of season openers, both Anthony and the Knicks received the closure they needed in order to move forward.
Anthony’s debut with the Thunder was coincidentally scheduled against the Knicks in both teams’ regular season openers. It was an emotional encounter, as both sides looked to put the past behind them and move forward with a clean slate.
Both Anthony and the Knicks succeeded in doing so, as the game symbolized the promise and potential of both sides’ new settings.
Anthony helped the Thunder secure a 105-84 victory over the Knicks—an undeniable form of instant gratification. He finished with 22 points, as well as two blocks and a pair of steals, in the most rewarding victory he’s been a part of since 2013.
The fact that he played well on both ends of the floor during an impressive Thunder victory was reason enough to walk away smiling.
On the other side of the encounter, New York received early confirmation that it made the right decision to move on from Anthony. In his first game as the go-to scoring option and franchise player, Kristaps Porzingis put forth one of the best individual showings of his career.
Matched up against his mentor, friend, and former teammate, Porzingis went off for 31 points and 12 rebounds on 11-of-25 shooting from the field.
It wasn’t a perfect performance by the Thunder, but Anthony and his new teammates did what was necessary to start the season on a high note. The loss was troubling for New York, but Porzingis made a statement in his first game as the franchise player.
The second half was trying for Porzingis, but he pushed through and played with the fearlessness that will be required in his new role.
Anthony can now move forward in his pursuit of an elusive NBA championship with the reigning MVP and a three-time All-NBA honoree by his side. He began the latest chapter of his career with a victory over the team—and symbolically, the organization—that pushed him out.
New York can move forward with rational confidence that Kristaps Porzingis will flourish in his role as the new franchise player.
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Thank you for your contributions to the New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony. Once a Knick, always a Knick.