1. Los Angeles Lakers
Don’t roll your eyes. You can root for the Lakers if you’re a LeBron James Fan, or maybe you want to see Wayne Ellington knock some threes down in a playoff game. Yet it’s obvious why many Knicks fans will be pulling for the purple and gold despite their struggles this year – Carmelo Anthony.
Melo’s been a bright spot amidst a dark Los Angeles season. He’s averaging 13.5 points per game while shooting 44% from the field and 38% from three, taking roughly six shots per game beyond the arc.
After a messy breakup from New York, an awkward fit in Oklahoma City, and an abrupt ending in Houston, Anthony’s found a fitting second act as a high-volume bench scorer (first in Portland and now in LA).
The Knicks reportedly considered bringing back Melo last offseason. It would’ve been a beautiful sight to see him in MSG again, but the Lakers were a better fit for Anthony, whose quest for a championship ring is almost over.
The closest he came in New York was the 2012-2013 season, losing in the Eastern Conference Semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, who were led by a 22-year-old Paul George.
And while Los Angeles looks – to put it bluntly – dead, it’s wrong to count out James, who’s leading the league with 30 points per game at the age of 37. Anthony Davis should return soon and there’s a chance that Russell Westbrook has turned a corner (probably not).
The Lakers and the Knicks have been hard to watch this season, but we’d all like to see Anthony hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
3 Knicks players who should get more minutes to close out 2021-22
Now that the New York Knicks can no longer make it to the play-in tournament, here are 3 players who need to receive more playing time.