Knicks fans get wishes granted with Carmelo Anthony’s return to MSG

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Former New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony attends game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Former New York Knicks player Carmelo Anthony attends game two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on May 02, 2023 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

New York Knicks fans have gotten to see several legends attend one of the team’s playoff games at MSG thus far, but there’s been one former player that fans have been waiting to see. Yes, that player is Carmelo Anthony and he’s back at the Garden where he belongs.

Anthony went unsigned during the 2022-23 season after averaging 13.3 points with the Lakers last season. There were some Knicks fans that were campaigning for New York to sign him, but teams like Brooklyn and Phoenix were popping up in rumors more frequently. Nothing ever came to fruition, though.

If Melo is planning on retiring, he hasn’t announced it yet. In the meantime, he’s likely been preoccupied with his son Kiyan Anthony, who recently transferred to Long Island Lutheran after being at Christ the King High School. He’s finishing his sophomore year and has already received offers from schools such as Syracuse (no surprise there) and Tennessee.

Kiyan spent a lot of time at the Garden as a young kid watching his dad play, and now he and Melo are back to watch New York play in the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time since 2013.

Carmelo Anthony at Madison Square Garden for Knicks-Heat Game 2 playoffs

Knicks fans started to call for Melo to catch a playoff game at MSG after he commented on one of the team’s Instagram posts from when New York beat Cleveland in round one.

It doesn’t matter that it’s been six years since Melo played for the Knicks. He’s still held in high regard by the majority of the fanbase and is arguably the only former player that fans are actively rooting for to get a ring. His time may have already run out, but that’s still yet to be determined. It’d be nice to get to see him hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.

Let’s hope that Melo’s presence will be enough to help the Knicks pick up a much-needed Game 2 win over a Heat team without Jimmy Butler.