Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – New York Knicks
How would a reunion affect Carmelo Anthony’s legacy?
To be clear, I am not suggesting that Melo chase a ring with the Knicks. As hopeful as I am that the Jalen Brunson addition helps New York correct their 2021-22 failings, any reasonable NBA fan is well aware of the fact that the club is not in a position to compete for a title.
So how will rejoining the Knicks aid Melo’s Hall of Fame-worthy legacy? For all the legend has accomplished in his basketball career (10-time All-Star, former scoring champion, NCAA Champion, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, etc.), his unique NBA journey hasn’t allowed him to fully connect with any individual franchise.
When Melo does retire from the game, which franchise is a lock to retire his jersey and give him a proper sendoff?
Denver? Despite playing a career-high eight seasons with the Nuggets, a lack of postseason success and a messy divorce from the club leave that in question.
New York? Maybe, but not definitely. Despite seven seasons of prime Melo in MSG, the Knicks also failed to achieve any real team success during the star’s tenure. He had great moments in blue and orange. Yet, his New York legacy is defined by overall disappointment.
This leaves only Portland, Oklahoma City, Houston, and Los Angeles. All of these stops involved a post-prime Anthony who was in each city for very short stints.
How many transcendent stars are at risk of retiring with a proper sendoff from any of their former clubs? Unfortunately for Anthony, he falls into that rare category.
However, perhaps one final season with the Knicks would cement his New York legacy. Something of a mini farewell tour would allow Carmelo and Knicks fans to heal from past disappointment and reestablish a connection.
This closure, with the absent pressure that Anthony will carry the franchise, could be all that is needed to make the future Hall of Famer feel, first and foremost, like a New York Knick. Perhaps joining a contender cashes in with that elusive first ring. But perhaps (and even likely) it will not.
Why not take the sure-fire legacy boost that ends with #7 hanging in MSG forevermore?
New York Knicks</a> reunion could be in the works.</p>
<p>Despite being 38 years old, and becoming an afterthought on an underperforming Lakers team last season, Anthony still holds value as a free agent.</p>
<p><span style="color: inherit;font-size: 20px;font-style: italic;font-weight: bold">Does former Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony still have value?</span></p>
<p>After suffering a brief hiatus from the league when he was waived by the Houston Rockets, the former NBA superstar reinvented himself and his game during a two-year stint with the Portland Trail Blazers. During that span, he averaged 14.4 points and 4.7 rebounds on 43% shooting from the field.</p>
<p>Despite playing a role in a disastrous Lakers club, the veteran still posted a respectable 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 44% shooting. The difference in team success should not counteract the point that the 19-year pro is showing little statistical signs of slowing down. I wrote last year <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2021/09/16/ny-knicks-how-a-reunion-could-have-added-to-carmelo-anthonys-legacy/">about why a reunion made sense for both sides</a>. Thankfully, Melo’s consistent play has left the door open.</p>
<p>Anthony’s ability to hit jumpers in a post-up setting while also stretching the floor (38% from three last season) still makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. Need proof his scoring chops haven’t eroded? Here’s<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=9djA_QElbsI&feature=emb_logo%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener"> some recent evidence</a>.</p>
<p>Need more? Here’s Melo cooking <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUStym9x9f8%22 target="_blank" rel="noopener">against the eventual champion</a>.</p>
<p>His combination of scoring ability, combined with his veteran leadership, will surely land Anthony another short-term deal. I expect him to be considering options in free agency.</p>
<p>This leaves Melo with a big decision. Would he be best served by joining another contender with hopes of capturing the elusive NBA championship? Or should he consider a reunion with New York?</p>
<p>While many most likely believe the former is the wiser option, I firmly believe that Anthony’s best path toward improving his NBA legacy during the twilight of his career is by rejoining the Knicks.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> How would a reunion affect Carmelo's legacy? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130083" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1372902340.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1372902340.jpeg 3200w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1372902340-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>How would a reunion affect Carmelo Anthony’s legacy?</h3>
<p>To be clear, I am not suggesting that Melo chase a ring with the Knicks. As hopeful as I am that the Jalen Brunson addition helps New York correct their 2021-22 failings, any reasonable NBA fan is well aware of the fact that the club is not in a position to compete for a title.</p>
<p>So how will rejoining the Knicks aid Melo’s Hall of Fame-worthy legacy? For all the legend has accomplished in his basketball career (10-time All-Star, former scoring champion, NCAA Champion, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist, etc.), his unique NBA journey hasn’t allowed him to fully connect with any individual franchise.</p>
<p>When Melo does retire from the game, which franchise is a lock to retire his jersey and give him a proper sendoff?</p>
<p>Denver? Despite playing a career-high eight seasons with the Nuggets, a lack of postseason success and a messy divorce from the club leave that in question.</p>
<p>New York? Maybe, but not definitely. Despite seven seasons of prime Melo in MSG, the Knicks also failed to achieve any real team success during the star’s tenure. He had great moments in blue and orange. Yet, his New York legacy is defined by overall disappointment.</p>
<p>This leaves only Portland, Oklahoma City, Houston, and Los Angeles. All of these stops involved a post-prime Anthony who was in each city for very short stints.</p>
<p>How many transcendent stars are at risk of retiring with a proper sendoff from any of their former clubs? Unfortunately for Anthony, he falls into that rare category.</p>
<p>However, perhaps one final season with the Knicks would cement his New York legacy. Something of a mini farewell tour would allow Carmelo and Knicks fans to heal from past disappointment and reestablish a connection.</p>
<p>This closure, with the absent pressure that Anthony will carry the franchise, could be all that is needed to make the future Hall of Famer feel, first and foremost, like a New York Knick. Perhaps joining a contender cashes in with that elusive first ring. But perhaps (and even likely) it will not.</p>
<p>Why not take the sure-fire legacy boost that ends with #7 hanging in MSG forevermore?</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #007BC1" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Does a reunion make sense for the Knicks? </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-130084" src=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1066,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fdailyknicks.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1296790795.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="1066" srcset="https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1296790795.jpeg 1600w, https://dailyknicks.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1296790795-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Carmelo Anthony, Portland Trail Blazers. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – New York Knicks</p>
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<h3>Does a reunion make sense for the Knicks?</h3>
<p>I’m in favor of a reunion from Carmelo’s perspective. But of course, this is only one-half of the equation. The concept must also be addressed by the Knicks franchise.</p>
<p>Does adding a 38-year-old Anthony do anything to aid the on-court product in NYC? While the idea of a fairytale ending sounds nice, the Knicks cannot afford to waste a roster spot on a player that doesn’t fit. Leon Rose <a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/ny-stephen-a-smith-leon-rose-jalen-brunson-20220702-qr47bjxovvcrveiv6fkacougaa-story.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has drawn ire (subscription required) </a>from the national media, while many (<a href=https://dailyknicks.com/2022/07/05/carmelo-anthony-best-legacy-move-reunion-knicks-free-agency/2/"https://dailyknicks.com/2022/04/15/new-york-knicks-3-reasons-kenny-atkinson-next-head-coach/">myself included</a>) have publically questioned Tom Thibodeau’s future as the club’s head coach.</p>
<p>High-level jobs are on the line. New York must rebound from last season’s failure.</p>
<p>So, does Anthony move the needle toward winning? I believe that he can in the following three ways:</p>
<p>First, consider New York’s depth chart. Thankfully, budding stars like Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin give the team depth in the front and backcourt. However, the loss of Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel leaves the team notably top-heavy.</p>
<p>Were there a lot of moments last season where you marveled at how deep the roster was? It seems that an already shallow depth chart is even more void of bench playmakers.</p>
<p>While there are several remaining free agents that could help correct this issue, Anthony’s skillset would have value. We know that his midrange and iso game is still strong. While his defense is a liability, perhaps a guru like Thibs and an elite rim protector like Robinson can help make up for this deficiency.</p>
<p>Second, consider Melo’s ability to help mentor some of the younger players. I’m specifically thinking about RJ Barrett. Though he once carried a reputation of being selfish, the stint in Portland seems to have reinvented the twilight of Anthony’s career.</p>
<p>Could you imagine how the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest scorers in Knicks history would aid the development of Barrett (and Toppin for that matter)? I would love to see the difference a mentoring Melo could make.</p>
<p>Lastly, it is important to keep in mind that the Knicks already have a recent example of helping an aging star find success for himself and the team. Though former MVP Derrick Rose was over half a decade younger than Anthony when he joined New York in 2020, his injury history had ravaged his elite above-the-rim athleticism.</p>
<p>Yet, New York was able to rehab the former star. Rose quickly became a super valuable weapon off the bench. In fact, on numerous occasions over the past few seasons, Rose has served as the Knicks’ primary option at the end of close games.</p>
<p>I do not expect that Anthony would fill this type of role. But I am encouraged that the franchise seems to have a working formula for finding success in these types of situations.</p>
<p>The stars seem to be aligning for one final opportunity for the wayward son in Anthony to come home to MSG. For the benefit of his legacy and the Knicks’ on-court success, I truly hope that each side will seriously consider a reunion.</p>
<p><em><strong>Would you like to see Carmelo Anthony back in a Knicks uniform? </strong></em></p>
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