New York Knicks: Is This Carmelo Anthony’s Last Shot At A Title?
By Joshua Lea
The New York Knicks have arguably the most talent that they’ve had in years. However, it may not be enough for Carmelo Anthony to bring a championship to the Big Apple.
New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony has had a highly decorative career since his inception into the NBA. The six-time All-NBA selection won the scoring title in 2013. He also led the league in minutes in 2014 at the age of 30. The nine-time NBA All-Star won a championship in college at Syracuse in 2003, and three Olympic gold medals in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Although Melo is going to be a first ballot Hall-Of-Famer upon his retirement, he hasn’t yet hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy above his head. The idea of Melo bringing a title back to New York filled the hearts of New Yorkers everywhere once his trade to the Knicks became official in 2011.
The NBA road in New York is a long and lonesome one. Melo has been a part of multiple rebuilds with players coming and going. He has seen five different coaches, including two in one season. He saw the birth of Linsanity, and the recent retirement of Amar’e Stoudemire.
Now, the New York Knicks look different. This offseason the Knicks added more depth than they’ve had since Melo came to New York. Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee will provide a B-12 shot into the arm of the New York defense — a defense ranking 10th in points allowed last season, giving up just under 102 points per game.
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Offensively the Knicks will have Derrick Rose, (provided health and legal issues don’t interfere) Brandon Jennings and Kristaps Porzingis. These three players are capable to controlling the offensive flow of the game and creating their own shots.
As of now, it is unclear if the Knicks will use the traditional triangle offense or if they will run a form of the triangle such as the Princeton offense. The key will be floor spacing, and getting players in their spots.
Porzingis recently spoke to Marc Berman of the New York Post that it’s the ” same old triangle.” However, new head coach Jeff Hornacek called it “aspects of the triangle.” He also admitted it’s difficult for new players to understand. As a result, there’s no sure sign the Knicks will be ready for the season opener.
Hornacek has his work cut out for him this season. He’ll have to manage the egos while teaching some players an offense they’ve never used before. These beginning trials will either make or break the Knicks this season.
Last season, we saw a different Melo. We saw a mentor to Porzingis, an opened-minded player who believed in Phil Jackson‘s vision. Melo’s position remains questionable. Is this his last chance to compete for a championship? Not ideally, he could always join the Golden State Warriors later on down the road. However, this is his last chance to bring a title to New York.
Melo has to be brilliant this season to cover up some of the holes within the Knicks. If Rose or Noah gets hurt, he’ll have to pick up the slack and lead the Knicks back to the postseason.
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One thing is certain, the Knicks have talent. They have the players needed to make a strong run in the postseason. But the 2017 season displays the Knicks as underdogs, and Rose’s legal issues will be a distraction until the lawsuit is settled. It’s up to Carmelo Anthony to once again lead the way.