In the meeting that the Knicks and Lakers played yesterday at Madison Square there were other stories to look at away from the game itself. It was not the first time that Carmelo Anthony returned to what was his home since the NBA banished him for a year, but it was the first time that he did so with an audience in the stands. The Mecca of basketball could not react in any other way than with a closed ovation to which Melo could only respond with a smile that escaped his teeth.
Anthony had a pretty weak night on offense. Despite his unusual defensive effort, the 3-for-14 shooting with 2-for-8 3-pointers watered a comeback that he couldn’t celebrate with victory. Still, the Knicks fans did not hesitate to acclaim what may have been their last great star. Madison preferred to forget the bitter years with which Melo said goodbye and thanked him for giving them what may be his best career stage. As a New Yorker and a Knicks fan, Carmelo is one of those players who seem predestined to wear the jersey knickerbocker. And for a time this was a happy marriage.
The player cannot help but feel a certain attachment to the Big Apple team. In fact, in the previous match declared be happy with the direction of the Knicks, applauding the work of its CEO. “The work Leon Rose has done is greatly underestimated. It is very difficult to arrive and do what he has done building practically from scratch.
Melo further praises Leon Rose’s work for taking office directly after serving as representative. “I take my hat off”. He also praises the way in which he has managed to place the Knicks in a status they have not occupied in almost a decade. ‘He has not done it in a hurry. He just sat down and talked to people to really find out what the team needed. “
Obviously, Anthony wasn’t going to finish your statements for SNY TV without declaring his love for the Knicks fans outright. I don’t think my love for NYC will ever go away. That hobby is different. His love is different. It goes beyond basketball.
(Cover photo by Elsa / Getty Images)