The long running Carmelo Anthony soap opera is over in Denver. On Tuesday the Nuggets shipping the malingering aggressive machine to the New York Knicks in an enormous three team, 13 player deal which also involved the Minnesota Timberwolves for salary cap motives. The Knicks received Anthony, guard Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman from the Nuggets and Corey Brewer from the T-Wolves. Denver received Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton and Timofey Mozgov from the Knicks along with draft picks and cash. The Knicks sent Eddy Curry (and his expiring contract) and Anthony Randolph for Brewer which freed up the cap room required to ink a deal with Carmelo.
Anthony was jubilant as he spoke to the New York media telling that he was nervous to be part of the basketball new start in the 'Big Apple' that started with the off season acquisition of Amare Stoudemire:
"I think New York needed a moment like this. When they got Amare, it brought some excitement back to the city. Now, as Amare said, New York basketball is back. Will we win a championship this year? Who knows? That takes time. But this team is headed in the right direction. ... It's a dream come true for me, and I'm ready to rock."
Anthony refused to verify or deny any other teams that were in the running for his services-though every indication is that he was also courted by the New Jersey Nets:
"I don't know. I really can't reply that question. I'm here now. I signed with the Knicks. I really don't desire to talk about ... other teams."
Carmelo got his New York tenure off to a good start on Wednesday night-he scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Knicks beat Milwaukee 114-108 though failed to cover the NBA point spread as -6' home preferred. He tells after the game that he thought he and Stoudemire played well together with no preparation time:
"I think me and him will have a great time together here alongside each other," Anthony declares. "It's going to be exciting."
He also wants to get his original team to get better on the defensive end which has been the Knicks' biggest liability all season long:
"I desire to focus on [defense] and get guys into that mind, and then we'll be good to go."
Anthony's introductory media meeting on Wednesday brought out all of the big guns, including team owner James Dolan who rarely speaks to the media:
"It was lucid that he wanted to come to our city and play for our franchise."
Anthony's timing couldn't have been better-after a journey to Cleveland to face the struggling Cavs the Knicks head to Florida for a pair of huge matchups against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic before they return home on March 2 to take on the New Orleans Hornets.
Anthony was jubilant as he spoke to the New York media telling that he was nervous to be part of the basketball new start in the 'Big Apple' that started with the off season acquisition of Amare Stoudemire:
"I think New York needed a moment like this. When they got Amare, it brought some excitement back to the city. Now, as Amare said, New York basketball is back. Will we win a championship this year? Who knows? That takes time. But this team is headed in the right direction. ... It's a dream come true for me, and I'm ready to rock."
Anthony refused to verify or deny any other teams that were in the running for his services-though every indication is that he was also courted by the New Jersey Nets:
"I don't know. I really can't reply that question. I'm here now. I signed with the Knicks. I really don't desire to talk about ... other teams."
Carmelo got his New York tenure off to a good start on Wednesday night-he scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as the Knicks beat Milwaukee 114-108 though failed to cover the NBA point spread as -6' home preferred. He tells after the game that he thought he and Stoudemire played well together with no preparation time:
"I think me and him will have a great time together here alongside each other," Anthony declares. "It's going to be exciting."
He also wants to get his original team to get better on the defensive end which has been the Knicks' biggest liability all season long:
"I desire to focus on [defense] and get guys into that mind, and then we'll be good to go."
Anthony's introductory media meeting on Wednesday brought out all of the big guns, including team owner James Dolan who rarely speaks to the media:
"It was lucid that he wanted to come to our city and play for our franchise."
Anthony's timing couldn't have been better-after a journey to Cleveland to face the struggling Cavs the Knicks head to Florida for a pair of huge matchups against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic before they return home on March 2 to take on the New Orleans Hornets.
About the Author:
Daniel Scott is a freelance sports writer and noted authority on price per head. His writing has appeared on a variety of sports sites including sportsbooks and pay per head sites. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a kangaroo. He is currently working on an autobiography of former energy secretary Donald Hodell.
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