Ex-Knick Randolph caught in weed post
Carmelo Anthony may get to see another championship banner raised in October, assuming the Knicks finally pull the trigger on a proposed deal with the Houston Rockets, who will open their season in Oakland against the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Even if Carmelo hasn’t appeared in a playoff game in four years, he is well versed on how a ring ceremony is run. Last season, Anthony was with the Knicks in Cleveland to witness LeBron James and the Cavs receive their championship rings.
The NBA released its opening week and Christmas Day schedule on Thursday but Carmelo’s travel itinerary is unclear. The Knicks will open the 2017-18 season — with or without Carmelo — in Oklahoma City against Russell Westbrook, Paul George and the Thunder. It will be nice to see Westbrook start a new season by recording a triple-double. And despite four straight losing seasons, the Knicks will host a Christmas Day game against Philadelphia.
Anthony’s status remains uncertain. As the Daily News reported last month, Anthony remains committed to playing for the Rockets next season and is confident the Knicks will reach an agreement with Houston. Several teams, including Portland and New Orleans, have expressed interest in the Knicks’ best player but Anthony, at least for now, is only willing to waive his notrade clause for a deal with the Rockets.
The major stumbling block is Houston trading Ryan Anderson, who has three years and $60 million remaining on his contract. The Knicks, up to this point, have refused to take on Anderson’s contract, which is why Houston is trying to recruit a third team to complete a deal.
Anthony approached the Knicks prior to the NBA Draft hoping to negotiate a buyout with the club. Former Knicks president Phil Jackson was willing to work with Anthony to make that happen but Garden Chairman James Dolan, who was responsible for acquiring Anthony from Denver, refused. Within days, Jackson was out and the Knicks and Anthony agreed to work on a trade.
Talks were progressing until Steve Mills was promoted from general manager to president and Scott Perry was hired as GM. Those moves caused a delay in the talks. Anthony’s camp was upset that the Knicks had suddenly pulled back but Mills, according to a source, assured Anthony’s representatives that they would resume working on a trade.
The Knicks, who are trying to acquire Kyrie Irving, were hoping that Anthony would be receptive to a trade to the Cavaliers, but Anthony’s primary focus is Houston. Not even the Knicks front office makeover has changed Anthony’s thinking.
One-time Knicks forward Zach Randolph was arrested with so much pot Wednesday night in Los Angeles, cops reportedly charged him with intent to distribute, which is a felony.
Randolph, 36, who just signed a 2-year, $24 million deal last month with the Kings, was jailed after cops were called to the Nickerson Gardens projects to break up a crowd that was allegedly smoking marijuana, listening to loud music, and blocking streets. According to TMZ, Randolph was one of three people detained.
“The charges are false and misleading,” Randolph’s agent and lawyer Raymond Brothers told the Associated Press Thursday. “We’re looking at all options to resolve this matter.”
Following the arrests, the crowd became unruly and clashed with police at 112th Street and Zamora Avenue. According to reports, they threw rocks and bottles, vandalized six patrol cars, and police formed a “skirmish line” to restore order PHOTO BY AP after calling for backup.
Five police cars and a sheriff’s vehicle had their windows smashed and tires slashed. Cops seized two guns, drugs, and impounded two cars, according to reports.
Randolph, a 16-year NBA veteran, played for the Knicks during the 200708 season and averaged 17.6 points in 69 games after a June trade with the Trail Blazers. After starting the first 11 games the following season, the Knicks traded him to the Clippers along with Mardy Collins for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
He most recently played eight seasons with Memphis — including two All-Star Game appearances — before signing as a free agent with Sacramento.
In 2009, Randolph was suspended two games by the Clippers following an arrest for an investigation of drunk driving in his Rolls-Royce.
“I regret that the situation happened. I hope people don’t rush to judgment,” Randolph said at the time. “All I have to do now is focus on basketball and let the process run its course. Let it work itself out.”