Boeheim: Melo ready to show he’s still a star
Carmelo Anthony may not have an NBA title, but he does have an NCAA championship — and his former college coach said the star forward couldn’t be happier going to a team that has a shot at a ring.
Anthony was miscast in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense, according to Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, and will enjoy a resurgence playing alongside reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and Paul George in Oklahoma City after the Knicks traded him Saturday.
“I’m happy for Melo, couldn’t be happier,’’ Boeheim told The Post. “Credit to the guys in charge of the Knicks who made a good deal, as good a deal as can be made considering the poison put in water. You get two guys who can score, two guys, both firstround picks. Carmelo’s happy he’s going to play with two of the top-10 players in the NBA, and prove he’s still one of the best players in the NBA.
“Melo had to work so hard in the triangle. It’s a good offense, but not what he does best. He had to work so hard to get his shot, and get a shot at the end of clock, and he’d have seven seconds. He’s much better when he plays with good players, gets open shots, opportunities to post up and do things, post up as well. It’ll just be a lot easier. I think he’s anxious to prove he’s still [a star].”
Anthony led Boeheim’s 2003 Syracuse team to the national title in his only collegiate season. Yet, despite scoring more than 24,000 points and making 10 All-Star teams, Anthony missed the playoffs four straight years in New York and never got the Knicks past the second round.
Boeheim said the 31-year-old Anthony still has more than enough left in the tank to do far better in Oklahoma City.
“I saw him last week and thought he’s in the best shape I’d seen him in a while. He’s got three or four good years in him; he’s not at end of his career,” Boeheim said. “I think he has some pretty good years left. People have bashed him up pretty good over the last couple years.”
While Boeheim felt Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott would help the Knicks rebuild from a fourth straight losing season, he said Anthony will be reinvigorated finally playing on a team alongside similar All-Star talent.
“It’s foolish for teams to think they’re going to get Golden State; you’re not going to get Golden State,” Boeheim said. “But you want a good team, and Oklahoma City is a really good team. He’ll play with two guys who can create stuff, and it’ll help him to not have to create as much, be able to spot up more, do what he does best: Shoot the ball and play lot easier game — a lot easier.
“I like Russell Westbrook, Paul George. Melo played with both of them in the Olympics. And the Knicks had to make the move and got two guys who can score. They did a good job, did the best they could. He wanted to make it work in New York, gave it everything he had. He took the high road the last year or two. I think he leaves with respect for how he handled himself. Now he’s going to one of the top five or six teams in the league, he’s never had that, and I think it’ll be fun for him.”