Carmelo loves NY, ready to rumble with Thunder
Carmelo Anthony referred to his relationship with New York as “love at first sight,” but also acknowledged that at least part of the reason he stuck around so long was for money. And once winning became more of a priority, Anthony said he opened up his destination options to include the Thunder. “It was just looking for opportunities to win,” Anthony said in an interview with NBATV. “For me, I’ve stayed with teams, stayed in situations for contractual reasons and money and not wanting to leave money on the table. But also believing in New York and wanting to believe in New York and the organization. But then it came to the point where I really had to think about my career. I’m not getting any younger. And the only thing I’m missing is winning, and kind of getting that joy back, getting that feel back.”
Anthony had signed two contract extension with the Knicks totaling nearly $200 million, and each time he signed it was more than any other team could offer because New York owned his Bird Rights. Anthony was officially traded Monday three years into his latest fiveyear deal, ending a partnership of unfulfilled potential.
Anthony, who owns a no-trade clause, only recently decided to expand his destination options to facilitate a trade.
“This is not about me turning my back on New York, this is not about me turning my back to the fans, this is about a business decision,” Anthony said. “It’s time for me to think about myself from the standpoint of winning and understanding where the New York organization is at and where they’re at and what they’re trying to do.
“There is no bad blood, no hard feelings between me and the organization. As far as I’m concerned, I have nothing bad to say about those guys. I will always represent New York.”
Anthony also published a heartfelt letter to New York on his Instagram page.
“From the day I first met you, I knew we were meant to be together. It was love at first sight,” Anthony wrote. “New York equipped me to make it in any other place in the world. It taught me how to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Saying Goodbye is the hardest thing to do. I never thought I would, especially to you. No one will ever take your place. It’s hard to find someone like you, so know you will always be missed. You helped me laugh. You dried my tears. Because of you, I have no fears. You came into my life and I was blessed. It’s time to raise my hand and say goodbye. It’s not the end, because like I’ve always said, NYC ’til the end.”