IT’S ALL GOOD, BRO
Porzingis says critical interview his brother gave didn’t make Melo angry
PHILADELPHIA — Carmelo Anthony’s dress rehearsal lasted three grueling overtimes on Friday, which leads to an obvious question in advance of Melo’s big Madison Square Garden return on Saturday. After playing 47 minutes, how much can he possibly have left in the tank against his former teammates?
“I might sit,” Anthony said following Oklahoma City’s 119-117 triple overtime win against the Philadelphia 76ers. “You guys will be (mad) if I sit.”
Anthony was joking of course. He fully intends to soak in every moment of Saturday’s game against the franchise he led for 6½ seasons. His wife and son will be in attendance and Anthony is hoping that the reception from the home crowd will be favorable.
“I think it will be an appreciation,” Anthony added. “It’s not like I was there for a year or a season or two seasons. I spent a lot of time there. Almost seven years. There were good times and bad times, but I stuck with it. Hopefully they’ll recognize that.”
Anthony repeatedly said he expects it to be a “fun” night and later admitted that he is homesick.
“How can I not miss New York,” he said. “I became entrenched not just with the Knicks but the city as well. Those are my roots. The people there, I become one of them. I embraced New York City. I embraced the culture. I embraced everything about that city.”
As for Oklahoma City and Russell Westbrook, let’s just say Anthony is still adjusting.
On the eve of his one and only visit to MSG, Anthony re-discovered his jump shot against the Sixers only to be ignored over long stretches as OKC was blowing an 11-point fourth quarter lead. In fact, over the final 32 minutes, including playing all three overtimes, Anthony took just four shots and none in the fourth quarter.