As many know by now, last night was a record breaking evening for Carmelo Anthony. Anthony’s 62 point performance was not only a career-high but also eclipsed three different NBA marks. ‘Melo broke Kevin Durant‘s season high for points after three quarters with 56 points, Hall of Famer Bernard King‘s record for most points in a game as a Knick, and Kobe Bryant‘s record for most points in Madison Square Garden. With Anthony’s on-court performance grabbing attention from everyone around the NBA, Anthony’s off-court free agent decision this upcoming summer has also gained attention.
A few notes on Carmelo’s free agency:
- Bernard King “knew one day Carmelo would break [his scoring] record” notes Marc Berman of the New York Post. Carmelo’s childhood idol is “delighted it happened” and hopes last night’s performance will convince Anthony to re-sign with the Knicks this summer. King disclaimed any inside information to Anthony’s decision next summer but thinks that Anthony will stay in New York next season. King cites Anthony’s desire to win championships as the reason he will realize New York is the best place in the NBA to make that dream a reality.
- Providing his own take on King’s interview, Ian Begley of ESPN quotes King as asking “Where else [would Carmelo] go?” According to King, Anthony has relished his time in New York. Combining that with the love Knicks fans have for Anthony, King can’t think of any other NBA team that could offer a similar situation.
- Chris Herring of the Wall Street Journal thinks by not making a “proactive step”, the Knicks are making the job of keeping Carmelo more difficult than it needs to be. Herring gives his opinion as to what the Knicks should do to convince the player they gave up a pick from next year’s draft and a third of their roster for, to remain a Knick next season. According to Herring, the Knicks should first give head coach Mike Woodson a deep performance analysis now that many of their key players have returned from injury to determine if he remains the coach of their future. If the Knicks do retain Woodson’s services, Herring thinks the Knicks should then require Woodson to change his coaching habits, primarily his defensive schemes. Lastly, Herring believes the Knicks, who have “cycled through a league-high 77 players in the past five seasons,” should make a roster change to prevent Carmelo from leaving. Players that Herring suggests the Knicks should consider moving include Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler, and Iman Shumpert, although he warns of the mixed signals each of those moves could send to Carmelo.
I think you mean Carmelo broke the season high for points after 3 quarters held by Durant. I seem to recall 2006 Kobe Bryant outscoring the Mavericks 62-61 after three quarters, thereby making Melo’s 56 after 3 quarters, not a record.
Correct. We’ve made the fix. Thanks, Kevin!
–Chuck