Knicks legend and former Phil Jackson teammate Earl “The Pearl” Monroe tells Marc Berman of the New York Post he doesn’t believe the Zen Master surrounded Carmelo Anthony with enough help. The Knicks are coming off their fourth losing season and Jackson has made it known he wants Anthony to waive his no-trade clause and play elsewhere.
“I thought this team was going to be pretty good with Derrick Rose coming in and Courtney Lee, though I’m not sure he’s a starting guard,’’ Monroe said. “But there was no chemistry, not even in the locker room. And Melo, he has done what he was brought here to do.”
Moroe added that center Joakim Noah, who struggled with injuries and suspension in the first year of a four-year, $72MM deal, could have been the vocal leader and presence but could not do so. Anthony, 32, for his part played well, averaging 22.4 PPG and 5.9 RPG in 74 games. This offseason, however, it appears that Jackson’s objective is to trade Anthony in lieu of acquiring reinforcements for him.
Here are additional notes from the Atlantic division:
- Jeff Goodman of ESPN joined CSN New England to discuss the Celtics and stressed that head coach Brad Stevens is the organization’s biggest draw. While Isaiah Thomas becoming an elite scorer may be enticing to some players, Goodman says that him dominating the ball for most of the game will turn away a lot of players. The Celtics, in Goodman’s view, are the closest team to winning a title that isn’t the Cavaliers, Warriors, or possible the Spurs.
- After missing out on several future All-Star caliber talent in recent years, the 2017 NBA Draft will be crucial for the 76ers, Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes. In 2013, Michael Carter-Williams was Philadelphia’s first round pick (11th overall) and Rookie of the Year. Four picks later, the team missed out on Giannis Antetokounmpo; in 2015, the team took Jahlil Okafor but missed out on talent like Kristaps Porzingis and Devin Booker.
- Raptors President Masai Ujiri is currently searching for a replacement for the recently departed Jeff Weltman, who joined the Magic as team president. Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports (via Twitter) reports that the team is considering internal candidates with Bobby Webster as possibility.
monday morning qbs…. giannis was passed on 14x and booker 12x so at the time if they all knew how they ended up now both go 1st overall? Sixers flipped MCW a 3rd string PG for a now unprotected 2017 lakers pick that could be a lotto pick who knows. Better than watching MCW play here. Also Kristaps did and does not want to play here. Until he or his camp says otherwise he aint hot for Philly.
Exactly!!!
Exactly right. We also hit on saric, and made other savvy moves. It’s easy to second guess, but I’m not calling foul on our choices. Wish colangelo could’ve gotten more for Noel, but that’s bc colangelo is a butthead.
Okafor never felt like a fit to begin with.
I’ve always, and will continue to until he’s moved, view Okafor as Embiid insurance. If Embiid goes bust next season, and Okafor is still around, he is probably the guy we ‘have to’ go with. 2018 NBA draft has 2 7fters in the top 3. So keeping the LA pick may come in handy.
Side note – Derrick Rose is a guy that came into the league that ‘will develop a shot’ and never did. But his overall skills were so much better that it didn’t matter until the injuries piled up. That’s the hope for Fox or Jackson who have ‘shot’ issues. John Wall actually is shooting slightly lower % for his career than his 1 year in college. But again, his other skills are greater than his shooting weaknesses.
Jah is actually a perfect fit for Phil Jackson’s Triangle Offense.
celtics trade crowder,smart,#1 for anthony,porzinges,o’quinn,#8-draft isaac,sign james johnson 3 years-36 million,also have zizic,yabuselle coming i this year
Stick to fantasy ball
Drop the 8th and O’Quinn and that trade would be interesting.
Don’t think Knicks would give up so much
Sixers did just fine. The league and big 3 created this. You have a star in jo jo if healthy and tons of picks for another star. Lonnie walker 2018. Then you trade all the average crap the sixers have or sign a free agent and your set for years to come.