Carmelo Anthony spent six and a half years in New York and ranks seventh on the team’s career scoring list, but Knicks legend Walt Frazier doesn’t believe that’s enough for Anthony to have his number retired. In comments made during an interview this week with Sirius XM and relayed by The New York Post, Frazier says several other former Knicks are more deserving of the honor.
“Probably not because he didn’t win a title,” Frazier said in response to a question about Anthony. “I’m surprised they didn’t put Allan Houston up there. I’m surprised Bernard King, who is in the Hall of Fame, they haven’t put Bernard up there. So those two guys I think are deserving. Perhaps maybe John Starks. Even the Oak Man, Charles Oakley, but that probably won’t happen with all the stuff he’s done at the Garden. So he’s not held in high esteem right now, but I don’t see them putting Melo in there because of that.”
The Knicks have retired nine numbers, including Frazier’s, but any sort of ceremony for Anthony seems like a long way off. He’s not in high esteem either after a string of non-playoff seasons, followed by a trade demand in response to a long feud with former team president Phil Jackson.
There’s more today out of New York:
- ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski believes the Knicks will be successful in their pursuit of a high-level free agent next summer. Speaking on his Woj Pod, the NBA insider predicts New York “will get somebody next year.” The team should have enough cap space to offer at least one max contract and could open more room by using the stretch provision on Joakim Noah.
- Former Nets guard Jeremy Lin apologized to coach Kenny Atkinson for being injured so often after he learned he had been traded to the Hawks, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. Lin was sidelined for the season after being hurt on opening night last year and played just 37 games in two seasons with Brooklyn. “Jeremy said to me, ‘I feel bad I wasn’t healthy for you guys,’” Atkinson said. “… That’s the kind of guy he was. He wasn’t bitter, he was frustrated we never got to see him over a stretch of time. Above all he was frustrated, as the organization was frustrated we didn’t have him on the court. I believe in the player to the utmost. … It’s frustrating and sad he had bad luck during his time with us.”
- Working out an extension with Spencer Dinwiddie could be complicated for the Nets, explains Jeff Siegel of Forbes. Dinwiddie will be eligible for an extension from December 8, the second anniversary of his current contract, through June 30. He could make up to $47.5MM over four seasons, beginning with a $10.6MM salary in 2019/20. However, Siegel notes that Brooklyn is committed to D’Angelo Russell as its primary ballhandler and will take time to see how Dinwiddie fits alongside him before beginning extension talks.
I don’t see any team retiring Melos singlet. Had he stayed in Denver, yeah sure, but after 3 (technically 4) teams, he hasn’t done enough at one team to warrant it.
I don’t see the Knicks getting anyone.
Well good thing your opinions are typically dead wrong.
I’m dead right.
For once I agree with Dionis.. the knicks just aren’t in a place to truly compete
Yeah no shit everyone knows they aren’t in a place to compete. It won’t stop players from joining next year when they have $ and a changed culture from Jackson’s tenure. Not to mention they have KP and 3 prospects that have very good potential. The Knicks could be in a different place come next year.
Siegal of Forbes notes how a Dinwiddie extension could block dreams of Irving next summer.
He says the $50mil for BRK to spend would be reduced to $41mil.
But if d-lo Russell and his $9mil player option is traded, does that cover it? BasRef does not even include that option so IDK.
Seems to me, the money cancels out, BRK will carry one or the other, and it comes down to DR vs SD + whatever they get in trade, if traded.
Kyrie is not leaving Boston.
In this I have to agree with Dionis, cannot see New York getting anyone big next summer.
No way I would pay Dinwiddie almost 50MM/4 years, he isn’t even the best PG in the team, wouldn’t pay that for him to be a bench guy, as I have said a few times Brooklyn should trade Dinwiddie & see what they can get for him, cannot see him playing together with D-Lo. & as for now, unless they get a big FA, which I cannot see happening, D-Lo is the man in Brooklyn.
Look at the numbers. See the trend.
I would give Dinwiddie an extension. I think point guard is the most likely position to have jumps in improvement as they get older than 25 years of age. Giving him an extension of 50 million is a gamble because his numbers don’t completely justify it. But, I think its a good gamble. I’d rather they give him a 3 year deal than a 4 year deal tho.
Melon doesn’t deserve to have his number retired. He never played defense
He never had team worth while to bust his rear end for. He did his part as a scorer and collect the genius paychecks the Knicks agreed to pay him. Who wouldn’t do that? You?