Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Knicks: Revisiting Carmelo Anthony’s legacy with the Knicks- 3 things

By John Carroll Jr.

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 23: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks and Courtney Lee #5 pause on the court during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 119-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 23: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks and Courtney Lee #5 pause on the court during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on February 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Knicks 119-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 21: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center on January 21, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Lakers defeated the Nuggets 107-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

That time he was a mile high

There is no arguing that a majority of Melo’s best season’s were in the Garden. Most of his personal achievements and accolades happened as a member of the New York Knicks like his scoring title and a handful of All-Star games.

However, to an entire generation of fans, and to an entire other franchise, Carmelo Anthony will always be a “Denver Nugget”

It might not be right to use Melo getting drafted by another team against him when assessing his tenure with the Knicks, but it is tough to ignore this one for many reasons.

More from Empire Writes Back

Not only did the Nuggets grow Melo into the player and man he is now, they propelled him into superstardom. Everyone knew how good he was as a Nugget and that is what eventually gave him the leverage to go to any team he wanted which was the Knicks.

However, he got the Nuggets farther in the playoffs and won more there than he ever did with Knicks leading them to conference finals, division titles, and the playoffs every single season.

Melo is still a great Denver Nugget too. To some, he is even a better Nugget than Knick.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with him going down as someone who was great for two teams. In fact, it’s impressive.

But when comparing him to players like Patrick Ewing and Willis Reed, could you really say he was as “New York Knicks” as them?

No. They too played elsewhere but the circumstances are totally different.

Melo is not like them. Great player, just not a New York Knicks lifer like the rest of them. It’s not really his fault but it definitely tarnishes his legacy in New York a little bit.

Home/New York Knicks