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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) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watches as his teammates take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Oklahoma City defeated Cleveland 148-124. 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 Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 20: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watches as his teammates take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 20, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. Oklahoma City defeated Cleveland 148-124. 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 Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Bad culture by the time he left

This one might sting a little bit to read. However, Carmelo Anthony left the Knicks in worse shape than when he arrived there.

When Melo got to the Knicks in the 2010-2011 season, the Knicks were not a bad team. With prize free agent signing Amare Stoudemire they were rolling by Christmas day of that season.

They were poised to make the playoffs anyway and Melo was the guy they traded for to help ensure they won when they got there. They even got what feels like half of his Nuggets teammates too.

However, none of this worked out, like at all. By the time Melo had fully taken over a few seasons in, there was a lot of dysfunction.

He could not get along with his now new head coach Mike D’Antoni. He even used his star status to cost him his job.

Related Story. Three Things to expect from the Knicks this year. light

Then the whole Phil Jackson thing happened where whether Melo’s fault or not, made Jackson look like he didn’t know a single thing about the game of basketball.

Either way, the common ending, with Melo even partially responsible, was always losing.

Then, once the writing was on the wall that Kristpas Porzingis was about to take over as leader and star of this team, Melo wanted out. He left the first chance he got.

It his right as a seasoned NBA veteran to go do what he feels is right to win himself a championship, but who does that?

When Melo arrived at the Knicks they were a team on the rise about to end a long playoff drought.

As Melo now goes to his second team since leaving, he leaves them stuck in the middle of a rebuild with a whole new regime and no championships hanging in the rafters.

It is okay for a player to leave a team on bad terms if they brought home accolades or even put the franchise on the map.

But Melo left the Knicks a mess and never won anything more than a playoff series vs the Celtics. That is nice but that is it.

He arrived into a good team. Rode it as far as he could go then turned the Knicks into a mess with a negative culture then left the first chance he got.

Say what you about his prime season’s as a Knick. Say what you want about how the Knicks are better off without him anyway.

But, no matter, what it is hard to argue that Melo left the Knicks worse off than when he got here. That is not what a star player is supposed to do. It is definitely not what a star New York athlete is supposed to do.

The Knicks might be just fine one day. They might even be building the team that brings them back to prominence. It just will not be anytime soon, thanks to Melo.

Thanks for the draft pick though maybe that is nice.

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