“They’re Tough”: Carmelo Anthony Talks Knicks’ Championship Potential
Carmelo Anthony had arguably the most memorable stint of his NBA career with the New York Knicks.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer not only led the Knicks to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons with the franchise, but he also led them to their first playoff series win in 13 years in 2013 while leading the league in scoring.
It was also sweet that Anthony returned home to his roots, bringing prominence back to a franchise he grew up watching and cheering for.
Anthony is now retired and works as a studio analyst for NBC and Peacock’s NBA coverage, and he’s seen firsthand how the Knicks have emerged as arguably the best team in the Eastern Conference. New York is now the hottest team in the East, having won seven straight games and clinching their second straight Eastern Conference Finals appearance. Included in that streak is a series-clinching 140-89 beatdown of the Atlanta Hawks and a four-game sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The former 10-time NBA All-Star took the time to sit down for a one-on-one interview to talk about how the Knicks have become the team to beat in the East, along with some of the best defenses he faced during his own career.
Interview With Carmelo Anthony
– I want to talk to you about your former team, the New York Knicks. Thoughts on them overall and it’s looking like they may be the favorites in the East. What is the key for them to make that Finals run?
Anthony: I mean this run feels different. The Knicks have an identity right now. They’re tough, they’re connected. They don’t seem like they’re flinching in any environment. (Jalen) Brunson is playing like one of the best five players in the league right now, and Karl-Anthony Towns is just showing he can be that two-way piece, right? And the bench, there’s been a collective effort, and it’s been impressive to watch.
– What has been the difference in their play since that record blowout win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6?
Anthony: When they stop being a team that loses into a moment. They are the moment now, and when you control that moment, you have the power. You put yourself in position to win. That’s what they’ve been doing. Instead of weeks ago, when they were trying to figure it out, still trying to figure it out, they were just losing to a moment. Somebody hit a big shot, an offensive rebound. Now they are the moment.
– You’re talking about them coming up in the big moment, time will tell if they actually complete the run. But are you seeing them do things differently, maybe schematically? Are you seeing them use Karl-Anthony Towns a little differently, having him up top, passing the ball more, overlooking the defense?
Anthony: Well, he’s been doing that. He’s been doing that, that’s kind of been the adjustment, not just in the playoffs, but towards the end of the season, when the Knicks were trying to figure it out. I think they figured out putting KAT kind of at the top of the key situation because KAT is a hell of a passer. He could see the floor, he’s seven foot. He can pass. He can make passes that a guard cannot make sometimes so he can shoot the ball. I think he’s being a dual threat right now.
– I want to switch gears to your own playing career. Who was the best defender you went up against or the toughest in your mind?
Anthony: It was different, man. I went up against teams. I went up against team defenses. right? It wasn’t like anybody who was just individually, ‘Hey, I got to worry about this person.’ No, it was more team defenses and double teams and load ups and so I never really got a chance to play one on one.
– One specific team that gave you trouble above the rest?
Anthony: Oh man, I’ll say the Spurs. I think because they just had a great defensive team, defensive schemes. try to figure that out and to get better and trying to try to beat that system, that was tough.
– Especially when they had Bruce Bowen, right?
Anthony: Oh just everybody, they had a deep team. They just knew how to guard certain players, and they put schemes together for that. It was a testament to the players, but also Gregg Popovich.