DENVER – It was well after midnight back East when Carmelo Anthony finally faced the Knick writers for the first time – which was his carefully executed plan.
After the Nuggets barely hung on for a 120-118 victory over the Knicks at Pepsi Center, Anthony did everything possible not to throw any bouquets toward the Big Apple – not like LeBron James once did.
When he was told Amar’e Stoudemire had lobbied again in the morning for their union as Knicks, Melo cracked, “Did he? Amar’e’s crazy.”
When asked if he thought of the possibility during the game, Anthony said, “I never thought about that tonight once.”
Anthony even decided to share he was having “great conversations” with Nuggets management and said of the Knicks that they have some work to do in building a championship contender.
Would he consider them as a free agent? “I don’t know. If it comes to that point, I will look at my options.”
In truth, the only time he spoke genuinely and honestly was when he spoke of the importance of this decision to his family (wife LaLa Vazquez wants him as a Knick) and on his idol Bernard King.
Anthony isn’t give up much these days, riding it out, perhaps seeing if the Nuggets can themselves make one last run at a championship. His rhetoric will probably change come February at the trade deadline. If the Nuggets are middling along at the .500 mark like they are now, perhaps he puts the pedal to the metal regarding a trade. For now, he is content to play along as if he has the Nuggets on his radar long-term.
Heading into free agency with the lockout looming is said to scare him, so if he feels a title is not within reach at the deadline, the Nuggets may have to move him.
The good news of Tuesday night. Landry Fields, the Knicks unsung rookie, just became a potential trade chip – 21 points, 17 rebounds right in front of Nuggets brass’ eyes. Danilo Gallinari? Sunk even lower. Another lousy shooting night (2 of 10 from three).
Al Harrington probably had the most honest mark when he said before the game he’s not sure if Anthony “is feeling it right now.” Right now, Anthony is feeling he shouldn’t say anything that will be interpreted as he’s Knick or Net-bound.