Photo Credit: Associated Press
Dear Carmelo Anthony,
Thank you, man. Thank you for everything you did for New York City. Not just the basketball side, but thank you for going back to your roots and giving back to the community. You know, a lot of people don’t realize how much you did for community, and sometimes, these were the same people booing you when things weren’t working out on the floor.
It broke my heart seeing you leave it all out on the floor inside Madison Square Garden but still being disrespected by the front office, the fans and Phil Jackson. You remained nothing but professional the whole time, I applaud you for that, I’m not sure I could have done the same.
You did all you could to be loyal, you loved the city and true New Yorkers understand that you were the right player that happened to find himself in the wrong situation. It was sad seeing you surrounded by mediocracy every single season, while everyone was still expecting you to deliver the world to them and carry them to places that simply weren’t possible. I just wish Kristaps Porzingis’ prime coincided with yours, it would have been so fun seeing you tear through the Eastern Conference together. I’m sure he’s just as sad as everyone else in New York at the moment. Rumors flew around for a couple of years, but it doesn’t become truly real until people see you in a different uniform, getting buckets for another franchise.
On the other hand, I’m so happy you’ve landed yourself in a winning situation. If the talent on the Oklahoma City Thunder play their cards right, you guys could be serious contenders. You were always a great player and great scorer, but now you’ll have a chance to win it all, and no one deserves it more. During the Olympics you’ve experienced success, and now it’s the NBA shot you’ve always dreamed about.
I can’t wait for Paul George to pull down a rebound, find Russell Westbrook who pushes the ball and you’re on the end of the play with a silky elbow jumper we’ve become accustomed to. There aren’t going to be many teams more fun to watch than the Thunder this upcoming season, and you’re a big part of that.
I’m not sure if you’ll ever score 62 again (I’ll never forget that night by the way), but hopefully you’ll give us some 40-point games and you can remind the world how great you are, because as crazy as it sounds, some people have forgotten.
Enjoy Oklahoma Melo, goodbye from New York, you’ll be sorely missed.
