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It's the most exciting day of the year (for a team that's missed the playoffs three seasons in a row) - exit interview day! Carmelo Anthony spoke candidly about the entire Knick universe: management, potential coaches, what he wants in his present and where he and the Knicks might go in their futures.
1. Regarding Kurt Rambis and the coaching search:
Melo said he wasn't given any indication whether Rambis will be back as coach.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2016
Which doesn't really indicate anything one way or the other. Melo did mention one prominent name by name, although that was in direct reply to being asked about him:
.@carmeloanthony says the coaching search should be open: "I don’t want to just narrow it down to Thibodeau." #Knicks
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) April 14, 2016
He's showing flexibility. Maybe hoping that flexibility is picked up on and mirrored by Phil Jackson?
2. Regarding his thoughts on his future:
Melo on his future: "As of right now, I'll be here. No conversation has taken place as far as me leaving or me wanting to leave."
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2016
Melo: the only thing I think about is winning more whether it's here or somewhere else.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2016
Melo is either increasingly Zen or growing increasingly adept at speaking between the lines. Whichever it is, I like it. He's being honest but not seeming demanding or unfair. When he talks it sounds to me like someone who's in a relationship they're deeply invested in that they sincerely want to succeed but that they honestly aren't sure if it will. Dad Melo sounding very mature here.
Kristaps Porzingis, younger and still free of the judgment/legacy-defining Anthony is facing, uses more imperative language.
.@kporzee: "We have to make big things happen together here in New York"
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 14, 2016
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/npJ2ECSYhdhttps://t.co/WmS5bBHGlT
3. Regarding the front office:
Carmelo said he heard plan: "I don't want to use the word confident because the work still has to be done."
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2016
Hard-boiled pragmatist? Or growing cynic? This response doesn't sound to me like "We'll plug in a few holes with some solid guys" as much as "Here's a big name or two we think we can pull off."
Melo on chances of landing top free agents: we have a chance - along with everyone else.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2016
I say pragmatic. No reason to be delusional after all the plans he's been a part of already in six mostly disappointing seasons.
4. Regarding the dreaded eight-letter T-word
Melo - is it frustrating that focus is triangle rather than best coach? "I think you should have multiple considerations."
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2016
Word. It's not a cult and it's not a panacea. It's an offensive system that's a part of some of the league's most successful scoring teams. Let it be part of yours, Knicks. Part.
5. Regarding questions the Knicks and Phil Jackson have to answer
Melo says a main question 4 him /4 organization is "How do we take advantage of this window that I have?"
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 14, 2016
Followed up by asking how does org manage that, since KP is obviously who theyll build around long-term. He said thats more question 4 Phil
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) April 14, 2016
That's a lot of truth, a lot of nuance and a lot of unknowns.