Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Carmelo Anthony Says Joining The 2023-24 Knicks In His Prime Would Be 'Special'

Originally posted on Fadeaway World | By Nicolas Martinez | Last updated Dec 16, 2023 9:46 PM ET

Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony was never able to capture a championship in his legendary career. But had he played on this current Knicks roster, chances are things would be very different for his career. In a recent appearance on '7PM in Brooklyn' Anthony said so himself when thinking about what it would be like for his prime form to join the modern-day Knicks.

“Me with that team, with the Knicks…..that would’ve been a special team. You have a presence in the paint, you have a force in Julius. If you put him as the next guy next to the guy, it could be special. But when you have the pressures of trying to do that every night, day in and day out, day in and day out, it's very hard… They have a really good team, they just need that… white hat.”

The Knicks have a competent roster today and they shocked the world by making the Eastern Semis last season. But they don't have anyone on Carmelo Anthony's level and it's going to be hard for the Knicks to get anywhere unless they find that top-tier guy. Anthony would have been the perfect fit had he been born 10 years later.

Melo Is A New York City Legend

For a franchise that has teetered on irrelevancy for decades now, the Carmelo Anthony era was a bright spot that no fan will forget. After requesting a trade specifically to New York in the 2010-2011 season, Carmelo took control of the franchise and led them to some solid runs in the East. Sadly, due to a roster that just wasn't good enough, the Knicks never went further than the second round under Melo and they only had one season where they earned over 50 wins.

Even so, Anthony always gave his all on the court and he can always say that he tried his best to deliver a title. With averages of 24.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, he was a star for the Knicks and cemented his legacy as one of the game's all-time greatest scorers. Looking back, he deserved better than what they gave him over seven seasons.

Can Knicks Win A Title In 2023?

Funnily enough, Carmelo Anthony would fit just fine with this modern-day Knicks team. In fact, with Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett, it'd be the best cast of teammates in Melo's entire career. Sadly we won't get to see Anthony with this current group but he can still cheer them on as they build toward something special.

This season, the Knicks are probably not winning a title as presently constructed but they are the closest they've been in a while. At 14-10 on the season, the Knicks are fifth in the East and on track for their second straight playoff appearance. Finally, for the first time in years, the Knicks are trending upwards in the East but they still have a long way to go before being a title contender. If only they had a star like Carmelo Anthony to top the scales in their favor and break the cycle of endless mediocrity...

This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: