With his New York Knicks on the verge of missing out on the NBA playoffs, free-agent to-be Carmelo Anthony seemingly has turned his attention to singing the praises of Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau.

As he prepares for the critical decision of determining if he will be become an ongoing part of the Phil Jackson era, Anthony told Fansided.com "Thibs is a great coach, his system kind of reminds me of a Gregg Popovich's system. You put anybody in that system and it's going to work."

Melo won't wait for Knicks

After posting 54 wins and winning the Atlantic Division title last year, the Mike Woodson era has careened perilously off course this season to the tune of a 34-45 campaign and sans any realistic chance of an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

It's been enough to keep the league's No.2 overall scorer constantly wondering what's the best place for him and the sills he brings to the table. "You put anybody in that system and it's going to work," Anthony told fansided of the way Thibodeau runs the Bulls. "That's what they've been doing."

Carmelo leaving Knicks?

With a healthy Derrick Rose expected back next season and the frontcourt tandem of Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson still emerging, the Bulls have long been mentioned as a viable landing place for the 29-year-old All-Star forward.

Though Anthony can receive at least $30 million from the Knicks than any other team in a five-year max deal, the bottom line options he has may truly come to spell the difference.

The Houston Rockets, another playoff bound and on the move franchise, are also rumored to be planning to aggressively pursue Anthony in hopes of teaming him with Dwight Howard and James Harden.

Think Melo will leave the Knicks? "Tell us @SportsWN"