Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim defended Carmelo Anthony, the NBA superstar who led his Orange to the 2003 national title, following the New York Knicks early playoff exit. Boeheim told the Syracuse Post-Standard that the forward will continue to fall short of a championship if the Knicks maintain the core of their current lineup.
"Not on that team," Boeheim told the Syracuse Post-Standard over the weekend for a piece that was released on Monday. "He did what he can do. He played very well the final game. Everybody's killing him, but Tyson Chandler just didn't try to catch the ball.
"They both went like this," Boeheim said as he dodged again, according to the Post-Standard. "Carmelo gets turnovers and the announcers aren't smart enough to even think, 'Well, the guy should try to catch the ball.'"
Anthony concluded the postseason with a 39-point performance in the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Indiana Pacers. His league leading 28.7 season scoring average fell just short of his career high of 28.9 of the 2006-07 season with the Denver Nuggets.
During this postseason, he shot 40 percent from the floor in 12 games after making 45 percent in the regular season, his third with New York. Anthony did, however, play hurt during the postseason after suffering a left shoulder injury that will require an MRI Tuesday, according to general manager Glen Grunwald.
Boeheim said the Knicks needed Anthony, Raymond Felton and J.R. Smith to play at the top of their games every game to have a chance at winning this season.
"Those guys weren't great players where they were and now they're asking them to be second and third options," Boeheim said, according to the Syracuse newspaper. "In Miami the second and third options are Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Your fourth option is Ray Allen, who is still in good shape. Your fifth option is Shane Battier, who is still a good player. The New York Knicks have who?"
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