Carmelo Anthony's impending free agency will be the story that never ends this season for the New York Knicks, but if they plan on keeping last year's scoring champion their effort may need to increase.
Following a 30-point thrashing in Indiana at the hands of the Pacers, Anthony, who had 28 points and seven rebounds, blasted his team's effort level.
"Yeah, it was an embarrassing loss," Anthony said. "Thirty points? I don't think no team is 30 points better than us. So we didn't bring it tonight as a unit, as a team. I don't really know what else to say about that."
New York's next-highest scorer on the night was Tyson Chandler, who only had 13 points; the Knicks put up 89 for the game. "It's a frustrating loss, man," Anthony continued. "We're on the road and I felt like we could have played a lot better, a lot harder, than we did out there tonight. This was a big game, against a big-time team, and we didn't bring it."
The Knicks' struggles, coupled with an internal struggle with J.R. Smith that paints the organization as one in complete disarray, may prove fatal to their chances of keeping 'Melo. The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to make a strong bid for him in the offseason, while the rebuilding Bulls are another rumored destination. They expect Derrick Rose back next year, and have positioned themselves to have a high draft pick in a loaded 2014 class.
Still head coach Mike Woodson doesn't see their New York-born star leaving home. "You're concerned," Woodson told ESPN New York 98.7. "But Melo's wearing a Knick uniform. I think Melo loves playing in New York. He's been one of the bright spots this year. He's been solid all the way through our ups and downs this year. To me, that's the sign of a true pro.
"You're concerned," Woodson told ESPN New York 98.7. "But Melo's wearing a Knick uniform. I think Melo loves playing in New York. He's been one of the bright spots this year. He's been solid all the way through our ups and downs this year. To me, that's the sign of a true pro."
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