The New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets had typically entertaining media days as we inch closer to the start of the 2015-16 NBA season.
By Chip Murphy
The Brooklyn Nets returned to N.J. to hold their media day in the familiar city of New Brunswick. Regardless, you couldn’t help but notice the absence of their former point guard.
The Nets organization has been predominantly mum on the subject of Deron Williams. This morning, Joe Johnson and Jarrett Jack opened up, via Fox Sports. Johnson told reporters that he hasn’t talked to Williams since the buyout and Jack said, “Sometimes a change is necessary.” Then he proclaimed that he thought Williams did what was best for him. Both players words seemed to say volumes about their former teammate.
Jack only played with Williams for one season but Johnson was his teammate for three. And they haven’t spoken since July? That’s rough. Not even a call from either one to say good luck. Johnson clearly wasn’t worried what anyone thought about it. And it sounds like there is no love lost between Williams and Jack. The predominant feeling the organization wants to put across is that Deron Williams is in the past. They have done a good job.
Brooklyn’s media day was laid back too of course. Like all media days are. Especially if they involve Brook Lopez.
Lopez was in mid-season form today when taking his official media shot begging, “Can’t we just use last year’s photo?”
No matter how nice of a guy Brook Lopez is to be around or how great a player, his team is still No. 2 in their own city. That’s what mattered the most today when scouring Twitter for Nets Beat Writers, all while being able to name multiple Knicks writers off the top of you head.
Some things never change.
On the New York Knick side of things all eyes were on Carmelo Anthony as he fielded questions at the MSG Training Center in Greenburgh, NY. He spoke about everything from his health to the hot topic of his relationship with Kristaps Porzingis. On NBA media day in New York there was no stone left unturned when it came to the Knicks’ superstar.
Despite many concerns about his coming off of knee surgery and a tumultuous offseason, Anthony vowed that he is as committed to winning as ever. According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Anthony believes that he is still in a position to win a championship with the Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony on his window to win a title: “My window is open. I don’t think it’s closing right now.”
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 28, 2015
Anthony continued to solidify his status as a mentor and excellent teammate to rookie Kristaps Porzingis.
He doesn’t want the young big man to have to go through the difficulties of being a rookie in New York alone. Anthony has offered to be a sounding board for him.
Carmelo on Porzingis: “I kind of feel bad for him because there’s so much pressure on him.” Says he wants to take a big brother role w/him.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) September 28, 2015
Porzingis had previously raved about how much he learned from playing Anthony one on one. The friendship between the two of them has been cemented. The Knicks are hopeful that the comradery between their two stars will continue for the rest of their careers.
The most notable Knicks moments were Melo’s commenting that he expects to play power forward this season after Phil Jackson said he thinks that’s a possibility alongside Robin Lopez. Anthony also reaffirmed that he was happy to be apart of Jackson’s thorough rebuilding process,
“I think Phil still believes in me, and that goes without even being said because I’m still here. For him to start this process with me, being the centerpiece of this, I respect that and I don’t want to let him down because I know that him putting me at the centerpiece of this was really big.”
Carmelo Anthony is the only player left that Phil Jackson inherited when he took the job. Despite all the rumors and nonsense this summer, Jackson wanted to keep Anthony to lead this vast undertaking. Now all that’s left is for Carmelo to put in the work.
[su_button url=”https://elitesportsny.com/2015/09/27/new-york-jets-lose-first-of-season-to-eagles-is-fitzpatrick-the-answer/” target=”blank” background=”#000080″ size=”10″ wide=”yes” radius=”0″]NEXT: Jets Lose First Game Of Season, 24-17 Against Eagles[/su_button]
