New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony had something very interesting to say about the Brooklyn Nets and their new star Jeremy Lin.
Remember Linsanity, the fun and rocking time that featured Jeremy Lin as the star of Mike D’Antoni‘s New York Knicks during the 2011-12 NBA season?Oh yeah, it was one of those extended moments that captured the entire city. Obviously, though, not everybody was captivated by the movement.
Carmelo Anthony, while he never spoke out against Linsanity at the time, while injured, wasn’t a huge fan. Many reports and rumblings about in-house unhappiness have been bandied about since.
On Friday, the topic has resurfaced thanks to Melo’s latest interaction with the New York media.
In what appears to be a slight shot at the Brooklyn Nets organization for making Lin their guy, Melo spoke about the situation, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post:
“He is the face of their franchise – believe it or not,’’ Anthony said after Friday’s practice. “He came up, they paid him. Now the ball is in his hands. Now he’s one of the franchise players over there. I don’t know what you want me to say about that. I’m happy for him, excited for him to see how it’s going to turn out over there.’’
Admittedly, it wasn’t a complete smack in the face of a quote. Claiming that he’s happy for his former teammate softens the blow.
But the four words of “believe it or not” provide all the insight any onlooker needs to know.
When asked about the possible rift between he and Lin, Melo added this:
“That was five, six years ago, bro,’’ Anthony said. “I forgot about that.’’
Once discussing the actual business of basketball, Anthony claimed his new look Knicks will look much different come Saturday night against Brooklyn:
“I know tomorrow will be a much better game than we had in Houston,’’ Anthony said, “from a standpoint of putting structure into it and having a game plan, executing that game plan. We’re really starting to implement different things defensively. It will be a much different game than everyone saw in Houston.’’
New York lost its preseason opener in Houston by the final of 130-103. Saturday night will be showcase the Knicks first game at Madison Square Garden this season.
