Carmelo Anthony is starting a new chapter with the Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale couldn’t be happier.
Carmelo Anthony is finally back and there are plenty of people around the league happy to see him on a roster once again. New York Knicks head coach David Fizdale is one of those people.
“I got a real affection for Melo,” Fizdale said on Wednesday via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “All those guys in that (2004) class, I’m really close to them — the [Chris] Bosh, [Dwyane] Wade, Melo, LeBron [James] class. I’m close to all those guys. To see him back playing, I think all of us are really happy for him.”
Melo started in his first game in over a year although his Portland Trail Blazers debut didn’t go as planned. He finished with 10 points on 4-for-14 shooting in an 11-point loss.
It’s not surprising to see Anthony show some rust in his first game back. Regardless, he’s earned the opportunity for one more go in the NBA.
“I know him well,” Fizdale later said. “I’m so happy for him. He should be back. I’m happy for him and he’s on a playoff team. He’ll get a chance to play playoff basketball again.”
Whether or not the Blazers (5-10) can climb out of the basement in the Western Conference to earn a playoff spot remains to be seen. After going to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, there is something off about Portland this season.
They’re hoping that Melo can provide some sort of spark to help right the ship, but that could be wishful thinking.
