Melo is Staying Put in New York

The New York Knicks haven’t been on top of the NBA plateau since the 1990’s when Patrick Ewing & Co. was putting the city on their backs with gritty play and tough nose defense. Now the Garden has been revived by the player they call “Melo”. Carmelo Anthony is the 29 year old star for the New York Knicks and happens to be playing this upcoming season with an opt-out option on his contract.

The New York Knicks have been planning this year for some time now and know they have to do everything possible to keep this talent in town. But not so fast!!! Melo isn’t looking for James Dolan and management to sweep him off his feet because he’s already made up his mind and that’s to be a Knick for life.

Anthony has recently gone on record to let his fans, media and the New York Knicks that he isn’t going anywhere. The reason he came to this city was to win a championship and that hasn’t changed one bit he says. Many players would fold under the bright lights and pressure but this is everyday life for the Knicks forward.

I didn’t think about that player option that Melo had in his fourth year of his deal,  just like many of us didn’t think of. We as fans were just so caught up with finally having a savior to bring back respectability to the New York Knicks franchise. This summer we’ve been hearing all types of rumors of Anthony joining forces with Kobe Bryant in L.A. or him going down to South Beach to play with LeBron James. Knicks fans hearts were beating fast but now that we have some clarity from the man himself that he plans on stay in a New York Knick uniform.

But not so fast people. Even though Melo plans on staying, the New York Knicks need to give Anthony more help on offensive. I know he can go out there and light it up and give you 40 points on any given night but the body wears. If they want to get past teams such as the Pacers, Nets, Bulls and the Heat; the Knicks have to step up as a group and not just watch Melo play isolation ball.

The team made some descent moves this off-season but other Eastern Conference teams made more of a splash like the Brooklyn Nets. I just hope Melo and the Knicks are ready for the challenge and not just talk about it but to be about it.