Anthony looking ahead to future success with the Knicks…
New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony has conceded that he doesn’t expect the team to win a championship this year, but they will start a new process.
After the 30-year-old spent the summer travelling around the US to meet with the Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers during free agency, he ultimately opted to remain in New York.
Having dismissed the notion that the decision was influenced by financial considerations, Anthony is confident that he has made the right choice and is excited about how Phil Jackson will develop the team in the coming years.
However, he has conceded that it may be too early to expect success this season, but he is optimistic that this is a start of a new cycle in New York.
“I do not expect to win a championship this year. That’s something that takes time and everything has to be in sync, from management to players. We have much work to do, but something that drives me. I know we can start creating the foundation of what we do. It’s the start of a good process,” said Anthony, PrimeraHora.com reports.
“Next year we will have enough money to spend within the salary cap. But this year it is important to take the necessary steps towards those who will in the next year. I want to concentrate on building what we want from this year.”
Anthony cited his desire to continue to play in a big market in New York at Madison Square Garden as one of the factors in his decision to stay, while he also revealed earlier this summer that it would be difficult to relocate his family.
Despite the fact that many suggested that his best move would be to join the Bulls in order to have an immediate chance at winning an NBA championship, Anthony opted to play the waiting game as the Knicks have been restricted in terms of their ability to make any significant moves this summer.
Meanwhile, Chicago have signed the likes of Pau Gasol and Nikola Mirotic to add quality and depth to their roster, and they are considered amongst the favourites with the Cleveland Cavaliers after LeBron James rejoined his hometown team.
Nevertheless, the situation is expected to change in New York next year as noted by Anthony, with Jackson looking to attract some big names in free agency in order to make the franchise competitive in the Eastern Conference again after a disappointing season last year.
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