What does Carmelo Anthony want? Is it money? Is it fame? Is it the warm glow of the Broadway spotlight?What does Carmelo Anthony need to consider his career a success? Another scoring title? A trip to the NBA Finals? A championshipDoes his role matter? His shots per game? His scoring average? Must he dominate the ball to be happy?How would Carmelo Anthony like to be remembered? As an elite scorer? A gunner? A great teammate? A winner?Does his legacy matter?All of these questions matter—now, more than ever—as Anthony contemplates the next, and perhaps final, significant move of his NBA career.As expected, Anthony is opting out of his contract with the New York Knicks, making him an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He officially informed the Knicks of his decision in writing Friday, according to league sources.
This will be Anthony's first experience in free agency—and most likely his last as an elite player. He turned 30 last month. His next contract will likely cover four to five years. If ever there were a time for Anthony to reflect and reassess, to consider the totality of his career and what he wants from it, it is now.If the money matters most, the decision is simple: The Knicks, by rule, can offer Anthony the most dollars ($129 million) over the most years (five). Rivals can offer no more than $96 million over four years. And the Knicks' chief rivals for Anthony—Chicago and Houston—probably cannot even offer that much because of salary-cap constraints.
Even if the Knicks ask Anthony to take a pay cut (and they absolutely will), he will still probably make more in New York, by virtue of the higher raises and the extra year the Knicks can include in the deal.But if winning matters most, then Anthony is almost certain to leave. In fact, if winning is his highest priority, Anthony absolutely should leave. It's the best option for all parties, the Knicks included.Anthony could join Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah in Chicago and contend for the Eastern Conference title immediately.
He could join James Harden and Dwight Howard in Houston, forging the most powerful trio in the West.Or he could stay in New York with J.R. Smith, Raymond Felton and Andrea Bargnani.Yes, the Broadway lights are alluring, but in this case they're more like a bug zapper, frying any living thing that wanders in.Putting aside the money and the New York glitz, why would Anthony want to stay? Given the results to date, why would the Knicks want him to.
The Knicks have gone nowhere with Anthony dominating the offense and the payroll for the last three-plus seasons—unless you consider two first-round exits, one second-round exit and a 37-win season a success.Even with Anthony posting one of his finest seasons in 2013-14, the Knicks finished ninth in a horrendous Eastern Conference. And their prospects for next season are dim. The Knicks have no salary-cap room, no first-round draft pick and a roster packed with overpriced and/or unwanted players.
Phil Jackson and Derek Fisher, the new team president and head coach, respectively, are savvy enough to turn this around. But it won't happen until at least July 2015, when Jackson will have the cap room to make wholesale changes. By then, of course, Anthony will be 31, another year lost to the Knicks' perpetual dysfunction.If his legacy truly matters, how many more seasons can Anthony afford to sacrifice?Sacrificing money, on the other hand, is something Anthony surely can afford. He's earned $136 million in his NBA career, and millions more in endorsements. Trading dollars for glory seems like a smart move at this juncture.
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Jordan CP3 VII -Mens
Chris Paul's seventh signature shoe with Jordan Brand delivers a combination of high-tech performance and aggressive style. The Jordan CP3. VII boasts a leather upper that's accented with Dynamic Flywire technology to provide you with a locked-down, grip-to-the-court fit while the side panels are crafted with perforated details for enhanced breathability. Below the foot sits a lightweight, Phylon™ midsole that houses an eternal shank to offer a responsive ride and unparalleled support. The final detail is an innovative rubber outsole that's constructed with a Podulite cushioning platform, which contains hexagonal Zoom units in the forefoot for added spring and underfoot protection.
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