The New York Knicks have not won an NBA title since 1973, a 46-year drought. That seems like hundreds of years ago. Since then, the Knicks had a handful of shots to hoist the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy.
There have only been a few players to come through New York as the centerpiece of a hopeful title contender.
Most notably Patrick Ewing. Ewing, one of the great Knicks, was able to get the Knicks to the finals and gave the franchise years of success, after they were in basketball purgatory.
Besides Ewing, the other player most deserving of bringing a title to New York was Carmelo Anthony.
Although, Amare Stoudemire was the first piece of the puzzle in revitalizing the Knicks.  He was acquired in a sign-in-trade with the Phoenix Suns in July of 2010.  It quickly became Melo’s team after being traded to the Knicks in February of 2011 from Denver.
Similar to Ewing, the Knicks were in bad shape before they arrived. Â Both, Ewing and Melo, did their best to bring basketball back to New York. Â And they did just that.
Melo was a little different. Â He played his college ball at Syracuse and was born in Brooklyn. Â Melo wanted to play in New York and vice versa. Â It was only a matter of time before it became a reality.
Anthony deserves more credit.  He was one of the big name superstars, at the time, who had enough confidence to want to play in New York and try to revitalize one of the NBA’s most historic franchises.
Players these days don’t do that anymore.  They want to go wherever they can win a title and as soon as possible.  Nothing wrong with that.  If players have that opportunity, more power to them.
Melo played his heart out for the city of New York. Â He was only able to get the Knicks to the second-round in the playoffs, but was able to bring the basketball culture back to New York. Melo gave fans several long lasting memories, capping it off with scoring the most points in Knicks history, 62.
If there was any player that deserves the credit, who had the confidence, determination and drive to try and bring the Knicks back to basketball promise it was Carmelo Anthony.