Jim Boeheim: Carmelo Anthony chose Knicks over Bulls because he loves New York

Jim Boeheim knows why Carmelo Anthony opted to stay with the New York Knicks rather than bolt to the Chicago Bulls in free agency. It wasn’t about the money for Melo, says Boeheim. It was about the love.

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The love of New York (via CSNChicago.com):

"“It was a decision he had to make and I think he just loved New York, I really do,” he said. “I don’t think he thought about Chicago being a better fit in terms of winning right away; I think he loved New York and he believes they can win there.”"

Boeheim, who coached Melo to a national championship at Syracuse, also takes on the naysayers who believe Melo tends to fold under playoff pressure:

"“He’s great under pressure, he won the national championship as a freshman, he’s won two gold medals and still some people say, ‘Well, he’s only won a few playoff games.’ Well every time he was in the playoffs his team was not favored,” Boeheim said. “They lost to San Antonio, the Lakers, the Heat. If you want to put that all on him, you’ve got to get the facts straight. Every time they lost a playoff series his team was not favored. Too many times people generalize about things and they don’t really get the facts straight.”"

Get your facts straight on Carmelo people. He’s not motivated by money, he’s motivated by love and winning. And he’s not a choker, he’s great under pressure.

So says Boeheim, a totally unbiased observer.

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