Carmelo Anthony: Pros and cons of re-signing with Knicks

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Mar 18, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks new president of basketball operations Phil Jackson at a press conference at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports /

Pro: Phil Jackson

Bow down to the Zen Master, Knicks fans. Because if it weren’t for Phil Jackson, Carmelo Anthony would probably already be gone. According to Isola’s report, a friend close to Anthony says Melo wants to re-sign in New York not only because of the money, but also because “he believes in Phil.” The Knicks aren’t a championship contender under Jackson right now, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get there.

Melo taking on such a huge contract would obviously put a damper on future title aspirations, but just take a look at some of the underrated, shrewd moves Phil Jackson has pulled off in his limited time. So far, he’s turned Raymond Felton (one of the NBA’s worst point guards) and Tyson Chandler (constantly injured) into Jose Calderon (a solid point guard) and Samuel Dalembert (a serviceable center for now).

He also managed to trade into the 2014 NBA Draft and grab perhaps the biggest steal of the draft in Cleanthony Early. Even if the Knicks are unable to find someone to take on Amar’e Stoudemire‘s contract, it comes off the books next year and then New York will be in a position to put a team around Melo. No one knows the kind of coach Derek Fisher will be, but even if he’s simply Phil Jackson’s puppet, Melo has reason to believe this team will improve. Take a bow, Zen Master.

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