Carmelo Anthony Eager to Learn New Triangle Offense

Carmelo Anthony is eager to learn the New York Knicks’ new triangle offense. 

He also told ESPN New York‘s Ian Begley on Sept. 13 he “was angry” at how the Knicks’ 2013-14 season, where they won only 37 games and missed the playoffs, turned out:

“Carmelo Anthony usually takes a month off to rest and recharge after the NBA season.

“This year was a little different.

“Anthony started working out two weeks after the end of the Knicks’ 37-win season.

“Why such a short break?

“‘I was angry,’ Anthony said Saturday at the Citi Carmelo Anthony Basketball Camp in Manhattan.

“Anthony also probably wanted to be in top shape for free agency. He tested the market over the summer and ended up signing a five-year, $124 million deal with the Knicks.

“The star forward has been working out at the team’s facility in Westchester recently, along with ‘six or seven’ other Knicks, to get a head start on the new triangle offense.

“‘I haven’t been broadcasting it, man. But I’ve been at the facility for the last couple of weeks with the young guys, with the coaches, trying to figure out that triangle offense,’ Anthony said.

“The Knicks and new head coach Derek Fisher are expected to install the triangle offense this season.

“Anthony says that he ‘can’t wait’ to learn the offense that helped Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant win championships under Phil Jackson-coached teams.

“‘Without a doubt, without a doubt. When people say spots, I’m going to be all over the floor in the triangle,’ Anthony said. ‘It makes it hard to guard, it keeps all eyes off of you. I’m looking forward to it, I’ve been saying it all summer, I cant’ wait.’

“Anthony has said he expects the Knicks to make the playoffs but doesn’t see them winning a title this summer.”  

Anthony’s former Syracuse Orange teammate Gerry McNamara said on Anthony Donahue‘s Knicks blog radio show (via The New York Post’s Marc Berman) on Sept. 15 he was “surprised” the Knicks star re-signed over the summer:

“McNamara said the Knicks have yet to surround Anthony with the requisite pieces needed to contend for a title and scoffed at fans who wanted president Phil Jackson to let Anthony leave during free agency, calling him the best ‘offensive player in the game.’ 

Carmelo Anthony Excited to Play in the Triangle Offense http://t.co/syHEtYKqD5. pic.twitter.com/2un2ThpR0z

— SLAM Magazine (@SLAMonline) September 15, 2014

“‘I was surprised he stayed in New York: He wants to win, (but) he wants to be loyal,’ McNamara said in an interview on Anthony Donahue’s Knicks blog radio show Monday night. ‘I thought there were situations in free agency he would leave for. I thought (the) Chicago (Bulls) was in position to win. Especially after the year the Knicks just had. I think he’s ready to take the next step in maturing of his career. The next step is putting some pieces in place for him.’

“Despite San Antonio’s championship based on teamwork and depth, McNamara said a Big 3 of superstars is needed to win most titles. The cry from some fans that the Knicks were better off starting from scratch because Anthony is not a winner, McNamara said, is ‘absurd.’

“‘Good luck with that,’ said McNamara, who played four years at Syracuse and was the point guard alongside Anthony on Syracuse’s 2003 NCAA title team. ‘Listen, he’s nothing but a winning player. I watch the (Knicks) games because of him. Go watch the Denver Nuggets the year before he got there. I think it’s absurd.

“‘I don’t think he’s played on a roster that’s capable of winning (a title). Amar’e (Stoudemire) when he signed was phenomenal, but injuries plagued him. Tyson Chandler wasn’t the same player. I don’t think he’s had the roster other teams have had. Watch him in the Olympics a couple of years ago when they won the gold. He was arguably the best player night in, night out. The guy’s fantastic.

“‘They need to put a cast around him and a good point guard,’ McNamara added. ‘They need better pieces. To say he’s not a crucial piece you can’t build around, I just don’t believe it. I’ve watched it and been a part of it. I don’t think as a unit as a complete roster, there’s been enough around him to build a championship team. To say the Knicks shouldn’t be building around Carmelo is in my opinion absurd.'”  

The 30-year-old Anthony is entering his 12th NBA season. He has averaged 25.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 790 career regular-season games with the Nuggets and Knicks, per ESPN stats. 

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