With All-Star Weekend finally in the rear view mirror, the New York Knicks are doing what they should have done long ago. According to a report, the team will announce today that Carmelo Anthony is sidelined for the remainder of the 2014-2015 season.
Via Marc Stein of ESPN:
The New York Knicks will officially rule out forward Carmelo Anthony for the rest of the season later Wednesday, according to sources.
Anthony will undergo surgery on his left knee in the near future, according to sources.
This is no surprise.
The 30 year-old said last week that it was “very likely” he wouldn’t play post All-Star to rest and repair an injured left knee, admitting the depressing reality that “this season is this season” for the league-worst 10-43 Knicks. News of this possibility first emerged in early January, too, when Derek Fisher spoke of the need for his team to think long-term with its lone foundational piece.
Lost seasons like this one were among many concerns of those who were against New York signing Anthony to a five-year, $124 million contract last summer. Every NBA player has a clock on his playing prime, and his was firmly past 6:00 when Phil Jackson made him one of basketball’s highest paid players. One year and one knee surgery later, just how much less effective will ‘Melo be going forward?
He’s certainly skilled enough to remain a very productive scorer, and his combination of power and first-step quickness should remain rare. But explosion goes quickly. Anthony hasn’t suffered the many health maladies of Kobe Bryant and is still over five years Mamba’s junior. However, wholesale struggles of the Los Angeles Lakers legend this season suggest just how difficult it is for aging players to return from major injury with their games fully intact.
After a knee operation and rehab for nagging back pain, it’s fair to wonder how Anthony’s body will hold up in the future. Plus, he’s not exactly known for staying in tip-top shape, either.
As their now sidelined star indicated last week, this season is lost for the Knicks and has been for months. They should have sat Anthony for good long ago, but placated his need for the spotlight by allowing him to stay on the floor through All-Star Weekend. Here’s hoping that hubris doesn’t come back to bite ‘Melo or his team in years to come.
[ESPN]
