Carmelo Anthony loves New York. He was born in the city, and during the height of his feud with Phil Jackson, the assumption was that he was not going to waive his no-trade clause because he did not want to leave the Big Apple, even if he had an acrimonious relationship with the now-former Knicks president.
Still, Anthony waived his no-trade clause and found a new home in Oklahoma City. The early returns haven’t been stellar — the team is 7-7 and Anthony looks like he’s still getting used to his new team — but if there’s one thing he has appreciated, it’s been how he is viewed by the Thunder faithful.
The fans in Oklahoma City do their best to make their stars feel appreciated from the moment they arrive in town, as Paul George learned when he was greeted by tons of fans at the airport after he was traded for. Anthnony has felt the same love from Thunder fans, and it’s a different kind of feeling than he’s used to.
Anthony spoke to Adam Carparell of Complex about, among other things, the “appreciation” he feels from Oklahoma City fans.
It’s just a greater level of appreciation here from an athletes’ standpoint, from a basketball standpoint. The fans are very appreciative of me coming here, of Paul coming here, and wanting to be a part of the Oklahoma City community. So from that standpoint, things are definitely going in the right direction. They’ve been every supportive of myself. On court is going to take care of itself.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Anthony didn’t feel loved by Knicks fans, but New York sports fan have notoriously high standards and are very willing to express their displeasure when they aren’t met. It’s completely understandable if that rubs an athlete the wrong way.
These comments from Anthony come off as a little critical of Knicks fans, but his “break up” with the team worked out for everyone involved so far. Anthony seems like he’s happy with his situation in Oklahoma City, while things are going pretty well in New York City, too.
(Via Complex)
