Let the 2011 Carmelo Countdown begin.
Carmelo Anthony, the most-sought after free agent next summer, was in Harlem yesterday — at a “Breakfast Club” basketball clinic at the Rucker Festival courts on 155th Street, then onto Foot Locker’s “House of Hoops” on 125th Street to promote his new “Jordan Brand” sneaker.
Though Knicks team president Donnie Walsh has made indications Anthony is on their radar if they fail to strike it rich this summer, the Nuggets superstar said it’s no guarantee he will be a free man come July 1, 2011. Anthony said he would consider signing a contract extension with the Nuggets in the next 12 months, saying a lot depends on the health of cancer-stricken George Karl and Denver’s ability to win.
“It’s an option,” Anthony said of an extension. “All my options are open right now.”
Anthony said he’s different than LeBron James — not curious about getting wooed and wined and dined. Carmelo has been there, done that.
James went straight from high school to the NBA, avoiding the crazed college recruitment that Anthony experienced before starring at Syracuse.
“That’s not what I’m in it for,” said Anthony, who will get married next month. “I’m not in it for the business to be recruited. I got recruited for college. I know how hectic that can be. I’m not out there looking to say I want to test the market. Whatever’s best for me and family, I’ll consider.”
If James joins the Knicks without Chris Bosh or Amar’e Stoudemire, the speculation would intensify that Anthony, a Baltimore native, will follow James’ lead in 2011 and make the Knicks a title contender.
Even if James doesn’t sign here, the Knicks could add a solid piece such as Joe Johnson and re-sign David Lee. Then they would be in position for Anthony in 2011 when Eddy Curry’s $12 million comes off the salary cap.
Anthony said he and other top free agents won’t be swayed by the Knicks’ franchise-record streak of nine straight losing seasons.
“When it comes to people making decisions, I don’t really think it’s based on what happened in the past,” Anthony said. “It’s what they have right now, the pieces on the team right now. I like Lee. I love [Danilo] Gallinari. And David is a 20-and-10 guy every game. So they have some pieces there.”
Anthony, who has a place in Los Angeles, hung out with James last weekend during the NBA Finals. Anthony showed up at Staples Center for Game 2, planning to sit with James, but LeBron pulled out at the last minute.
Anthony said James wasn’t afraid of upstaging the game.
“He can’t take away from the NBA Finals,” Anthony said. “That’s one of the biggest events in the world. That’s not what he was thinking about. He had something important come up.”
Anthony said James is unsure about his future but has recovered from the second-round ouster by the Celtics.
“Anybody who loves the game of basketball wants to win the championship, when you don’t reach that level,” said Anthony, whose Nuggets were eliminated in the first round. “Anything else is disappointing. As far as him, he’s in a great state of mind. He’s just chilling, hanging with family and relaxing.”