Don’t worry about me, Mike.
Carmelo Anthony issued a message to Knicks coach Mike Woodson on Friday that he will not be distracted by impending free agency because he’s too “strong-minded”. Anthony said he even assured the coach of such when training camp commenced.
Woodson said Thursday in Baltimore he wants to make sure Anthony is concentrating on this season and not free agency. The Knicks coach was speaking in the wake of Anthony’s remarks he wants to be a free agent to experience the feeling of evaluation.
“He don’t have to bring that to me,’’ said Anthony after Friday’s practice in Tarrytown. “I already know that. I’m a guy, a strong-minded person who’s not going to let that outside stuff bother me. He knows that. Actually, I went to him before the season and told him: ‘Don’t even think about worrying about me, as far as letting that interfere with my game. I’m not, so you shouldn’t.’ ’’
On Thursday in Baltimore, Woodson said: “If he is going to test it, he’s got to test it. But at this point, he’s got to worry about this season and this season only.’’
Anthony also tried to deaden talk of his impending free agency on Thursday by saying he doesn’t plan to sign elsewhere but New York when he’s free, but his message became mixed. He acknowledged not being surprised about his link to the Lakers and hinted he wanted the feeling of being courted.
In fact, one reporter asked Anthony if rehabbing Kobe Bryant had yet phoned him to try recruiting him yet — which would be considered tampering. Anthony and Bryant were teammates on the 2012 Olympic gold medal team. Not yet.
“I think Kobe respects me as a ballplayer, as person, a friend,” Anthony said. “I don’t think none of them phone calls will be coming in [so soon].’’
Nevertheless, Anthony talked glowingly of Byant on Friday, feeling he will come back better off his torn Achilles tendon. Bryant’s health could be a factor if Anthony gives the Lakers a shot at his services.
“They say he’s a little bit ahead of schedule,’’ Anthony said. “Anytime you get a chance to focus in and train, train, train like he has as long as he has, he has a chance to come back a little bit better, a little bit smarter, stronger. You look at D-Rose, he had two years to focus on the body. You could see the explosiveness he has right now — taking time off whether you want to or not, [it] definitely helps.
“What is he, 35?,’’ Anthony asked. “He’s a guy whose going to go get at it. He’s known for putting in the work. He’s known for being in the gym. He’s dedicated and determined. He’s one of those mindsets I haven’t seen in a person in a long time.’’
Anthony said the 2010-11 season in Denver wasn’t a distraction for him, despite season-long speculation he would be traded at the deadline before he hit free agency. Nuggets officials said afterward it was a major distraction for the club as a whole, however.
“I was able to focus on playing basketball,’’ Anthony said. “Once I come in here [to the gym], there’s nothing to even think about. Everybody on the outside, it’s just the opinions of what they think.’’
“It’s not something I focus in on,’’ Anthony added. “When that time comes, we’ll figure that part out.’’
Anthony also said he prefers to shut down the free agency talk for now. Woodson hopes so.
“Melo’s going to be fine,’’ Woodson said. “He’s still got to play this year. We’re expecting big things from Melo. He’s a major centerpiece of what we’ve done the last few years. It weighs heavily on this season.’’