In an interview with USA TODAY, Steve Smith, a high school coach at Oak Hill Academy, confirmed a Post report from the summer that Carmelo Anthony wants point guard Rajon Rondo as a Knick. Smith said Anthony would try to recruit him. Rondo will be a free agent in 2015, when the Knicks will have cap space.
Smith coached both players in high school.
“Whether he stays in Boston or not, who knows. I know, talking to Melo, he’s recruiting Rajon to come to New York,’’ Smith said. “Melo thinks he’ll come too. You never know about that stuff though. I think either way, Rajon will be fine.”
The Post reported on July 9 that Anthony wanted the Knicks to go after Rondo. The report stated: “Anthony told friends after the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade to the Nets, he figured the Knicks would make a play for point guard for Rajon Rondo. Anthony believes Rondo would be the perfect piece and would be super motivated in New York to attempt to knock off Garnett and Pierce.’’
When asked about the coach’s comments last night, Anthony said, “C’mon man. In my book, that’s tampering.’’
There were reports a few weeks ago the Knicks spoke to the Celtics about Rondo, who is still rehabbing from right-knee surgery. Celtics general manager Danny Ainge, however, said he hasn’t had one inquiry about Rondo since he was injured and said he wants to build around him and not trade him. The Knicks have no draft-pick pawns to give Boston anyway, so free agency may be the only way of getting the point guard. The Post reported in late May that Anthony wanted the club to add a secondary scoring option.
The Knicks could have major cap space in 2015 when Rondo, Kevin Love and LaMarcus Aldridge will be free agents. The Knicks have interest in all three.
Amar’e Stoudemire had planned to play his first back-to-back of the season Friday night, but was held out of the Knicks’ 121-83 rout of the Magic because he didn’t feel ready, coach Mike Woodson said.
However, there’s a new philosophy on how to play Stoudemire stylistically too. Woodson wants to put him in more pick-and-rolls, especially with Anthony, and less in the low post. Woodson said the pick-and-roll and pick-and-pop were what made Stoudemire an All-Star. Woodson admitted he may have overdone it with his low-post play after his recent tutelage with Hakeem Olajuwon in the summer of 2012.
Stoudemire had planned to go back to Olajuwon’s ranch this summer, but as The Post reported, was shut down by the club to rest his knees. It was later reported he had a surgery.
“I changed it a little bit,’’ Woodson said. “I’m trying to get him more freedom. We used Amar’e so much in the post last year based on that summer work.’’
Metta World Peace said he is eagerly anticipating Kobe Bryant’s debut for the Lakers on Sunday against the Raptors. Of his former teammate, World Peace said: “I thought I was the most competitive person I’d ever seen. Obviously he’s worked on his skills more than I worked on my skills. We had a lot of clashes in practice, I’ll just say that.’’