The All-NBA teams were announced yesterday and Carmelo Anthony was snubbed, Amar’e Stoudemire got his due, and Knicks president Donnie Walsh said he’s just happy his star tandem will open their first training camp together next season.
In an email, Walsh, intentionally or not, strongly hinted for the first time he’ll be part of the Knicks next season when asked by The Post his reaction to Stoudemire’s second-team All-NBA selection and Anthony being left off all three teams.
“I have no comment on these teams,” Walsh wrote. “I am just happy both players are Knicks when we begin the season next year.”
It was a telling sign Walsh used the word “we.” The Knicks have not formally announced his contract extension, though The Post has reported Walsh has agreed in principle to return.
Walsh gutted the team to get Anthony from the Nuggets in a trade, and the Knicks bragged about landing a second superstar, but the small forward was edged out of All-NBA status after making second team last season and third team from 2006-08. Stoudemire, who earned his fourth second-team All-NBA selection, was selected as a center, though he played mostly power forward.
The Anthony snub is likely a backlash to a controversial season in which he became a distraction to three clubs: the Nuggets, Knicks and Nets. The All-NBA teams were chosen by a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters who may have been fed up by the months of Melo-mania.
Anthony, who has appeared on a slew of national talk shows, collected the third-highest point total (53) for the category “other players receiving votes.”
Anthony was beaten out on the third team by the Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge and Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph. Ironically, Walsh shipped Randolph out 2½ years ago to begin clearing salary-cap space that helped land Stoudemire and indirectly helped net Anthony in the Feb. 22 trade.
Anthony refused to sign Denver’s contract extension offer and the Nuggets were embroiled in turmoil until a deal was struck. The Knicks and Nets also admitted to significant distractions caused by the Anthony sweepstakes.
Anthony logged a 25.6 scoring average (third in the NBA) in 77 games — 50 with Denver, 27 with the Knicks. He averaged 7.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, the last time he spoke to the media, 3½ weeks ago after his team was swept by Boston in the first round of the playoffs, said Anthony’s next step should be to become a nightly triple-double threat.
“He can be, is, or could be as good as anybody in the league if not better,” D’Antoni said. “He has everything. His goal should be to be a triple-double guy and win a championship with the Knicks. He has that ability. He and Amar’e together can get it done.”
Stoudemire was hailed partly for his stout leadership in guiding the Knicks to their first playoff berth since 2004. Walsh talked repeatedly of being ecstatic over Stoudemire’s off-court demeanor, not realizing how charismatic he was with fans and teammates.
Stoudemire averaged 25.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and shot 50.2 percent. The forwards on the second team were the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki and the Lakers’ Pau Gasol.
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Knicks center/power forward Jared Jeffries had surgery on his right knee to clean out debris and will need 6-8 weeks to recover. Jeffries signed with the Knicks for his second stint after the February trade deadline and was a slight disappointment. He is a free agent, but could return for the veteran’s minimum with the Knicks desperate for size.