After repeatedly taking his Knicks team to task throughout the season, Carmelo Anthony reiterated points and paydays aren’t enough to interest him, that the only thing he wants now is an elusive NBA title.
Basically, the free-agent-to-be told his bosses if they like him around, they’d better put a ring on it.
“That’s the only thing I care about. Anything else is irrelevant to me as far as when it comes to basketball. Championship is the only thing that’s on my mind, is the only thing I want to accomplish, I want to achieve,’’ Anthony said Monday, adding ominously “and I’m going to do what I got to do to get that.’’
Of course, that could mean scoring 62 points every night, as he did in his team- and Garden-record eruption in Friday’s win over the Bobcats. But it could also mean bolting New York in free agency at the end of this season, which has been horribly disappointing. Despite two consecutive wins, the Knicks have a 17-27 record and look nowhere near championship caliber as they prepare to meet the Celtics on Tuesday night at the Garden.
“That’s my motivating factor. Nothing else even motivates me anymore: Just that,’’ said Anthony.
It was a more subtle version of the prodding friend Kobe Bryant successfully used on the Lakers in the summer of 2007 to force a trade for Pau Gasol the following season, earning the Black Mamba two more rings. It’s also the kind of move Bryant seemed to suggest Anthony use on the Knicks.
“It’s important for the organization to understand the level of competitiveness that you have, that you won’t tolerate having a team that is not in contention for an NBA championship, which is what I did,’’ Bryant said Sunday, before watching Anthony score 35 points in the Knicks’ 110-103 win over Los Angeles.
“It rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, but sometimes you got to kick down a few doors and [tick] some people off and trust that it will pay off in the long run. If you are willing to do that, more times than not, you will be OK. … I wanted to make sure I had a team around me that could contend for a championship.’’
Asked how that would impact his decision whether to stay a Knick or seek greener pastures — or more competitive teams — Anthony backpedaled like a defensive back.
“It’s hard to say at this very moment how it affects me, but, for me, I’ve got to keep that motivation into the “now,” and when that time comes, you deal with that situation then. But that’s still my motivation, still my goal,’’ said Anthony, who proclaims confidence the Knicks can win. “My confidence level will never change. We’re having our trouble right now, but we’ve got to deal with that.
“I can’t turn my back and just say I don’t want to deal with it. I’ve got to deal with it face-to-face, and that’s what I’m doing right now. Hopefully we get through this slump we’re in and try to make a push. But, right now, I’m taking it one game at a time and see what happens. When that time comes for me to figure out what I want to do with my future, then that time will come and I’ll deal with that at that time.’’
Anyone wondering what reason Anthony would have to stay in New York should remember he has over 33 million of them, to paraphrase Terrell Owens’ agent. He can command a five-year, $129 million deal from the Knicks, while other teams such as the Lakers or Bulls can only give him a maximum of $96 million over four years.
For his part, coach Mike Woodson said it’s a positive Anthony — snubbed for NBA Player of the Week despite Friday’s historic performance — is focused on a title above all else.
“As coaches, as players, this NBA life is a short-lived life. You look at guys that play anywhere from 10 to 15 years in the league, it goes by awfully fast. You look back and you say ‘wow, what happened? Did I get anything accomplished, you know, during the tenure that I played?’ ’’ Woodson asked rhetorically.
“‘Melo, he understands that. And most players should understand it, because — again — you could easily be an injury away from not playing. Just, a lot of things play into it when you’re desperately trying to win a title. We all chase it. I’ve been chasing it too, as a head coach. So it’s good that he thinks along those lines.’’