Jim Boeheim is not advocating Carmelo Anthony leave the Knicks for the Bulls. But if it did happen, the Syracuse coaching legend believes Anthony and Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau would be a very good match.
Boeheim and Thibodeau were together last summer in Las Vegas during Team USA’s training camp as assistant coaches for Mike Krzyzewski. Even then, Thibodeau picked Boeheim’s brain on Anthony. They remain in touch as Team USA gears up for the World Championships this summer.
Despite being over the salary cap, the Bulls are considered the favorites if Anthony decides to leave the Knicks.
“I’ve talked to Tom about Melo, his name has come up,’’ Boeheim told The Post. “I think Tom is very excited about the possibility of getting Carmelo. He likes him. He likes how he plays. He feels he’s coachable. I think Tom Thibodeau is one of the better coaches in the NBA. Carmelo would be happy playing for him. It would be a good fit — the coach-player relationship.’’
Boeheim has spoken to Anthony about his free agency, but not recently. He believes Anthony’s priority is having the best chance to win a title and hopes that place is New York.
“I talked to some of his guys, spent time with him in the past about it,’’ Boeheim said. “Everybody has to understand with LeBron opting out [Tuesday], these guys are business guys. They have to look for the best situation for them. That’s all they’re doing. There’s so much put on winning championships. Every player has to try to find the best situation for them. Problem is, it’s not that easy to do.’’
Boeheim, whose lone NCAA title came during Anthony’s freshman year with the Orange, said things would’ve worked out better with the Knicks had Amar’e Stoudemire remained a perennial All-Star. Now Boeheim wonders whether Chicago point guard Derrick Rose is the next Stoudemire.
“How do you pick a place to go? You look at Chicago. Looks good, but how is Derrick Rose going to be?” Boeheim said. “Is he going to be healthy? That makes a helluva difference.’’
Because there’s no clear title contender with cap space, Boeheim feels Anthony has a very tough call to make.
“With the Knicks, how long does it take?’’ Boeheim said. “Melo has three, four prime years left. If something didn’t happen this year, next year for some reason they don’t get a couple of quality guys, now what do you do? It’s tough figuring out what to do. It’s not easy for him.’’
Is Boeheim hoping Anthony stays in New York?
“I’d like to see him be where he can win, honestly,’’ he said. “He’s not going to get his due and credit the way the game is set up. You’re viewed almost as a failure if you don’t win championships. So I’d like to see him get where he can win. I’d like for it to be in New York, but I’d like to see where he can win. I believe he wants to be where he can win.
“I think Melo loves New York. He has had a good run there but he played — I watched 60 games — I thought he played great last year. But the bottom line: When they lose, he’s going to get blamed. I think if he can make it in New York it would be a great thing. I’d love to see that happen. We’ll see how it plays out.’’
Boeheim thinks team president Phil Jackson’s presence gives the Knicks a better chance at re-signing Anthony but adds, “Everybody feels Phil can do this, but who knows? He’s never done it before and [new coach] Derek Fisher has never done it before. I think [Anthony] respects Phil. I don’t see how you can not. But you never know how switching roles plays out.’’
Jackson’s team-oriented triangle system could be a boon for Anthony late in games, Boeheim said.
“You need a great offensive player like a Jordan or Kobe Bryant,’’ Boeheim said. “I think he could be great in it. The one thing I always felt with the Knicks the last couple of years he has to do too much on his own. It wears you down. You don’t have enough legs left. He needs a little bit more help to be there the whole game.’’