Knicks legend Walt Frazier believes ultimately Carmelo Anthony will realize leaving money on the table to chase a title elsewhere is fool’s gold and he’ll feel compelled to finish what he started in New York.
Frazier said there’s nothing more valuable than winning a title with the Knicks, so taking some $30 million less to attempt it elsewhere doesn’t make a lot of sense.
“When he weighs all his options, there’s a lot of money to leave on the table,” Clyde told The Post at his midtown restaurant Frazier’s Wine and Dine. “I know he likes New York. If you can guarantee: If he leaves, you can win a championship, yeah, do it then. But it’s not guaranteed. You know the Knicks are going to spend money. Might as well wait this year out and hope next year they can bring in some guys that can really help him [win the title].”
Frazier made his comments before a fan Q-and-A with former Cosmos goalie Shep Messing to promote his restaurant as a World Cup viewing station.
After all the fuss Anthony made in coming to New York, Frazier is turned off about his remarks he wants to potentially seek a title in another city.
“You look at today’s players — they just want to win a championship and stack the cards to win it,” Frazier said. “I don’t admire that in guys. Like LeBron [James], if he goes to the Clippers, c’mon man. You should stay in Miami. You guys started it, now finish it. Sure the fans will look at it that way [with Anthony]. But today there’s no loyalty.”
Frazier also can’t believe Anthony would take more than $30 million less to leave New York and Phil Jackson. The Knicks can offer a maximum five years, $129 million. The most an opposing team can offer is $34 million less. And the Bulls and Rockets likely won’t be able to even give Anthony close to a maximum offer.
Frazier pointed to his 1973 Knicks’ championship ring and said, “I would tell him this ring is not worth 30 million. The only way it’s worth 30 million is if he wins a championship in New York. Any other city for him it’s not worth $30 million. If he can win one here, it would be worth that. Anywhere else, I don’t see it.”
Like Jackson, Frazier wants Anthony to mix up his game even more.
“Phil mentioned there’s another level,” Frazier said. “To me, that level is 20 [points,] 10 [rebounds] and five assists. He can’t stay at 28 [ppg] for his stamina. Scoring has to drop. If he can get 10 rebounds and five assists and 22 points, that’s the next level. He’s making other guys around him better.
“If he wants to do it, he can. What does James have on Melo? The last two years he was in superb condition where early on he wasn’t in great shape. He’s worked diligently to get his body there. He can handle the ball and do the things LeBron is doing and still score and rebound and defend. His defense has already gotten better.”