Carmelo Anthony was 'angry' about last year's Knicks. (USATSI)
In an interview with ESPN New York, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony said he was "angry" about the Knicks' ignominious fall from grace last season, which is why he redoubled his efforts to get in shape. He also spoke about how excited he is about working in the triangle offense.
Anthony started working out two weeks after the end of the Knicks' 37-win season.
Why such a short break?
"I was angry," Anthony said Saturday at the Citi Carmelo Anthony Basketball camp in Manhattan.
Anthony also probably wanted to be in top shape for free agency. He tested the market over the summer and ended up signing a five-year, $124 million deal with the Knicks.
The star forward has been working out at the team's facility in Westchester recently, along with "six or seven" other Knicks, to get a head start on the new triangle offense.
"I haven't been broadcasting it, man. But I've been at the facility for the last couple of weeks with the young guys, with the coaches, trying to figure out that triangle offense," Anthony said.
The Knicks and new head coach Derek Fisher are expected to install the triangle offense this season.
Anthony says that he "can't wait" to learn the offense that helped Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant win championships under Phil Jackson-coached teams.
"Without a doubt, without a doubt. When people say spots, I'm going to be all over the floor in the triangle," Anthony said. "It makes it hard to guard, it keeps all eyes off of you. I'm looking forward to it, I've been saying it all summer. I can't wait."
via Melo: 'I was angry' after last season - Knicks Blog - ESPN New York.
So when Melo says "all over the floor," what's he talking about? Let's assume that Anthony will take the place of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in Phil Jackson's triangle system under Derek Fisher. Here's how Bryant's shots were distributed and how he shot 2008, under Jackson, with decent talent, at Melo's age (29).
You can see, on the right side, the influence of the triangle, with the shooting guard typically on that high right wing. An inside scoring presence, which the Knicks don't have, posts in the low block, and a point guard or other shooter place himself in the corner. That will be crack-shooting Jose Calderon, most times.
But there's also the advantage of that left high wing where you see a lot of 3-point shots from Bryant. The Knicks can post Amar'e Stoudemire (or, sure, if you're feeling optimistic/delusional, Andrea Bargnani) down low, put Calderon on Pablo Prigioni in the corner, and use Iman Shumpert or Tim Hardaway Jr. in that high right wing spot. Then, if, theoretically, the "ball finds energy" as it's supposed to, and the defense gets scrambling, Melo could find himself with a lot of room to work in his preferred set, isolation, on the wing.
How the Knicks use Melo's high-post preferences will be interesting (though you can see some of that in the right-wing mid-range shots from Bryant above), and if they will ever consider using him as the low-post presence, with Calderon and Hardaway Jr. on the wings in a small-ball triangle.
But there's reason to be optimistic about next season with the Knicks. After all, after last season and how "angry" it made Anthony, it can't really get any worse.
Basketball Hot News
Steve Clifford sees Marvin Williams as primarily stretch four with Hornets
Charlotte took a huge step last season, going 43-39 and making the playoffs.
But to build on that surprising success, the Hornets must replace starting power forward Josh McRoberts, who signed with the Heat.
How will they do that? Marvin Williams, Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh are all candidates to get minutes at power forward.
Charlotte coach Steve Clifford offered a major clue about his plans.
Clifford, in a Q&A with Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer:
Q. How do you envision Marvin Williams’ role?
A. He can play a balanced game – he’s plays both offense and defense well on the NBA level. He’ll play both forward spots, but I see him primarily as a stretch 4 (a power forward with 3-point range). Up close you see that he can shoot and pass very well. He’s a very smart player who makes smart, simple plays. And he’s very professional in his approach.
I bet the veteran Williams begins the season as Charlotte’s starting power forward. Zeller – or even Vonleh once he gets healthy – could eventually take the job, but Williams’ experience probably puts him ahead right now.
McRoberts’ perimeter play proved an excellent complement to Al Jefferson, who dominates in the low post. Williams can match McRoberts’ 3-point shooting, but he’s not nearly as good of a passer.
Williams raises the floor of Charlotte’s starting power forward, and he’s definitely a viable option. But if Zeller can build off his second half to last season, he might raise the ceiling. Similarly, Vonleh, a rookie, has major potential.
Once Zeller and/or Vonleh earn bigger roles, Williams can slide to small forward, too. Lance Stephenson, Gerald Henderson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist will take a majority of minutes on the wing, but Williams can eventually split minutes between both forward positions.
Williams’ signing set up the Hornets for the present and future.
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