Carmelo Anthony returns to Garden as spectator, receives warm reception from fans at Knicks-Heat
Former Knicks player Carmelo Anthony waves to the fans in the first quarter of the team's game against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Credit: Getty Images / Elsa
If he had his way, Carmelo Anthony’s return to Madison Square Garden would have been a triumphant “I told you so,” starring for some championship contender. Instead, he slipped into his courtside seat in street clothes just as Sunday night’s game against the Heat was about to get underway.
Anthony and his son, Kiyan, sat a few seats away from the Heat bench. Dwyane Wade, one of Anthony’s closest friends in the game, came over and hugged them. Then the game began, with Wade hearing cheers from a decidedly pro-Heat crowd — including Anthony, who applauded Wade’s introduction.
Wade drew far more cheers than did the Knicks, who fell to the Heat, 106-97, for their ninth straight loss, 17th in the last 18 and 22nd in the last 24. At 10-38, they have the NBA’s second-worst winning percentage.
During the first quarter, it was Anthony who got a video tribute from the Garden. Highlights of his 62-point performance as a Knick played before he stood and acknowledged the welcoming cheers. Anthony waved, enjoying a curtain call. He hopes to take the court again.
“Energy is always good in this building. I had some great years in this building,” he told MSG Network during the game. “And I look forward to coming back and playing in this building some more.”
When asked what he wants next for his career, he said, “Whatever’s going to make me happy.”
Anthony said he was thankful for the warm greeting from Knicks fans, who he believed always treated him well. “This is home, New York is home, my family is here, friends are here,” he said. “So you can’t beat this energy.”
At halftime, Kristaps Porzingis visited with Anthony. After the game, while Wade and Tim Hardaway Jr. exchanged jerseys, Anthony drew hugs from one Knicks player after another.
"It was fantastic,’’ Knicks coach David Fizdale said. “You know the saying ‘once a Knick, always a Knick,’ and he’s one of the greatest Knicks to ever come through here. And I thought it was really classy of him to be here for Dwyane to watch his friend play. I gave him a big dap and hug afterwards and we’re always going to honor Melo for what he did for this team and this city.’’
Wade was the reason for Anthony’s return, a greeting for an old friend. But just as Wade, 37, returned to Miami to end his career this season, he believed that Anthony’s return, even in this situation, should be celebrated.
“I thought he brought an exciting brand of basketball, an ambassador for the city of New York,” Wade said before the game. “He embraced being here. Not a lot of athletes can embrace what comes with playing in the Garden and playing in New York. Carmelo embraced it. He had an amazing run with this team. As an individual player, he did some incredible things.”
Anthony’s departure was prompted by a long feud with Phil Jackson, and the team has struggled in his absence. The 54-win season in 2012-13 is the last high moment for a franchise in the teardown phase of the rebuilding process.
“I think everybody’s reaction will be celebratory,” Wade said. “He did nothing but be a great citizen in this community. Even when everything went bad here with Phil, he still was a model citizen in this community, even in front of you guys. When it’s tough every day to get in front of the cameras, I thought he did a great job conducting himself the right way. He left here with his head up high and thanking the New York fans for what they meant to him and his family.”
Said Fizdale: “He was the one when you came in here, you were like, ‘Oh, goodness. We gotta get ready for this guy.’ He could put 50 on your head. He made this place electric. I know him being here tonight means a lot to D-Wade. They’re really close and really good friends.”
For years, the speculation was that Anthony somehow would unite with Wade and their pals, LeBron James and Chris Paul. But Anthony’s brief union with Paul in Houston was cut short by Rockets management, which pushed him away from the team before finally trading him last week to Chicago — and into limbo. He reportedly will be released if the Bulls can’t trade him by the Feb. 7 deadline.
Wade, who had 15 points Sunday night, said he believes that Anthony, 34, still has something to contribute if he is put in the right situation.
“Of course. It’s about the right fit,” he said. “It’s about the right mentality. The toughest part for GMs, presidents, owners and players is how to handle an aging superstar right in this game. It has to all work perfectly. Everyone has to make the right sacrifices. And it has to be the right group and the right coach. It has to work perfectly when it’s an aging star. And unfortunately, Houston wasn’t the right stop. But Carmelo can play basketball.”
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
