Oh that’s right. That guy.
Every significant “Classic Knicks” move of the last several seasons has revolved around Carmelo Anthony. Phil Jackson – a Classic Knicks move if there ever was one – gave him an inexplicable no trade clause. He then acquired Rose and Noah, two past-their-prime players destined to wear orange and blue, to compliment him.
But the Knicksiest of moves centered around Anthony was the very first one, when they moved heaven and earth to acquire him. This despite the open secret that he wanted desperately to call the Garden home, and would have been able to sign with the team as a free agent that offseason.
Now, with Kyrie’s proclamation that he “very badly” wants to be a Knick, fans are having flashbacks. They’re wondering what the Classic Knicks move is here…and are hoping against hope that the team will pull a Costanza and do the opposite.
One segment of the fan base fears a repeat of the Melo trade, while another sees them potentially passing on a generational talent and looking back in a drunken stupor years later at what could have been.
One of these moves is definitely the wrong one. The key is figuring out which is the one the Knicks would normally make, and avoid it at all costs.