It’s only preseason, but it looks like Carmelo Anthony is working the chemistry between him and newcomers Andrea Bargnani and Metta World Peace, according to an article in the NY Daily News.
From NY Daily News:
“I see guys bonding with one another and getting along with one another, and that’s what started it last season,” he said. “It wasn’t nothing we did on the court. It was all the stuff we did off the court, as far as being around one another, learning from each other, talking to each other and having fun with one another. When you can do that, it makes the basketball court that much easier.”
Whether that means another out-of-this world start, we’ll see. But it’s promising for Knick fans to hear that Anthony is amenable to playing with Bargnani, who is almost certain to be in the starting lineup on Oct. 30 against Milwaukee. Defensive shortcomings aside, the ex-Raptor is a proven NBA scorer who has impressed Melo with his basketball IQ.
“He’s a smart player, he can play off of people, and the way we play, we space the court,” Anthony said. “So a lot of times when all the attention is on me, he can do what he has to do. I saw this week the game has been much easier for him.”
With all the doubts and questions surrounding this Knicks team, this is one thing to have hope for as they approach the season. This is Andrea’s first time being on a team with a No. 1 scoring option and the Knicks were at this same type of situation last year. With Amar’e Stoudemire still banged up and J.R. Smith still recovering from a knee surgery, at least Melo has some options on the court.
