The ugly truth of the business of the NBA showed its face this offseason, when the constant criticism of Carmelo Anthony in a New York Knicks' uniform took a toll, turning into a microcosm of emotions that resulted in his departure to the Oklahoma City Thunder two days prior to the start of Media Day.
Anthony had taken Kristaps Porzingis under his wing, only days after he was drafted by the Knicks with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The 22-year-old wished Anthony had remained with the team, but ultimately understood his reasons for leaving the Big Apple.
“For myself, I wanted him to stay [in New York], and to play with him and learn from him and so on,” Porzingis said Tuesday, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. “But from the other side, I understand that he needed a new challenge in his career and he wants to win a championship one day, so I'm happy for him. He's in an environment where he might be able to do that soon.”
Several Knicks players plan to dine with the former star of the franchise, according to Begley, as they open the season playing on the road against the Thunder on Thursday.
Anthony will now play as a power forward full time with Paul George manning the wing spot, setting up a much-anticipated mano-a-mano against Porzingis to tip-off their respective seasons.
“I think everybody knows what he's doing but nobody can stop him,” Porzingis said. “It's going to be a challenge for me. I'm going to do my best.”
“I watched him every day for two years. I know what he does, how he can score. If there was an answer to what he's doing and how to defend that, that would be nice. But there's no film I can watch and say, ‘Now I know how to guard this.' So I'm going to try to use my length as much as I can.”
Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek noted both players will make this a chess game during the season-opener.
“(Porzingis) knows his game; Carmelo knows his,” Hornacek said. ” It's going to be a good battle.”
The two stars, now in different conferences will have their first test of competition on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. ET.
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