Bradley, Frazier, Carmelo? Knicks Legends Sound Off on Number Retirement
This New York Knicks offseason has been peppered with questions, a good number of them centered around the present stars of the NBA: should they trade for someone like James Harden or Damian Lillard? How will current franchise face Jalen Brunson work in national team affairs with cross-borough rival and former collegiate teammate Mikal Bridges?
One of the most prominent, newly-formed questions of the offseason, however, centers on a Knick whose last metropolitan minutes were staged six years ago. Unlike most offseason queries, however, this one likely has no immediate answer.
Carmelo Anthony stepping away from the NBA hardwood officially tipped off the debate over whether his No. 7 would reach Madison Square Garden's ceiling. Born in Brooklyn, Anthony came home to New York via a trade with Denver in 2011. Seven eventful seasons produced countless memories ... only one of which was a postseason series victory.
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Two of Anthony's potential MSG rafter neighbors, Bill Bradley and Walt "Clyde" Frazier, had a chance to sound off on Anthony's case at the premiere of the latter's filmed one-man show "Rolling Along" at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. Each would welcome the company in Manhattan immortality, albeit with a few small caveats. Bradley, who received the honor seven years after his 1977 retirement, would be willing to admit Anthony but preached patience.
"I think Carmelo had a great career," Bradley told All Knicks. "I think there's a certain period of time you have to be out before people honor you (but) I'd love to see him up there, why not?"
Frazier, owner of the first retired New York numerals, was likewise welcoming, though he called for other stars of metropolitan past to join him and Anthony.
"Yeah, definitely," Frazier told All Knicks. "I (also) think Bernard King, maybe Allan Houston, (John) Starks eventually, those guys are very worthy."
Bradley (24) and Frazier (10) are two of eight on-court New Yorkers (plus head coach Red Holzman, whose 613 wins at the Knicks' helm was recognized in 1990) whose numbers have officially been taken out of circulation, though the team has apparently placed a bit of an unofficial moratorium on adding more: Patrick Ewing (33) was the last to have his jersey raised, earning the honor in 2003.
Even with the lack of postseason success, Anthony's name is peppered throughout the prominent chapters of the Knicks' record book, notably ranking third in both points per game (24.7) and successful three-pointers (762). Anthony also holds the Knicks' record for most points in a single game at 62.
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All that and more didn't stop spare Anthony and the Knicks from a bitter divorce, as in-fighting with team president Phil Jackson eventually led to him being dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2017 offseason. Anthony would play five more seasons between Oklahoma City, Houston, Portland, and the Los Angeles Lakers before officially announcing his retirement in May.
As it stands, Anthony is the ninth-leading scorer in NBA history at 28,289 points. The 10-time All-Star was also named one of the Association's 75th Anniversary Team in 2021 and the Knicks wouldn't be the first orange-branded New York team to honor him: Anthony needed just one season to earned a number retirement at Syracuse University, though he led the men's basketball program to its first modern NCAA Tournament victory in 2003. picking up All-American and Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors along the way.
Though Anthony's Knicks career was not without its share of shortcomings, many have nonetheless called for immortal recognition. It appears he has two of the most important judges in his corner.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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