Carmelo Anthony will always have a fan in Jim Boeheim. The former Syracuse star can always count on his college coach to support him. The rest of the New York Knicks do not have that luxury. After a disappointing exit from the playoffs after losing to the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the second round, Boeheim is pointing fingers, but not at Anthony.
Boeheim knows that Anthony can be a championship player. He was essential the year Syracuse won the National Championship, the only team to have won a title in for the school. Yet, Anthony has not had that same kind of success in the NBA. He carried his team to six-straight wins in the NCAA Tournament but cannot carry the Knicks to the same type of streak. Boeheim told the Syracuse Post-Standard that it is his teammate's faults for the poor play against Indiana.
"He did what he can do. He played very well the final game. Everybody's killing him but Tyson Chandler just didn't try to catch the ball. He threw him the ball and Tyson Chandler went like this. He was wide open. He should have been looking for the ball. Carmelo gets turnovers and the announcers aren't smart enough to even think, 'Well, the guy should try to catch the ball,'" Boeheim said.
Boeheim believes that Anthony cannot carry a team with a roster that is just filled with role players. While Chandler can certainly be essential to a strong team, he has yet to play like it. Anthony may not be on the same level as LeBron James and Boeheim knows he needs a second option.
"These guys weren't great players where they were and now they're asking them to be second and third options. In Miami the second and third options are Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Your fourth option is Ray Allen who is still in good shape. Your fifth option is Shane Battlier, who is still a good player. The New York Knicks have who?"
Boeheim does have experience coaching several Knicks' players. He coached Chandler during the 2012 Olympics. Boeheim criticized Chandler saying he complains about not getting the ball but yet never actually makes a move to go up and try to get the ball. Boeheim knows that New York will forever blame Anthony for the loss.
The Knicks may have issues with their supporting cast, but they do not have the financial flexibility to make any changes to it. They will not be able to afford any of the high-priced free agents set to be available this offseason. It looks like Anthony will have to make due with J.R. Smith and company.
