Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Monday 6 February 2017
Knicks could try to deal Carmelo, but should they?

BRIAN MAHONEY On Saturday, Anthony an Anthony trade.
AP Basketball Writer passed Earl Monroe, who Anthony wants to stay in
NEW YORK (AP) — Carmelo was on one of the Knicks’ New York and he can,
Anthony wanted New York two championship teams given his no-trade clause
and Knicks fans wanted in a four-year span in the that allows him to veto any
him — if the price was right. 1970s, to move into sev- deal, but some supporters
The Knicks probably ex- enth place on the fran- are ready to see him go.
ceeded it when they ac- chise’s career scoring list. The boos were noticeable
quired him six years ago He’ll soon move into the as Anthony’s shot was off in
this month, setting expec- top 25 on the NBA’s career a recent game and again
tations Anthony was eager scoring list, and with his col- Saturday in a loss to Cleve-
to face but is increasingly legiate and international land.
unlikely to ever meet. championships, he should One fan’s impatience was
But if his time in New York is easily get into the Naismith evident after a particularly
almost up, if the Knicks re- Memorial Basketball Hall of bad shot.
ally are considering moving Fame. “Two more years of that,
on without him, a word of “Listen what he’s done you’ve got to be kidding
warning. in this game ... national me!” he screamed.
“He had 25 (points) in one championship at Syracuse The Knicks made the play-
quarter this year. Very re- as a freshman, that’s hard. offs the season Anthony ar-
cently,” LeBron James said. What he’s done with FIBA rived, their first appearance
“So you tell me. How many basketball, I said (earlier
guys do that?” this season), the Olympics, since 2004, and in 2012 won
Not many, but that hasn’t world championships, how a postseason game for the
stopped round-the-clock he represented our coun- first time since 2001, ending
trade speculation over the try, it’s fantastic,” said Nets an NBA-record 13-game
last couple of weeks, with coach Kenny Atkinson, a skid in the postseason.
still a couple more until the Knicks assistant when An- New York won 54 games
NBA trade deadline. thony was acquired. “He’s and dethroned Boston to
If Anthony is dealt, he will New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony motions after hitting had a fantastic career. Still win the Atlantic Division
leave without leading the a 3-point shot against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quar- a heck of a player.” championship in 2013, with
Knicks to a title, or even ter of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, in New Opposing coaches agree, Anthony winning the NBA
getting particularly close. York. denying any slippage in scoring title as the Knicks
For his many critics, that will Associated Press Anthony’s game, even as reached the Eastern Con-
make it easy to label him a rent ABC analyst, cautions no question about it. So to his scoring and shooting ference semifinals.
disappointment, especially the failure belongs to the me, it’s been team-wise, percentage have fallen at They’ve since returned to
by those who never want- Knicks, one of the NBA’s they haven’t been suc- 32. their losing ways, on pace
ed him in the first place at sorriest franchises of the last cessful overall. But what But President of Basketball to miss the playoffs for the
the cost of three starters 15 years, and not Anthony. he’s done and what he’s Operations Phil Jackson fourth straight season. May-
and a top reserve off a “You don’t win with just been able to do should be apparently isn’t convinced, be that makes it easier for
promising team. one person,” Jackson said. acknowledged and recog- with reports the Knicks have Anthony to accept a trade
But Mark Jackson, a for- “He’s a great player, a fu- nized. He’s one of the great contacted the Cavaliers, to a contender, if Phil Jack-
mer Knicks guard and cur- ture Hall of Famer, there’s Knicks.” Clippers and Celtics about son is able to find one.q
NBA Capsules

Boston beats Lakers, Thunder defeat Trail Blazers

The Associated Press the game out of reach. points and eight boards.
BOSTON (AP) — Isaiah The 39-year-old Pierce, a Westbrook punctuated his
Thomas stole the spotlight former Celtics captain, has big day with a 3-pointer
from Paul Pierce on Sun- said he will retire after the with 1:18 remaining, lifting
day, scoring 28 points to season. He had not played Oklahoma City to a 100-93
lead Boston to its seventh since Dec. 31, but former lead. He capped it off by
straight victory, a 107-102 Celtics coach Doc Rivers hitting five free throws in the
win over the Los Angeles put him in the starting line- final minute as the crowd
Clippers in Pierce’s final up so he could have a fit- chanted “MVP! MVP!”
game in the Garden. ting farewell. RAPTORS 103, NETS 95
Al Horford had 13 points THUNDER 105, TRAIL BLAZ- NEW YORK (AP) — Kyle
and a season-high 15 re- ERS 99 Lowry played through ill-
bounds for the Celtics, who OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — ness and injury to finish with
brought Pierce to tears with Russell Westbrook scored 15 points, 11 rebounds and
a first-quarter highlight vid- 19 of his 42 points in the 11 assists for his ninth career
eo. Thomas also had eight fourth quarter, powering Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) gets caught between triple-double, leading To-
assists. Blake Griffin and Oklahoma City to the vic- Brooklyn Nets forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, second from ronto to the road win.
Jamal Crawford scored tory. left, and guard Randy Foye (2) as Nets center Brook Lopez (11) Playing again without lead-
23 apiece and DeAndre Westbrook also had eight watches the perimeter during the first half of an NBA basketball ing scorer DeMar DeRo-
game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017, in New York.
Jordan had 16 rebounds assists and four rebounds Associated Press zan, the slumping Raptors
for Los Angeles, which lost in his eighth 40-point per- ended a two-game los-
for the sixth time in eight formance of the season. move within a half-game of points and seven rebounds ing streak and won for just
games. Pierce’s only points Victor Oladipo added 24 idle Memphis for sixth in the for Portland (22-30), which the third time in 11 games.
came on a 3 after checking points and 13 boards, help- Western Conference. has dropped three of four. Jonas Valanciunas had a
in with 19 seconds left and ing Oklahoma City (30-22) Damian Lillard had 29 C.J. McCollum added 19 game-high 22 points. q