Carmelo Anthony is not planning to take a back seat when the New York Knicks begin rebuilding their roster this offseason. The veteran forward intends to recruit players, and he already knows who he is going to start with.
On Monday, Anthony openly admitted to reporters that he is going to try to convince Rajon Rondo to sign with the Knicks.
“I think Rondo — just me personally, I don’t want to be tampering — but I’ve heard he said he wouldn’t thrive in a system like this,” Anthony said, via Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I think he’d be perfect in a system like this.”
Carmelo would likely have to do a lot of convincing with Rondo, because the point guard has already said that he does not see himself as a fit for the triangle offense. Rondo is not a good jump-shooter, but Anthony insists that doesn’t matter.
“It is a misconception about that. Some of the keys of our offense is penetration, getting in the paint,” he said. “Pushing the pace, transition. Creating in the paint for bigs, for yourself, everybody else. I think a point guard would love that. Especially a point guard who can penetrate, create for yourself, create for others. I think it’s a perfect opportunity for him.
“Put me at the head of the (meeting) table,” Anthony said. “And let’s go to work.”
The Knicks’ chances of signing Rondo probably improved slightly when they fired Derek Fisher, seeing as how Fisher had some harsh criticism for Rondo last month. New York would also have to clear cap space for Rondo, assuming Phil Jackson even wants to 30-year-old.
Does Jackson want Anthony’s input? That’s a question for another day.
