Breaking weight-loss news, guys. Carmelo Anthony has reportedly dropped 12 pounds since the Knicks’ season ended in the first round of the playoffs. Because if there was only one Carmelo criticism it would be that he’s too fat.
But Melo has been training for the Olympics with Tyson Chandler in Los Angeles. Both Knicks recently had dinner with Jeremy Lin and head coach Mike Woodson, and they were impressed by Anthony’s new svelte look.
“I’m exceeding expectations,” Anthony said, according to the New York Post. “They were kind of shocked to see me down in weight. They came to my workout, saw it. They’re actually excited how much hard work I’ve put in since the season ended.”
It’s all part of the new Carmelo who’s now even more determined to finally get that elusive first championship. Now that Chris Bosh and LeBron James are at last ringed-up, as evidenced by last week’s champagne showers, Carmelo is the only player drafted in the top five of that vaunted 2003 draft yet to win a title. (Yes, even Darko has one.) But he seems to believe that should take care of itself soon.
“I believe my time is coming,’’ Anthony said. “I’m a big believer in that. Whether this year or next year, I truly believe our time is coming. We’re going to keep playing for that.”
Which is great news, because as LeBron knows, titles are just handed out.
But, yes, the Knicks don’t have a team that will contend next season and probably also the season after that. Not without changes being made. Even Phil Jackson has attested to that. While Jackson said that the Knicks have a “clumsy” lineup that doesn’t “fit together well,” at least Anthony says they’re working on fixing that.
“We’re just trying to get that camaraderie right now and a family mentality, tried to create a bond, not just on the court but off the court,” he told the Post.
In other Carmelo news, he just had a freakishly lifelike wax statue modeled after him part of Madame Tussaud’s New York sports exhibit. Wax Carmelo is featured alongside wax likenesses of Derek Jeter, George Steinbrenner and Joe Namath, among others.
“This is the No. 1 thing,” Anthony said of the honor. “I never imagined representing New York like this.”
Glad he’s got his priorities straight.
Photo: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
