Carmelo Anthony finally got his wish. After a lengthy dispute with the New York Knicks management, both past and present, the All-Star forward was sent out of the ‘Big Apple’ and is now going to the Oklahoma City Thunder for at least one more season. He does have an early termination option that can allow him to be a free agent in 2018.
In 2011, Anthony seemingly was the driving force behind his trade from the Denver Nuggets to New York, a place he calls home. But Anthony’s relationship with the team soured, thanks in part to the comments made by former team president Phil Jackson and the lack of success the team was having with Anthony as an aging centerpiece.
The trade is done and Carmelo is going to join Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder. But before people look ahead to what the future might hold for the new midwestern big three, Melo took time to thank New York and the fans.
Carmelo wrote the following on his website, where you can read the full letter.
“Dear NEW YORK,
From the day I first met you, I knew we were meant to be together. It was love at first sight. From a very young age you taught me something that I will never forget- how to survive within the belly of the beast. I must admit it was scary, frightening at times. But, not fully aware of my purpose, I was being molded and prepared for the rest of my life without even knowing. My first nine years went by so fast. By the time I really was starting to understand, it was time for me to move on and start another chapter in my life. That chapter was called BALTIMORE. Instantly, I’d fallen in love again. (Hence the saying LOVE HAS NO BARRIERS). I guess I was all too familiar with the Belly of the Beast. I learned how to survive, I learned the sense of community, I learned about responsibility, as well as becoming a P.O.M.E (Product Of My Environment). You catch my drift. Then I had to depart again to go on this long journey where my ART OF WAR skills would be tested. Lots of good times and lots of bad times. Losing myself at times, questioning myself in the midst of finding KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, and UNDERSTANDING. Several years, months, days, hours, seconds went by and I found myself having an opportunity to get back with my first love. (Its called CIPHER in my lessons). It was a sense of rebirth.
…..
Thank you to All My Fans who supported me through Thick and Thin. And those who continued to support The Knicks regardless of the outcome. Thank You to Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization and all the hardworking people that don’t get the credit they deserve. And most importantly, Thank you to the City of New York for allowing me to represent OUR city. 7eace be with you”
