Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks are playing the Cavaliers to start the 2016-2017 NBA season, and the world championship ring ceremony before the game probably got him in his feelings since that's something that he's never experienced. And according to his college coach Jim Boeheim, Melo never will. After winning 3 Olympic gold medals with Team USA, more than any player in the history of the sport, the 14-year veteran is tired of being reminded of the NBA title that he doesn't have.
In an interview with Esquire released Tuesday, Melo spoke about his role as the leader of the Knicks, the emergence of his teammate Kristaps Porzingis last season, and why he feels that the NBA shouldn't force the Knicks to bear witness to the Cavs get handed their rings at the first game of the regular season.
Melo quipped about the ring ceremony, "Well my approach will be the same. Just knowing what's at stake there—knowing that [they're] getting their rings." He added, "I wish the NBA would let them get their rings the day before, you know what I'm saying? Like I don't know who came up with that rule that you get your rings at the first game."
Although Melo admitted that he didn't want to have to stand and watch the Cavs and his longtime friend and on-court rival LeBron James get their rings, the Knicks All-Star small forward repeated his claim that he believes his career and legacy shouldn't be defined by not winning an NBA title.
“I don’t think you should be defined—I don’t think that should be who you are, whether you win or lose [a championship], even off the court. Just because you don’t win a championship, that shouldn’t be turned into how you think about me all the way through, you know what I mean? But in sports, somebody’s got to win and somebody’s got to lose. That’s just what it’s about. It’s competitive—I want to beat you and you want to beat me.”
When asked if he'll be satisfied without an NBA title, Melo said more of the same, but acknowledged that not having a ring would definitely would eat at him:
I wouldn't be satisfied, but what can I do at that point? I'm not going to be depressed that I didn't win if I didn't at that time. I'm not going to be depressed or down inside. But yeah, I wouldn't be satisfied because that's what we play for. We play to be at the highest level. So there's no way I would be satisfied.
So there you have it. He cares about seeing other players win a championship, but kind of remains ambivalent about not winning one himself. There's no need to ask Melo about NBA titles ever again, unless he actually wins one.
To read the rest of the interview, you click here.
