Robertson suggests Anthony move to Houston where he would “win everything”.
NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson has revealed his belief that Carmelo Anthony would be better off leaving the New York Knicks this summer.
The 29-year-old has said that he will opt out of the final year of his contract this summer and test free agency, although he maintains that his priority is to remain in New York.
Anthony wants the Knicks to provide him with assurances, particularly from team president Phil Jackson, that the team is committed to building a contender around him.
In addition, he has revealed that he would be willing to take a pay cut in order to help that happen, but ultimately given the contracts for the likes of Amar’e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani, that is unlikely to help for next year.
Robertson’s advice is simple, get out of New York now and move to the Houston Rockets, although the Chicago Bulls are understood to also be interested in acquiring Anthony.
“I would leave today [if I were Carmelo],” Robertson said on SiriusXM NBA radio Thursday.
“Let me tell you why: wherever that kid has gone, when he was at Denver, they had a team that fooled around with the ball, fooled around with the ball, then all of the sudden when they needed a basket, threw it to Carmelo. Then, when he shot the ball, they said he shot too much. Then when he didn’t shoot they said he didn’t shoot enough.
“No matter what he does in New York they’re going to criticize him, the people are going to criticize him, because you got guys on [the Knicks] that cannot play. You got guys that are hurt all the time.”
Robertson believes that if Anthony chose to join the Rockets, they would “win everything”, and praised the Knicks star for developing his game and becoming a smarter player this year.
However, despite the appointment of Jackson, Robertson doesn’t believe it should be enough to persuade Anthony to stay, and regardless of the financial benefits of getting a max deal in New York, the message is clear for Melo if he chooses winning over money.
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