Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green criticized ESPN for placing New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony No. 64 in its latest NBA player rankings, saying it was a clear disrespect. In an interview with ESPN’s Chris Haynes, Green cannot hide his displeasure about the Knicks superstar’s ranking, stressing that “there aren't 63 players better than Carmelo Anthony.” Last season, ESPN placed Anthony at No. 31.
“I'm a firm believer in guys earning what they get, and I know he's earned more than a 64. And when you see rookies coming in who haven't played a game, that's just clear-cut disrespect,” said Green, referring to Los Angeles Lakers’ rookie Lonzo Ball, who was placed at No.
63 even without playing a single NBA regular-season game. Green, who placed No. 10 on the ESPN list, admitted that Anthony was not the same player five or seven years ago but he stressed that he’s “not the 64th-best player in the league. I know that.”
Anthony rips ESPN
In its explanation, ESPN said Anthony’s days as a top-50 player might be finished entering his 15th season as he dropped 33 spots from last year’s ranking, which was tied for the largest “by anyone that finished in the top 35 a season ago.” However, ESPN said Anthony could join Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players in NBA history to average at least 20 points per game in each of their first 15 seasons if he maintains his career average during the 2017-18 season.
Anthony also aired his displeasure over the ESPN ranking via his Instagram account, posting a photo of himself with the caption “Can't Make Sense Out Of Non Sense! AS LONG AS I KNOW IM NICE, F___K IT IM MY OWN FAN "A certain darkness is needed to see the stars." @Espn Don't be so Blatant with the disrespect #GoneToFar #LineEmUp STAYME7O.”
Knicks might keep Anthony for one more year
New York Knicks rising star Kristaps Porzingis could benefit long-term if Carmelo Anthony stays with the team for one more season.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN, everyone around the NBA believes that Porzingis will help further develop his game by playing with Anthony. There was no development in the negotiation between New York and the Houston Rockets regarding a trade for Anthony so there is a possibility that the veteran might join the Knicks training camp.
Anthony has two years remaining from the five-year, $124-million deal that he signed but he can opt out in 2018. In the coming season, Anthony will earn $26.2 million. Earlier, it was reported that Anthony has reached out to Porzingis and other young members of the Knicks, including Willy Hernangomez, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas.
