Carmelo Anthony and His Future New York Knicks Legacy at Madison Square Garden

All of the lights, the screams of adoration, the melodramatic murmur of the press had quieted down as a somber Carmelo Anthony exited the confines of the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden, after being swept out of the playoffs by the aging yet dominant Boston Celtics squad.

It was all quiet now, no more would he hear the roar of the voracious New York fans hungry for victory, or the announcer screaming his name over the P.A. system, “CAAAAAARRRRRRMEEEEEELLOOOOOO ANNNNNTHONNNNYYY!!!”

This year’s playoff run was over for Anthony and his rag tag squad of Knicks who so haphazardly made the playoffs.

Without Chauncey Billups, and with an aching Amare Stoudemire (back spasms), Anthony had done everything in his power to prevent a loss at the hands of the more experienced attack of a Celtics squad that has been here so many times before.

Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo pounded the ball inside and outside as they relentlessly attacked Anthony’s young team vying for their first playoff win in 10 years.

Yet, this loss does not leave one as empty as a playoff sweep normally does, because this New York team may have more hope than any other team which has been swept out of the playoffs in recent history.

Anthony got his first taste of the excitement that is The Garden during the playoffs, the drama, the atmosphere, and the all out mentality that defines this time of the year. His New York legacy is only beginning, and there is much more to come.

The Knicks, like few other playoff teams have the capacity to lure more talent to their team as we move to the next year. Stars like Dwight Howard and Chris Paul are sure to have taken notice of
Carmelo’s historic 42-point performance in the series, which soon enough will become the stuff of Garden lore.

The playoffs may be over for Carmelo, but his future is just beginning here in New York. The lights and drama will be back again next season, but perhaps next time the ball might roll in another direction and the fans will be screaming again.