Knicks' Walsh: NBA Stars Should 'Want To Play' In NY
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Memo from Knicks president Donnie Walsh to the NBA: New York is still the Mecca of basketball.
"I know my own feeling," Walsh said before the Knicks' loss Wednesday. "It's a great place for good basketball players, particularly right now. And I'm not thinking of any particular player."
Denver Nuggets superstar Carmelo Anthony is one "particular player" that has been recently linked to the Knicks.
Carmelo admitted on Wednesday that he would "take a real hard look" at signing a three-year, $65 million extension with the Nuggets if he isn't dealt to New York or anywhere else by the NBA's Feb. 24 deadline.
Was Walsh sending a message to 'Melo that Madison Square Garden trumps the Mile High City?
"I feel great players should really want to play here," Walsh explained.
One star that has thrived in New York is Amar'e Stoudemire, who was signed this offseason by Walsh.
"The way he's received by the city, the fans, he seems to be engaging the whole city." Walsh said. "He seems to be enjoying it during the game. They're really supportive of everything he does. If you look at and see what's happened with Amar'e, any other person would look and say, wow. Which I'm sure they are."
According to Walsh, the Knicks will be fine if a deal isn't reached for Carmelo.
"I like what we have now. I know we can build into a team," Walsh said. "I like the players we have. I'm not saying we're a great team. But we have the core of guys to go forward that could be part of a very good team. The fact we could do something right now is because we have the ability to do that because our cap is lower."
Should Carmelo want to play in New York? Sound off in the comments below!
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