Carmelo Anthony In A 'Recovery State' Of Mind
By Julie Parise, CBSNewYork.com
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Had the Knicks figured out a way to get past Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics, Carmelo Anthony likely would have been prepping for the second round of the NBA playoffs Tuesday night.
But they couldn't - and he wasn't.
Instead, Anthony was in Midtown at the TIME 100 Gala, an event which honored those that made the magazine's list of the 100 Most Influential People of 2011.
The NBA star was in good company, joining celebrities like Mark Wahlberg, Blake Lively and Amy Poehler. From the sound of it, though, Anthony would've preferred a later exit from the NBA postseason over an invitation to the star-studded event.
"I'm still recovering," he told CBSNewYork when asked how he was feeling after the frustrating – and at some points, heartbreaking – battle with the Celtics. "I'm in a recovery state right now."
Despite getting traded midseason and enduring a rough finish with his team, playing in its first playoff series in seven years, Anthony said he's beginning to get acclimated to the Empire State. The former Syracuse star, however, has yet to find a place to live.
"We're still looking," said Anthony, about whom it was rumored last week that he rented four Upper West Side apartments for himself, his relatives and his assistants.
Even so, Anthony said he's settling in just fine to the Big Apple.
"It's good," he said. "I've got my feet wet now."
The Knicks will look to rebuild a franchise that faced quite a rough stretch for the better half of the last decade – and fans are expecting Anthony to be the leading force of the effort.
Some also question whether current Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni should also be part of that effort - but don't be quick to count Anthony among that group. Arguably one of the best mid-range shooters in the league, 'Melo made clear his feelings about D'Antoni's future with the Knicks.
"I love him," Anthony said of his coach. "I'm a big fan of him. I love him and I support him."
But do fans share those same sentiments?
And the bigger question: Will management show D'Antoni the same love and support?
Julie Parise is the features editor for CBSNewYork.com.
