Peter Vecsey: If Knicks Keep Rambis, Anthony Likely To Demand Trade
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- If the Knicks retain Kurt Rambis as their head coach, they might as well say goodbye to Carmelo Anthony, legendary basketball columnist Peter Vecsey said.
In an appearance on the "Brown and Scoop" podcast on CBS Radio's Play.it network, Vecsey said a Rambis hire would send a clear message that the Knicks no longer have the nine-time All-Star in their plans.
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"That's the belief," Vecsey said. "The truth is Melo likes Rambis. I know that for a fact. He thinks he's a good guy, but he doesn't think he's the coach they need to go further than they are right now. He's not a good coach.
"He couldn't coach a lick (in Minnesota). The mistakes he made, and the players used to mock him, the young players. ... If they hire Kurt Rambis, I'm sure Melo is going to demand to be traded."
Vecsey added that he believes the Knicks will ultimately hire Rambis, who went 9-19 as the team's interim head coach after Jackson fired Derek Fisher in February.
Anthony has three years remaining on his contract and would have to waive his no-trade clause.
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Vecsey also said he's not a fan of former Pacers coach Frank Vogel. Knicks general manager Steve Mills reportedly contacted Vogel's agent to gauge the coach's interest, but it's not clear whether Knicks president Phil Jackson wants to pursue Vogel.
"I'm going to throw up," Vecsey said. "Everybody's saying they've got to interview Vogel. Have they watched him coach? I don't care what he did with the team. He should have done better with what he had, but mistakes galore in every series that he coached. And you watch him this year -- God, how many times did he give the ball with the game on the line to Monta Ellis and not to his star player?"
