Representing the team that owns the Mecca of basketball can bring overwhelming pressure from the fans. A risk Carmelo Anthony faced back in 2011 when he landed with the New York Knicks. But imagine the disappointment of having your high hopes crushed after landing someone as good as Melo. That’s almost what the Knicks fans experienced following Anthony’s inclusion in the team in 2011 because he had joined Amar’e Stoudemire on the roster. However, the duo could never earn the team what even they would’ve desired. But Melo believes it was not the lack of effort on his end.

The former Knicks star clarified his stance in a recent interview clip shared by Boardroom. “I had a greater appreciation of what it meant to play in the [Maddison Square] Garden. No matter what is happening, I know I have to perform. I can’t worry about what they did to A-Rod or Jeter…,” Melo said.

If you’re a New York sports fan, you know exactly what Anthony is talking about. The City of New York is tough on its stars. Just ask Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter.

A-Rod, despite his undeniable talent, was constantly under fire—sometimes because of his own choices, like the steroid scandal, and sometimes just because of the brutal nature of the New York media. Even Jeter, a Yankees legend, had to deal with what he once called “unfair” criticism over his captaincy. However, Carmelo Anthony had come prepared.

Melo stated in the Boardroom clip he had already studied how the NY media worked before he even stepped onto the court at Madison Square Garden. His approach? Block out the noise and let his game do the talking. “I’m just going to play ball, and whatever y’all say is cool… I’ve never said anything. I stood tall on everything,” he said.

And now, years after leaving the Knicks, he’s feeling a different kind of love from the fans. One that wasn’t always there during his time in NY. Many have come to realize Melo was never the problem. He gave the team everything, but the organization just couldn’t put the right pieces around him.

So, what changed? “I matured. I grew up. The fans that was at that point in time has grown up and got new perspectives. And now I think we seeing a greater appreciation of somebody who really try to put New York on their back. It’s hard to break that bar,” Melo said.

And he’s right. Knicks fans who once questioned his impact now look back and see just how much he did for the franchise. The numbers don’t lie—after arriving in a mid-season trade from Denver, he instantly made his presence felt, averaging 26.3 points across 27 games.

Over his six full seasons in New York, he put up 24.7 points and 7 rebounds per game. And at his peak, the 10-time All-Star was dropping 28.7 ppg while leading the Knicks to three straight playoff appearances. It makes you wonder, what was it then that drove Anthony away from the Knicks?

Carmelo Anthony blamed Phil Jackson for his departure from NY

Anthony’s time with the New York Knicks didn’t just fizzle out—it ended with a push. At least according to the man himself. If you ever wondered why his Knicks stint came to a sudden halt, Melo has one name to point to: Phil Jackson.

“When I left New York, I didn’t leave New York. I got pushed out of New York. Phil [Jackson] pushed me out of New York. I struggled to leave…” Anthony shared on an episode of The Why with Dwyane Wade last year. And that frustration still lingers, as he admitted he never truly understood why the Knicks decided to move on from him.

In 2014, Jackson took over as the Knicks’ president and made a bold first move—re-signing Anthony to a 5-year deal with a no-trade clause. On paper, that seemed like a commitment, but things took a sharp turn.

After a brutal 31-51 season in 2016-17, which marked the team’s fourth straight year without a playoff berth, Jackson openly suggested Anthony “would be better off somewhere else.” That was a clear sign of things to come.

Even after Jackson was fired following the 2017 NBA Draft, the Knicks stayed the course, actively looking for trade options. And just before training camp for the 2017-18 season, they finally pulled the trigger, sending Anthony to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, there is a certain section of fans who still wonder ‘what could’ve been’ had the Knicks surrounded Melo with the right talent.