Carmelo Anthony met with Allen Iverson in Philadelphia on Friday afternoon, savoring the news his former Nuggets teammate had been elected to the Hall of Fame. Iverson was celebrated at Wells Fargo Center during the Knicks game, drawing loud roars Friday night.
Through all his trials and tribulations, Iverson is beloved in Philadelphia. For all the speculation Anthony might want a fresh start elsewhere, the likely future Hall of Famer would love to have that kind of Iverson-like legacy in New York one day, according to sources.
“To me, it’s good to see him back in the organization,” Anthony said late Friday night. “I know it’s been a distant relationship between Allen Iverson and the 76ers the last couple of years. It’s good to see him back.’’
The two were teammates in Iverson’s later years, from 2007-09, but Iverson long has been Anthony’s idol. They were raised in the same region — Anthony in Baltimore, Iverson in hardscrabble Hampton, Va. Anthony chose the same agent as Iverson — Leon Rose.
“Every which way possible,’’ Anthony said of what he learned from Iverson. “His toughness. The way he grew up. The way I grew up. He was able to persevere from everything he went through off the court and still go out there and perform — his toughness and the big heart he had.’’
Anthony noticed how genuinely touched Iverson was at the Hall of Fame nod, and he dropped tears during his press conference at the arena.
“Most important it’s how he was just solidified into basketball greatness as far as the Hall of Fame goes,’’ Anthony said. “Before you can only talk about it, now you see that relief knowing he reached that pinnacle.”
It’s not hard to imagine Anthony as an easy Hall selection himself, not just because of his All-Star appearances. He won an NCAA championship and has a chance at his third Olympic gold medal this summer.
For now, Anthony is focused on getting the Knicks back to the playoffs. He has stated a desire to be acting general manager, wanting input with free agency and the next coach. On the bench Friday in the fourth quarter with an upset stomach, Anthony looked like a wannabe head coach. As the Knicks’ big lead shrank, he was active on the bench, counseling players during timeouts, gyrating as if this wasn’t a meaningless game.
Interim coach Kurt Rambis asked Anthony if he wanted back in, but he told the coach he was fine.
“I thought it’d be a good opportunity for the young guys to be in that situation,’’ Anthony said.
Anthony is trying to remain committed to the controversial triangle offense — former coach Derek Fisher came to realize how difficult it was to implement. Anthony, hoping the Knicks make a splash in free agency, also wants to ensure there isn’t a big roster turnover.
“That’s the most important part, just having some kind of consistency, a group of guys getting together for a period of time,’’ Anthony said. “Instead of rotating everyone in each year, if we can establish that as a team and organization, you’ll start seeing us take steps forward. Guys feel more comfortable. I don’t think [new] guys can learn the system the right away.
“I would love to see guys come back and be together for another year and establish something we already created.”
It might not be possible. Arron Affalo and Derrick Williams have opt-outs and could be goners. The Knicks could get outbid for free agent Lance Thomas. Langston Galloway and Kevin Seraphin also are free agents in an expected volatile market because of the increased salary cap.
The Knicks are set with their starting frontcourt with Anthony, Robin Lopez, who has been their best player since January, and rookie Kristaps Porzingis. They need to upgrade the backcourt, and one of the prime free agents, Toronto shooting guard DeMar DeRozan, graces the Garden Sunday in the season’s final home game.
“If you have the opportunity to make additions in free agency, you should take advantage of that,’’ Anthony said. “That’s why you have salary cap money in the offseason. You want to take advantage. Every team wants to better themselves.”