Kristaps Porzingis Thanks Carmelo Anthony Ahead Of Knicks-Thunder 2017 Season Opener

Even after being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Carmelo Anthony can’t quite escape his old team. The All-Star will open up the 2017 NBA season with a game against the New York Knicks and Kristaps Porzingis, who is the new face of the franchise.

Anthony’s tenure with the Knicks ended on Sept. 23, just before the start of training camp. He was sent to Oklahoma City, ending his 6.5 years in New York.

It was time for Anthony to move on. His tenure with the Knicks would have to be considered a disappointment, considering he only won one playoff series with the team. New York is looking to rebuild, and Anthony wanted the chance to win a championship before his career comes to a close.

Perhaps most importantly, the Knicks had to trade Anthony to allow Porzingis to become the focal point of the team. The former No.4 overall pick has the potential to become one of the NBA’s truly elite players, and having to share the floor with a player that shoots as much as Anthony would only hinder his progress.

When then-Knicks president Phil Jackson announced that he was trying to trade Anthony, it only became a matter of time before Anthony would be on another team. Few, however, expected the process to last as long as it did, or for it to conclude with Anthony wearing a Thunder uniform.

“It was a big surprise to me,” Porzingis said in a recent video on The Players’ Tribune.

Porzingis played both of his two NBA seasons with Anthony. He was second in scoring on the team to Anthony in each year, averaging 18.1 points per game to Anthony’s 22.4 points per game in 2016-2017.

“I think I texted him that day or the next day and I just wanted to thank him for being such a great mentor to me…like a big brother to me from day one,” Porzingis said.

“And I was grateful to have him around and to learn from him.”

Anthony has his best chance to win a championship since his days with the Denver Nuggets, despite playing in the same conference as the seemingly unbeatable Golden State Warriors. Joining Paul George and reigning MVP Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City, the Thunder might have surpassed the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets as the biggest threat to the defending champions.

Porzingis will have to wait his turn to compete for a title. The Knicks will be lucky to sniff a playoff spot, and they are likely headed towards getting another top pick in the NBA Draft.

Finishing his first year with averages of 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game, Porzingis was selected to the NBA All-Rookie first team in 2016. He improved his scoring average, shooting percentages and defense in year No.2.

Based on his progression over his first two years, the 7’3 power forward has a real chance to make the All-Star team in a relatively weak Eastern Conference.

“As far as individual goals…I want to make the All-Star Game, I want to be Defensive Player of the Year and I also feel like I could be the Most Improved Player of the Year, “ Porzingis said.

“If I do those three things then that’s going to help the team win a lot.”

The upcoming season isn’t about wins for the Knicks. If Porzingis can turn into the star player that the franchise and fans believe he can be, it won’t matter what New York’s record is at the end of the year.