Carmelo Anthony may think the Rockets’ backloaded offer to Jeremy Lin is “ridiculous,” but he said Monday night he would love to see the Knicks match it and keep Linsanity in New York.
LIN DECISION MOST ANTICIPATED MOVE SINCE ‘THE DECISION’
“I hope we can get it done, man,” Anthony told CBSsports.com after Team USA beat Brazil, 80-69, in Washington. “I would love to see him back. Honestly, I would definitely love to see him back. But knowing the business of basketball, it’s kind of a tough situation for both parties.”
On Sunday, Anthony said that Houston’s three-year offer to Lin, which includes a $14.8 million salary in the third year, was “ridiculous.” Monday, he tried to tone down his intentions, saying he was ripping Houston — and not Lin.
“It was ridiculous for them to do what they did as far as throwing that out there and making it tough on us to sign him back,” Anthony said. “That’s why it’s called free agency, though.”
Anthony added that he’s not the only one hoping Garden boss Jim Dolan, despite reports to the contrary, will match Houston’s offer before Tuesday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline. Anthony said that Lin, despite signing an offer sheet that is difficult for the Knicks to match, wants to come back, too.
“For Jeremy, I know that he definitely wants to be back in New York and James Dolan definitely wants him back. But it’s just a matter of figuring it out at this point.”
As for negative reaction to his “ridiculous” comment, Anthony said, “I always get backlash; it’s nothing new.”
![Josh Hart doesn’t want to make the assumption — but the trend proved true at least through the first two games of the Knicks’ first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, which means a similar trend could be true, too, in the second round against the Indiana Pacers. Jalen Brunson shot the ball poorly in four regular-season matchups against the 76ers. His slow shooting start in Games 1 and 2 — where he shot a combined 16-of-55 from the field — was not a surprise. Nor should it be a surprise if Brunson reduced the Indiana Pacer defense to ash […]](https://www.nydailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/AP24033113916407.jpg?w=525 "Josh Hart doesn’t want to make the assumption — but the trend proved true at least through the first two games of the Knicks’ first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers, which means a similar trend could be true, too, in the second round against the Indiana Pacers. Jalen Brunson shot the ball poorly in four regular-season matchups against the 76ers. His slow shooting start in Games 1 and 2 — where he shot a combined 16-of-55 from the field — was not a surprise. Nor should it be a surprise if Brunson reduced the Indiana Pacer defense to ash […]")
