Bernard King says that No. 30 would have been the perfect number for Carmelo Anthony, who says he grew up idolizing the former Knicks scoring machine."I wanted No. 30 because that's what I wanted to average: 30," King said Friday night at the Garden, where the Knicks faced Milwaukee. "That's what I wanted to aspire to."
King has attended the Knicks' last two games and is hoping to spend some quality time with Anthony, whose offensive game is similar to that of King.
"He made a move the other night where he held the ball over his head and caught the defender flat-footed," King said. "I thought, 'Wow, that's my move.'"
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2011/03/26/2011-03-26_former_knick_bernard_king_sees_some_of_his_own_moves_in_carmelo_anthonys_offensi.html#ixzz1IBRtNd6D
Physically Bernard King was hundreds of miles away, but his heart was at the Garden on Wednesday night, delighted about the Knicks' acquisition of Carmelo Anthony to team with Amar'e Stoudemire."He and Amar'e are the type of players New York fans wanted,'' King, 54, told The Post from his home in Atlanta.
"I always said New York deserved to have a superstar. Now they have two of them. That's what's been lacking on the Knicks. Every other team in New York, whether it's football or baseball, has multiple superstars. Now the Knicks have them. I'm looking forward to watching them team together.''
Anthony has made it known that, since he was a kid, King was basketball idol. The two connected several years ago to shoot a sneaker commercial. King has tracked Anthony's career since then.
"I was honored to learn he thought that much of me,'' King said.
"When you talk about a talent like Carmelo Anthony and his skill set, it's a tremendous honor to have a player say he used to watch tapes of you and imitate my moves.''
In three full seasons with the Knicks from 1982-85, King averaged 26.6 points and led the NBA in scoring in 1984-85 at 32.9. In 14 seasons with the Nets, Knicks and three other teams between 1977 and 1993, King averaged 22.5 points.
Anthony was averaging 25.2 points with Denver before scoring 27 in his Knicks debut Wednesday.
"He has far greater range than I did,'' King said. "I probably made five 3-pointers in my whole career [he actually made 23 in his 12 seasons after the 3-pointer was instituted].
"But I can see similarities in how he attacks the basket and makes certain moves in the interior of the defense. But any time you're building your game, you're going to add your own unique style and flavor. There's a lot of individuality in how you play basketball.''
King said the Knicks made the right move acquiring Anthony, even though it cost them four starters and two draft picks.
"You don't have guys come along like that often,'' he said. "You're talking about a guy that can dominate a ballgame, and that's what you need.''
Chauncey Billups, King said, will be one who "stirs the drink,'' and will quicken Anthony's assimilation with the Knicks.
"It was big to bring him in with Carmelo, because Chauncey already understands his game,'' King said. "He knows where he wants the ball and when. He's a veteran guard who has won championships. Bringing in a guy like that is going to benefit both Carmelo and Amar'e.''
King is currently writing his memoirs and has a business in Atlanta where he lives with his wife and family. But he follows the NBA and the Knicks.
"I'm always going to follow the game.'' he said. "When you lose that, you lose your passion.''
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/idol_bernard_lauds_addition_of_anthony_8s3xAgUfF2v5X7GqvQuTMO#ixzz1IBSNijtR
3/31/2011 11:41 AM
