Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim believes Carmelo Anthony will stay in New York, saying his former player "always wanted to be in New York" while adding that the hiring of Phil Jackson will help the Knicks in attracting quality free agents to help out the superstar.
Boehim told SNY.tv: "I think long term he's always wanted to be in New York. He's built for New York. He can handle New York. If [the fans] get on him or whatever, he still goes and plays. Some people can't handle it. He can handle it. If they get on him, he'll go play. I think he's playing as well as he's ever played."
Anthony has said that he will opt out of his contract to become a free agent this summer.
But despite his pronouncements, his former coach believes he will stick around and that Jackson can attract high caliber free agents in 2015, when All-Stars Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rajon Rondo can join the team. During that year, the expensive contracts of Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani will also expire.
The Syracuse head tactician believes Jackson will play a huge role in the Knicks organization, saying he brings a lot of credibility to the franchise. "I'm sure he's going to have the power to do things. It is a good place to play but it hinges so much on who can you really get to come there? Can you get a difference-maker? It's a lot more stable when you have something like Indiana where they have a bunch of good players. But it's how they figure this out."
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