When the Miami Heat traded Joel Anthony to the Boston Celtics before the trade deadline a year ago, both LeBron James and Dwyane Wade were reportedly unhappy that their long-time friend had been shipped out of town.
Anthony wasn't exactly thrilled about it either, especially with the roots he planted both within the franchise and the city itself.
“I had caught wind that a trade was a possibility,” Anthony said, via Shams Charania of RealGM. “So when it happened, even though you knew it was a possibility, it still caught me by surprise just because you’re so close to the team, the organization and the city. It’s tough having played somewhere your entire career, the amount of time I had over there and all the memories. Obviously, Miami has always been home for me. I still have my place there in the offseason.”
Anthony has now moved on to the Detroit Pistons and, despite becoming a restricted free agent at season's end, wants to remain in Motown to help new head coach Stan Van Gundy rebuild the Pistons into a championship contender.
“I love the idea of being here, staying here moving forward and having a chance to help them turn this franchise around,” Anthony said to RealGM. “Stan has been very adamant about wanting to change the culture, so to be part of that … I don’t want to say it’s more special than playing on a contending team that could win it all, but it would be very satisfying and gratifying to be part of a situation where you’re able to turn things around."
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