In today's look into Knicks rumors and news, Chicago Bulls head coach Tom Thibodeau is joining the push to court New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony away from the Big Apple.
Per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, "according to one of Anthony’s former coaches, Thibodeau has reached out to him and to several other coaches who have worked with Anthony with numerous calls."
‘‘I even told Tom that there may be days he will want to blow his own head off when it comes to Melo’s defense, but he keeps saying he knows he can make it work,’’ the unnamed coach said, via Cowley's article on Saturday. ‘‘It’s not that Carmelo can’t play defense, it’s just how often. And he knows every trick in the book on getting around that.’’
This follows All-Star center Joakim Noah's recruitment strategy which began at the All-Star Game in February and lasted throughout the second half of the 2013-14 season.
‘‘There’s no question [the Bulls] would be better with [Anthony], with or without his defensive inconsistencies,’’ the coach stated. ‘‘As I told Tom: ‘You’re in the East, Tom. Remember, you’re in the East.’ ’’
The New York Knicks, regardless, still have a leg up on the competition. Per a report from SI.com, the team can offer Anthony $11.3 million more after taxes than any other suitors due to being able to offer the extra year on a max deal.
Also, the Chicago Bulls would have to do a ton of roster shifting to even get close to offering Melo a max deal - widening the financial gap even more.
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