Carmelo Anthony Receives Warm Welcome in Return to New York

Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony spent six and half seasosn with the New York Knicks, spending much of his prime under the lights of Madison Square Garden. He suited up under those lights once again on Wednesday, but this time as an opponent. Anthony felt the love from New York, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN writes:

“The love was definitely felt tonight,” Anthony said. “From the fans that were here, just the city as a whole, just being back.

”I think that feeling is kind of hard to explain. But for me to kind of get that ovation, I think I’ve always had the love from the city like that. But to be back in this building where I spent so many years, that love felt extremely good tonight.”

Anthony even caught himself looking up at the rafters, wondering if his jersey will hang there when his playing days are officially behind him:

“I did glance up at the rafters today during the national anthem. You know, they say in life you’ve got to envision, so I was envisioning seeing Anthony hanging up there.”

Anthony scored 26 points in his return to the Garden.