Carmelo Anthony speaks on the Knicks' offseason plans

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Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony: Will They Ever Agree?
Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony: Will They Ever Agree?

While the New York Knicks aren't participating in the postseason for the third consecutive year, they've maintained space in the headlines, primarily due to Phil Jackson's coaching search -- or lack thereof.

Few names have emerged through the first several weeks of the offseason, with reports indicating that interim head coach Kurt Rambis, who went 9-19 with the Knicks down the stretch and is 65-164 in his career, will likely be hired full-time due to his and Jackson's like-mindedness.

Carmelo Anthony has frequently communicated his desire to be a part of the process this offseason. It's a situation worth monitoring, with Anthony reportedly initially preferring Tom Thibodeau to take over, only for the Minnesota Timberwolves to hire the former Chicago coach earlier this month. Anthony told ESPN New York's Ian Begley that he believes Thibodeau would have accepted a coaching offer from Jackson if one was extended.

In the same interview session, at Grand Central Station in New York while promoting Gillette Clinical Clear Gel, Anthony further discussed this Knicks offseason in a one-on-one sit-down with AOL Sports.

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Asked whether he thinks the team would be comfortable with Rambis returning full-time, Anthony said, "I don't know the answer, to be honest with you. I haven't really talked to guys about this particular situation. At the end of the season, guys go in their own directions.

"I have no idea, to be honest with you," Anthony reiterated.

Anthony, who turns 32 next month, said in March, "I think you still have to at least listen to other candidates out there," according to the New York Daily News.

The nine-time All-Star also reinforced his desire to be a part of the team-building process this summer.

"That's what I want to have -- more of a powerful voice and a powerful say. It can only help," he said. "I'm not saying it because of an ego -- I have no ego, all it ties into is winning."

And while Anthony was hesitant to declare any expectations after a trio of disappointing Knicks campaigns, he shed some light as to how he views success.

"For me, my expectations go through the Knicks having a chance to win our division, get to the playoffs -- and not just getting comfortable with making it to the playoffs," he told AOL. "That's not successful to me anymore. It's different."

Anthony did speak glowingly about 20-year-old Kristaps Porzingis, who averaged 14 points and seven rebounds in his rookie campaign.

"I just want to see him come back stronger and just work on his game," Anthony said. "Just tighten up some of the things he feels that he could tighten up."

- By John Dorn

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On April 28th, Gillette Clinical Clear Gel will unveiled a "Pressure Chamber" in Grand Central Terminal's Vanderbilt Hall where tourists, commuters and New York's own participated in a polygraph test to experience how their bodies react when the stakes are high. Select guys even had their session moderated by Anthony. There are few moments that illicit a faster or more powerful pressure spike than the instant you're caught off guard by an unexpected question. Gillette Clinical Clear Gel deodorant activates when pressure spikes to give guys all day protection against odor and wetness.​


See photos of Carmelo Anthony throughout his career

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