If he had his way Carmelo Anthony's return to Madison Square Garden would have been a triumphant "I told you so," starring for some championship contending squad. But instead, he slipped into his courtside seat in street clothes just as the game was about to get underway against the Miami Heat.
Anthony and his son, Kiyan, took their seats, just a few seats away from the Miami Heat bench. Dwyane Wade, one of Anthony's closest friends in the game, came over and hugged Anthony and then his son. And then the game began with Wade getting the cheers from a decidedly pro-Heat Garden crowd _ including Anthony, who applauded Wade's introduction.
Moments later it was Anthony who got a video tribute from the Garden, highlights of his 62-point performance as a Knick playing before he stood up, acknowledging the welcoming cheers from the fans. Anthony waved, a curtain call while he hopes to still take the court again.
"Energy is always good in this building I had some great years in this building," Anthony told MSG during the game. "And I look forward to coming back and playing in this building some more."
When asked what he wants next for his career, Anthony said he wanted "whatever's going to make me happy."
Anthony said he was thankful for the warm greeting from Knicks fans, who he believed always treated him well.
"This is home, New York is home, my family is here, friends are here," Anthony said. "So you can't beat this energy."
Wade was the reason for Anthony's return, a greeting for an old friend. But just as he returned to Miami to end his playing career, he felt that Anthony's return, even in this situation, should be celebrated.
"I mean, I thought he brought an exciting brand of basketball, an ambassador for the city of New York," Wade said before the game. "He embraced being here. Not a lot of athletes can embrace what comes with playing in the Garden, what comes with playing in New York. And Carmelo embraced it. He had an amazing run here with this team. As an individual player he did some incredible things."
While Anthony's departure had to come after a long feud with then president of the Knicks Phil Jackson, the team has struggled mightily in his absence. The 54-win season in 2012 is the last high moment for the franchise now in the teardown phase of the rebuilding process, bringing a 10-37 record into this game.
"I think everybody's reaction will be celebratory," Wade said. "He did nothing but be a great citizen in this community, even when everything went bad here with Phil he still was a model citizen in this community, even in front of you guys. When it's tough every day to get in front of the cameras I thought he did a great job conducting himself the right way. He left here with his head up high and thanking the New York fans for what they meant to him and his family."
"He was the one when you came in here, you were like, 'Oh goodness. We gotta get ready for this guy.' " Knicks coach David Fizdale said. "He could put 50 on your head. He made this place electric. He really did. And I know that was one of those things, him being a New Yorker too, just added a whole other air to it. I know him being here tonight means a lot to the guy in the other locker room, D-Wade. They're really close and really good friends. I know him being here means a lot to him."
For years the speculation was that Anthony would somehow unite with Wade and their pals, LeBron James and Chris Paul. But Wade's efforts to join James in Cleveland failed and Anthony's brief union with Paul in Houston was cut short by Rockets management, pushing Anthony away from the team until they finally traded him last week to Chicago _ and into limbo.
Wade, who has been on a farewell tour this season, playing well for the Heat, believes that Anthony still has something to contribute if he is put in the right situation.
"Of course. It's about the right fit," Wade said. "It's about the right mentality. The toughest part for GM's, presidents, owners and players is how to handle an aging superstar, right, in this game. It has to all work perfectly. Everyone has to make the right sacrifices. And it has to be the right group and it has to be the right coach. It has to work perfectly when it's an aging star in this game. And unfortunately his last stop in Houston it wasn't the right stop. But Carmelo can play basketball."
