Carmelo thanks New York after trade to OKC made official: 'Because of you, I have no fears'
Carmelo Anthony spent the better part of a decade under one of the hottest spotlights in the world of sports. He experienced plenty of personal highs and lows, especially toward the end of his tenure with the New York Knicks.
But he's got nothing but love for New York.
After his trade from the Knicks to the Oklahoma City Thunder was made official, the 10-time All-Star posted a heartfelt letter on his personal website thanking the city he's called home at various points in his life for nearly 15 years.
"From the day I first met you, I knew we were meant to be together," wrote Anthony. "It was love at first sight. From a very young age you taught me something that I will never forget - how to survive within the belly of the beast."
Anthony averaged 24.7 points, seven rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game through six and a half seasons with the Knicks. After making the playoffs in each of his first three seasons, Anthony's team failed to make the postseason the past four years.
As the losing seasons compounded, the relationships between the superstar and the team's front office began to fray. Like all things, good or bad, Anthony's time in the city where he's now spent nearly half his life has to come to an end.
"New York equipped me to make it in any other place in the world," Anthony explained. "It taught me how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing to do. I never thought I would, especially to you. No one will ever take your place. It’s hard to find someone like you, so know you will always be missed. You helped me laugh. You dried my tears. Because of you, I have no fears. You came into my life and I was blessed. It’s time to raise my hand and say goodbye. It’s not the end, because like I’ve always said, NYC ‘til the end."
In closing, Anthony thanked the Knicks' faithful, and the organization itself.
"Thank you to all my fans who supported me through thick and thin," concluded Anthony. "And those who continued to support the Knicks regardless of the outcome. Thank you to Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization and all the hardworking people that don’t get the credit they deserve. And most importantly, thank you to the City of New York for allowing me to represent our city."