Carmelo Anthony and the NY Knicks faced off against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers this evening for the first game of the 2016-2017 NBA season. Even though it was another tough loss for Carmelo, it seems as though sitting through the Cavaliers’ championship ring ceremony may have been a tougher pill to swallow.
Esquire caught up with the Knick’s forward where he shared his feelings on having to watch the Cavaliers get their rings on opening night.
“I wish the NBA would let them get their rings the day before, you know what I’m saying,” Melo said. “Like I don’t know who came up with that rule that you get your rings at the first game.”
He then goes on to speak about how winning championships shouldn’t define the player on and off the court.
“I don’t think you should be defined—I don’t think that should be who you are, whether you win or lose [a championship], even off the court. Just because you don’t win a championship, that shouldn’t be turned into how you think about me all the way through, you know what I mean? But in sports, somebody’s got to win and somebody’s got to lose. That’s just what it’s about. It’s competitive—I want to beat you and you want to beat me.”
Either way, one things for sure Melo wouldn’t be satisfied if he didn’t get a ring,”I wouldn’t be satisfied, but what can I do at that point? I’m not going to be depressed that I didn’t win if I didn’t at that time. I’m not going to be depressed or down inside. But yeah, I wouldn’t be satisfied because that’s what we play for. We play to be at the highest level. So there’s no way I would be satisfied.”
As far Colin Kaepernic’s National Anthem protest, Carmelo says he stands behind it.
I support him. He’s very courageous in what he’s done. And I think he’s sparked a conversation on a different level [that involves] the rest of the world. His courageous act—and continuing to do it—I don’t think the conversation will die as long as everybody’s talking about that.
You can check out the rest of the interview here. Let’s chat below!
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Source: http://www.esquire.com/sports/interviews/a49947/carmelo-anthony-interview-preseason-2016/
