New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony called Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau's system "great." While Anthony was likely just being polite, Chicago, along with the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers, is expected to be a contender for Anthony in free agency.
Anthony had nothing but compliments for what Thibodeau has done in Chicago.
"I have no clue," Anthony told reporters when asked about the difference between the Knicks and Bulls, according to ESPN. "Thibs is a great coach. His system kind of reminds me of [Spurs coach] Gregg Popovich's system.
"You put anybody in that system and it's going to work. And that's what they've been doing. They had guys who have been sitting out all season long, guys [have] been in and out of the lineup, and they seem to get it done."
While ESPN's Ian Begley acknowledges Anthony was probably just being polite ahead of Saturday's Knicks-Bulls game, he does say All-Star's comments could be "a little concerning" for Knicks fans.
"...If you're a Knicks fan convinced that Anthony's going to sign with another team this summer in free agency, those comments aren't going to ease your mind," Begley wrote on Saturday. "The Bulls, Rockets and Lakers are among a small group of teams expected to express interest in Anthony this summer. Chicago is one of the most logical destinations for Anthony, who has said his top priority is to win a title."
Chicago is a highly-possible destination for multiple reasons. First, they have a proven coach and are consistently a playoff-bound team. Second, they would have cap room to sign Anthony if they amnesty Carlos Boozer and trade a player like Taj Gibson. Third, Anthony and the Bulls have been linked before.
A report in January from Yahoo Sports indicated Anthony preferred signing with the Bulls over the Lakers. Another report, this one from ESPN's Chris Broussard, claimed Bulls center Joakim Noah pitched Chicago to Anthony during the All-Star break as being the best place to go for a championship.
Anthony, who can opt out of his contract in July and become a free agent, hasn't ruled out re-signing with the Knicks and the hiring of Phil Jackson seemingly makes them a more attractive option.
New York, however, won't have the cap space to make major roster moves until 2015. The question is whether Anthony is willing to wait until then.
