The New York Knicks got their man, and now a chase for a championship begins.
Carmelo Anthony’s decision to re-sign has Derek Fisher feeling confident that the Knicks will return to the playoffs this season and eventually win an NBA title.
Fisher told Newsday that it’s up to him as a coach to make that happen.
“In my opinion, based on our roster and the things we’re going to do and who we’re going to become, we can compete for playing in the playoffs and for a championship in the Eastern Conference,” Fisher said Monday. “When that happens, and putting dates on it and how, that’s not my job.
” . . . I believe in the group of guys that we have. Even if nothing else changes, we’re good enough to be a playoff team . . . But we obviously have to go out on the floor and prove it.”
Fisher reiterated that he believes Anthony can have the ultimate success if he buys into the triangle offense and the idea of constant ball movement.
“What I’ve most thought about is how much easier the game will be for him,” Fisher said. “We won’t just give him the ball and say ‘save the day.’ We’ll utilize our [power forward], we’ll utilize our offense, we’ll utilize he and the guys around him to be successful on the offensive end and build trust, build chemistry and build a fun way to play for guys so that our defense is better.