Carmelo Anthony will have to skip his warm-weather vacation to play in the All-Star Game.
Anthony was named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace injured Eastern Conference All-Star reserve Kevin Love in the 2017 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Love, who was named an All-Star for the fourth time, had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee on Feb. 14. The Cavaliers have estimated that he will return to play in approximately six weeks.
“All of this just happened,” Anthony told the New York Post in Oklahoma City where he scored 30 points as Knicks lost to the Thunder, 116-105. “Last thing I talked to my family was spending time and taking this break. I don’t want to make it a downer. I’ll enjoy the weekend.
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still an honor to be an All-Star, to represent our organization and New York City. I was looking forward to my break. It’s life. Things happen in life. You got to make decisions.’’
Anthony has been linked to trade rumors, including getting dealt to the Cavaliers for the injured Love, but says he expects to be with the Knicks after the break.
“I never thought I would be anywhere else,’’ Anthony said. “You was thinking that? You was writing about that?”
This marks the 10th NBA All-Star selection for Anthony, who is averaging 23.2 points (tied for 16th in the NBA), 6.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 55 games this season. The 32-year-old is set to play in the All-Star Game for the eighth consecutive year. Anthony (23,775 career points) recently passed Charles Barkley for 25th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
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