In two games, Anthony is averaging 28.5 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 46 percent from the field. His 1.5 steals per game is worth mentioning as well.
But more important than his numbers has been his effort. With 5:25 remaining in the first quarter Sunday, Anthony blocked a shot by Nick Young, then dove into the second row trying to save the ball. His attempt failed but the effort he exerted didn’t. From there, the Knicks never looked back and won a game that they trailed for just 75 seconds.
“I’m just out there trying to lead the pack in areas other than scoring,” Anthony said after the game. “I was just doing the little things to make this team better. Everyone in the world knows I can score.”
With the exception of Jrue Holiday, the Sixers looked lethargic and uninterested from the beginning, while the Knicks were just the opposite. Prior to tip-off, Woodson noted the importance of protecting home court.
“We can’t afford to lose at home,” he said. “Defense has got to be a constant every night and rebounding the ball has got to be a constant every night.”
It’s early. Very early. But if you’re a Knicks fan, you probably couldn’t have hoped for a better start to the season.
The Knicks will attempt to pull off the rare feat of sweeping a home-and-home with the Sixers on Monday night when they travel to the Wells Fargo Center. A 3-0 start would match that of the 1999-2000 Knicks, who won 50 games.
That season also is the last time the Knicks reached the Eastern Conference finals. Woodson would love to replicate that.
After Monday’s game, the Knicks will have three days off before battling the new-look Dallas Mavericks in Madison Square Garden on Friday.
It’s early, but the Knicks are first place in the Atlantic Division. And when they wake up on Nov. 5, that’s where they will be.
What’s more important is whether they will be there on April 5.
That’s a long way away, but opening the season with consecutive victories is something the Knicks haven’t done in quite some time.
“Holding guys to 84 points, that’s our mindset,” Anthony said. “At the end of the day, we just wanna win.”
After two games, they have. And we haven’t been able to say that in a long time. A positive omen, no matter how fleeting, is noteworthy. Especially in New York City.
Moke Hamilton is a Senior NBA Columnist whose columns appear here on Fridays. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on New York City basketball and the happenings in the NBA.