It has been a down year of sorts for Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks.
After coming off a year in which they were the second best team in the Eastern Conference, the Knicks have struggled mightily to a 16-27 record – fifth-worst in the conference.
With news that offseason acquisition Andrea Bargnani would be out indefinitely due to a torn elbow ligament, some wondered whether the team’s fortunes would turn for the better. The reason? Anthony would return to the position that made them so successful last season: power forward.
The desire to see the Knicks play with a smaller lineup has been a hot topic in the twitterverse all season long, and Mike Woodson finally had no choice but play his go-to lineup from last season of Raymond Felton, Pablo Prigioni, Iman Shumpert, Anthony and Tyson Chandler against the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday.
The result was a historical night from Anthony, who scored a franchise-high and MSG-high of 62 points on 23-of-35 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and no turnovers. The forward first surpassed Kevin Durant’s season-high of 54 points. He then passed Bernard King’s franchise record of 60 points, and then proceeded to pass Kobe Bryant’s MSG-high of 61 points.
Naturally, twitter blew up with reactions:
How I’m feeling now!!! 62pts @carmeloanthony http://t.co/sKydvjJooy
— LA LA (@lala) January 25, 2014
What More Can I Say…… That MAN IS VERY SPECIAL #Melo62
— Tim Hardaway Jr (@T_HardJR) January 25, 2014
NY better SIGN this PTPer @carmeloanthony & get him HELP-62 That is scoring big time even if in layup drills or CYO but in the NBA = #WOW
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) January 25, 2014
62. Unbelievable. @carmeloanthony
— Cole Aldrich (@colea45) January 25, 2014
Congrats to my brother @carmeloanthony on setting a franchise record tonight! #RocketLauncherFromBirth http://t.co/jArREJpMUX
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 25, 2014
Wow @carmeloanthony wow!!! #speechless
— Baron Davis (@Baron_Davis) January 25, 2014
#Melo History at #MSG #62points
— Wally Szczerbiak (@wallyball) January 25, 2014
Melo got buckets to night I see!
— Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) January 25, 2014
.@carmeloanthony was incredible . It was great watching him break the #knicks franchise record. See you at Clyde’s 2nt @alanhahn
— Walt Clyde Frazier (@WaltFrazier) January 25, 2014
Dannnng MELO!
— Kenny Smith (@TheJetOnTNT) January 25, 2014
That man, Melo, with 62… Sheesh #MonsterGame #Salute
— Landry Fields (@landryfields) January 25, 2014
62…in three quarters lol
— rudy gobert (@rudygobert15) January 25, 2014
Melo going HAM against the Bobcats. 62 pts with 6 mins to go in the game
— Earl Barron (@earldee) January 25, 2014
Fun to watch Melo!
— Larry Johnson (@TheRealLJ2) January 25, 2014
60…WOW
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) January 25, 2014
Guess Melo got tired of hearing about KD scoring and had to join in. He’s on fire..
— Tracy McGrady (@Real_T_Mac) January 25, 2014
C’mon Mike Woodson keep @carmeloanthony in. I wanna see 70-75! Well actually I can’t see cause I’m at an event but I’ll see the highlights!
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 25, 2014
Melo………MY OH MY!!!!!!!
— Bruce Bowen (@Bowen12) January 25, 2014
Is anyone watching Melo put up 49pts in 3rd with 6:49 to go in the 3rd WOW
— Bobby Jackson (@TheBobbyJackson) January 25, 2014
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James Park is the chief blogger of Sheridan Hoops. You can find him on twitter @SheridanBlog.