It’s just great to be back playing in this building once again

Anthony, who in 2003 led Syracuse to its only national title, was the first player to be introduced before the Knicks lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 98-90, in a preseason game Monday night. The fans, most of whom wore Anthony jerseys or Syracuse apparel, rose to their feet to give him an ovation. Of the six preseason games the Knicks will play, this was the one — added to the schedule late — that Anthony looked forward to most. “It’s just great to be back playing in this building once again,” Anthony said. “Tonight was just to give something back to the fans.” With the start of the regular season 10 days away Men's Nike NFL Arizona Cardinals #4 Kevin Kolb Game Team Color Jersey, Anthony wanted to have fun here. Coach Mike Woodson drew up the Knicks’ first play to get the ball to Anthony, who scored the first points of the game on a baseline jumper. Anthony said he wanted to play well for the fans, and he did his best to put on a show. With each basket, the crowd roared. He finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. He also played 34 minutes, mostly because he asked Woodson to keep him in the game. “They love him here,” Woodson said. “He had a great career here at Syracuse.” Leading to the game, Anthony reminisced about the eight months he was on campus. He spoke of how Jim Boeheim showed him tough love but treated him like a son, of how magical his freshman season was and of how thrilled he was to return on Monday. “We formed something special the short time I was up there,” Anthony said before adding about Boeheim, “He guided me through those eight months and showed me what it takes to win.” In 2007, Anthony gave Syracuse $3 million to start a fund-raising campaign to help build a new basketball facility on campus. At the time, it was the biggest donation a professional athlete had given to his university. For his efforts, the university named the building the Carmelo K. Anthony Basketball Center in 2009. “I do a lot in this community just out of the goodness of my heart,” Anthony said. “For me, this is where it all started. It’s only right for me to give back.” Anthony was on campus when the construction started, but his first visit inside the center was Sunday after the Knicks’ practice. “It was kind of surreal to be walking about there and seeing my name plastered outside of the building,” Anthony said. “It was shocking to me just to see that. I called my family and sent them pictures. It’s one of those moments that I’ll never forget.” The facility has two practice courts and a weight room. Boeheim, who sat near the court for Monday’s game, has his office on the second floor. Images of Anthony, including his jersey, are displayed throughout the center. Inside a hallway just outside the courts, Syracuse’s 81-78 victory over Kansas for the national championship is shown on a 24-hour loop. Anthony led Syracuse that night with 20 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists. The championship trophy is also displayed in the hallway. Brandon Triche, a senior guard for Syracuse, remembers that game and the 2003 season well. It is one reason he choose to play at Syracuse. Triche is from Jamesville, N.Y., just outside Syracuse, and he knows how much Anthony is revered in the area. Triche said he appreciated having Anthony in the gym he helped build to watch his alma mater practice Sunday. “For him to come back it means even more, just because he’s always doing stuff for the community,” Triche said. “He’s good at basketball, but he’s also helping others out, which is a great thing.” During the Knicks’ practice Sunday, Anthony took a moment to look at the championship banner near the top of the Carrier Dome. http://www.discountglasses-hot.com/