Carmelo Anthony Explains Why Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Is Not Face of NBA: Knicks Tracker

The New York Knicks’ rival Boston Celtics have one of the faces of the NBA, but Carmelo Anthony doesn’t think so.

JULY 24 NOT ENOUGH AURA Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum is one of the best players in the NBA. But in a recent episode of 7PM in Brooklyn, former New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony explains why he thinks Tatum is not the face of the NBA.

“The reason why we put Anthony Edwards there is because of his aura. If JT had that aura, it’s over,” Anthony said.

Edwards has taken the NBA world by storm with his great play and one-of-a-kind personality. Even though Tatum led the Celtics to win the NBA Finals this past season, he has still not convinced Anthony that he should be the face of the league.

Troy Wayrynen – USA TODAY Sports

JULY 24 PACERS EXTEND NEMBHARD The Indiana Pacers were able to beat the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs this past season, and it was due in no small part to the solid play of Andrew Nembhard.

Per a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he reports that the playoff standout has now signed a three-year, $59 million extension to stay with the Pacers.

Nembhard averaged just under 10 points per game in the regular season, but it was in the playoffs that he stepped up big. He will be a big part of what the Pacers are looking to do going forward.

JULY 23 CELTICS BEST DEFENSE IN NBA? In a recent article by CBS Sports, they rank the top defenses in the NBA, and they have the New York Knicks’ rival Boston Celtics in the No. 1 spot.

“Everyone just witnessed how stifling Boston’s defense can be,” Jasmyn Wimbish writes. “That’s how they completely dismantled the Mavericks’ offense in the NBA Finals en route to their first championship since 2008. At any point in the game, all five guys are capable of defending at a high enough level to not be a liability.”

The Celtics will be looking to build on their success from this past season, and the New York Knicks are going to try to keep them from doing that with some defense of their own.

JULY 22 REGGIE PLANS TO SIGN WITH 76ERS Veteran point guard Reggie Jackson was part of the historic six-team trade, and he was sent to the Charlotte Hornets. But now, he and the Hornets have agreed on a contract buyout.

Per a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, he reports that after he clears waivers, Jackson plans to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.

He averaged 10 points off the bench for the Denver Nuggets this past season, and he could provide a great veteran presence off the bench for the New York Knicks’ rival Sixers.

JULY 22 WILSON WINS MVP The Brooklyn Nets selected Jalen Wilson with the 51st pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and he is now showing that he could be seen as one of the steals of the draft.

NBA Summer League has now concluded, and Wilson came away with the Most Valuable Player award.

He averaged 21.8 points and 4.6 rebounds and shot a baffling 55 percent from beyond the arc through the five games he played in. He did not make a lot of noise in his first year with the Nets, but that could all change this coming season.

JULY 22 BRIDGES NO LONGER NO. 1? Mikal Bridges was presented with a No. 1 jersey in his introductory press conference with the New York Knicks, but he is changing his number back to a familiar one.

Bridges took to social media early Monday morning to apologize to all Knicks fans who already bought a No. 1 jersey with his name on the back, as he is switching back to his original No. 25.

Bridges wore the number during his time at Villanova as well as his first four seasons with the Phoenix Suns. When he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets, he was forced to switch, as the No. 25 was retired. But now, he has his original number back, and some Knicks fans will have to buy new jerseys.