Greg Anthony: “I’d be happy for him. He would accept the Knicks”

Cole Anthony has started the season seen as one of the top five picks, which should lead North Carolina to a great year. Instead, Tar Heels suffered their first losing season in 18 years. Cole jumped seven weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery in December, the first surgery of his life, and his stock fell in part due to his shooting fights. He posted solid numbers, averaging 18.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals in 22 games for last-placed Tar Heels, but only shot 38% in total since field and 34.8 from 3 points. He played best along the stretch, scoring an average of 17.5 points, 4.5 assists and shooting 41.4% from the field and 36% from over the arc in his last 11 games.

His projections are all over the map, from a top eight pick to mid-teens. There’s a chance Cole could end up with the Knicks, the same team his father played for, depending on where they end up in this week’s lottery. They desperately need a franchise point guard.

“I’d be happy for him. He would accept it, ”Greg said. “He comes from there, he grew up there. I like what they have done, from a front office point of view. I think [President] Leon [Rose] will do a great job. I think [Tom Thibodeau] is a great coach. … Now he’s just returned to being a basketball coach and I think it would be great to play for him. Playing in New York is a little different. Not everyone is used to it. But first he dealt with what that environment entails “.