Carmelo Anthony Backs Knicks as NBA Title Favorites After 2026 Triumph

The New York Knicks begin their 2026-27 NBA title defense against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, October 20, with former Knicks star Carmelo Anthony backing the reigning champions to remain the league's leading contender if their players continue improving. The opening-night celebration includes championship rings and the franchise's first title banner in 53 years.

Anthony, who now works as part of NBC Sports' NBA coverage, reflected on the significance of New York's championship and the pressure that comes with defending it. In interviews reported by Fox News, Yahoo Sports and Sporting News, he also highlighted OG Anunoby's decisive play against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals as an unforgettable moment.

New York secured its championship after a playoff run that included a dramatic comeback in Game 4 of the Finals. According to Sporting News, the Knicks overcame a 29-point deficit against San Antonio before Anunoby scored the winning putback with 1.2 seconds remaining, giving New York a one-point victory.

Anthony described the play as a defining moment in the franchise's history, particularly given the team's long championship drought and its previous playoff disappointments.

"That's probably the greatest moment to me, in sports. When you think about it, that moment, the way the Knicks were down, we were losing, then came back... The way they just rallied back and came down to that tip-in. It's funny in Knicks history, from the dark days of missing the tip-in to actually making the tip-in," Anthony said in an interview with SNY TV's Ian Begley, according to Sporting News.

The successful putback also revived comparisons with the missed layup by Patrick Ewing against the Indiana Pacers during the 1990s playoffs. Yahoo Sports reported that fans viewed the two plays as contrasting moments in the team's postseason history.

Anthony also discussed the emotional experience of watching the Knicks' championship run as a former player. Fox News reported that he initially found himself analyzing games as though he were still competing, before deciding to enjoy the team's progress as a fan.

"I was putting myself into those moments and kind of thinking from a mental standpoint like, ‘What would I do here? What play?’ I was playing those games in my head, and then after a while I was like, ‘No, Melo, what are you doing? Just be a fan,’" Anthony said, according to Fox News.

His perspective shifted as the postseason progressed, allowing him to appreciate the players representing New York and the atmosphere surrounding the team's biggest moments.

"So, I started to turn that part of my brain off and operating that way. To be a fan of basketball and the New York Knicks and of the players that were out there representing. It’s a beautiful thing, because as a former player, I love those moments.

I live for those moments. The tip-in was like – ah! That was a moment!

Jalen Brunson’s three was a moment. So, I understand what the Garden feels like in those moments, but that moment right there was special," Anthony said, according to Fox News.

Anthony warned that the championship brings a different challenge because opponents will approach New York as a team to beat. He emphasized that the players must accept the pressure associated with defending a title.

"Defending it is a job," Anthony said, according to Fox News.

He added that winning the championship would make the Knicks a primary target throughout the upcoming season. Every opponent will have an opportunity to measure itself against the defending champions, increasing the demands on New York.

"When you know you have the crown, you’re not going to let anybody knock that crown off," Anthony said, according to Fox News.

Anthony said maintaining that position would require continued development across the roster, particularly during the offseason. He identified individual improvement as an essential part of sustaining the team's championship-level mentality.

"No matter what we gotta do, no matter how we gotta do it, no matter how hard it is to maintain this crown, we gotta do what we gotta do. And I think that’s the mentality coming into this season. Also, I think each individual player had to get better at something and get stronger in their weaknesses this offseason. If they did that, again, that’s the championship mindset," Anthony said, according to Fox News.

The Knicks have retained most of their championship-winning core, according to Yahoo Sports, although the departure of Mitchell Robinson in free agency could affect their frontcourt depth. New York faces Philadelphia in its season opener, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Eastern at Madison Square Garden.