Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks heads for the net as Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics defends in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Celtics defeated the New York Knicks 87-85. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)Elsa/Getty Images
Rumours of the New York Knicks wanting to create their own "Big Three" have long been reported, but under cover of the NBA lockout, Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony was able to officially give voice to them.
With a tampering gag order lifted during the lockout, Anthony told the New York Post he would be thrilled if New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul joined him and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York when he becomes a free agent in 2012.
"If it works out and he comes here and they allow him to come here, you'll see a smile from ear to ear," Anthony said. "It's not just me. It's everybody (in New York). If he decides to leave New Orleans and goes somewhere else, they'll be feeling the same way I'm feeling."
The thought of Paul joining Anthony and Stoudemire first came at Anthony's wedding in 2010, when Paul made a toast that included a goal of the three players uniting in New York.
Anthony and Paul have since teamed up many times in exhibitions and might do so again in a New York area game.
"It's fun (playing with Paul)," Anthony told the Post. "He's such a competitor, even in games we play now. He wants the games to be NBA games -- the intensity level. He wants everybody to go out and compete. It's something I've really enjoyed."