Mike D’Antoni was expensively brought to New York to create buzz to a franchise coming out of Isiah Thomas' tenure, and to eventually lure the high profile 2010 free agent superstars to the Knicks. Ironically, D’Antoni left suddenly and was pushed out by the one of the superstars the Knicks expected him to coach to the type of success he had with the Suns.

Amar'e Stoudemire and the revelation of Jeremy Lin represented D’Antoni’s vision of basketball for New York. High pick-and-rolls at the top of the key with Lin driving to the hoop, pulling up for an open jump shot, or finding a cutting Stoudemire to the basket in seven seconds or less.

Carmelo Anthony represented James Dolan’s vision of basketball for Madison Square Garden. Anthony would be the new face of the franchise and savior. Anthony would be the star player that put people in the seats and wins in the standings. Dolan hoped this would be his dream come true and not the nightmare that Stephon Marbury turned out to be. That’s why Dolan literally rolled out the red carpet for Anthony upon his arrival.

Before Lin and without an injured Baron Davis, Anthony was the primary ball-handler and the point forward. At the time, D’Antoni was trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, but the pieces didn’t fit. Anthony was born to score the basketball and create his own shots. D’Antoni was asking Anthony to step out of his comfort zone and create for others as a facilitator.

“I had to sacrifice for Mike D’Antoni’s system,” said Anthony.

The team hit a low point on the season as losers of 11 out of 13 games. 

Then Anthony went down with various injuries and Lin shocked the basketball world by becoming a highly effective scoring point guard. New York won seven in a row and 10 of 13 games, saving D’Antoni’s job in the process. The Knicks were winning thanks to the team orientated ball movement led by Lin. The talk around Madison Square Garden and New York was that the Knicks were playing better without Anthony dominating the basketball in isolation plays. The man Dolan anointed as the franchise player had become its primary scapegoat.

On February 17th, Lin confirmed that Anthony told D’Antoni to insert him into the lineup against the Nets, which began the birth of “Linsanity” as he torched Deron Williams and led the team to a win. D’Antoni denied the claim and rumors spread that Dolan was unhappy.

Once Anthony returned to the lineup, he failed to coexist with Lin and Stoudemire.

On February 29th, I asked Anthony about adjusting to Lin and the offense.

“It’s a different mind set now," said Anthony. "I’m still trying to get used to the guys that we have out there on the team, different spots out there on the court, and playing without the basketball right now letting guys create for me and create for other guys,” said Anthony.

Opposing teams made Lin the focus of their defenses and his production dropped off dramatically.

Stoudemire continued to struggle to score as he relied on his inconsistent jump shot instead of attacking the rim off pick-and-rolls.

Anthony received the brunt of the blame since the team’s losing streak coincided with his return to the lineup.

On March 14th, D’Antoni shocked his players and the front office by stepping down from his coaching duties.

Dolan expressed the shock within the organization during his press conference.

“This was not an event that was planned really in any way. It just happened. We had a very honest discussion. He clearly felt that it was best for the organization if he were to not continue as the coach of the team,” said Dolan.

To conclude, Dolan gave D’Antoni an inadvertent jab while trying to motivate his players.

“I want to be clear. I believe in our players. I believe in our talent. I believe in their commitment to getting the team together and to get this right. I believe that we have the talent and the character to succeed and I believe that these guys can do it,” said Dolan.

Few Knicks players wanted to talk before the game that day, but Iman Shumpert did, and offered powerful words.

“You could tell the locker room had changed a little bit, but that comes with any change,” said Shumpert.

The coaching change was welcomed by Anthony.

“In life there’s times when change could be for the better. This is an unfortunate situation with coach Mike, but sometimes you need something to spark off and for guys to wake up,” said Anthony.

Tyson Chandler echoed Anthony’s assessment.

“I hate to say that, but sometimes a team does need change… sometimes it takes something to shake the team up and say ok it’s time to wake up now,” said Chandler.

Stoudemire, however, offered a different take as to why coach D’Antoni felt “change” was necessary.

“I think he was frustrated from the fact that everyone wasn’t buying into his system. It made him look bad,” said Stoudemire.

Many people began to once again point the finger at Anthony. Reports even surfaced that Anthony told confidants that a trade out of New York wouldn't be opposed by him. Anthony responded by openly describing his relationship with D’Antoni.

“There’s no bad blood between myself and Mike D’Antoni, the guys on the team, or anything like that,” said Anthony.

When asked directly by the media if he had any responsibility in D’Antoni’s decision Anthony defended himself.

“I didn’t have anything to do with that. That was coach’s decision. I really don’t know where his mindset was… He’ll tell you we never had any issues. Any disagreements that he had with us as a team we talked it out and we went from there,” said Anthony.

While Anthony and Chandler embraced the change, key role players like Jared Jeffries and Steve Novak were devastated.

"I was at home and I was very unhappy," said Novak. "I think the opportunity that he gave me and the coach that he is, and more than anything the man that he is, I think it was tough to know that he wasn’t going to be with us for the rest of the year."

Earlier in the season Jeffries expressed his devotion for D’Antoni saying he’d “die” for him. Jeffries further explained how much of an impact D’Antoni had on his decision to play for New York.

“You never want to see a coach that you’re fond of let go," said Jeffries. "Everybody knows how fond I was of coach and he’s one of the major reasons why I chose to come back here last year, chose to come back this year. I had other options, other places I could have gone for more years and more money. I love playing for him so it’s disappointing."

With D’Antoni out of the equation, the pressure falls on Anthony as one of the leaders of this team, and Dolan’s face of the franchise, to carry the Knicks. Anthony is more than ready for the challenge ahead.

“I’ve been dealing with pressure all my life," said Anthony. "I came here because I wanted the pressure and the expectations. The expectations are not going anywhere, they’re still high. Regardless what happens as a leader of this team it’s going to come back on me, I accept that."

For Anthony, he must fulfill Dolan’s vision that he is the savior of the Knicks and face of the franchise. If Anthony struggles continue and the Knicks fail to make the playoffs he’ll be compared with Stephon Marbury as a hometown star player who underachieved in New York. With a limited number of games remaining on the schedule, Anthony and the Knicks must get back on track immediately if they want to fulfill their potential.