The New York Knicks wanted Carmelo Anthony to play power forward, but insiders with the team say James Dolan played a big role in having him play small forward.
Sources say Dolan's desire to have star power on the court drove the move with Amar'e Stoudemire at power forward and Tyson Chandler at center.
Stoudemire missed most of the 12-13 season and Anthony agreed to change positions. Anthony viewed himself as a small forward for most of his career.
Anthony finished third in MVP voting and the Knicks won 54 games.
"The injury that year forced everyone's hands -- Jim's and Carmelo's," one Knicks source said.
"The only thing he had to worry about was scoring, so it was perfect," said another source with the Knicks.
The Knicks wanted to keep several veterans from that team, but Dolan did not agree.
"Every time we brought up veteran names, he's like, 'I don't want any of those guys back,'" one Knicks source said.