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2012 Knicks Offseason: Carmelo Says He Did Not Push Jeremy Lin Out Of New York

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony says he did not have a hand in the Knicks not matching the offer sheet Jeremy Lin signed with the Houston Rockets. There were whispers about about Anthony's involvement with the Lin decision, and this snippet from an article by ESPNNewYork.com's Ian O'Connor only intensified the rumors:

"Melo didn't want Lin back, I do know that. Everybody in that locker room wanted Lin back except Melo and J.R. Smith."

When asked about the possibility in London, Anthony laughed off the question, saying that:

"Believe it or not I’ve been one of the true supporters of Jeremy Lin."

Anthony continued to say the contract would have hurt the Knicks in the future due to the luxury tax and hopes he does will with the Rockets:

"Houston threw something out there that he couldn’t refuse. The Knicks organization didn’t feel like they had to match it. I’m proud of him, happy for him. Just to see where he came from, see where he started and ending up back in Houston the team that let him go and put us in a position to let us acquire him. He’s back out there in a totally different situation and settlement. I wish him all the luck.’’

Stick with this SB Nation New York StoryStream for rumors, news updates and more from the New York Knicks 2012 offseason. For all things Knicks, check out Posting and Toasting.