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Anthony set to make Knicks debut vs. Bucks

Feb 23, 2011 - 4:17 PM (Sports Network) - New York expects to have its newest star in uniform on a night the club honors legends from its past.

Carmelo Anthony is set to make his Knicks debut Wednesday during the team's third annual Legends Night at Madison Square Garden when New York entertains the Milwaukee Bucks.

Earl Monroe, Dick Barnett, Allan Houston, Mark Jackson, John Starks, and Harry Gallatin are the former players scheduled to be honored Wednesday and Anthony hopes to take his first step toward joining them some day.

Currently sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference and on pace for their first playoff berth since 2004, the Knicks acquired the four-time All-Star from Denver in a blockbuster three-team trade on Tuesday that also involved Minnesota.

New York also received veteran point guards Chauncey Billups, along with reserves Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams from the Nuggets and swingman Corey Brewer from the Wolves, while sending forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, guard Raymond Felton and center Timofey Mozgov along with draft picks and cash. The team also sent forward Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract to the Twin Cities.

The complicated deal finally became official after Anthony inked a three-year, $65 million contract extension with the Knicks.

"Every team needs a 1, 1-A punch," Knicks All-Star Amare Stoudemire said. "And so with the ways that we both can score -- we're very versatile, so it's hard to guard us."

On the floor, the Knicks will be picking up after a win over Atlanta before the All-Star break. Stoudemire returned from a one-game absence in that one to score 23 points, as New York had a surprisingly easy time dispatching the Atlanta Hawks, 102-90.

Stoudemire had missed last Saturday's win at New Jersey because of an ailing right big toe, but looked in fine against the Hawks, adding seven rebounds and three blocks in the resounding victory.

"We came out with a consistent effort tonight, came out with a certain toughness we needed to have against a team like Atlanta," Knicks guard Landry Fields said.

Chandler totaled 20 points off the bench and Felton tallied 13 points and 11 assists in what turned out to be their last games as members of the Knicks, who are riding a two-game winning streak.

The Bucks, meanwhile, came out of the All-Star break with a win over lowly Minnesota on Tuesday. Brandon Jennings posted 27 points and dished out seven assists in that one to help Milwaukee take a 94-88 triumph at the Bradley Center.

Corey Maggette notched 20 points for the Bucks, who had entered the All-Star break with eight losses in 10 games. Carlos Delfino had 13 points and nine rebounds, while John Salmons scored 12 points.

"Second half of the season, so, you know, you have to get a little more serious, and we have to come more mentally focused and ready to play," Jennings said.

Milwaukee has won four straight over New York and eight of nine overall.