NEW ORLEANS -- Carmelo Anthony says he was momentarily "shocked" when he felt someone grasping at his thigh as he stood near the top of the key in the final minute of the New York Knicks' 99-91 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday night.
When he saw it was a young boy who had somehow slipped through courtside security to give him a hug, his instinct was to react with an affectionate pat on the head.
"It was a little kid," Anthony said when explaining his friendly response.