As the fallout between Carmelo Anthony and New York Knicks President Phil Jackson continues, Anthony talked to the media Wednesday, for the first time since his meeting with Jackson on Tuesday to discuss his future with the Knicks. Anthony once again had to face questions about his future with the Knicks and his relationship Jackson.
Following from Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
“I think, as players, you always want to protect yourself,” Anthony said when asked whether he foresaw this situation with Jackson when he had a no-trade clause put in his contract. “I didn’t think it would get to this point. I think, as a player, if you can get [a no-trade clause], you have a right to protect yourself and take care of yourself when it comes to that. It’s very hard to get, very difficult to get. I have it and that’s that.
“I’m committed [to staying]. I don’t have to prove that to anybody. I don’t think I have to keep saying that. I don’t think I have to keep talking about that. I know for a fact that people see that.”
Having to face the media and answer these questions on a daily basis has become routine for Anthony in the past months.
“Yeah, I’m numb. It’s water off my back at this point,” said Anthony, who repeatedly said he doesn’t want to be a distraction to his teammates. “That [Karl] situation — we all know what that was about. He was trying to sell something. In this situation you almost have to pay a little bit closer attention to it because you have to deal with it on a day-to-day basis.
“Other than [that], I’m fine, man. I’m good mentally. I’m good. Trust me.”
As the Knicks try and climb back into playoff contention, this will be an interesting story to follow. The relationship between Anthony and Jackson has shown no signs of improving. Let’s all keep an eye on this situation, especially if the Knicks continue their downward spiral in the Eastern conference.
