How numbered are Carmelo Anthony’s days in New York? That appears to be the new burning question that both Knicks fans and NBA fans alike are asking themselves. The Knicks have currently lost nine of their last 11 games, and there has been a bundle of drama surrounding the team all season, especially as of late.
Last week, Derrick Rose mysteriously went missing from the team. He said he left due to a family issue, but the former NBA MVP point guard didn’t give a very detailed response to why he didn’t contact the team. Knicks president Phil Jackson has still not been heard from following the Derrick Rose incident. Then the Knicks went to Philadelphia and lost to the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to reports, after that loss, Carmelo Anthony exploded in the locker room and went on a tirade. But all appeared to be heading back on the right track when the Knicks got a win over the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Then, their game against the Toronto Raptors on Sunday put the problems at a boiling point.
After the Raptors scored a nice 69 first half points on the Knicks and held the Knickerbockers to only eight third quarter points, media members continued to ask Melo about his future. And for the first time, Melo seemed open to leaving New York.
Following from Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Carmelo Anthony revealed on Sunday that if Phil Jackson doesn’t want him in New York “that’s a conversation we should have.”
In the online piece for FanRag, Charley Rosen, a long-time writer and former assistant coach under Jackson, wrote: “The only sure thing is that Carmelo Anthony has outlived his usefulness in New York.”
When asked to respond to that particular line in the article, Anthony said: “If that’s the case than that’s what’s coming from that side I guess it’s a conversation we should have. If they feel like my time in New York is over I guess that’s a conversation we should have.”
During Anthony’s post-game interview session with reporters on Sunday, Anthony was informed twice that the article was not written by Jackson but instead a close friend. Anthony, though, had no trouble connecting the dots, suggesting that it is more than a coincidence that the writer who criticized him in the piece has a relationship with the Knicks team president.
“Listen,” Anthony said, “if that’s what they feel…if that’s what’s coming from that side that’s what’s coming from that side. I haven’t thought once about that to be honest with you. I hear it. I hear all the rhetoric that’s going on out there and I still come to work every day and play and bust my ass and try not to worry about it.”
When a reporter told Anthony about the increasing speculation among fans and media that he would waive his no-trade clause, Anthony replied: “They want me out?
“I’ve never even thought about that,” he added. “I guess people are talking about it but it’s not something I’ve thought about so far.”
Anthony also confirmed that he is committed to the team.
“People can have their own opinions but I haven’t mentioned it once,” he said. “But that seems to be the trend when you start losing, people want to start searching.”
