In a challenging season, in midst of a challenging decade for the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony constantly voicing displeasure and annoyance is like rubbing dirt on a cut. It does not help and will likely just cause the problem to fester and get worse. The most recent statements from the Knicks small forward are regarding the overall mood around the Knicks locker room. In a surprise to no one, the mood is suboptimal for what you want from a winning franchise. According to Ian Begley, Carmelo is struggling with it.
“I think it’s just the accumulation of losing games and the way we’re losing games. It’s challenging to kind of keep it tight, to keep everybody positive knowing that the frustration (could seep) in the locker room. That’s the challenging part, trying to keep it all together in the locker room this next month.”
Carmelo Anthony is speaking an obvious truth but one that does not need to be shared. The Knicks are a bad team with an even worse aura surrounding it. No one is under any delusions to the contrary. Carmelo chose this situation with all the flaws and poor management that come with it. Helping the organization make better decisions, being a slightly better leader, or waiving his no-trade clause are his current options. He could be on another team right now, possibly in the playoff hunt. He stubbornly wants to make it work in New York. Constantly and publicly complaining is not the way to make that happen.
