Carmelo Anthony recently went on a locker room tirade after the Knicks’ disappointing loss to the 76ers, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
Frustrations have been boiling over within the Knicks franchise, with the team holding a disappointing 18-22 record halfway into the season:
According to a source close to the Knicks’ veteran forward, Anthony went on a tirade after the shocking loss, admonishing his teammates for blowing a 10-point lead in the final 2:30 to the inexperienced 76ers. He was also upset that he was frozen out on the Knicks final possession, a sequence that ended with Kristaps Porzingis shooting an air ball from the corner which led to Philadelphia’s fast-break. Anthony never touched the ball.
Afterwards, Anthony told reporters that the loss was “unacceptable” while one of Anthony’s associates said “that was as down as I’ve ever seen him after a game.”
Knicks President Phil Jackson, star guard Derrick Rose, and even superstar forward Carmelo Anthony have felt the wrath of New York fans this season. The disappointing start, combined with some unnecessary off-the-court problems, have Knicks fans booing, heckling, and criticizing their club.
The notion that Carmelo Anthony has considered waiving his no-trade clause before was shut down in the article, with Isola citing a source, downing the speculation.
But the thought that Anthony may waive the clause in the future cannot be dismissed, not with this Knicks franchise. Not when Anthony and Phil Jackson’s relationship is as low as it’s ever been before:
Anthony’s relationship with Jackson has never been great and it’s much worse now. It didn’t help that Jackson would not grant Anthony his wish last May and interview Tom Thibodeau for the head coaching job. Plus, Jackson publicly criticizing Anthony for stalling the offense didn’t go over well either.
Anthony is becoming increasingly frustrated with losing and Jackson’s inability to do anything about it. He reached a breaking point on Wednesday in Philadelphia. Maybe that’s a good thing.
