The tactics that Phil Jackson used as a coach don’t work well for an executive, writes Frank Isola of The New York Daily News. Isola contends that the Knicks president has been playing mind games with Carmelo Anthony in the media, possibly trying to get him to waive his no-trade clause. Anthony turned that around this week by speculating that he might agree to a trade if the Knicks ask him to, putting the decision back on Jackson. Isola also questions how long owner James Dolan is willing to watch an executive publicly criticize his best player. He notes that the Knicks are 5-14 since Jackson’s December 6th interview when he accused Anthony of slowing down the offense. After another disappointing loss Saturday night in which his last-second 3-pointer rimmed out, Anthony said he tries not to concern himself with off-court issues. “I’m done kinda worrying about that,” he said. “My only focus is the guys in the locker room.”
There’s more today out of New York:
- It might be time for Anthony and the Knicks to part ways, writes George Willis of The New York Post. Willis believes an Anthony deal might be necessary considering the current state of the team, which is now 19-26 and three games out of the final playoff spot. Anthony met with Jackson earlier this week to discuss a column by Jackson confidant Charley Rosen suggesting that Anthony was no longer useful in New York. Willis notes that Anthony would get an additional $9.9MM over two seasons if he gets traded and lists the Cavaliers, Clippers and Celtics as possible destinations.
- The Knicks believe they found a steal in rookie Willy Hernangomez, writes Fred Kerber of The New York Post. Hernangomez has been drawing comparisons to Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, his teammate on the Spanish National Team. “When I heard that, I felt great because it means they see what I can do,” Hernangomez said. “I try to work hard every day, and when I have the chance to be on the court, I do my best. For me, I feel very happy when they compare me to Marc Gasol.” Henangomez is averaging 5.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 36 games. The Knicks acquired his rights in a draft-day trade in 2015 after the Sixers took him with the 35th pick.
- Point guard Derrick Rose isn’t getting foul calls on his drives to the basket the way he used to in Chicago, writes Brian Heyman for Newsday.
I think Carmelo should stay because has been dedicated to the Knicks organization and fans. The problem here is Jackson and Dolan. Dolan sucks as a person who has the money and power to make the Knicks better.
Wow, really. What is wrong with Knicks fans?
Jackson is the main problem, and Dolan is a bad owner, but there’s not much he can do. The team was handicapped by poor trades and bad signings. Currently, there is not much Dolan can do outside of firing Jackson.
Ok, blame Jackson for the Melo-drama. What about the last 20 years?
The question is what are they going to get for Melo it seems to me that at this time there are no good trades available
It’s not the fans. We all know that. Fans have no say anyway. Melo’s wasted his prime playing for the Knicks / promises made to build a team around him. I’d like to see him stick it out to the end of his contract. Another thing, Paul will never be a Knick for the same reason.
Melo is not going anywhere, the one who has to go is Phil Jackson. Seriously Melo wants to be in New York and I felt so bad for him after he missed that game winning shot last night and the way he felt, Knicks fans are SELFISH, it’s not easy for the guy. Get rid of Phil Jackson PERIOD the Knicks are losing because of all these negative rumblings about their franchise player possibly being moved.
You actually think knicks fans are selfish,lmao, do u watch knicks games, the only selfish one is Melo, holds the ball to much, then passes it off so his teammate has like 3 sec to put up a shot, the only way melo would get a championship is by teaming up with lebron or going to golden state, but in golden state he wont last long cause he would wanna take more shots then anyone else…if you watch knicks games, when a player is hot like KP, or DRose, Melo always has to take that away, instead of passing them the ball since there hot, he wants to force up shots..ppl always talk about how many points he scores but look how many shots he takes, it goes hand in hand…Melo must go and build around KP…
Melo gets a boatload of money to perform and lead this team. The problem with Melo is he’s not a leader. Phil Jackson has let it be known that Melo has not met his expectations for a franchise player. Melo’s inability to adjust his game or make other players better by making sacrifices in terms of shot attempts is well known around the league. I don’t understand why NY fans and media expect the outcome to be different whenever they sign troubled players. That’s the definition of insanity.
Isola can at least be funny. Probably not intentionally but it’s funny to watch people struggle to lie when they think people believe them and don’t notice everyone is laughing.
Jackson refuses to speak to the media while publicly criticizing Melo too often in the media? How exactly does that work?
I know he isn’t even trying be a credible journalist but how stupid does he think his readers are? Does Melo hire him to play the fool or is that his actual job description. The world is being overrun by clickwhores even though there is so much legit news and so many worthy causes.
Bottom line is the Knicks suck. Some of that falls on Phil, but Melo is the primary reason. Accountability is always an issue with this guy, but being in NY exacerbates it even further.
Are the Knicks still a super team?
Sarcasm… Dumb people’s best weapon…
Dumb is falling for the same ruse over and over again. The Knicks are an embarrassment, as usual. Knicks fans should expect more from Melo. At the end of the day he’s still just a selfish, overpaid, ball-hog. They should never have given him that ridiculous contract.
So are you implying that the Knicks are in fact a super team? Or at least, was a super team in the preseason?
So the Knicks are a super team? Dumb comments… dumb people’s best weapon…
Blow it up
I think Carmelo and Phil should both go to Europe and start a new team and leave the Knicks
i think the celtics are perfect for melo, but there isnt even value there. especially not that pick from brooklyn.