Carmelo Anthony said the conversation between him and Phil Jackson “wasn’t that long,” as Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com relays. “We didn’t break bread. We didn’t have an hour’s conversation. It was a short conversation.”
Anthony previously said he wants to remain with the Knicks and he reiterated that desire today. “I’m committed [to staying]. I don’t have to prove that to anybody,” Anthony exclaimed “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.”
The soon-to-be 10-time All-Star never thought it would get to the point where he and Jackson would have to sit down and talk about his future with the team. He added that he’s happy he has a no-trade clause in his contract.
“I think, as players, you always want to protect yourself,” Anthony said. “I didn’t think it would get to this point. I think, as a player, if you can get that [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.”
Anthony said he is “numb” to the drama that follows him this season. “That [George 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,” he added. “Other than [that], I’m fine, man. I’m good mentally. I’m good. Trust me.”
The Knicks have won just two of their last 13 games. They will take on the Celtics tonight.
Mello for Griffin straight up
I don’t really know if I believe he wants to win here versus just being located in NY for his “brand” and his wife. I think any sane player in his position getting old would take any chance to go to a competitor to win a championship. He must realize the Knicks should be rebuilding and are nowhere near competing for a title. I think he wants he spotlight still tho in NY where he still is the face of the franchise for the time being instead of playing second or third fiddle to other stars.
If he was smart he would beg to go to San Antonio.
The Knicks would be a sad franchise minus Melo. No trade clause needs to be waived plus you can’t get much for him if you’re trading him to a contender so you’re basically left with a unicorn and a HOF ex-coach, who’s proven himself to be a superb **** stirrer and not much more in his time as the Knicks president. Oh, and he conveniently hides from the media to let others clean up after him as well. Rebuilding under Phil? How do you rebuild a modern team being led by a guy too stubborn to let go of his system and who instills his chronies into positions they don’t fit in (yeah, Rambis really helped out on defense there).
The system works if the players would stop trying to be ISO heroes and drama queens.
Really? I wonder then why nobody uses it and are at best running certain elements of the triangle in their offense as opposed to the whole thing itself. Let’s face it, Phil has so far shown he has no idea how to run a franchise succesfully. About the only thing he didn’t do is trade away draft picks or else he’d be Isiah Thomas 2.0.
If the Knicks like it or not, they are stuck with him with his absurd contract. If Melo was a Knicks fan he would move out of their way. All I am hearing from him is that he is content losing in NY collecting his checks.
The scapegoating of Melo needs to stop, it’s sad. The current Knicks mess is entirely the fault of Phil Jackson and Dolan. If you don’t like that Melo has the absurd contract, blame the guy that gave it to him. If you don’t like that Melo is using his no-trade clause, blame the guy that agreed to give him one.
Enough is enough already.
You’re right. He’s the best, tries the hardest, and is the perfect example of a team player. Melo for MVP.
its not even that.. we’ve all known for years what kind of player melo is. this isnt new. the organization has done terribly at putting the right players around him to get the most out of him and the team.