Carmelo Anthony is easily the most unhappy All-Star in New Orleans this weekend, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.
Anthony was planning a Caribbean vacation when he got the news that he would be replacing the injured Kevin Love in tonight’s game. He told reporters that he can’t get a refund on the trip and would have declined the invitation if the NBA permitted it.
Anthony had been planning to spend his time “evaluating” his long-running feud with Knicks president Phil Jackson and considering whether to waive his no-trade clause if the team can find a suitable deal. Trading Anthony won’t be easy because his salary is nearly $25MM, plus a trade kicker that brings the total up to about $28MM.
New York has reportedly had talks with the Clippers, Cavaliers and Celtics, but Anthony says Knicks management hasn’t spoken to him about the situation. He was non-committal Saturday when asked about his future.
“It would be up in the air,” Anthony said. “Something I have a problem thinking about it. To say I don’t think about it, I’d be wrong, I’d be lying to you. I think about it. Think about it a lot. I think about what’s best for me, what’s best for the organization and what’s out there. I think about that stuff.’’
Anthony, who has spent six years in New York, also stated that he plans to discuss any deals with his family before making a decision on the no-trade clause. He said his fellow All-Stars have been asking him about the situation since he arrived in New Orleans.
No wonder why nobody wants him in trade. I feel bad he has to play for the fans and give up his vacation and ponder time.
So you’d be fine if your boss called you last minute asking you to cancel your vacation because they need you to work?
Yes. He is severely overpaid and needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. He’s not the player or “star” he thinks he is and never was.
If I was overpaid to the amount of Melo’s paycheck, I’d work anytime I was asked.
He’s a joke of a person and a player.
That happens all the time when you are valuable. If they don’t give a rip about you go ahead take vacation. But if you’re needed in the organization no matter what job you have your personal life come second.
The NBA forced him to go? Why are they allowed to do that?
Well it was probably in the CBA, obviously, but it just seems stupid.
Agreed. It should be an option when it comes this late. If a player immediately gets picked and injured, different story. But Anthony was told what a couple of days beforehand? A lot of players who aren’t going to All-Star weekend usually make plans to get away for a couple of days.
The only thing he should ponder is how to give the money he’s being overpaid back to the Knicks front office. Phil isn’t the reason nobody wants him and inflated salary and his drastic declining skills…..he should ponder and look in the mirror
Take a pay cut and get out of NY melo
How much money has Melo made the knicks? More than they have paid him thats for sure.
Hmm yes, it’s his fault the Knicks gave him that contract. Melo definitely wrote up the entire contract and made the Knicks agree to it.
Few understand what Carmelo is doing by downplaying his interest in participating in the all star game… After first being snubbed, he’s just pretending he wouldn’t care if he played or not, but come on…