Knicks president Phil Jackson was quiet once again after his team suffered an embarrassing home loss to the Lakers on Monday, but he did issue a public statement of sorts this afternoon. In his first tweet of 2017, Jackson drew attention to Kevin Ding’s latest piece for Bleacher Report.
Ding’s article suggests that Carmelo Anthony isn’t as dedicated to winning as Jackson’s previous stars, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. In Ding’s view, Jackson believed when he arrived in New York that he could get more out of Anthony, and has been unsuccessful in turning him into something he’s not. The piece drew a response from Jackson, who seemed to agree with the general premise, though he took exception to one part.
“Bleacher’s Ding almost rings the bell,” Jackson tweeted today. “But I learned you don’t change the spot on a leopard with Michael Graham in my CBA daze.”
Graham, a Georgetown standout in the mid-1980s, landed on Jackson’s CBA team in 1986 after academic problems cost him his spot on the Hoyas. Graham got into an in-game altercation with Jackson and was waived several days later, having appeared in just 11 games for the Albany Patroons. Jackson later wrote in his memoir that he was unable to get through to Graham, whose eyes would “glaze over” when Jackson tried to talk to him (link via Alan Siegel of The Washingtonian).
The parallel line Jackson appears to draw from Graham to Anthony isn’t exactly a flattering one, and may further alienate the star forward. Anthony has repeatedly said he’d like to remain in New York, and has the power to veto any trade, but Jackson and the Knicks have created a potential rift in the relationship. Jackson’s tweet today suggests the team president isn’t exactly attempting to mend that rift.
Melo isn’t as dedicated to winning as Jordan or Kobe. Of course pick Jordan and Kobe two of the most obsessed, fierce competitors to ever play any sport. Normally I’m all aboard the melo hate train but come on comparing his will to win to Jordan and Kobe is a little unfair. 99.9% of the sports population doesn’t have a will to win like Jordan or Kobe did
I agree that it’s sort of an impossible bar, but I should clarify that those names were mentioned because they were Jackson’s previous stars — they weren’t just pulled out of thin air.
Good clarification, that didn’t even occur to me.
Added it to the story just so there’s no confusion.
I get that but expecting melo to have the same competitive fire as Jordan an Kobe is just unrealistic. Jordan and Kobe are two of the most obsessed players to ever set foot on the professional stage.
Yeah but so was Gasol and Ron Artest. Why didn’t he name those guys? I’m sure Melo has more will than those guys as lakers. Phil is just trying to run him out of town. There’s no hiding it.
Phil NEVER wanted Melo. Been saying for the last two years that Phil is doing one of two things. 1. He’s trying to bring the MJ/Kobe out of Melo, or 2. Going to make it so unbearable for him to be a knick that he will throw his arms up and ask for a trade. Number 1 isn’t very likely, so here we are at number 2, Melo has said he’d waive his NTC for the right team, but now the problem is that Melo doesn’t have the trade value he used to. Stuck between a rock and a hard spot.
Sucks, really wanted to see Melo win with the Knicks (or at least make some good playoff runs) but at this point it’s just going to be a few more years of the same until Melo is gone and/or Phil is gone.
And for Phil I kind of feel like he’s just letting the team fail to prove a point to Melo or expedite him waiving his NTC, and perhaps if Melo does leave maybe he will become this great President of BBall Ops that everyone thought he would.
But I highly doubt that cause Phil has done nothing to make anyone think he’s good at his job.
You forgot the part where Jackson signed Carmelo and gave him a no trade clause. That’s a funny way of showing someone you don’t want them.
The team he built is an embarrassment, so he decides to keep taunting his best player??
The only goal I see with this is that he’s trying to force Melo into waiving the no-trade clause. There’s no excuse for Jackson acting this way.
Right… Because Jordan will made him the Bulls to 6 championships all by himself, and so did Kobe… Pippen, Shaq and the plenty of other good players and role players had nothing to do with those championships…
*Jordan’s will made him carry…
Never dug Carmelo before, never hated him either. This episode has increased my respect for him. Digging the way he’s handling it. I hope he stays in NY and Phil gets the boot.
I’ve been saying for 2 years it’s not all Melo’s fault, Phil is trying to sabotage the Knicks cause he’s an ASS. He talks about MJ and Kobe did more winning but he forgets to say that MJ had pippen, rodman, Ho Grant and a lot more role players so he didn’t do it alone. And as far as Kobe he had Shaq, Fisher, Fox, Horry just to name a few what does he get Melo he gets him Drose 5 years late, a broken down Noah for 72million over 4yrs. He takes credit for KP but any dummy would have made that pick no brained. So I think Phil should be the one to go
I’ll agree with the Jordan had Pippen and Rodman but keep in mind he only had Rodman for the 2nd 3 titles. Also, agree with the fact Kobe had Shaq, but don’t throw in those role players like they are head and shoulders better than what Melo has had.
Fox, Horry and Fischer are all under 10 PPG for their careers and none of them have any other outstanding stats
Phil Jackson has lost it completely and all the respect in him is lost too…
His job is to form a great team and manage it not put his nose everywhere and most def not the way he does it,he is dangerous and has to be booted soon.
He wanted Melo (who was never MJ or Kobe) and gave him everything and now that the team HE picked up doesnt work makes it a hell for Melo to drive him off.
Reminds me of School days and the spoiled kid that wanted his way always,grow up Phil and leave Melo alone he is a true Knick.I would keep him until he is 40 the team needs players who play for the jersey not mercenaries.
Phil Jackson would trade Pat Ewing if he was in charge back then;)