The New York Knicks were 7-1 without Carmelo Anthony last month. They were fun to watch too; whole team getting involved, helping each other, over achieving, some real feel good sporting stuff to be sure. Since Melo’s returned to the lineup however, the Knicks have gone 2-8 and turned into a complete train wreck. It’s all Carmelo Anthony’s fault too, a lot of people think.
It’s getting so bad, that he reportedly told someone who told the New York Post after the loss in Chicago on Monday that he wanted to be dealt before tomorrow’s trade deadline:
Carmelo Anthony’s discontent with the Knicks organization became so severe after Monday night’s loss to the Chicago Bulls, he told a confidant he preferred to be traded before Thursday’s trade deadline, according to the New York Post.
According to a person familiar with his thinking, Anthony’s disillusionment stems most from a belief coach Mike D’Antoni and interim GM Glen Grunwald do not trust him. He is surprised that after all the Knicks gave up to trade for him, he has not been asked for more input on personnel decisions, as Deron Williams has with the Nets.
“The organization makes believe his opinions don’t matter,” the source said.
However, Tuesday night, a source said Anthony and D’Antoni spoke in an attempt to reconcile their differences and made headway. On Monday night, Anthony only wanted to remain a Knick if he had assurances D’Antoni would not be back next season.
However, Anthony will not make a formal trade request.
Marc Berman also added that Carmelo’s relationship with Mike D’Antoni is getting worse, not better:
Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony is unhappy with head coach Mike D’Antoni, and it’s becoming less and less likely that the two will be able to work together in New York moving forward, according to the New York Post.
“There are several indications the alliance is getting worse, not better,” writes the Post’s Marc Berman, “and it seems inconceivable both will be back with the Knicks next season.”
Berman also writes that Anthony is “disgruntled” with the situation, and he opted not to join a huddle during a timeout on Monday night in the Knicks’ loss to the Bulls. However, Anthony says that is nothing new.
And then Howard Beck came in with a piece where he kills it and summarizes the situation perfectly I thought:
Anthony wants the Knicks to play through him, as every team has throughout his career. He is, by is own admission, uncomfortable in an offense in which he is not the primary ball-handler. That role is now capably filled by Jeremy Linand Baron Davis.
“He wants 20 shots a game,” a person with ties to another Knicks player said of Anthony. “He has had a scorer’s mentality his whole life.”
Yet the team that Anthony rejoined in late February no longer needs a 20-shot-a-game player. The Knicks have scoring options in Amar’e Stoudemire, Tyson Chandler, Steve Novak, Iman Shumpert, Fields and Lin — the group that spearheaded the seven-game winning streak last month. They have since added more scoring in Davis and J. R. Smith. They are at their best when everyone is involved.
That is the philosophy that Coach Mike D’Antoni preaches daily, one that is echoed by Stoudemire after nearly every defeat.
“All of us, every single player, has to buy into it, and give the coach a chance for his strategy to work,” Stoudemire said after Sunday’s loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. “If we don’t, then see what happens.”
These critiques and speeches about “sacrifice” are always unspecific and carefully worded, but it is understood that they are intended for Anthony, the only Knick talented enough to repeatedly break plays and get away with it.
It’s sad and hilarious all at the same time. I wonder when the #FreeJeremyLin campaign is going to start, that guy deserves much better than this.
