Photo Credit: Ximo Pierto Final
The New York Knicks lost 116-101 to the Toronto Raptors on Sunday, being down as much as 38 points in the third quarter. Falling to a 18-23 record, the Knicks are performing way below expectations after what many considered a good offseason with the additions of Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah, Brandon Jennings, and Courtney Lee to pair up with rising star Kristaps Porzingis and superstar Carmelo Anthony. As with another losing season, there are thoughts about the Knicks blowing up the team yet again, and the reports about trading Anthony are on the rise as well. Up until yesterday, most reports claimed Anthony was unwilling to waive the no-trade clause in his contract, but Sunday night he made a stunning declaration.
Carmelo Anthony reacted angrily to a story written by a Phil Jackson confidante that suggested his time with the Knicks should end. In the online piece for FanRag, Charley Rosen, a long-time writer and former assistant coach under Jackson, wrote: “The only sure thing is that Carmelo Anthony has outlived his usefulness in New York.”
When asked to respond to that particular line in the article, Anthony said: “If that’s the case then that’s what’s coming from that side I guess it’s a conversation we should have. If they feel like my time in New York is over I guess that’s a conversation we should have.”
Anthony was informed twice during the post-game interview that the article was not written by Jackson, but instead a close friend. Anthony, however, connected the dots and suggested it was more than a coincidence the writer has a relationship with the Knicks team president.
“Listen,” Anthony said, “if that’s what they feel…if that’s what’s coming from that side that’s what’s coming from that side. I haven’t thought once about that to be honest with you. I hear it. I hear all the rhetoric that’s going on out there and I still come to work every day and play and bust my ass and try not to worry about it.”
“I think I posted that (on Instagram) the other day,” Anthony said. “When we lose it’s me, when we win it’s us. That’s just my mentality and how I feel. It is what it is.”
source: New York Daily News
