Photo Credit: TYT Sports
Phil Jackson is still using his Zen Master tricks to wage war against Carmelo Anthony. On Tuesday, the New York Knicks president used Twitter to throw a shot at the Knicks superstar by referring to a column by Bleacher Report writer Kevin Ding that suggested Jackson is frustrated that Anthony doesn’t have the same will to win as other stars.
Bleacher’s Ding almost rings the bell, but I learned you don’t change the spot on a leopard with Michael Graham in my CBA daze.
— Phil Jackson (@PhilJackson11) February 7, 2017
Jackson was also referring to Michael Graham, a college star from Georgetown who had much success in the pros. Jackson coached Graham on the Albany Patroons of the now-defunct Continental Basketball Association.
Here’s an excerpt from the Bleacher Report article:
This is where Phil Jackson, such a coach and mentor and even trusted friend to Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, has wound up with Carmelo Anthony.
Jackson undoubtedly overestimated his own ability—perhaps you’ve heard something lately about the no-trade clause he gifted to Melo in 2014—to kindle Anthony’s evolution from superstar to winning superstar.
Anthony is a likable person who just happens to be nothing near Jordan or Bryant in will to win. No, Jackson never thought Anthony had that fire, but he thought he could balance Anthony’s ball dominance by teaching teamwork and converting talent into a clear net positive.
That was part of the formula with Jordan and Bryant.
This season has further disproved that formula with Anthony.
Despite Anthony saying that he wants to stay and win with the Knicks, Jackson has been trying to trade him. He reportedly made calls to the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and pushed the Cavs to consider trading Anthony for Kevin Love. So far no trades talks have become significant, but it’s clear either Anthony or Jackson will have to go.
