Drafted all the way back in 2003 out of Syracuse, at this point in his career, New York Knicks’ star Carmelo Anthony is who he is. He’s a prolific scorer, averaging 24.8 points per game throughout his career and he’s a solid rebounder for being a small forward (6.6 career rebounds per game).
As far as defense and passing and concerned, that’s not high on the list of priorities for Anthony. Perhaps, he also lacks that undying will to win (the kind that keeps a superstar up at night) that the greats before him have possessed. He doesn’t really have the killer instinct of a Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan, and Knicks’ president Phil Jackson knew that when he took the gig.
In a recent column on Bleacher Report, NBA writer Kevin Ding relayed some interesting information regarding the dynamic between the Knicks’ president and star player.
“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.”
Jackson, being the zen-master he is, obviously took a look at the Bleacher Report article. But in un zen-like fashion, decided to fire back on Twitter. In doing so, he effectively threw his star player under the bus while validating what Ding reported about his feelings on ‘Melo.
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
It’s a confusing tweet to figure out, but basically, Jackson was referencing a troubled player he used to coach while in the CBA, Michael Graham. Jackson couldn’t get Graham to change, despite his immense potential, and he’s basically saying the same thing about Anthony.
Jackson obviously has a great history of winning championships in the NBA and he’s dealt with more than his fair share of superstars. Will ‘Melo be the one he just can’t figure out? His tweet would suggest that he knew what he was getting into when he took the Knicks’ job.
But just how will that impact the future of the organization as well as his relationship with ‘Melo?