New York Knicks' star Carmelo Anthony is reportedly not pleased with Phil Jackson's 'ball hog' comment about him. Jackson recently appeared in an interview with CBS Sports Network's 'We Need To Talk' prior to the Knicks' game against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jackson said that Carmelo Anthony can assume the role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played in the triangle offense during their champions runs. Jackson ran the triangle when he won 6 championships with Jordan and five with Bryant.
Jackson is convinced that the triangle will work especially if Carmelo Anthony can learn to lessen the time he holds on to the ball. "Carmelo, a lot of times, wants to hold the ball longer," Jackson said. "That is one of the things we worked with. But he adjusted to it, he knows what it can do and he's willing to see its success," he added.
After their 126-94 loss to the Cavs, Carmelo Anthony was asked about what he thinks of Jackson's comments and he clearly was not pleased about it. "I don't even know what was said, to be honest with you," said Melo. "My focus is my teammates and winning... whatever Phil said, he said it. I have nothing to say about that," he added.
This is not the first time Jackson has called out Carmelo Anthony publicly to buy into whatever he wants to happen with the team. In 2012, he challenged him to become a better passer and in 2014, he said that the ball shouldn't stop moving every time the ball reaches him.
Since joining the Knicks front office, Jackson has made it clear that he wants the team to run the triangle, that's one of the main reasons why he hired his former player Derek Fisher. Now that Jeff Hornacek is the new coach, Jackson still hasn't changed his mind about it.
It will be interesting to see how Jackson's comments affect Carmelo Anthony's commitment to the team. The Knicks are currently in sixth place in the eastern conference with their 12-10 record. Melo remains to be one of the top offensive players in the league and has improved defensively. He has also shown a willingness to trust his teammates and share the spotlight with the likes of Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose.
