PHIL’S GOT TO PIPE DOWN
NBAPA backs Melo after Jax attacks
THE SITUATION between Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony is so volatile that the players union is now getting involved.
NBA Players Association Executive Director Michele Roberts said in a statement Saturday that the Knicks president was out of line by saying Anthony is “better off somewhere else.”
“If players under contract cannot, under threat of league discipline, speak openly about their desire to be employed elsewhere, we expect management to adhere to the same standards,” she said.
“The door swings both ways when it comes to demonstrating loyalty and respect.”
Roberts added that she shared her concerns about Jackson’s behavior with league commissioner Adam Silver.
In his first time addressing the press since September, Jackson said Friday that the Knicks and Anthony are no longer a fit.
“We’ve not been able to win with him on the court at this time. I think the direction with our team is that he is a player that would be better off somewhere else and using his talents somewhere where he can win or chase that championship,” Jackson said. “Right now we need players that are really active, can play every single play defensively and offensively. That’s really important for us. We’re starting to get some players on the court we can do that. That’s the direction we have to go.”
Anthony took to Instagram to respond to Jackson’s harsh comments, sharing a picture of a calm Leonardo DiCaprio from “The Great Gatsby” with a caption of “REALLY” and emojis suggesting Anthony was laughing out loud.
The post was liked by Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.
Following Jackson’s comments, Porzingis blew off his scheduled exit meeting with the team president.