Jax’s tweet renews criticism of Anthony
Phil Jackson has issued another tweet from Mount Zen — and it’s another barely veiled shot escalating his feud with Carmelo Anthony, whom Jackson is looking to trade away from the Knicks.
Jackson endorsed an unfavorable piece published Tuesday by Bleacher Report in which former Lakers writer Kevin Ding delivers some blistering critiques of Anthony, portraying the 32-yearold superstar as a brand-obsessed scorer incapable (or unwilling) of adopting a winning basketball mentality.
“Bleacher’s Ding almost rings the bell,” Jackson wrote, “but I learned you don’t change the spot on a leopard with Michael Graham in my CBA daze.”
Jackson suggests he agrees with the gist of the column — it “almost rings the bell,” in Phil-speak — while stating he knew all along what he was getting in Anthony. It must be noted: Jackson re-signed Anthony in 2014 and gave him a no-trade clause.
The comparison to Graham is subtle and jarring. Graham was a former NCAA champion with Georgetown but a renowned problem child who signed for the 1986-87 season with the Albany Patroons, the team Jackson coached in the Continental Basketball Association.
On New Year’s Eve 1986, Graham and Jackson got into an argument in the middle of a game. A few days later, the Patroons axed him after just 11 games.
“Nothing I said made any difference,” Jackson once wrote of Graham. “Whenever I tried to talk to him, his eyes would glaze over and he’d retreat to some dark inner corner nobody could penetrate.”
According to the Washingtonian magazine, Graham was cut by the CBA’s Tulsa franchise in 1989 after testing positive for cocaine.
This was Jackson’s first post on Twitter — his go-to platform for cryptic proclamations — since Dec. 27, when he announced his breakup with fiancée Jeanie Buss. Jackson has not talked to the New York media since Sept. 23 — three days before training camp.
In the Bleacher Report piece that Jackson seemingly endorsed, the author writes: “Anthony is a likable person who just happens to be nothing near [Michael] Jordan or [Kobe] Bryant in will to win. No, Jackson never thought Anthony had that fire, but he thought he couldd balance Anthony’s ball dominance by teaching teamwork and converting talent into a clear net positive.”
The whole episode is eerily similar to last month when Jackson confidant Charley Rosen penned a stinging Anthony takedown for FanRag Sports, writing Anthony had “outlived his usefulness’’ in New York. An angered Anthony said they should meet and discuss a potential divorce if that was how Jackson felt. That eventually resulted in a “short” meeting on Jan. 17.
The following week, word began to emerge of Jackson seeking a trade destination for Anthony. Jackson has spoken to the Clippers — whom the Knicks face Wednesday — the Cavaliers and Celtics. The Clippers seem the likeliest destination; the Knicks like Austin Rivers as a potential point guard. The Cavaliers repeatedly have said they won’t part withh Kevin Love and the Celt-Celtics’ interest reportedly is mixed, despite their trove of assets. Anthony has a no-trade clause, but Jackson clearly is making it uncomfortable for him to want to stay. Jackson and general manager Steve Mills watched Tuesday’s practice but Anthony was nowhere to be found when reporters were let in while the rest of the players were on the court shooting. Coach Jeff Hornacek said Anthony practiced and the Knicks star likely didn’t want to discuss facing the Clippers. Hornacek sat with Jackson for several minutes after practice. “He looks at it in a calming way — not accusing guys of not doing this or that,’’ Hornacek said. “Who would be satisfied? Everyone’s looking for answers. He’s trying to analyze it.” Even on Twitter.