Carmelo Anthony calls Kristaps Porzingis a steal, downplays dramaReports surfaced Friday that Carmelo Anthony was unhappy with the Knicks' draft night moves of trading Tim Hardaway Jr. and drafting Euro project Kristaps Porzingis. It makes sense, as THJ was at least one of the players that despite their differences, Melo can be sure can play in the NBA. Porzingis on the other hand will probably not start to really reach an impact status until after Melo's prime is well over, and that's just not ideal for a guy looking to somehow someway find his way to a title.
But Friday night, Anthony took to Instagram and responded to fans' comments about the situation, denying that there's any problem at all. Let's go to the tape...er, gram! Courtesy of Melo's account via CBSSports.com's Adam Silverstein:

Melo may be being completely truthful that none of the allegations are accurate and this would still be hilarious. Anthony has routinely been involved in drama from the time he was drafted. It follows him around everywhere. He was traded from Denver 18 months after reaching the Western Conference Finals, two of his coaches have been fired since he moved there, and every week there's some piece of news about how he feels about things. Drama is a given with Anthony.

Hey, that's nice of him. Way to give the new teammate some love and plant something that gets some positive headlines to battle the negative perceptions of the kid. In a related question, anyone else wonder why Carmelo Anthony is on Instagram on a Friday night in June? Doesn't a guy with that much money who can either travel the world or hang out in New York have better things to do? This, however, is pure goodness.
It is interesting he said "I can't wait, though," sine he didn't mean it this way, but he literally can't wait for Porzingis to reach his potential. He needs him to be good now.
Things got a little testy.

Touched a nerve, have we? Makes you wonder if Melo was the one writing these or if it was a friend, employee or assistant. Melo (or whoever) is 100 percent correct, here, though. He made his money because he's worth it on the market. Also, Melo could make billions per year and he still has a right to disagree with decisions that affect the team he's ultimately responsible for. The first blame for any Knicks failure goes to Melo. Not Phil Jackson, not James Dolan, Melo.
He should have just gone with the Rubio "change your face, though."

I mean, it's got three sides, Carmelo. Everyone learns that in third grade. I think he'd probably spot a triangle. Oh! You meant...
As a long-time critic of the triangle, I'll happily admit he's right here. I spend a lot of time trying to figure it out and even I don't get it.
(Which is probably why it's an antiquated system that should never be tried as a system for any team that's rebuilding through youth and unproven players, but whatever.)

Warning! Warning! Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! Do not antagonize the Knicks fans! Not a good idea! Run away! Close the app! Close the app now! Someone take his phone!
http://sports.cbsimg.net/images/visual/whatshot//MeloZingy7.jpg
Devil's advocate for a second: Imagine if Melo didn't actually feel this way. Imagine that all around the world, people were talking about something they believed you believed when you never believed nor said anything of the sort. That'd be frustrating, right?
I'm not saying that's the case here. I'm saying if you choose to extend him the courtesy of the benefit of the doubt, it's unfortunate for him.
Either way, Melo's got Zingy, for good or for bad, and is looking at another long year unless the Knicks can pull off some real coups in free agency, which opens next Wednesday at 12:00 a.m. ET.
Carmelo Anthony got defensive Friday night.
(USATSI)