OAKLAND - If Phil Jackson gets his way, Carmelo Anthony's final moments with the Knicks will be on the bench in flip flops, watching his teammates polish off another lottery-bound campaign.That was the enduring scene from the season finale last month, and a divorce only seemed more inevitable after Phil Jackson declared Anthony is better off playing elsewhere.
But nearly seven weeks later, there's been no indication Anthony is willing to heed Jackson's advice and waive the no-trade clause. In fact, two of his friends and former teammates said Wednesday they believe Anthony wants to stick it out with the Knicks.
"Sometimes you feel like it's just unfinished business, and I feel like that's what it is with Melo," said Cavs guard Iman Shumpert. "He don't want to leave on that note."
"He does want to stay in New York. He made the effort to get to New York," Smith said. "Granted, it hasn't gone as well as he hoped it would. But I'm sure that's where he wants to be."
Anthony has been about as low-key as possible this offseason, with his social media accounts going dark since mid-April (a long drought by his standards), and the only public trace of his existence being a workout session he navigated while wearing a dark hoodie.
During this time of silence, Jackson reiterated that he wants to deal his star and reports leaked that Anthony is fathering a baby outside of his high-profile marriage.
Regarding his conflict with Jackson, Anthony has benefitted from a swell of public support, including from two players who can relate -- Smith and Shumpert. Both were criticized by Jackson in an article published two years ago, when the Knicks president said Smith exhibited "delinquent behavior" and Shumpert's personality was "difficult" to handle.
"It's unfortunate how many jabs (Anthony's) taken for no reason. But I guess it's part of the system," Smith said, taking his own jab at Jackson's buzzword, 'system.'
Smith added that it's been tough on Anthony because he works hard and, "It's just that the game, so-to-speak, has gone away from his playing style."
While that last part could certainly be interpreted as an insult to Anthony (the ball movement of the elite teams often counters Anthony's isolation style), it's more likely Smith was referring specifically to the triangle offense, not that the NBA game has passed him by. After all, Smith was friends with Anthony before and after Jackson shipped him to Cleveland.
Same with Shumpert.
"I don't think (Jackson) should've been so vocal about (wanting to trade Anthony)," Shumpert said. "That's just me. I think a lot of stuff is better if everybody just assumes what's going on and they don't really know what's going on. I didn't like that it was publicized, but what am I going to do? He said some stuff about me too.
"I know it's not going to bother Melo's jumpshot next season. Melo is going to continue to work and get better, and continue to try to win. That's all he can do."
The writer puts a funny twist on the article making his interpretation that Smith was talking about the triangle being "Past him by" but not Melo's game.
Smith and Shump have found great success in Cleveland and while perhaps deserving of being critical FROM Phil, and Phil deserving of their being upset with phil, perhaps a debt of gratitude to phil for making it possible to be in cleveland might not be a terrible thing either.
Nalod believes if JR has a good series the Cav's should win. He has all star talent and Cav's will need that 4th wheel. Draymond will be tough on Love.