Carmelo Anthony’s high school coach says he’s “shocked” by some of Phil Jackson’s comments regarding the Knicks star, and adds “enough is enough” when it comes to the treatment of Anthony in New York.
“I don’t know if that’s just part of the business but yeah I’m shocked at some of the stuff I’ve heard him say, and some of his Tweets,” legendary Oak Hill Academy (VA) coach Steve Smith said Thursday on The 4 Quarters Podcast. “It’s surprising because I know Melo loves his hometown and playing with the Knicks but it’s just going South right now. It’s going South fast, and I’m sure he’s not happy but he doesn’t come come across [that way]. He’s making himself proud the way he’s handling the whole situation.
“I heard everybody ripping Phil [on Wednesday] on different shows on ESPN and so forth. It’s not my place to say much but knowing Carmelo and the whole situation, it doesn’t look very good right now.”
Smith has coached many current and former NBA players, including Rajon Rondo, Ty Lawson and Michael Beasley.
Several current and former NBA players have come out to rip Jackson and the Knicks for their treatment of both Anthony and former Knicks power forward Charles Oakley, who was arrested and taken away in handcuffs from Wednesday’s game against the Clippers after he allegedly made comments directed at Knicks owner Jim Dolan.
Count Smith among those who thinks Anthony is being treated unfairly by Jackson, who appears to be trying to trade the Knicks star to the Clippers, Cavaliers, Celtics or someone else in exchange for assets. The trading deadline is Feb. 23, but Anthony has a no-trade clause and would have to OK any deal. Jackson this week seemed to Tweet his approval of a Bleacher Report story that was highly critical of Anthony’s style of play. Jackson then tried to walk it back with a Tweet on Thursday which said “after starting a firestorm with a misunderstood tweet,” he was now offering a peace sign. “It doesn’t look good,” Smith said, speaking of Anthony’s situation vis-a-vis the Knicks. “I’m watching games where they boo him. [The] front office and management says things. I give [Anthony] credit, he doesn’t say anything. “I don’t know how he stays there, I just don’t see how that can be worked out,” Smith added. “He’s their commodity, he’s the guy that might be able to get them a few players in a trade more than anybody else on that team so I’m sure they’re trying to move him but I don’t know. New York’s his hometown but I would say enough’s enough.” Smith appears to be on the same page as Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim, who owes his lone NCAA championship in 2003 to Anthony. “I think they [the Knicks] have to make a move [to trade Anthony],” Boeheim told the Daily News. “It’s just not going anywhere. I think he’s playing as well as he can play but they can’t go anywhere. And I’d love to see him get an opportunity to play with somebody that could win. I mean, that would be great. He’s got a couple, two, three really good years left.” Boeheim went so far as to suggest that the Cavaliers might the best fit for Anthony. “The Clippers can’t beat the Warriors right now,” he said. “They proved they’re losing by 30 to them. So maybe he could help them. I know he could help the Cavs, I just don’t know what they’re going to give up to get him, or if they have anything to give up to get him.” Smith and his Oak Hill team will compete in the Primetime Shootout this weekend at Kean College and Roselle (N.J.) Catholic High School. Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on FacebookIf you’re a FA to be, why would you play for an Owner who treats the past greats like this or a President who stabs star player in the back?
— Reggie Miller (@ReggieMillerTNT) February 9, 2017
