Knicks: Phil Jackson's plan to force out Carmelo Anthony is backfiring (Report)
Feb 6, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks general manager Phil Jackson watches during the second quarter between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports Phil Jackson’s campaign to pressure Carmelo Anthony out of New York is having the opposite effect.

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson went nuclear on Carmelo Anthony on Tuesday afternoon. Like most 71-year-old men Jackson took to Twitter to deliver a jab Anthony’s way when he agreed with a Bleacher Report article which was a scathing criticism of the best Knick since Patrick Ewing.

Jackson’s in charge of the basketball operations for one of the most valuable teams in the world, and he’s abusing the Knicks brand as a child would.



The 11-time championship winning head coach would have you believe he’s playing mind games. Apparently, they’re not working.

According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Phil Jackson’s nonsense is just making Carmelo Anthony stronger. A source familiar with Anthony’s thinking says “[Jackson’s underestimating ‘Melo’s willingness to stay.”

Per Woj:

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson’s public campaign to pressure Carmelo Anthony into waiving his no-trade clause is working to harden Anthony’s resolve to remain with the franchise, league sources told The Vertical.

This is an unprecedented situation in sports. The only thing we know for certain is that Carmelo Anthony doesn’t deserve to be treated like this. One way or another this needs to be resolved.

 
I'm ESNY's Executive Editor for EliteSportsNY.com. I cover the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. Email: chip.murphy@elitesportsny.com Chip Murphy covers the NBA for Elite Sports NY. You can find him on Twitter @ChipperMurphy.