Carmelo Anthony Says Phil Jackson's Ball Hog Comments Created 'Black Cloud' Around Knicks

Carmelo Anthony spoke Friday about Phil Jackson's assertion that Carmelo holds the ball too long.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Carmelo Anthony confirmed Friday that yes, his Instagram posts Thursday were indeed about Phil Jackson’s comments earlier in the week, according to the New York Daily News. Many had already concluded as much. Anthony seemed shaken following Jackson’s assertion that the Knicks star has a propensity for holding the ball too long.

Anthony initially responded with two vague-but-not-really-vague Instagram posts about checking his ego and being unfazed by arrows being shot at him.

Friday, Anthony spoke with the media and more elaborately laid out his perspective. He seemed to question: why do this now, Phil?

"At the end of the day we're playing good basketball," Anthony said. "That's the only thing that matters at this point. So any negativity that's coming towards me or towards the team, I don't think we need it at this point."

He has a point. The Knicks (12-10) are sixth in the Eastern Conference and have won four of their last five games.

Jackson and Anthony have had conflicts before and have not spoken about the current issue.

"I didn't talk to him so I don't know where he was coming from with those comments," Anthony said. "If he wants to talk about it, cool. If he don't, cool. In my eyes it's over."

But is it really over, Melo? Is it?

"I feel like we're playing good basketball, and just to have a temporary black cloud over our heads,” Anthony said. "I don't know when the comments were made or the gist of them, I just know something was said."

Anthony said he doesn’t communicate much with Jackson during the season.

“My conversations with management is limited at this point," he said. "I've decided to focus on what I focus on and let them focus on what they focus.”

Jackson is not currently traveling with the team on its road trip. We’ll see if the two big-name figures work this out directly or continue to let it play out in the press. 

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