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Melo Leads Knicks in Victory over Kings

Carmelo Anthony (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

Carmelo Anthony (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

 

After an embarrassing loss to the Cavs on Wednesday night at home, the Knicks start their road trip with a victory against the Kings on Friday night. The Knicks won 103-100 in a narrow victory. This was the second straight game that Derrick Rose missed due to some discomfort in his back. He is not expected to miss an extended amount of time. Brandon Jennings started in his place.

Carmelo Anthony led the way with a great overall game with 33 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, with a block and a steal mixed in. Kristaps Porzingis struggled on the offensive end again getting 17 points on 6-19 shooting. But he did end up with a double double with 10 rebounds. While Kyle O’Quinn had another great game off the bench with 8 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.

DeMarcus Cousins had a great game as well with 28 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and a block. He also made things interesting when he heaved a desperation shot at the end of the game that nearly went in hitting the rim after Anthony missed two free throws to ice the game.

Anthony has been in the headlines lately because of Phil Jackson’s comment about how Anthony tends to hold on to the ball too long. You could tell after the Cavs game, he looked visibly upset and caught off guard when asked about Jackson’s comments.

Phil Jackson’s first two years of his tenure as Knicks President has not gone the way he has planned. But you have to give him credit for drafting KP, which at the time looked to be a risky pick.

Coming into this year, Jackson managed to make a roster that looked very interesting. Adding a former MVP in Rose, a former DPOY in Joakim Noah, a solid 3 and D guy in Courtney Lee, and a playmaker in Brandon Jennings. Add those players to a team that has an All-Star player in Melo, and a budding superstar in KP, you have probably the most talented team the Knicks have had in a long time. So you have to give Jackson some props for creating excitement for a team that won 17 and 32 games in the two previous years respectively.

But you do have to question why Jackson would criticize your star player to the media. Why create drama when you don’t have too. If he had a problem with the way Carmelo plays, why not just address that to him privately.

With that being said, I believe that this story of Jackson calling Melo a “ball hog” was just over blown. First of all, Jackson never used the term “ball hog,” but somehow every headline says, “Jaskson calls Melo a Ball Hog.” Anthony’s reaction after the Cavs game may have been genuine but I believe that it was more so him just being caught off guard opposed to him be mad with Jackson.

But this is the New York media. Everything you say and do will be under a microscope. Especially if the team is not playing well, the media and fans will let you know very quickly. New York media and fans can be very unforgiving. The New York media loves to kick people when they are down. If the Knicks beat the Cavs on Wednesday, I truly believe that this would not have been that big of a story. But they lost in embarrassing fashion. The only way to shut everyone up is to win. If you win, all is forgiven. Hopefully the Knicks continue to improve and get healthy to make a push to make the playoffs.

The Knicks next game is on Sunday night against the Lakers at the Staple Center.

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