Frustrated Melo wants Knicks to work harder
New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony reacts after missing a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers. (March 11, 2012) Credit: AP
Carmelo Anthony had little interaction with his teammates during Monday night's 104-99 loss to Chicago, raising questions about Anthony's ability to fit in with his teammates.
Anthony was visibly upset when he didn't like a shot a teammate took and when he didn't get the ball on a post-up late in the game. He also sat on the bench by himself while the Knicks huddled between the third and fourth quarters.
After the game, Anthony said he always sits out of the huddle and expressed frustration with the Bulls "outhustling us, outworking us." The Knicks, who play the Blazers Wednesday night at the Garden, were outrebounded 22-9 on the offensive glass.
Anthony is shooting 40 percent from the floor this season, the lowest percentage of his career.
No one on the Knicks was blaming Anthony for the team's recent struggles. But one Knicks player who did not want to be identified shook his head in disgust when asked about Anthony not being a part of the team huddle and acknowledged that things in the locker room are getting bad.
There was a lot of talk about Anthony's ability to fit in with the Jeremy Lin-led Knicks, who won five straight games without Anthony in the lineup. The team thrived on Lin being able to run the pick-and-roll and with solid defense.
Since Anthony's return, the Knicks have struggled on both ends of the floor, going 2-8 with six straight losses. They are 18-24 overall.
The trade deadline is Thursday. It was believed the Knicks may do something minor and not shake up a roster that has gone through many changes already during this lockout-shortened season.
The Knicks have assembled a talented and deep roster, but many of the players are offensive-minded and need the ball to succeed. There has been plenty of talk lately about players needing to sacrifice and buy in for the Knicks to be successful. "I don't think it matters what five guys you put out there," Tyson Chandler said after Monday night's loss. "The five guys you put out there have to play hard on both ends. That's what it's going to take."
When Chandler was asked if there were guys not doing that, he responded, "I'm not going to get into that."
The six-game losing streak matched the Knicks' longest of the season and Anthony said Monday he's not worried about the team fragmenting.
"We've been in the situation before earlier in the season," Anthony said. "We've come together, fought through it. Right now times are tough. I'm not going to get through it by myself. Nobody is going to get through it by themselves. We need everybody."
Anthony was asked if he could have done anything differently.
"Go out there and try and give it my all," Anthony said. "Give a little more effort."
