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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 15: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards and the Eastern Conference talks with Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks and the Eastern Conference Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and the Eastern Conference during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2015 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 15: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards and the Eastern Conference talks with Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks and the Eastern Conference Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors and the Eastern Conference during the 2015 NBA All-Star Game at Madison Square Garden on February 15, 2015 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
What’s better than a relationship between Baron Davis and Carmelo Anthony? Most spectators would say nothing. But what’s the reason? Davis, aka Anthony’s mentor, has been publicly taking a stand for Melo for a while now. After openly speaking about Melo’s feelings being overshadowed by Lin’s popularity, Davis has once again turned the tables upside down.
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The 45-year-old recently sat down with Carmelo Anthony to record a new episode of 7 PM in Brooklyn. A glimpse of the interview was then posted on the official podcast account with the title, “Baron Davis on How Phil Jackson Ruined the Knicks, Mentoring a Teenage Melo, Knickstape Era & More.”
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Bildnummer: 12153216 Datum: 19.12.2012 Copyright: imago/UPI Photo
New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony reacts after hitting a 3-point shot in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden in New York City on December 19, 2012. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY NYP20121219104; Basketball USA NBA x0x xub 2012 quer premiumd
Image number 12153216 date 19 12 2012 Copyright imago UPI Photo New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony reacts After Hitting A 3 Point Shot in The Second Quarter Against The Brooklyn Nets AT Madison Square Garden in New York City ON December 19 2012 PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY Basketball USA NBA x0x xub 2012 horizontal premiumd
During the same podcast, Carmelo Anthony shared the incident when he was forced by Phil Jackson to waive his no-trade clause in his enormous contract. “But nobody liked to listen to me, you know, like personally, you know what I’m saying….We was in the locker room trying to get in there. Listen. Trying to get in there. Like, he didn’t even know how to get a damn. Oh, damn. Like, can I see a BMW? Like, everybody in there. My mama got a f***ing furniture store. Bro, this is crazy shit,” said Carmelo Anthony. Meanwhile, Davis once again supported Melo, saying, “Phil Jackson killed that.”
Now the question is: What was the whole controversy about?
A tale of failed efforts
During Carmelo Anthony‘s tenure with the Knicks, Phil Jackson was the major obstacle. Interestingly, Jackson quite openly used every possible way to lose the superstar in 2014. And this was all planned to waive the no-trade clause from Anthony’s enormous contract with the New York Knicks (as mentioned in the podcast by Melo).
To make this happen, Jackson even discussed trading Kristaps Porzingis. However, Porzingis was presumed to be untradable, and this led to owner James Dolan reconsidering whether the head coach of the team was fit for the job. And, of course, the team’s insights. Interestingly, neither his coaches nor the players were ready for his coaching philosophy, nor were they ready to play.
Moving on, Jackson was canned, and within a couple of days, he parted ways with the New York Knicks. Though he thought he would fix everything, he ended up with a baffling tenure. However, he still has 11 championship rings under his belt as an NBA head coach. So why are Melo and Davis recalling Jackson’s controversial tenure nearly a decade later? Stay tuned to find out!
Written by
Edited by
Sanchari Bhaduri