- Carmelo Anthony says he and Phil Jackson spoke only twice during their time with the New York Knicks.
- Anthony criticized Jackson for publicly blaming him and for not coaching or communicating directly.
- Jackson served as Knicks president from 2014–17; the team went 90–171 under his tenure.
- Anthony made the comments on The Big Podcast and referenced attempts by Jackson to buy him out.
H2: Melo speaks out on strained Knicks relationship
Carmelo Anthony opened up on The Big Podcast about a rocky relationship with Phil Jackson during their years with the New York Knicks. Anthony said the two men talked only twice while Jackson was team president and expressed frustration with Jackson’s public criticism and leadership style.
H3: ‘How do you deal with this…?’
On the episode, Anthony recalled reaching out to people in the organization but finding it difficult to connect with Jackson. He said, “I used to reach out to people. But how do you deal with this mother?” Anthony added that if Jackson wanted him to change, he should have coached him through it and explained what he wanted.
H4: Public criticism and alleged buyout attempt
Jackson — who won 11 NBA championships as a coach with the Bulls and Lakers — was Knicks president from 2014 to 2017. Reports at the time said Jackson tried to buy out Anthony and publicly criticized his leadership and playing style, calling him a ball hog and a weak leader. Anthony pushed back, saying that when a team struggles, the president should accept responsibility rather than make a player the scapegoat.
H3: Team results under Jackson
The Knicks struggled under Jackson’s front-office leadership. From 2014–17 the team posted a 90–171 record, including a 17–65 campaign in 2014–15 tied for the franchise’s worst. Anthony pointed out that it’s easier to blame a visible star than to admit front-office missteps.
H4: What Anthony wants from leadership
Anthony said he was open to correction but wanted clear communication and coaching. “If you want me to do something, you can coach me through it. You can bring it to my attention. You can break it down because you are coaching the game,” he said on the podcast. His comments underline a long-running tension between star players and executives when roles and expectations aren’t aligned.
H5: Social post referenced
Anthony’s podcast remarks were highlighted on social media; The Big Podcast shared the segment on Twitter. Embedded tweet: https://twitter.com/bigpodwithshaq/status/2000694408799301674
H2: Legacy and the Knicks era
Carmelo Anthony remains one of the most recognizable players in Knicks history, despite the team’s struggles during his tenure. His candid comments about Phil Jackson add to a public record of conflict between players and management in New York — and underscore how communication breakdowns can shape a franchise’s direction.
Whether fans view Anthony as a scapegoat or a lightning rod, his interview on The Big Podcast provides a direct account of a fractured relationship that helped define an especially turbulent period for the Knicks.
Image Referance: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/carmelo-anthony-lets-relationship-phil-021051853.html
