Knicks president Phil Jackson hasn't exactly been whispering sweet nothings about Carmelo Anthony this season. The 32-year-old forward is staring down a potential split with the Knicks this off-season and Jackson has all but kicked Carmelo out the door using his dirty shoes—taking not-so-veiled jabs at Melo's place in the former Lakers coach's holy grail triangle offense. But now the veil has come off, my friends, with Jackson using near-Shakespearean syntax during his end-of-season press conference on Friday to say about Melo, "He would be a player better off somewhere else."Phil Jackson on Carmelo Anthony today: "We have not able to win with him on the court. He would be a player better off somewhere else."
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2017
Phil said the triangle hasn't worked because "we've faced resistance." Implied that was Melo
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 14, 2017
Phil said there "was a disconnect and there was s rebelliousness" within the team and that will change.
— Al Iannazzone (@Al_Iannazzone) April 14, 2017
Petty.Melo has the option to leave the Knicks with a solid, final 'fuck you' to Jackson. Or to ride it out and battle the evil within—one of those 'keep your enemies closer' kind of vibes. If Melo chooses to stick around—especially with Phil Jackson reportedly picking up a two year option with the Knicks—this could be a fun couple of seasons ahead…Phil Jackson: "I've never criticized Carmelo…That's all supposition by papers… Holding the ball is not a criticism. That's what he does"
— Mike Vorkunov (@Mike_Vorkunov) April 14, 2017
YOOOOO PORZINGIS THROWING GRENADES AT PHIL TOO#PettyWarz pic.twitter.com/QIFxvwWp18
— #PettyWarz (@World_Wide_Wob) April 14, 2017
As far as recruiting - Chris Paul just liked Melo's instagram post, so scratch that one off the whiteboard.
— Steve Popper (@StevePopper) April 14, 2017