‘Don’t Think He Knew How To Be a Leader’- Phil Jackson Reflects on Time With Carmelo Anthony With New York Kicks

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players of his generation. His scoring was effortless, but he could never capitalize on his success and become an NBA Champion. While he did get close when he was with the New York Knicks, he was never able to get over the championship hump.

Phil Jackson had come out of retirement to be an executive with the Knicks. He has now opened up and revealed that he felt Melo lacked the leadership qualities needed to help turn the tide over in New York.

“We had made a, you know, five-year contract with Carmelo, and Carmelo is a leader. I think he wants to be a leader, I don’t think he completely knew how to be a leader, as a player. And I think that the strength of his personality was intimidating to some of the coaches that were asked to coach the team.

“And so there wasn’t this compliance that has to go between players and coaches. As much as I tried to interject my own beliefs in that I don’t think you’re close enough to the ground in that situation to really be effective.”

Carmelo Anthony: What went wrong in New York?

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players to have worn a Knicks uniform in this millennium. The team has been one of the worst teams in the league for the better part of 20 years. However, with Melo at the helm, the team made it to the Playoffs for multiple seasons. Their only series win of this millennium also came under Carmelo in 2013.

However, the situation behind the scenes was never fruitful. Melo did not have a good relationship with Jackson, and Jackson was never able to build a championship cast around Anthony. The team saw a lot of turnover until the Knicks tenure came to a bittersweet end for Carmelo.

READ MORE: ‘Greatness Speaks For Itself’- CJ McCollum Opens Up On Carmelo Anthony’s Impact on the Portland Trail Blazers

Anthony hasn’t won a championship since leaving New York, but is on a contender in Portland right now. While they may not be championship-ready, Melo will do everything to push them to a title considering the clock on his career is also about to ring.