NBA Trade Rumors: New York Knicks Carmelo Anthony Playing With Fire

The New York Knicks are losers of six straight, and have posted a record of 2-8 since Anthony’s return from a groin injury. To put it lightly, the going has gotten tough, but that’s supposed to be when the tough get going. In Anthony’s case, that’s apparently when he makes a beeline for the exit.

Anthony’s relationship with Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni has been continuously scrutinized all season long, but it the supposed rift was reportedly taken one step further Tuesday.

From the New York Post:

Carmelo Anthony’s discontent with the Knicks organization became so severe after Monday night’s loss to the Bulls, he told a confidant he preferred to be traded before Thursday’s trade deadline, The Post has learned.

Let that sink in.

The struggling superstar, who forced his way out of Denver and to New York, has spent most of the season watching the Knicks excel while he’s on the bench, and engage in the not-art of free falling while he is on the floor.

But that’s not his fault, at least not in his opinion. And that’s absurd.

Whether or not Anthony and D’Antoni are an optimal fit or not is irrelevant, because the fact is they made it work before. Anthony excelled in the Olympics within a D’Antoni run offense and also thrived in last year’s postseason, scoring New York’s way to respectability in their otherwise disheartening elimination.

This time around though, D’Antoni seems to be the only one willing to make it work. He has allowed Anthony to revert back to isolation for extending periods of time, only to see the Knicks blow leads and play their way out of games. Now, when Anthony is finally being asked to adapt his game for the better of the team, he throws what can only be referred to as a temper-tantrum.

While The Post’s report also goes on to note that D’Antoni and Anthony met in an attempt to reconcile their differences, the small forward has lit a match he cannot put out.

Anthony’s trade request could be a ploy to force the Knicks to fire D’Antoni. If that’s the case though, does he really think he will be welcomed back with open arms into the locker room? Even the New York fans, who are leery of D’Antoni, to say the least, will not take kindly toward being toiled with.

The fact of the matter is Anthony asked for this. He wanted to be a member of the Knicks, and play alongside Amar’e Stoudemire. However, once his shortcomings as a player and teammate were brought to light, he shifted the blame elsewhere and requested a trade. That’s not classy.

It would take a miracle for the Knicks to move Anthony by tomorrow’s 3 p.m. deadline, especially considering the small forward has severely damaged his market value. Consequently asking to be dealt, especially this late in the game was a horrible move.

No matter the outcome, though, Anthony loses.

If D’Antoni gets fired, he’s the player that pushed him out. If he’s traded, he’s the impostor who couldn’t cut it in New York.

Of course, there remains the possibility that D’Antoni and Anthony work through their differences, and go on to experience success. That’s the best case scenario.

But even then, Anthony will forever be known as the star who wanted out of his supposed dream job.

If Anthony’s aim was to damage his already tainted reputation, then, mission accomplished.