ESPN's Stephen A. Smith is reporting that Carmelo Anthony remains set on bolting New York this summer despite the arrival of the legendary Phil Jackson to run the franchise.
"I was told this last week, I was told a few days ago, I had it reiterated to me by somebody I trust yet again this morning that Carmelo Anthony is gone; he is leaving New York City," Smith told Skip Bayless during Tuesday morning's airing of their First Take show on ESPN.
"There are those like myself who still hold up the possibility that that may not be true, but for what I'm being told, he is gone. And he is gone because he's at the mindset that in order to achieve any amount of success he would had to sacrifice not just this this year but next year as well, because of this current roster."
Even with the 13-time NBA champion Jackson now on board, the Knicks remain a handcuffed organization. Though they can pay the free-agent to-be Anthony some $30 million more than any other team, the franchise is already over the salary cap and has no first round picks in this year's loaded NBA draft.
Though at a reported $12 million per season, there's little question Jackson will be handsomely compensated for his time and effort, some wonder if owner James Dolan, long regarded as a troublesome owner, will truly provide him the time and space he needs to build the Knicks in his own image.
Still, none other than Michael Jordan, himself, predicts that Jackson will prove a natural at his new position.
"Phil can do some good things with them because he's gifted," Jordan told ESPN. "Phil is fantastic at managing egos and personalities, getting everyone on the same page and maxing out whatever potential is there for what should be the common and ultimate goal. Just because he's never been an executive before doesn't mean he can't do that. He's wanted to do it for a while now and I know he can do it ... so long as he has the necessary pieces in place."
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