Jackson: No Talks Yet with Carmelo Anthony about His Future

The NBA Atlantic division’s New York Knicks are battling for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks are currently tied with the Atlanta Hawks for the eighth spot, but have played two more games than the Hawks.

Phil Jackson the new president for the Knicks said on Thursday that star forward Carmelo Anthony has had to bear a great deal of pressure this season and not about the player’s future.

Jackson has had a few talks with Anthony at the team’s practice facility over the last couple of weeks. He said he noticed Anthony was feeling the majority of the burden over the up and down season, the Knicks have had this year.

Jackson said his talks with Anthony have not touched on the player’s future, but on what is happening now with him and the team in general.

The Knicks have been on a tear lately winning 12 of 15 entering the race for the final playoff spot in the East.

Tyson Chandler has said repeatedly that if New York is able to make the postseason, teams will not want to play them during the first round. Jackson tends to agree with Chandler’s assessment.

Jackson said that with J.R. Smith now playing at a high level, Anthony carrying the scoring load and others starting to step up like Amar’e Stoudemire and Chandler, the Knicks have many more options than earlier in the season.

Jackson said he has been clear about wanting Anthony to return to the Knicks next season. Anthony however is planning to use an opt-out clause in his contract to become a free agent following the season.

Dealing with the future of Anthony will be the first big decision Jackson will have to make as the new president of operations for the club. Anthony has said he is excited about Jackson rebuilding and leading the franchise.

James Dolan the owner of the Knicks said following the hiring of Jackson that fans should not be taken by surprise if Jackson can make some moves to improve the Knicks for next season despite the team’s lack of flexibility in the salary cap.

The Knicks will however have cap space following next season to make some significant changes to the makeup of the team.

Jackson said that the strong ties the franchise has with Creative Artists Agency, the agency representing Anthony and other players on the Knicks as well as some executives, will not stop him from making the moves he needs to, to make the roster better.

Jackson believes Anthony could emerge has the team leader going forward. Jackson added that Anthony has stepped up and has tried to help players on the club and it is obvious it is something he is capable of doing but has only shown that recently with his maturity.

Jackson stressed that he was referring to things that are no on the court, they are in practices, in the training room and locker room and Anthony has learned to lead and pull the team forward with his energy.

Jackson should know, as he coached two of the best leaders to ever play the game in Michael Jordan and most recently Kobe Bryant.