Regardless of what he would like us to think, we all know Carmelo Anthony was the number one factor that contributed to Mike D’Antoni’s resignation. After the Knicks acquired Melo at the trade deadline last season, his and D’Antoni’s relationship went south in a hurry. Now that Mike Woodson has taken over and Anthony remains in New York, you would think the relationship between him and his former coach is a thing of the past. With the Olympics coming up this year, however, that may not be the case.
D’Antoni is an assistant coach for Team USA and Melo is a roster invitee. According to CBSSports.com, a person with close ties to international basketball says that Anthony’s role in D’Antoni’s resignation “did not sit well with USA Basketball authorities.” With other talented players like LaMarcus Aldridge, Blake Griffin and Kevin Love playing the same position as Anthony for the Olympic team and not needing star treatment, the team could decide to go in another direction.
“I don’t even think Carmelo is thinking about this, but I think it’s going to hurt him,” the source said. “I don’t think he’s playing as well as the other power forwards are right now. He’s not a bad guy, but he needs to start playing better because the USA team is looking at that, and Mike is an assistant. It should not be given to him.”
For a short time it appeared Melo may talk his way out of New York, but he ultimately got his way when D’Antoni called it quits. That same talking and his streaky play as of late could ultimately cost him a spot at the London Olympics.
H/T I Am a GM
