mafra
Legend
New York Knicks F Carmelo Anthony vented to the media on Wednesday over the lack of foul calls he has received this season (Berman, Dec. 9).
The eight time NBA All-Star is in the midst of a slump during his last five games. He has shot only 40.6 percent from the field over that span. Anthony has attributed his inability to get to the free-throw line to his struggles.
"They just tell me I'm the most difficult player to referee in the NBA,'' Anthony said. "I've heard that a couple of times. It's unclear on who is creating the contact. My goal is to go to the basket. If I'm creating the contact going toward the basket [and] I get hit, it's a foul.''
Anthony, who has received a technical foul in each of the past two games, has been unable to control his growing frustration with the referees.
"I'm human,'' Anthony added. "Those frustrations kick in at times, especially when you're down there banging and know you're getting banged on. I don't know what else to do. I don't know how to play another way.''
When asked if he would consider selling fouls more by flopping, Anthony explained that isn't part of his game.
"See, I don't know how to flop, that's the thing," Anthony said. "Nowadays guys know how to flop, get hit and put their head back. I don't know how to flop. I won't even look right trying to do that. I won't even feel right trying it.
Anthony is averaging a near career-low 21.5 points, 7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV: Many around the league, be it executives, media, and even fans recognize full well that Anthony has never been especially privy to "superstar" calls. Say what you want about Anthony and his inefficiency this season, but there's no denying that he's been taking a beating underneath the basket for years. The wear and tear can be seen in the injuries he's had to deal with on his shoulder, knee, and groin. He's clearly better suited for the power forward position in today's small-ball NBA.
Despite how well his agility could create mismatches, perhaps the Knicks are hesitant to slot him down there because of how banged up he'll become. If an opponent recognizes that he doesn't get appropriate calls, they'll continue to go at him.
He says he won't stoop so low as to flop his body around, but one could argue that even that wouldn't help. Superstars flop because they can. They have the respect of the referees and can sell it accurately enough. If a star falls, they believe chances are an inexperienced player is more likely to be at fault. The star gets the benefit of the doubt. Anthony never has, however.
Anthony loses his cool now and then during games, especially on Monday night against the Mavericks, and this hurts the Knicks. He has a right to be frustrated about this, but it's good to see him channeling it in a different way this time around.
(Theknicksblog.com)
The eight time NBA All-Star is in the midst of a slump during his last five games. He has shot only 40.6 percent from the field over that span. Anthony has attributed his inability to get to the free-throw line to his struggles.
"They just tell me I'm the most difficult player to referee in the NBA,'' Anthony said. "I've heard that a couple of times. It's unclear on who is creating the contact. My goal is to go to the basket. If I'm creating the contact going toward the basket [and] I get hit, it's a foul.''
Anthony, who has received a technical foul in each of the past two games, has been unable to control his growing frustration with the referees.
"I'm human,'' Anthony added. "Those frustrations kick in at times, especially when you're down there banging and know you're getting banged on. I don't know what else to do. I don't know how to play another way.''
When asked if he would consider selling fouls more by flopping, Anthony explained that isn't part of his game.
"See, I don't know how to flop, that's the thing," Anthony said. "Nowadays guys know how to flop, get hit and put their head back. I don't know how to flop. I won't even look right trying to do that. I won't even feel right trying it.
Anthony is averaging a near career-low 21.5 points, 7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
Keith Schlosser, SNY.TV: Many around the league, be it executives, media, and even fans recognize full well that Anthony has never been especially privy to "superstar" calls. Say what you want about Anthony and his inefficiency this season, but there's no denying that he's been taking a beating underneath the basket for years. The wear and tear can be seen in the injuries he's had to deal with on his shoulder, knee, and groin. He's clearly better suited for the power forward position in today's small-ball NBA.
Despite how well his agility could create mismatches, perhaps the Knicks are hesitant to slot him down there because of how banged up he'll become. If an opponent recognizes that he doesn't get appropriate calls, they'll continue to go at him.
He says he won't stoop so low as to flop his body around, but one could argue that even that wouldn't help. Superstars flop because they can. They have the respect of the referees and can sell it accurately enough. If a star falls, they believe chances are an inexperienced player is more likely to be at fault. The star gets the benefit of the doubt. Anthony never has, however.
Anthony loses his cool now and then during games, especially on Monday night against the Mavericks, and this hurts the Knicks. He has a right to be frustrated about this, but it's good to see him channeling it in a different way this time around.
(Theknicksblog.com)
