https://twitter.com/jwtiger26/status/802937580769726464
It’s time that something which many folks have cried about be properly addressed. Phil Jackson shares insights on the topic which involves Carmelo Anthony and his ball hog tendencies.
The video you see above happened just a couple of weeks ago but it’s something that’s not tough to call. Carmelo Anthony is terrific player but he does have a tendency of hogging the ball. In my opinion, I believe he wants the momentum of knowing that he won it all for his team. I don’t think it’s an ego thing but he just wants to win so bad that he puts trust in himself first. Even during last night’s Knicks-HEAT game, Melo was holding on to the ball for about three seconds. For this generation, that’s far too long. Knicks President Phil Jackson has chimed on the topic at hand.
“Carmelo a lot of times wants to hold the ball longer than — we have a rule: If you hold a pass two seconds, you benefit the defense. So he has a little bit of a tendency to hold it for three, four, five seconds, and then everybody comes to a stop,” Jackson said in an interview with CBS Sports Network that aired Tuesday. “That is one of the things we work with. But he’s adjusted to [the triangle], he knows what he can do and he’s willing to see its success.”
Jackson’s comments were prompted by a question about whether Anthony can fit in the triangle offense. Jackson made it clear he believes Anthony can.
“He can play that role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played,” Jackson said. “It’s a perfect spot for him to be in that isolated position on the weak side, because it’s an overload offense and there’s a weakside man that always has an advantage if the ball is swung.”
The Knicks have a chip on their shoulder as they stand tall with their 12-9 record and have won four in a row. Is it too early to say NBA Finals? It sure is but confident is what a team needs to go out there and continue to produce wins. We’ll keep a close eye and see if Melo’s habits get better.
The Knicks face off against the Cavaliers tonight at 8 pm.