New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (L) makes a move against Toronto Raptors Patrick Patterson. (Photo : Getty Images)
It seems like there is no end in sight for Carmelo Anthony's struggles with the New York Knicks and recent reports are out that he is "frustrated" about losing and everything that has been going on in the Big Apple franchise.
Just moments after the Knicks' depressing 122-95 loss to the Eastern Conference's second-best team Toronto Raptors, Anthony immediately entertained the media in the team's locker room for interviews, which is a rarity as he usually does that after getting some treatment and rest for the just concluded game first.
It was not the usual night for the 31-year-old small forward because the night was the fifth anniversary of him getting traded to New York from Denver.
"It's been tough. It's challenging," the nine-time All-Star said, obviously frustrated about the team's status but still trying to politely answer questions from reporters, via ESPN.
He was reminded of the four coaches, three general managers, one team president, and numerous teammates that have come and gone since he was dealt from the Nuggets and what he had to say is "it's challenging to kind of stay strong and positive through all this".
"You can't control that," said Anthony said about the changes he experienced with the Knicks. "When you look at it, how many different coaches? Four different coaches. (A lot of) different players. I mean, that's a lot to go through."
While the two-time All-NBA Second Teamer is clearly discouraged about his team's 24-34 performance so far in the season (third from the last in the "weaker" Eastern Conference), Basketball Insiders' Steve Kyler noted that Anthony "had a choice and he chose this situation".
Kyler continued that "this summer, he'll have another choice and if chooses to stay in New York, he only has himself to blame".
The NBA analyst does make sense as it was Anthony's decision to pass up chances to play with playoff contenders Chicago Bulls and Houston Rockets in 2014 while also shunning the opportunity to partner with Kobe Bryant in LA.
Carmelo eventually chose to sign the five-year, $124 million extension with the Knicks (the richest deal he could possibly get at that time) during the summer of 2014 with full knowledge that the team is set for a total rebuild for the next couple of seasons, which is why his current vents draw no compassion at this time.
