New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony appeared to tell coach Mike Woodson, "Let's play the f---ing game, man," during a timeout in Wednesday's win over the Indiana Pacers. Knicks president Phil Jackson, meanwhile, believes he can convince Anthony to re-sign in free agency.
Video appears to show Anthony interrupting Woodson during a timeout in the final seconds of Wednesday's game. With a 90-83 lead over Indiana and 19.5 seconds left, Woodson has the team huddled and is discussing the situation - only Anthony apparently wanted no part of it.
New York won the game, 92-86. The Knicks, still in contention for a playoff spot, improved to 28-40 and are on a seven-game winning streak.
Wednesday night also marked Jackson's first game as the Knicks' new President of Basketball Operations, and he wasted no time in confirming he would make a strong push to re-sign Anthony in July.
"We've got to make a pitch to Carmelo about how good this team is going to be and how much he's going to enjoy playing for it," Jackson said, via SI.com. "I think he likes playing here. He's had some great experiences on this court."
As for Anthony, contrary to every report indicating he plans to leave in free agency, the perennial All-Star sounded excited about the prospect of working with an 11-time NBA championship-winning coach and said they are "on the same page."
"I was hoping that I would be part of the future plans," Anthony said before Wednesday's game, via CBS Sports. "I never once said that I wanted to leave New York or anything like that. The only thing I said was I'm going to dabble and try the free agency out, that I was going to opt out and become a free agent. ... I'm excited about the opportunity to hopefully work with Phil."
Anthony is eligible to opt out of his contract after the season and become a free agent in July.
