BOSTON – Carmelo Anthony filed an appeal with the union Tuesday in an attempt to recoup $176,000 in lost wages stemming from his one-game suspension from the Kevin Garnett tiff, The Post has learned.
After discussions between Melo’s agent, Leon Rose, and the Players Association, the decision was made to file within the 20-day allowable period, with the legal argument that the Jan. 7th episode was strictly a verbal skirmish.
“In light of the circumstances, in light of the circumstances that it was not a physical confrontation, the suspension seemed excessive,’’ union’s lead attorney Ron Klempner told The Post.
Following their on-court trash-talking episode, Melo twice tried to get at Garnett after the game, once in the tunnel and again by the Celtics team bus.
Anthony was docked 1/110th of his $19.5M salary under the new CBA rules for one-game suspensions. Garnett got off scot free.
NBA disciplinarian Stu Jackson said at the time Melo was penalized for his post-game antics. “There are no circumstances in which it is acceptable for a player to confront an opponent after a game,” Jackson said. “Carmelo Anthony attempted to engage with Kevin Garnett multiple times after Monday’s game and therefore a suspension was warranted.”