Carmelo Anthony has raved about Rasheed Wallace’s impact as a team leader and defensive genius, but recently, Anthony has been picking up on Wallace’s worst trait — battling referees.
Wallace is the all-time league leader in technical fouls, but Anthony leads the NBA this season with five techs. It’s beginning to look as if referees are targeting him because of his incessant barking on the court if a call doesn’t go his way.
Anthony was in foul trouble in the Knicks’ 131-103 loss Friday in Houston. He had seven turnovers to go along with 37 points, and shot two free throws to James Harden’s 16.
“It gets frustrating out there,’’ Anthony said. “You do your best to try to get to the hole and create something and nothing happens. Then you’ve got to go back on the other end and something does happen. That’s always the frustrating part. When you look at the stats, 16 free throws and our stats with two free throws.’’
Anthony isn’t winning brownie points with the referees by arguing repeatedly or overreacting.
Down the stretch Wednesday in Dallas, he was hit in the mouth by Chris Kaman after releasing a driving shot. Anthony didn’t get the call and held his jaw, looking to be in agony, throughout the next possession. Referees don’t like to be shown up like that. Sure enough, Anthony didn’t get the benefit of the doubt on an ensuing charge call against a moving Vince Carter.
The worst moment Friday night came when Anthony yapped at the officials on his way downcourt instead of trying to stop the Rockets’ Patrick Patterson on a fastbreak dunk. Afterward, Anthony admitted, “Maybe I have to do a better job of not getting so frustrated.’’
* Coach Mike Woodson has been vague on what he doesn’t like in free-agent addition Marcus Camby’s game. Camby has played in just four of 11 games.. Woodson has talked about Camby’s “conditioning’’ but often uses the phrase, “It’s the way I see the game’’ when explaining Camby’s doghouse status. In the worst indignity, Camby did not play in Houston Friday despite Rasheed Wallace’s absence with a sore foot.
The defensive center watched all of Houston’s 131 points from the bench. Woodson used Kurt Thomas, a throw-in piece in the Raymond Felton trade, for 10 minutes instead. Camby, who lives in Houston, was tight-lipped.
“Wrong guy to ask,’’ Camby said. “Whatever needs to be done. That’s all I can say about that.’’ … Wallace is listed as questionable today against the Pistons, his former team.