MILWAUKEE — Carmelo Anthony said before yesterday’s 100-95 loss to the Bucks that a clear-the-air film session/meeting was held in the Knicks’ Milwaukee hotel Saturday, during which he told his mates to be patient with him and not to expect him ever again to get that frustrated on the court as he did Friday night in Detroit.
Anthony hid on the bus following Friday’s loss in Detroit without talking to the media. He almost never talks before a game but did so to make up for his blow-off after his awful 2-of-12, six-point showing.
During the loss, Anthony had bad body language, didn’t join a huddle at one juncture and yapped at Toney Douglas after not getting a low-post feed.
“What I was frustrated about was neither here nor there, that day is over with,” Anthony said yesterday.
“I was happy yesterday [Saturday]. I got a chance to talk to coach and the guys. Letting them know, don’t be used to me getting frustrated out there. All around it was just a bad day, us losing. The way we lost. That stuff is frustrating.”
Late Friday night, Amar’e Stoudemire called out Anthony, saying the club must “buy in” to Mike D’Antoni’s offense.
Asked if he took Stoudemire’s remarks personally, Anthony said, “Not at all. Why would I do that? D’Antoni got a helluva offense. Everybody knows that around this league. It’s a matter of me picking my spots in the offense, figuring it out in a timely fashion.
“What I the told guys is. let’s be patient, man. It’s not going to be 100 percent in 2½ weeks. It’s going to take some time.”
Anthony was frustrated he didn’t get as many shots as normal but said, “That happens. Nothing personal. I’m still getting used to these guys. These guys are getting used to me. There’s nothing personal. Me and Toney laughed about it after watching film. Me and couple of guys laughed about it.”
While Anthony upset for lots of reasons, a source said he didn’t address the media because he didn’t want to put himself in position of getting fined as he was livid at a non-call on Chris Wilcox on his missed driving layup with 32 seconds left.
Yesterday, Anthony picked up a curious offensive foul after he made a pull-up jumper with 5:34 left, with the ruling he pushed off on Carlos Delfino.
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D’Antoni started Shelden Williams at center yesterday after he hadn’t played for five games, and it backfired. He was taken out after six minutes for good with the club down 16-4.
Ronny Turiaf started the second half. The Knicks are at a flux at center, with Jared Jeffries not holding down the spot.
The Knicks are monitoring center Earl Barron’s situation. His second 10-day contract expires today with Milwaukee, so he could become a free agent. Barron was a DNP the past two games, including yesterday.