Carmelo Anthony reveals details of his departure from Rockets, Knicks / News - Basketnews.com

Carmelo Anthony opened up on the way he was informed about being waved by the Houston Rockets and named Phil Jackson as the man responsible for his departure from the New York Knicks.

Credit: AP – Scanpix Credit AP – Scanpix

Carmelo Anthony candidly discussed his departure from the Houston Rockets in 2019, in an interview with Dwyane Wade.

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During the episode of 'The Why with Dwyane Wade,' a co-production of iHeartPodcasts and Wade’s 59th & Prairie Entertainment, Carmelo Anthony recounted his removal from the Houston Rockets’ rotation.

The retired player described a late-night meeting with an unnamed team official who bluntly informed him of his redundancy on the team.

"We're like 3-5 or something [and he said we] need to meet. I think he wanted to meet with me to figure out what’s going on with the team and the players – I don't want to say his name – come to my room and says, 'yeah I think your services are no longer needed,'" Melo said.

Anthony expressed his confusion and disbelief at being sidelined so early in the season and questioned the lack of clarity surrounding the decision.

"So now I’m getting serious and he’s very stoic just like this is what it’s going to be. And I say, 'Damn bro, you don't have a soul man, you don't have a heart. I can take it. But the fact that you came in here and told me we don’t have a place for you on this team and I asked you why and you telling me well it’s just not a fit… what's not going to fit?'

Anthony said he even turned to his former Team USA teammate Chris Paul to ask him if he knew anything about the decision.

"So now, wheels are turning, call CP [Chris Paul]. 'CP, you my family, you my brother, you knew anything about this?' This is real talk, this is one o’clock in the morning. [He said], 'I swear I ain't.' And to this day I can’t figure out what happened. I don’t know what happened.”

During the same episode, Anthony shared insights into his departure from the New York Knicks, highlighting the pivotal role played by Phil Jackson.

Recounting his feelings at the time, the NBA legend shared, "When I left New York, I didn’t leave New York. I got pushed out of New York, Phil [Jackson] pushed me out of New York. I struggled to leave New York."

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