Carmelo Anthony: James Dolan's idea to apologize for comments to fan
Carmelo Anthony told reporters that the statement and apology for his comments to a heckling fan were the idea of Knicks owner James Dolan.
At the end of the Knicks' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Anthony told the fan to air his grievances with Dolan, who was seated near the team's bench. The fan was reportedly removed from his seat by security after the interaction with Anthony.
“He kept calling my name, calling my name, saying ‘You guys suck, you guys suck,’” Anthony said. “At that point I was trying to gather myself and I turned around, all I did was point at Dolan and told him, ‘Look, the owner’s right there. Ask for your money back.’”
• Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony to heckler: Ask the owner for your money back
The Knicks issued the following statement on behalf of Anthony:
“We are all frustrated by the team's recent results - everyone, including me, my teammates, coaches and the fans. Last night, a fan and I let those frustrations get the best of us. I should not have responded the way I did.”
When asked by reporters about the apology, Anthony said it was Dolan's idea, but he worked with the team to write it.
“It was a collaborative effort though,” Anthony told reporters on Thursday. “We sat down and we talked about it. Everybody thought it was a good idea to send that apology.”
Anthony discussed things with Dolan before missing the Knicks' charity bowling function on Wednesday night.
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The Knicks are 25–37 for 13th place in the Eastern Conference.
