Carmelo Anthony has opened up on one of the most talked-about relationships in recent NBA history. The former New York Knicks star didn't hold back when discussing his time under Phil Jackson, shedding light on years of frustration that fans never fully understood.

Poor Roster Construction Under Jackson's Leadership

Anthony addressed the complicated situation that hurt his later years in New York, with poor communication and a system that never quite fit.

The 10-time All-Star revealed the personal toll of defending Jackson's triangle offense while the legendary coach remained distant from the daily scrutiny.

"We had a poorly structured team roster those years and you were at the helm of that," Anthony stated bluntly. "Nobody told you who to go get."

The Triangle Offense Became a Laughing Stock

The triangle offense became a major point of contention during Jackson's time as Knicks president.

Anthony acknowledged his appreciation for the system itself, but emphasized the timing was all wrong. "I love the triangle offense, [but] at the time it didn't fit the style of the NBA," he explained. "We were the laughing stock of the NBA for being in the triangle."

Taking Bullets While Jackson Talked in the Stands

Anthony's frustration extended beyond just the system on the court.

He pointed out that while he faced constant criticism and mockery from media and fans, Jackson wasn't standing beside him. "I had to fight that and I had to take those bullets, not you Phil Jackson," Anthony said.

The disconnect became even more apparent through Jackson's media activity.

"While I'm taking those bullets, you are in the stands tweeting, talking about Melo breaking the triangle," Anthony revealed. "This is the s--t that I had to deal with."

No Real Relationship

Perhaps most telling was Anthony's admission about their working relationship, or rather the lack of one.

"I never spoke about him... We didn't have a relationship," he stated. 

Anthony expressed frustration over Jackson's indirect approach to their issues. "So if I was that much of a hindrance to you, you should have come to me and said it," he noted.

Instead of direct conversation, Jackson repeatedly asked for patience. "Instead of telling me to bear with you, rock with [you], stay with [you]."

A Failed Experiment

The comments by Anthony are a brutal look into why the Knicks struggled during Jackson's tenure as president from 2014 to 2017.

The organization failed to make the playoffs in three of those four seasons, and Anthony eventually requested a trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017.

Jackson's time in New York was such a contrast to his legendary coaching career, where he won 11 NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, and it was a partnership that never found its footing despite the name value.