SAN ANTONIO — The Knicks continued to crash and burn beyond their losing streak as Carmelo Anthony and Tim Hardaway Jr. each confirmed they engaged in a nasty on-court argument last week against the Nets. It led to a lively players-only meeting staged Saturday when grievances were aired.
Call them "Team Tri-tanic.''
Both players denied an ESPN report Anthony and Hardaway are still at odds and players have approached Anthony about shooting less and playing defense more. The report stated Anthony threatened to beat Hardaway up after the game during their on-court tiff.
Meanwhile, with a 4-19 record and riding a nine-game losing streak entering Wednesday's meeting in San Antonio, the Knicks lost Anthony for an indefinite period. Anthony made good on his ominous threat after the New Orleans game to shut it down because of his season-long left-knee woes and missed Wednesday's game. He wouldn't say when he'll be back, but said surgery wasn't on his radar, calling it "a last, last option.''
Anthony will meet with team doctors to discuss other courses of action to see how long he needs to rest. Meanwhile, J.R. Smith was ruled out before the Spurs contest with a bruised heel.
Hardaway acknowledged he and Anthony went at it.
"It was a heat of the moment type of deal,'' Hardaway said. "Everybody in locker room are treated as brothers. It happened a week ago. We moved on. It's in the past. We moved forward.''
Hardaway reportedly barked: "Get the rebound!" Anthony got angry, asked him if he knew who he was talking to and said he would beat him up in the locker room later. The graver issue, however, was charging Hardaway and Anthony haven't gotten along since his rookie year.
"When you're trying to find ways to win you try to pick each other up,'' Anthony said. "Me and Tim — whatever words we had was five games ago. At this point I'm trying to stay positive.
"Tim and I have no problems. He'll tell you the same thing. Tim is someone I've always wrapped my arm around and put under my wing since Day 1. I've helped him through times when he was down.''
A source said Anthony and Hardaway used to be closer as they texted each other often during July's free agency as Melo pondered his decision. But they no longer are as tight.
"We're brothers,'' Hardaway said. "They get into heat-of-the-moment things and make up afterward. I looked at Melo as a mentor since I've been here.''
Hardaway's agent, Mark Bartelstein, was furious at the accusation there's a serious rift between Anthony and Hardaway.
"There's no ill will between Tim and Carmelo — it's just the opposite," Bartelstein said. "Carmelo has helped out Tim a lot, they have a great relationship and Carmelo has been very supportive. It's very hurtful and untrue.''
Carmelo Anthony and Tim Hardaway share a laugh during happier times.Photo: AP
Anthony revealed a team meeting was called because of the players' fraying nerves amid the losing streak.
"We felt like it was needed, a much-needed meeting before anything got any worse,'' Anthony said. "Guys holding things back they wanted to get out so we had that meeting."
Anthony said the meeting was not aimed at his playing style or against Derek Fisher's triangle offense. The report said players wish Fisher would back off the triangle.
"We do get frustrated when things aren't going our way,'' Anthony said of the triangle. "Are we committed as a team to doing what's right? We are committed.
"Whatever was said at the team meeting was said amongst ourselves,'' Anthony said when asked if any complaints were aimed at him. "None of that came out and about. Everybody had a platform to speak their peace about what was going on and better the situation. But it wasn't no pointing fingers or pointing me out about blame for what's going on.''
Anthony said, however, he will take it on himself for the 4-19 record the team lugged into Wednesday's game.
"I accept it now,'' Anthony said. "I step up and accept it. I have no problem accepting that blame.''
Hardaway would not disclose the contents of the meeting, but denied disenchantment with the triangle was a focus.
"What was said in the there was said in there,'' Hardaway said. "It's within the team.''
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