Carmelo Anthony hasn’t even decided where he will play next season and he’s already sparking dissension among would-be teammates and management.
Houston reserve guard Jeremy Lin admits to SI.com “he felt disrespected” by the way management draped Anthony in his No. 7 jersey during his free-agent visit with the team earlier this week. The league’s No. 2 overall top scorer behind MVP Kevin Durant arrived at the Toyota Center on Thursday to see images of himself wearing the team’s No. 7 red jersey while holding the Larry O’Brien trophy with the words “the key to a championship formula.”
Later, Lin took to Twitter to post the bible verse “Luke 6:29 – – If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.”
Several media outlets later reported Lin was not made aware beforehand that the Rockets planned to use his jersey number as part of their recruitment of Anthony, who has worn the number during his last several seasons with the Knicks.
“I’m entitled to stand up for myself and say I felt disrespected as I did through the tweet,” Lin also posted. “But the point is to love unconditionally, as Jesus loved me.”
The Rockets’ recruiting team included owner Leslie Alexander, general manager Daryl Morey, coach Kevin McHale, All-Star center Dwight Howard, All-Star guard James Harden, and Hall of Fame guard and Rockets broadcaster Clyde Drexler, among others.
The 25-year-old Lin averaged 12.5 points and 4.1 assists for the Rockets this year, his second season with the team since coming over from the Knicks after the 2011-12 season. Lin and Anthony were teammates that season, the same year the “Linsanity” craze that netted Lin his three-year, $25 million deal with the Rockets was born.
Having already meet with the Bulls also, Anthony is scheduled to meet with the Lakers before deciding on his future.
