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Carmelo Anthony Frustrated With Lack of Fouls Called, WILL NOT Flop!

By William Lee

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New York Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony is frustrated that he is not getting the benefit of the whistles from the referees.

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, referees told Anthony in the past that he is a hard player to gauge and that it is unclear whether he is getting fouled or forcing the action.

"“They just tell me I’m the most difficult player to referee in the NBA,’’“I’ve heard that a couple of times. It’s unclear on who is creating the contact. My goal is to go to the basket. If I’m creating the contact going toward the basket [and] I get hit, it’s a foul.’’"

Anthony obviously feels differently about the matter.

Mar 23, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Alonzo Gee (33) fouls New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. The Cavaliers won 106-100. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

"“I always get fouled,’’“That’s what’s frustrating me. You play so hard, work so hard and don’t benefit from that. You look at other guys, you touch them and look at them wrong and get fouls. It’s a frustrating thing for me as a guy who likes to go to the basket, play in the paint. I like to play physical. It’s frustrating.”"

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I laughed so hard on the “you look at them wrong and get fouls” comment because it is so true! Names such as Dwyane Wade and James Harden comes to my mind immediately… in regards to that statement.

Anthony is well aware of the lack calls he is getting and is frustrated by the fact that referees say his game is hard to officiate.

"“I’m human,’’ “Those frustrations kick in at times, especially when you’re down there banging and know you’re getting banged on. I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know how to play another way.’’"

A lot of these players flop to sell the call but Anthony says that he does not even know to flop (okay… -_-“) and that if he did flop, that it would look weird (just flop and SELL the DAM call!).

"“See, I don’t know how to flop, that’s the thing,”“Nowadays guys know how to flop, get hit and put their head back. I don’t know how to flop. I won’t even look right trying to do that. I won’t even feel right trying it.”“A lot of times I get hit and I still continue to get to my spots just because I’m big and strong. A lot of guys get hit and they stop. I’m not saying they’re flopping, but they’re lighter than me. I can take a lot more physicality.”"

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Currently Anthony is attempting six free-throw per game, the second least amount of attempts per game of his career. The only season with less free-throw attempts per game (5.9) was last year when he dragged himself to play injured until the All-Star game, and then had left knee surgery afterwards.

The percentage rate that Anthony is getting to the charity-stripe is also at an all-time low. Anthony’s free-throw attempt rate (number of free-throw attempts per field goal attempts) currently stands at 29.4%, which is even lower than last season’s injury plagued year… at 32.9%.

The 29.4% could mean that Anthony is still recovering from the surgery, or it could mean that he is 31 years-old and is slowing down… That Anthony is slowly losing his athletic prowess and advantage he once enjoyed over his peers. Anthony had a 41% free-throw rate in his eight seasons with the Denver Nuggets, where he was at the height of his athleticism.

Next: Kristaps Porzingis Signs With BodyArmor

Let’s all hope that it is the referees just not giving Anthony the benefit of the whistle or that he is just still recovering from surgery… because the thought of Anthony in decline with $78,731,280 remaining on his contract after this season just makes me sad…

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