Carmelo Anthony irked at questioning of his loyalty

Knicks talisman feels he has nothing to prove to anybody

NEW YORK: With each successive defeat, Carmelo Anthony's stay in New York becomes more contentious as his future with the Knicks is put into question.

Anthony, who has been an All Star for the franchise each season since being traded to the Knicks in 2011, has been asked in recent days about the possibility of waiving the no-trade clause in his contract which would allow the team to move him.

Responding to an article that suggested it was time for Anthony to depart New York, the forward said on Sunday that if Knicks management no longer wants him then "that's a conversation that we should have."

Following New York's 108-107 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, Anthony was again pushed on the subject of his stay with the team.

"I don't want this to be kind of going back and forth between me and the front office and management," said Anthony. "I responded to an article that I read, and that was that. My clarity is playing ball right now and getting some wins."

It has been a particularly rocky campaign for Anthony and the Knicks (18-24) who have lost 11 of their last 13 games.

Last month, Anthony had to fend off comments from team president Phil Jackson who criticized his star player in the media for his tendency to hold the ball and stop the offense.

Anthony has failed to lead the Knicks to the playoffs since 2013, yet still professes his loyalty to the franchise.

"I've proven that over the years, day in and day out," said Anthony. "Regardless of what's going on that's surrounding this team, any talk, anything, I've still showed that me being here, coming to work every day, being a professional. So I don't think I have to prove that to anybody."