Carmelo Anthony Must Trust NY Knicks' Rebuild, Phil Jackson...For Now

Aren't you angry, Melo?

Phil Jackson has made it clear that you, Carmelo Anthony, are only a small part of his plans for the New York Knicks. The New York Times' Harvey Araton eloquently described this recently, writing, "By admittedly not consulting or even speaking with Carmelo Anthony during a rash of recent free-agent signings for the Knicks, what, exactly, was Phil Jackson trying to tell him?"

And that's precisely why you need to be at your best. You must buy into "The System" 100 percent. Give Jackson, Derek Fisher, your new teammates and the triangle offense all your energy and support at every practice, every game, every press conference. You need to play NBA Jam with your rookies and give them big-brotherly advice on the sidelines where we can all see.

You need to do this so if The System fails, you can pounce on Jackson's jugular, bounce out of New York and still look like the good guy.

You're always a good guy, Melo. That's sort of your problem. 

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

You behave yourself. You're a good role model for little kids. You don't tweet ambiguous digs at teammates, media or celebrities like LeBron, Kobe or J.R. Smith. You don't get suspended for drug use like Larry Sanders (marijuana), Nick Calathes (Tamoxifen, sometimes used to mask PED use) or Smith (marijuana). You don't get suspended for flagrant fouls like Hassan Whiteside or Smith. And it's been a long time since that 2006 Nuggets-Knicks brawl that ended up with a suspension for you, Nate Robinson, Mardy Collins and Smith. 

The trouble is, Melo, without Smith around to do something stupid to distract us, New York fans and media look to you more often and say "Hey, Melo, what do you think about...oh, right...you're not here."

Should the star player have to be sweating in a gym sitting on sticky bleachers to watch a crummy Las Vegas Summer League game instead of going fishing on vacation? No. 

Should the star player have to be sitting on the sidelines when he's convalescing after major surgery? Certainly not.

But when you're not there, it's all too easy to imagine that you don't care or that you're sitting in a corner sulking, because Jackson doesn't love you enough. 

Alberto Rodriguez/KCSports2015/Getty Images

All we ever get to criticize you for is what you don't say. What you don't do. But around here, simply not screwing up is still screwing up.

So enough with the nice, quiet Mr. Anthony who avoids conflicts with his boss by staying thousands of miles away from him. It's time to get your hands dirty.

Melo, for you, Jackson is one of two things: the genius who's going to help you win a ring or the jerk who undervalues you.

My advice: Believe he's the jerk, act like he's the genius.  

Why? Because you do yourself no favors if you complain publicly. 

After all, you are the one who said one year ago on ThisIsMelo.com: "In the end, I am a New York Knick at heart. I am looking forward to continue my career in Orange & Blue and to work with Phil Jackson, a champion who builds championship teams. Madison Square Garden is the mecca of basketball and I am surrounded by the greatest fans in the world."

You signed up for Phil and a build, and you took a third of the team's salary. Even though you had no idea how drastic the gutting would be, you still can't pout about it without looking churlish.

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

Yes, using the highest draft pick the Knicks have had in years to select Kristaps Porzingis—not a for-now draft pick like future rookie of the year Emmanuel Mudiay—did seem like Jackson wasn't interested in making the most of you in your prime. Yet, Porzingis is already becoming a fan favorite. 

Besides, Robin Lopez and your old friend Arron Afflalo should be a boost to your starting lineup. Any griping right now will just hurt your bargaining power and trade stock. 

And let's be honest, Melo. You've got strikes against you. You've never won much of anything since college. You've never been a league MVP like Kevin Durant, who hits the free-agent market next year. The teams that went after you hardest in free agency last year might not be interested anymore. The Bulls may have been keen then, but they're a different team now, with Pau Gasol on the squad and Fred Hoiberg at the helm. 

Plus, none of us has had a good look at that left knee of yours since your surgery. When October comes, you'll want everyone wearing a blue-and-orange jersey in top form so they can help make you and your knee look good.  

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

So make this your best training camp yet. Speak up, work hard, lead, talk the talk, walk the walk. Don't be shy. 

Best-case scenario: The Knicks win big. Jackson takes the credit, but you get the cheers. 

Worst-case scenario: The Knicks have another dismal season. Jackson takes the heat, but you come out smelling like daisies because you gave it your all. Then, if the Knicks have to double down on the rebuild (again), they may be forced to trade you for some young assets, and you'll be in a better position. 

Not that I want you to be traded, Melo. I kind of like having a star who's a good guy and stays out of trouble. But all winners need an angry little animal with a chip on its shoulder growling inside them, chomping at the bit to prove themselves to their families, the fans, the competition, the coach or the Zen Master of the Universe. 

It's time for Carmelo Anthony to let that little animal out.  

Follow Sara Peters on Twitter @3FromThe7.