Carmelo Anthony Comments on Frustration with Lack of Foul Calls by Refs

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony believes he isn't getting enough foul calls in 2015-16 and has spoken out about his frustration.

ESPN.com news services reported what Anthony had to say about the lack of whistles—and what referees have told him about it—prior to Wednesday's game against the Utah Jazz:

"

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.

[...]

[Referees] 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.

"

Chris Herring of the Wall Street Journal believes Anthony may have a point:   

Anthony has range that stretches to the three-point arc but also has uncommon strength and athleticism for his size (6'8", 240 lbs). He can post up with his back to the basket or take an opponent off the dribble and score at the rim almost at will.

Those drives into the lane apparently haven't led to as many free-throw attempts as Anthony would like. Without as many trips to the charity stripe when he draws contact, Anthony's field-goal percentage figures to suffer.

The 40.6 percent clip Anthony is shooting from the field at the moment would be the worst of his career. He may have a point about not getting calls in light of that statistic. As ESPN.com mentioned in its report, Melo currently attempts .310 free throws per shot attempt, which is his second-lowest percentage ever.

The emergence of rookie lottery pick Kristaps Porzingis has been all the more pivotal with Anthony struggling to score this season more than he has in the past.

Anthony's style of play has also had to change in head coach Derek Fisher's attempt to install the triangle offense and make accommodations for the arrivals of new, talented players in Porzingis and 2-guard Arron Afflalo. The 31-year-old veteran is bound to figure out how to be more proficient soon enough.

Combined with improved team chemistry and Porzingis' ongoing, exciting progress, the Knicks can continue to surprise and re-emerge as playoff contenders. But Anthony has to be more like his usual self. Perhaps his public imploring for more leniency from the referees will pay dividends as the season goes on.