Report: Carmelo Anthony Won’t Sit On Knicks Bench For Fear Of Getting Hit

Carmelo Anthony doesn’t want his New York Knicks teammates to cause him any more pain than they already have.

Anthony, who underwent season-ending knee surgery Feb. 18, has been a no-show for Knicks games since going under the knife, choosing not to sit on the bench with his non-injured teammates.

Marc Berman of the New York Post has a possible explanation for that:

“Coach Derek Fisher said he wasn’t sure of the reasons,” Berman wrote Thursday, “but a Knicks official later said it was due to the fear of a hustling player crashing into the bench where Anthony might be sitting. Anthony’s surgery took place six weeks ago. It’s unclear if he will be on the bench by the time the season ends April 15.”

Berman reported that Anthony stretches on the court and meets with team trainers on game days, but then leaves the arena before tipoff. Fisher said he hasn’t discussed the matter with his star player.

“You can ask him that if you ever get a chance to talk to him or the medical staff,’’ the Knicks coach said, via the Post. “There’s been no discussion whether Carmelo would be sitting on the bench when he’s recovering from a major knee surgery.’’

With the Knicks owning an abominable 14-61 record this season, it sounds like ‘Melo has the right idea.

Thumbnail photo via Kyle Terada/USA TODAY Sports Images