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[Saba Sports News] A recent exchange between two New York Knicks alumni has caught attention. On his podcast “7 PM in Brooklyn,” Carmelo Anthony, a retired ten-time All-Star, critiqued RJ Barrett, who was recently traded to the Toronto Raptors in the OG Anunoby deal.
Anthony described Barrett as a “bland player,” stating his gameplay and personality lacked excitement and questioned Barrett’s demand for a significant role in the Knicks’ offense.
Responding to Anthony’s comments, Barrett, as reported by Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, found humor in the critique. He playfully referenced his recent scoring stats, which closely matched Anthony’s description, acknowledging Anthony’s status as a Hall of Famer. Barrett’s response was notably gracious, showing respect despite the criticism.
The timing of Anthony’s remarks was interesting, as Barrett scored four points against the Utah Jazz on January 12, just after scoring 24 in the previous game and before another 24-point performance.
Barrett, who grew up during Anthony’s era of basketball, didn’t take the comments negatively. Since joining the Raptors, the former No. 3 overall pick and Canadian native has been performing well, averaging a career-high 20.2 points per game. Meanwhile, the Knicks have also been doing well since acquiring Anunoby, suggesting that the trade may have been beneficial for both parties.