Carmelo Anthony is the latest victim of controversial players fading out of NBA

Carmelo Anthony is the latest victim of controversial players that are forcefully being faded out of the NBA

Stephen A. Smith offered an interesting take earlier this week regarding Carmelo Anthony’s “forced retirement” from the NBA. Smith suggested that coaches around the league don’t want to be haggled with the distraction of having a future Hall-Of-Famer saddled at the end of its rotation.

Another explanation was provided late last year that appeared more plausible a reason, citing Anthony’s statistical deterioration as a shooter.

Anthony, himself, gave the most compelling rationale on an appearance on the ESPN’s TV show First Take last month, insinuating it was based on reputation and “politics”. If that’s the case, he appears to be among a growing list of controversial NBA players that are being pushed out of the league.

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In 2016, JR Smith was the starting shooting guard for a Cleveland Cavaliers team that came back from a 3-1 series deficit to unseat the 73-win Golden State Warriors.

Earlier this summer, he was released by the Cavaliers, wanting to avoid the “negative influence” he was perceived to be.

Two years ago, DeMarcus Cousins chose to sign with the Warriors as a result of the minimal interest he was receiving from teams around the league. Part of this was due to concern of the injury he had suffered the year prior with the New Orleans Pelicans. Yet, there were also issues of whether he was the “right fit” for a team.

Kenyon Martin was the first pick of the 2000 NBA draft. Known as an emotional player, Martin had famously gotten into confrontations with several individuals in the league, including Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Two years ago, in an interview on The Breakfast Club, Martin discussed how he was still capable of playing at a high level in spite of the fact that his basketball tenure was demoted to The Big 3.

Former NBA player Stephen Jackson advised this summer that veterans such as himself were no longer present in locker rooms because franchises were afraid to have guys like him who would confront younger players and hold them accountable when their effort appeared lax.

Jackson, however, was also the same guy who has levied the harshest penalty for his involvement the infamous Malice at the Palace brawl outside of the headline act that was Ron Artest.

Finally, just this past week, Michael Beasley, who was the second overall pick in the 2008 NBA draft, was released by the Detroit Pistons in favor of Joe Johnson who is eight years his senior.

Whether or not people may think Anthony deserves to be categorized as “controversial”, he certainly has had his fair share of detractors in the league.

Former NBA coach George Karl called into question Anthony’s character, calling him a “user of people” while recalling their tenure together with the Denver Nuggets.

As former President and General Manager of the New York Knicks, Phil Jackson tried fervently to get Anthony to waive his no-trade clause so that the franchise could trade him, stating:

"“…we have not been able to win with him on the court.”"

In a memorable press conference while with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Anthony laughed at the idea that he could better serve the team by coming off the bench.

The legion of NBA players that continue to voice their opposition of Anthony’s banishment from the league doesn’t seem to be losing momentum.

But similar to the popularity of the 3-point shot in this era of basketball, the new trend seems to be that controversial players are facing a shorter leash than ever before. Maybe that’s a good thing too.