NEW ORLEANS _ Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James missed All-Star Media Day, but it wasn't because they were holed up somewhere plotting how they can become teammates in Cleveland.
Anthony, who was selected Wednesday evening to replace injured Cavaliers forward Kevin Love, was excused by the league. James had a family issue. Both are expected here Saturday.
Their close friend Chris Paul, the president of the Players Association, was here for union meetings, and voiced his displeasure for how Charles Oakley was treated by the Knicks and threw his support at Anthony as he deals with trade rumors and how he's being treated by team president Phil Jackson.
"Melo is like my brother," Paul said. "Anything affecting him at times it can affect me. I can't speak for his team or what's going on there but it's probably not beneficial when you're talking about your players in the paper."
The Clippers point guard was referring to Jackson's tweets and the perception that some critical articles written recently about Anthony were from Jackson or people close to him. The trade deadline is Thursday, and Anthony has been linked to the Cavaliers and the Clippers primarily.
His relationship with James and Paul has led to speculation that he could agree to waive his no-trade clause, although Anthony said earlier this week "I never thought I would be anywhere else." Paul wouldn't bite on whether he would like to see Anthony in a different uniform.
"I want Melo to be happy," Paul said. "I want Melo to be happy."
Paul, who is out following thumb surgery, was home watching the Knicks-Clippers game last week and said it was difficult to see Oakley removed from his seat and dragged out during the game. The way the Knicks ended their official statement on the incident _ "we hope he gets some help soon" _ also bothered Paul.
"I know Oak personally so that was real tough to watch," Paul said. "To hear them say they hope Oak is going to get some help, like he was mentally ill or something, that was tough. Since I've come into the NBA, we talk about looking out for younger players. Oak has been a guy who's always checked on me, injury or anything like that.
"So to see him treated in that fashion in that arena was tough. I can speak for myself, but for other players I'm sure it was tough."
Michele Roberts, the union's executive director, said she's been a Knicks fan most of her life. She said since there's criminal charges pending she can't get involved, but she's praying.
"I welled up when I saw what happened to Oak," Roberts said. "Of course I was affected by that."
Players have spoken out about how Anthony has been treated by Jackson and especially the Oakley situation could impact players from wanting to play for the Knicks.
"It's kind of self-evident," said Cavaliers forward James Jones.
Warriors All-Star forward Draymond Green has been outspoken on Oakley. He initially said Knicks owner James Dolan has "a slave master mentality" for how he's treated Oakley. Green backtracked Thursday, saying it "came off the wrong way."
Green also said he doesn't "know a free agent that would want to go there." Green backtracked a little more Friday, but said he supports Oakley.
"I'm not sure how people view them," Green said. "I don't really know everyone else's opinions or views around the league. I'm in the locker room with 14 guys. I know their views because we talk a lot. But I don't know everyone else's."
On Oakley, Green said, "It's a brotherhood at the end of the day. Former players, players today, it's a brotherhood. We look at this as a fraternity. We get a chance to be a part of a special fraternity. We don't take that for granted. It's important. It means a lot. It's important that guys stick together."
