The NBA Free Agents are on the spot. But for Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks spotlight shifted in the last few days. Now that Phil Jackson is the new President of the New York Knicks, the biggest question mark has been addressed.

Numerous speculations on the fate of Carmelo Anthony arose when Phil Jackson was rumored to take the President of Basketball Operations position, and he was apparently given 'complete control.' Some people believed that the Zen Master might trade Melo or let him walk away.

In the press conference that formally introduced him as part of the New York Knicks ball club, the burning question was answered (via ESPN):

"There's no doubt about Carmelo being one of the top scorers in the league, maybe the best individual isolation player in the game. I have no problems with committing to saying Carmelo is in the future plans. 

"I think there are a number of things I see Carmelo doing as he moves forward. And I think I was on record saying a year ago that I think Carmelo, as great a player as he is, still has another level he can go to. And I hope together, with the team we create, he can get there." 

The great Zen master praising Carmelo and immediately putting him down to size-stating that there is vast room for improvement. This is how he has mastered coaching the biggest egos in basketball (maybe all of sports). Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O' Neal even Dennis Rodman and Metta World Peace. Jackson looks at the talent. If there's talent in there, he will unleash it-even if it's covered by pride, arrogance or various levels of crazy.

However, there are a few things to note: Jackson is not the coach. He will not sit with Melo on the sidelines. He will not be at the practices and they might not even be in the same city.

Also, Jackson is very limited with what he can do given the Knicks situation. There is absolutely nothing he can do this off-season with the Knicks over the salary cap and not having a draft pick. Is Melo willing to wait another season, when he is now 30?

When Jackson took over the Bulls, Michael Jordan was 26. His Bulls team was already reaching the Conference Finals, just needing that final push to get over the Detroit Pistons. Anthony is 30, and his Knicks team probably won't make the playoffs.

The ball is now in Carmelo Anthony's court.