Melo blindsided by Fisher firing, but vows to 'trust in Phil'

Derek Fisher became the latest casualty of the NBA coaching compactor on Monday, and many of his New York Knicks players were caught off guard by the abrupt ouster.

Among those most surprised was superstar forward Carmelo Anthony, but the 31-year-old reaffirmed his faith in team president Phil Jackson's decision-making and vision.

"This is something I didn't see coming, (that) nobody saw coming," Anthony said after the Knicks lost their first post-Fisher game Tuesday, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. "So you have to continue to put your trust into Phil. At this point, what could you do? Can't shy away from that. Can't go against it. So for me, it's continue. I have to trust in it. I decided to stay here. I decided to make that decision to trust in the Knicks and trust in Phil. I have to continue doing that."

Jackson has ostensibly given Anthony reason to trust him, even if Anthony has occasionally seemed reluctant to. The front office vastly improved the Knicks in the offseason by nailing the draft and making a few savvy under-the-radar free-agent signings. Though they're 23-32 and sit five games out of a playoff spot, the Knicks have already blown past last season's win total, and are well-positioned for the future with rookie phenom Kristaps Porzingis in the fold.

"I done been through worse," Anthony said. "At this point, you become kind of immune to all the B.S. that goes on and the politics. You become immune to that. So my goal is to continue playing basketball, focus on the group of guys that I have in there and leave that faith to management, to the front office."

The Knicks appointed assistant Kurt Rambis as interim head coach, and Jackson said Rambis will man that post for the remainder of the season.