Carmelo Anthony: 'I feel bad' for A-Rod

Add Carmelo Anthony to the the list of NBA superstars coming to the defense of embattled New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez.  Lord knows the New York fans aren't.

It sounds like the New York Knicks forward is sympathetic towards A-Rod for the way he was benched and booed during the playoffs and, like Kobe Bryant the other day, doesn't think riding the pine suits the $114 million Yankee.

"I feel bad for A-Rod, man," Anthony said at Friday's shootaround before the team played the Toronto Raptors in Montreal. "I don't like to see anyone go through that."

Rodriguez was benched in ALCS Game 3 and didn't start Game 4 but came in as a pinch hitter and went 0-for-2.  The final two at-bats only added to his 3-for-25 futility at the plate during the 2012 postseason.

Asked if he had ever been taken to task and benched by a coach, Anthony replied, "Never.  I can't imagine being benched like that."

Anthony, who was born in Brooklyn but raised in Baltimore, lost some Yankees fans when he started rooting for his hometown Orioles in the ALDS but claims he cheered for the Yankees when they played the Detroit Tigers in the ALCS.

"I jumped ship," he joked.

Knicks fans must be hoping that the thoughtful 'Melo will do some more reaching out — especially when his teammate Amar'e Stoudemire in on the floor with him.