New York Knicks Should Start Carmelo Anthony At Power Forward

The New York Knicks need to turn the 2016-17 NBA regular season around. Could starting Carmelo Anthony at power forward be the answer?

The New York Knicks played the second game of a back-to-back on Jan. 12 and put together a much needed victory over the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks have been awful in back-to-back games this season, and were playing without Kristaps Porzingis who sat out due to a nagging achilles injury.

The Knicks were finally hit with some luck, as Jimmy Butler, Nikola Mirotic, and Denzel Valentine all sat for the Bulls. However, in their first meeting on Nov. 4, both teams were at full strength and the Knicks managed to win that game as well.

The Knicks beat the Bulls because they played “together.” After a brutal performance against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, the Knicks bounced back with a total team effort.

The Stars Came To Play

When the Knicks win, it usually comes along with a great performance from Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose. Anthony finished the game with 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal in 34 minutes.

Despite his airball three pointer that got him temporarily booed at Madison Square Garden, Anthony poured in a great performance.

Here’s the problem with Anthony this season: consistency. Anthony has shown in several games throughout the season that he can be an all around player who scores, passes, rebounds, and defends.

However, too many times this season, Anthony has defaulted to his isolation basketball, and the Knicks suffer every time.

The proof is in the pudding. When Anthony has more than four assists, the Knicks are 8-4. When Anthony has less than four assists, the Knicks are 10-18.

If Anthony wants to be the guy to bring a championship to New York, he has to play this way every single game.

On the other hand, there’s Derrick Rose. Since his disappearance on Monday, Rose has poured in back-to-back solid performances, the most recent coming at the hands of his former team.

Rose had 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists in 34 minutes of action with a +/- of +15. A lot of chatter has been thrown Rose’s way (rightfully so) for his off-the-court issues, but the Knicks can rejoice knowing it hasn’t been because his health.

Rose has his bounce back and gives the Knicks an elite driver to the basket—something the Knicks have lacked in the Anthony era. If the Knicks want to turn this season around, Rose has to be at the forefront, as his ability to penetrate opens up the Knicks offense.