Nov 28, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) smiles during the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Carmelo Anthony has been a member of the Knicks since midway through the 2010-2011 season. As a Knick, he’s had thirty-three 30 point games in 104 games, over five game winners, and seems to be getting better and better each season. This season, he has been truly unstoppable averaging over 27 a game, shooting over 45 percent from behind the arc, and playing by far the most aggressive defense. Along with LeBron James and Kevin Durant, he is without question a contender for MVP.
To celebrate the rapid approaching new calender year, we bring you our Top 10 list. Below are ‘Melo’s Top 10 performances as a Knick ranked from No. 10 to No. 1. If anyone has any other opinions, feel free to comment.
#10. 12/25/11 Knicks 106 – Celtics 104
After a two month delay due to the lockout, the NBA resumed with a splash on Christmas Day with the Knicks – Celtics game. Anthony came back just where he left off the season before scoring 37 points on 10-17 FG and 8 rebounds with a +/- of +15, including a pair of free throws with 16 seconds left win the game.
#9 3/14/12 – 3/21/12 Knicks 5 game winning streak
After losing six straight, the Knicks fired head coach Mike D’Antoni and Mike Woodson took over. This was a new start for the Knicks and right off the bat; they went on a five-game wining streak. This was not attributed to Anthony scoring 30+ a game, but the overall teamwork, ball movement, and aggressive defense. With Amar’e Stoudemire hurt, Carmelo excelled playing the 4, with high energy on the defensive end. His scoring numbers were low at just 14.2 PPG but he averaged 5.4 assist and 5.2 REB to along with a +/- + 69 over that five game stretch. This was the turning point where Anthony showed he really wanted to become a team player since he saw how well it worked.
# 8 12/13/12 Knicks 113 – Lakers 107
‘Melo scored 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting. Nothing sounds so spectacular about this stat but if I tell you that he had 22 points (8-of-9) in the first quarter, and only played 23 minutes in total (sprained ankle in halfway through third quarter) – then that sounds a little more impressive.
Dec. 13, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) gestures on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
If Anthony didn’t get hurt, he easily could have scored 50 points.
#7. 3/9/10 Knicks 110 – Memphis 108
Anthony scored 31 points on 12-of-24 shooting and had his first game winning shot with the Knicks. He also had six assists and five rebouds with a team high +/- 11. “It was one of them shots, that you know is going to go in,” said Anthony.
#6. 4/17/12 Knicks 117 – Boston 110
In this game, Carmelo had his second career triple double (first as a Knick) with 35 points on 13-of-24 shooting, with 12 rebounds and 10 assists. You don’t see that any assists coming from Anthony on a daily basis – only five career double digit assist games and this was the first as a Knick.
#5 12/11/12 Knicks 100 – Nets 97
‘Melo delivered with a career-high 45 points as a Knick on 63 percent shooting, knocking down five threes against the new interstate rivalry. Not even Gerald Wallace, one of the elite defender in the NBA could stop him whether it was a hard drive to the basket or an in-your face jumper.
#4. 4/10/11 – Knicks 110 – Pacers 109
Carmelo scored 34 points, hitting the go-ahead jumper with 4.9 seconds left over Danny Granger. While this game seems common for Melo, what isn’t common is Melo also blocking the potential game winning shot by Granger in the remaining seconds. The Knicks went on to win their seventh straight game and moved up to the sixth spot in the standings.
#3. 4/19/12 Game 2 Knicks 93 – Celtics 96
With Chauncey Billups out of the series, and Stoudemire having to leave the game due to back spasms, all the pressure was on Carmelo to get a win against a tough Celtics team. He ended up scoring 42 points with 17 rebounds and five assists – but it wasn’t enough. On the last possession by the Knicks down 1 point, Melo was double teamed and forced to pass it up to the last player you would ever want to pass the ball to in this situation – Jared Jeffries, who botched a pass instead of shooting the wide open layup. ‘Melo couldn’t have done any more in this game.
#2. 5/6/12 Game 4 Knicks 89 – Miami 87
With the Knicks down 3-0, Anthony had no intention of getting swept. In Game 4 Carmelo scored 41 points on 15-of-29 shooting and made a tie-breaking three with just under a minute left to go in the game to win the first playoff game in 10 years for the Knicks.
#1. 4/8/12 Knicks 100 – Chicago 99
I was going nuts watching the finish of this game that I actually sprained my ankle and was out for a week from basketball. I’ve never seen Knicks fans in the arena so wild. With the clock running down in the fourth, ‘Melo hits a three over Taj Gibson to tie the game into overtime. He then does the same thing in overtime as the clock runs down and hits another three over Luol Deng to win the game. He ended the game with 43 points, seven rebounds and knocked down 4-of- 5 threes. Anthony referred to it as “a playoff game” – it just shows the intensity of this game. Click here for highlights.