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New York Knicks: Keys to Making the 2016 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) and forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) against the Boston Celtics during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Eastern Conference forward Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks (7) shoots the ball during practice for the NBA All Star game at Ricoh Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Eastern Conference forward Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks (7) shoots the ball during practice for the NBA All Star game at Ricoh Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Carmelo Anthony’s Health

The New York Knicks are paying Carmelo Anthony to be the face of the franchise. He’s making an average of $24,812,936 per season, which will still be a significant salary under a cap that’s projected to rise to roughly $90 million.

In order for New York to have any shot at the 2016 NBA Playoffs, Anthony must remain healthy and return to the level that made him a perennial All-NBA player.

Anthony is having his best season as a facilitator, but that’s occasionally been to the detriment of his scoring. It’s beyond acceptable for ‘Melo to be selfless, but there are times when Knicks fans have been pleading with Anthony to take over games.

For the most part, he hasn’t come through—and yes, injuries have played a major role in that.

Anthony’s been unable to maintain the elevation on his jump shot, and his patented second jump has hindered him down low. Even when that hasn’t been a problem, he’s settling for midrange jump shots instead of pounding it inside as he’s capable of doing.

A selfless and suddenly defensive-minded Anthony has been a sight to see, and that mentality must not be sacrificed, but he needs to be healthy and aggressive as a scorer for New York to make the playoffs.

Next: The Key Contributor

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