Knicks: Playing For Team USA Will Help Carmelo Anthony

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Aug 12, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA forward Carmelo Anthony moves the ball against the defense of assistant coach Monty Williams during the second day of the USA men’s basketball national team minicamp at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

2012-13

Carmelo Anthony had a rough year in 2011-12. One could chalk it up to the lockout-shortened season, if they’d like, but he averaged 22.6 points on 43.0 percent shooting, and the numbers were not misleading.

Anthony got his proverbial mojo back that summer when he helped Team USA go to London and win a second consecutive gold medal at the Summer Olympics.

As every Knicks fan reading this slide knows, Anthony came back to the NBA with a vengeance in 2012-13. He won the scoring title, received a vote for MVP, was named to the All-NBA Second Team, and took the Knicks to their best season in almost 20 years.

After compiling a record of 36-30—good for a win percentage of .545—in 2011-12, the Knicks went 54-28—good for a win percentage of .659—in 2012-13.

Anthony led New York to its best record since 1996-97 and its first Atlantic Division title since 1993-94. Furthermore, the Knicks won a playoff series for the first time since 1999-2000.

As has been proven with both the Denver Nuggets and the Knicks, Anthony comes back from gold medal runs at the Olympics like a man on a mission.

Next: The Question: What Happens In 2016-17?

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