Knicks: Playing For Team USA Will Help Carmelo Anthony

2016-17

When Carmelo Anthony wins an Olympic gold medal, he comes back and performs at a genuinely elite level in the NBA. Thus, while the critics are circling with wooden stakes in their hands, Anthony has a chance to fight them off by building upon what’s becoming a tradition.

With a full offseason to train, and the Olympics to help make up for the time he missed in 2015-16, Anthony could have one of the best seasons of his career in 2016-17.

Anthony will play with a reloaded supporting cast that includes Brandon Jennings, Courtney Lee, Joakim Noah, Kristaps Porzingis, and Derrick Rose. If healthy, that group of five has some postseason-caliber upside by itself.

If Anthony can play at a high enough level to justifiably add a seventh All-NBA selection to his resume, then the Knicks should be a 50-win team.

There’s no guaranteeing that this trend will continue, nor is it a lock that Team USA will win the Olympic gold medal. As you support the men’s basketball team this summer, however, know that a gold medal could have a significant impact on New York’s season.

The better Anthony performs on the international scene, the better he tends to perform in the NBA.

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If Anthony sets the all-time record with a third Olympic gold medal, then you can expect big things out of he and the Knicks in 2016-17.