Daily Knicks
Fansided

Carmelo Anthony: Team USA Creating Blueprint For Knicks

By Maxwell Ogden

Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) looks on during the game Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) looks on during the game Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) greets teammates on the bench during the game against Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) greets teammates on the bench during the game against Serbia in the preliminary round of the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Surround Him With Talent

Similar to many scorers before him, Carmelo Anthony can win when surrounded by talent. When he can pick his spots and avoid double-teams, he can exploit the opposition as one of the best one-on-one scorers in NBA history—see: 2012-13 and 2008-09.

When Anthony is forced to play with a mediocre supporting cast that struggles to draw rotations, however, he inevitably struggles to produce with efficiency.

Perhaps the best career arc parallel belongs to former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce. Pierce averaged 24.8 points per game between 2001 and 2007, and then cut his attempts, improved his efficiency, and won a ring in 2008.

When Pierce had other star-caliber players around him, he could pick his spots and conserve energy to close out games.

Anthony is as clutch as anyone in the NBA, and his performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics has proven it. Fortunately for Anthony, New York has taken the initiative by acquiring the likes of Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick Rose, Brandon Jennings, Joakim Noah and Courtney Lee.

Turning Anthony into a more well-rounded player is the right move, but asking him to do it all isn’t conducive to winning—for any team with any player.

Next: Less Creator, More Creation

Home/Knicks News