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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 /
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Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) goes to the basket as center Robin Lopez (8) boxes out Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) goes to the basket as center Robin Lopez (8) boxes out Toronto Raptors forward James Johnson (3) at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Less Creator, More Creation

Carmelo Anthony has proven to be a willing passer when the system dictates he should be. He averaged a career-high 4.2 assists in 2015-16, and beyond the numbers, trusted his teammates more than anyone expected him to.

Here’s the thing: Anthony is at his best when his goal is to score, and New York would be best suited to accept and embrace that.

This isn’t a suggestion that Anthony should never pass the ball. Instead, it’s acknowledging the reality that he’s at his best when he can take what’s given to him instead of having to force things and create for both himself and others.

According to John Schuhmann of NBA.com, Anthony acknowledged how easy the game comes to him when he can pick his spots.

"“I like to adjust to my situation,” Anthony said. “In this situation, it doesn’t call for me to put the team on my back and have to create something every play, and the ball is in my hands every single play. I can just kind of space out, take my time, pick my spots, and play off the guys that I have on my team. That’s all it’s been. It’s no different game. It’s just a matter of picking your spots and playing off your teammates.”"

The good news for Anthony: Jeff Hornacek is the perfect coach to make that happen in the NBA.

Anthony won the 2013 scoring title and has never averaged less than 20 points per game. He’s No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 22,497 points and is No. 13 all-time in career scoring average at 24.94 points per game.

Whether you love him, hate him, or feel indifferent, Anthony is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

Anthony shouldn’t be tasked with creating everything. Instead, he should play both on and off-ball as the No. 1 scoring option option who can read the defense and take what’s given to him instead of having to force the issue.

Set screens, move the ball, and exploit openings in a defense; if the Knicks play smart and efficient basketball, no player will benefit more than Anthony.

Next: The X-Factor

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