Carmelo Anthony: Gold Medal Means Great Things For Knicks

Aug 14, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) dribbles the ball prior to the men's preliminary round against France in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 14, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; United States forward Carmelo Anthony (15) dribbles the ball prior to the men's preliminary round against France in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
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Past Results: 2008-09, Individual

Statistically speaking, Carmelo Anthony had a bit of a down year during the 2008-09 campaign. His field goal percentage and scoring average plummeted, but that’s a very narrow definition of his season.

Regular season numbers can tell whatever story you’d like them to, but 2008-09 was one of the greatest years of Anthony’s career.

Despite missing 16 games due to injury, Anthony managed to set a pair of career highs. He averaged his most 3-point field goals made per game and shot his highest percentage from beyond the arc.

After living from midrange for his first five seasons, 2008-09 was the first time Anthony truly displayed an understanding for how valuable the 3-point shot can be.

More important than the stats is the fact that Anthony had one of the best postseason runs of his career. He averaged 27.2 points and 4.1 assists during that postseason run, which were both career-best numbers as of 2008-09.

If the New York Knicks get an Anthony that goes off during the NBA Playoffs, how could anyone be upset with that?

Next: 2008-09: Team Results