New York Knicks: Players Who Stepped Up Against Brooklyn Nets

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Oct 8, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (11) defends New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Carmelo Anthony

Position: Small Forward
Minutes Played: 19
Stat Line: 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 offensive rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block, 1 steal, 6/11 FG, 2/4 3PT, 2/4 FT
+/-: +4

The New York Knicks will ride Carmelo Anthony to either success or failure in 2016-17. That ship will not be abandoned if things don’t go according to plan; Anthony is the franchise player and New York is trusting him to embrace that responsibility.

Following a rough game against the Houston Rockets, Anthony torched the Brooklyn Nets 16 points in just 19 minutes of playing time.

Anthony did a bit of everything on the offensive end. He shot the 3-ball, worked from midrange, attacked the offensive glass, and killed the Nets’ interior players with his agility and second jump—the latter of which he struggled with in 2015-16.

Anthony’s final stat line included 16 points, four rebounds, two offensive boards, three assists, one block, and one steal.

As the latter two statistics would imply, Anthony gave a solid effort on defense. He played a well-rounded two-way game, which is exactly what team president Phil Jackson asked him to do prior to the 2015-16 NBA regular season.

Anthony looked both like himself and the all-around player he could become.

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