New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Portland Trail Blazers?

Carmelo Anthony

It may seem odd for Carmelo Anthony to be included on this list, but his impact was much bigger than statistics. The criticism has been fair and just on occasion, but Anthony was a true team player against the Portland Trail Blazers.

On a night when his jump shot simply wasn’t falling, Anthony embraced the need to defend at a high level and do the dirty work—yes, the dirty work.

Anthony recorded a quality 17 points in 36 minutes, but he did so on 7-of-22 shooting from the field. He added three 3-point field goals, but the statistics that truly matter were his six rebounds, two offensive boards, one block, and one steal.

Even bigger than the numbers was the fact that Anthony was banging bodies for loose balls and had a vital tap-out late in the fourth quarter to set up the victory-securing shot.

Anthony being willing to do the dirty work is a sign of just how far he’s come as a leader. He’s long been known as a scorer who shoots his way out of slumps, but in 2016-17, he’s been willing to play off-ball and has worked on defense.

Anthony is leading by example with his defensive intensity, timely shooting, and physicality down low. The Knicks are winning because of it.