New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Milwaukee Bucks?
Carmelo Anthony
If games were titled like books or movies, this would have been Carmelo Anthony: The Redemption Game. He stepped up in the clutch, facilitated the offense, and even defended at a respectable level.
The end result was Anthony leading the Knicks to a road victory that temporarily silenced the critics and gave the Knicks a sense of hope.
Anthony went off for 26 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and a steal in 39 phenomenal minutes. He shot 8-of-20 from the field, 4-of-5 from 3-point range, and 6-of-9 from the free throw line, with no bigger shots than those that gave him 12 points in the fourth quarter alone.
Even more impressive than his clutch heroics may be the fact that Anthony had a 10-assist game for the first time since 2012.
Carmelo Anthony: 10 assists in a game for first time since April 17, 2012 against the Celtics
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 7, 2017
Anthony’s willingness to facilitate helped pace the Knicks’ offense through a high-scoring game. It also enabled him to conserve energy and have enough lift remaining in his legs to take over during the most critical of moments.
Though every game requires a different approach, this strategy may be the most conducive to both individual and team success.