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New York Knicks: Five Reasons To Move Carmelo Anthony To PF

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek talks with forward Carmelo Anthony (7) in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Philadelphia 76ers won 98-97. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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January 5, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson talks with small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
January 5, 2013; Orlando FL, USA; New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson talks with small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. The Track Record

The single most important aspect of Carmelo Anthony potentially moving to power forward is that it’s worked before. For those unfamiliar, the New York Knicks moved Anthony to power forward for the 2012-13 NBA regular season.

It’s no coincidence that 2012-13 was both Anthony’s best individual season and the Knicks’ best campaign since the 1990s.

Anthony finished the 2012-13 NBA regular season with averages of 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.0 offensive boards, 2.6 assists, and 2.3 3-point field goals made per game. He did so on an efficient slash line of .449/.379/.830.

Most importantly, Anthony led New York to 54 wins and the Atlantic Division title—the most wins by a Knicks team since 1996-97 and the first division title since 1993-94.

One could very easily argue that Anthony is surrounded by more talent in 2016-17 than he was in 2012-13. He may not be playing with a leader like Jason Kidd, but Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick Rose are better second and third scoring options than what Anthony had four years ago.

The fact that Anthony had one of his best games of the season in his lone appearance at power forward in 2016-17 doesn’t hurt, either.

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