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New York Knicks: ESPN ranks Carmelo Anthony as No. 64 player in NBA

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts after he is called for a foul in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 27: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts after he is called for a foul in the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Madison Square Garden on March 27, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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ESPN has little respect for what Carmelo Anthony brings to his team. Find out where the New York Knicks star is ranked on the Top 100.

New York Knicks fans have spent the past four seasons debating whether or not the organization can win with Carmelo Anthony as the No. 1. Never during that time have people questioned his ability, although some have debated whether he’s using it in the most ideal of manners.

Ahead of the 2017-18 NBA regular season, it appears as though those outside of New York have completely disregarded Anthony’s value.

The working theory around the NBA writers circle is that Anthony is a more prolific player by name than results. That belief is based in some part on the fact that New York has missed the playoffs in four consecutive seasons.

In the release of the 2017 ESPN #NBARank, it was revealed just how far Anthony has fallen from grace—so much so that he’s now ranked at No. 64, one spot behind Lonzo Ball.

"Entering his 15th season, Anthony’s days as a top-50 player might be finished as he comes in 33 spots below last season’s ranking. His drop is tied for the largest by anyone that finished in the top 35 a season ago."

Yes, that means that Anthony has been ranked behind a player who has played a grand total of zero NBA games.

Even if one looks beyond the fact that he’s ranked behind a rookie, it’s questionable to have him behind Houston Rockets shooting guard Eric Gordon. That’s in no way a slight against Gordon, but instead an acknowledgement of the necessary context.

Anthony has been linked to Houston in incessant trade rumors, and would all but certainly receive more touches and responsibility than Gordon if that were to transpire.

If nothing else, this is yet another form of motivation for Hoodie Melo to use in anticipation of Actual Melo’s 15th NBA season.

Anthony, a 10-time All-Star, hasn’t been voted All-NBA since 2013. He has, however, continued his streak of legendary scoring seasons by reaching 14 consecutive years with an average of at least 20.0 points per game.

If Anthony continues this streak, he’d join Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, and, potentially, LeBron James as the only players to average at least 20.0 points per game in each of their first 15 NBA seasons.

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Yet, New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony finds himself ranked behind an incoming rookie and a potential teammate he’d surpass in the pecking order if he’s expectedly traded.

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