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New York Knicks: Realistic goals for Carmelo Anthony in 2017-18

By Maxwell Ogden

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 08: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks walks onto the court prior to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 08: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks walks onto the court prior to a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 5: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on March 5, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 5: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors on March 5, 2017 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Close Out Close Games

Critics on the outside looking in don’t know this, but the New York Knicks lost a painful number of close games in 2016-17. That wasn’t Carmelo Anthony’s fault, but it’s an outright fact that New York struggled to win games that came down to the wire.

If the Knicks are going to realize their full potential, then Anthony will need to step up and do what he’s done best in the NBA: Close out games.

The Knicks lost 26 games by single digits during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. That includes 10 losses by three points or less, 15 losses by five points or less, and three different losses in overtime—the definition of heartbreak.

It’s not on Anthony alone to ensure that the Knicks win close games, but his role as the closer creates an elevated level of pressure and a heavier burden.

it’s a tall task, especially at 33 years of age, but Anthony can silence his critics by restoring his reputation in the clutch. New York should have enough firepower to keep games close in 2017-18, especially if Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez develop in the manners expected of them.

if that proves to be the case, then Anthony will have a chance to flirt with All-NBA status by closing out victories for a team that has a chance to sneak into the playoffs.

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