NY Knicks: Almost two weeks into the 2013-2104 NBA season, Carmelo Anthony, much to the Knick fans’ dismay has shown once again why he is not a top-10 player in the NBA. Melo is clearly a top-10 scorer, but a top-10 overall player; no chance. Although it is still November, Knick fans must accept this fact and the very real assumption that these Knicks will be lucky to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
With a much-improved Eastern conference (albeit this season is only 2 weeks old), forget about the Knicks contending with the Heat and Pacers, the Knicks must first focus on making the playoffs. It seems as if they have taken a page out of the New York Giants playbook for the 2013-14 season, and have been every bit disappointing, if not more. Luckily or which may prove to be unlucky for the Knicks, they play 82 games and not 16, meaning they can still ‘right the ship’.
Yes, 6 games into an 82 game season it is hard to jump to final conclusions. However, the Knicks will only go as far as Melo will take them. Judging on his career to date, that means it will not be very far. Carmelo Anthony is clearly a top-10 offensive scorer, however that by any means does not mean he is a top-10 player. Below is a list (salaries aside, and including age and not including stats/fantasy numbers) of players I would rather build my team around than Melo in no particular order;
LeBron James
Paul George
Kyrie Irving
Russell Westbrook
Kevin Love
Derrick Rose
Kevin Durant
Chris Paul
Damien Lilliard
Toss up between
James Harden
Dwight Howard
Steph Curry
Anthony Davis
If you do not agree with my list, let me explain why I would rather have any of these players to start a franchise with over Carmelo Anthony. This is just my opinion, but Melo is the most overrated player in the NBA. If he never won the NCAA Championship at Syracuse, his career would be considered on the same level as Tracy McGrady’s career, if not worse. You could actually make an argument that T-Mac was as one point in his career a top-3 player if not better. He won back-to-back scoring titles (2002-03, 2003-04) and played nearly identical to each other (both are 6’8” and weigh around 230 lbs.).
Melo is selfish on offense with a career average of 8.9-19.5 in field goals made per attempts (.455 field goal percentage). Yes, Kobe Bryant takes and misses a lot of shots as well, but he is a complete two-way player (offense and defense) and has a knack for elevating his teammates play, especially when it matters most come playoff time. Carmelo Anthony is now in his 13th year in the NBA and as only made it out of the first round of the playoffs twice (2008-09 and 2012-13 seasons)! Can Melo score with the best of them; the answer is obviously yes as he is the reigning NBA scoring champion.
However, can he play a complete two way game for a full season with the best of them; the answer is not yet as to date, as I mentioned, 12 full seasons and only 2 times past the 1st round. At age 29, don’t expect him to alter his game if he has not already, which will amount to be his biggest problem. Melo and his isolation play kill all offensive rhythm for the other 4 players on the court, and his playoff record has shown it is not effective when it counts the most.
When players’ age and their bodies aren’t what they used to be, and they usually learn how to slow the game down, make plays for their teammates and improve the locker room culture. All three of the above mentioned, Melo has not done and has shown no desire to in the immediate future. Mix that in with his reputation for being a coach killer (George Karl with the Denver Nuggets and Mike D’Antoni and possibly Mike Woodson with the Knicks) and Melo has faded out of the top-10 player list, if he was ever on it. He might say the right things during press conferences or holding player only meetings, but his words seem to go in one ear and out the other. True leaders challenge their teammates and bring the best out of them, something Melo has repeatedly failed in Denver and in New York.
Don’t get me wrong, Carmelo Anthony is still a perennial threat in this league, and with his natural scoring ability he can single handily win a game. However, his negative parts outweigh his positive aspects and with him already into his 13th season, expect Melo to keep declining as he gets older and goes through more wear and tear. Sorry Knick fans, but maybe the best option will be for Melo to walk during free agency, wait for Amar’e Stoudemire’s contract to come off the books and rebuild. This Knick team, which had such high expectations coming into the season, has once again proven why they are not truly built to ‘contend’ for a championship let alone the East. Only Melo will be able to bring the best out of his teammates and with his isolation style of play, it will never happen. The truth hurts, but you cannot argue with facts and history.
Justin Lerner: PureSportsNY