Hoops Habit
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NBA Player Power Rankings: All-Star Break Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) hold their all star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
February 9, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) hold their all star jerseys before the game against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after a whistle during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts after a whistle during the third quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Pistons win 111-105. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

20. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Last Rank: No. 20

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .426/.327/.820

Season Averages: 34.8 MPG, 21.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Carmelo Anthony began this week with two of his least efficient shooting performances of the season. He went 4-of-18 during a loss to the Detroit Pistons and 7-of-19 at the Denver Nuggets, although he did record 17 rebounds and 15 assists between those two contests.

Just as he was ready to be written out of the Top 20, Anthony erupted for 33 points and 13 rebounds on 12-of-22 shooting against the Washington Wizards.

Anthony’s biggest struggle in 2015-16 has been getting the ideal lift under him on his jump shots. Roughly one year removed from season-ending knee surgery, it’s games like the 33-point performance against Washington that suggest he’s returning to form.

While his shooting touch has faltered, Anthony’s commitment to defense and emergence as a quality facilitator offer reason to be intrigued.

Anthony is holding opponents to 38.7 percent shooting, which is 6.3 percentage points lower than their average field goal percentage—an elite number. He’s also dishing out a career-best 4.2 assists per game, which happens to be the highest mark of any player on the Knicks.

Take this as you will: Anthony’s 33-point and 13-rebound eruption was his first game without recently fired head coach Derek Fisher.

Next: Vastly Improved