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New York Knicks: Second Half Preview

By Sean Linhares

Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks associate head coach Kurt Rambis looks on against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks associate head coach Kurt Rambis looks on against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Knicks beat the Raptors 111-109. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) guarded by Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) guarded by Utah Jazz guard Dante Exum (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Carmelo Anthony’s Health

Few stories have been as significant during the Knicks’ first half than the resurgence of Carmelo Anthony.

The 31-year-old Melo has become the player critics always wanted him to be, playing the best overall basketball of his career. While his points per game is his lowest since 2005, Anthony’s defensive rebounds and assists are both career highs and his Defensive Rating is the third highest of his career.

Anthony’s play is even more remarkable when you remember that he played in only 40 games all year last season, missing the entire second half after undergoing knee surgery. In fact, the only problem Melo has had this season stems from that same injury, as his surgically repaired knee has bothered him at points, causing Anthony to miss seven games.

Now seven games may not seem like much, and if the Knicks were managing to win at least a couple of those games, Anthony’s health would be far from a concern. The problem here is that New York is an astounding 0-7 in games without their star player.

Melo himself has said he plans on playing in every game down the stretch, which is a nice thought but likely unreasonable. At 31-years-old and knee issues becoming a part of life, it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Anthony miss at least a few more games in the second half of the season.

With that in mind, the Knicks will simply have to find a way to win without him. It’s unaccaptable for a team that wants to be competing for a playoff spot fall off the map every time their best player can’t go. Obviously you understand losing a game or two because of that, but New York has to find a way to grind out a victory every now and then, regardless of whether or not Carmelo Anthony can play.

With two of the Knicks’ seven losses without Melo coming in overtime, this team will have to find a way to finish games without their premier scorer. Throwing the ball down to Arron Afflalo for a contested fadeaway jumper for the last five possessions clearly just isn’t working at this point.

Next: The Future

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