NBA Player Power Rankings: Damian Lillard for MVP?
19. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Last Rank: No. 20
Position: Small Forward
Age: 31
Slash Line: .426/.325/.816
Season Averages: 35.0 MPG, 21.4 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.3 3PM
True to the form displayed by DeMar DeRozan, Carmelo Anthony has transformed his game in 2015-16. While DeRozan still has recognizable weaknesses, Anthony has turned his weaker areas into strengths—and yes, that includes his defense.
Thus far in 2015-16, the New York Knicks star has held the opposition to 40.7 percent shooting from the field, per NBA.com.
Anthony is dishing out a career-best 4.2 assists per game, which is a telling sign of his selfless mentality. He’s also pulling down 8.0 rebounds per game, which is the second-highest mark of his 13-year NBA career.
The Knicks are struggling to do much of anything by way of compiling wins, but Anthony is the last man to blame for their struggles.
Anthony opened the most recent week with 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals, and one block on 8-of-16 shooting from the field. He then tallied 30 points and 11 rebounds in a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and had 23 points, 11 boards, and five assists against the Toronto Raptors.
Anthony struggled in his battle with Paul George and the Indiana Pacers, but he’s undoubtedly Top 20 in 2015-16.
Next: The Under-Appreciated Three-Time All-Star