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NBA Player Power Rankings: Is the Race for MVP Over?

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 24, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks on against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks interim head coach Kurt Rambis looks on with forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. The Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks interim head coach Kurt Rambis looks on with forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. The Trail Blazers defeated the Knicks 104-85. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Last Rank: No. 19

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .424/.318/.816

Season Averages: 35.1 MPG, 21.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.3 3PM

Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players to never win a championship. He’s an all-time scorer with nine All-Star Game appearances and a combined nine selections to the All-NBA Second and Third teams.

Thus, the following statement is to be taken as seriously as possible: Anthony is having one of his best individual seasons to date.

Anthony’s scoring average and efficiency have both taken a sharp dip, which can be accredited to his minor injuries and a trying recovery from knee surgery. He’s averaging a career-best 4.2 assists per game, however, and is proving his worth as a selfless playmaker.

Most importantly, Anthony is playing the best defense of his career.

Anthony is currently holding opponents to 40.0 percent shooting from the field, per NBA.com. That’s a drop-off of 5.1 percent from the opposition’s average field goal percentage, and it comes with New York challenging Anthony to defend his position.

With his 32nd birthday nearing, Anthony is playing the type of style that would make him the perfect member of a Big Three.

Next: No. 18