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NBA Player Power Rankings: Three-Quarter Season Awards

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts with forward Draymond Green (23) after making a three point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) reacts against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Pistons 102-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

18. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Award: N/A

Last Rank: No. 19

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .432/.321/.820

Season Averages: 35.3 MPG, 21.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.3 3PM

It doesn’t make much sense that New York Knicks fans are calling for Carmelo Anthony’s head. He leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game, has become a more willing passer, is playing some of the best defense of his career, and has been instrumental in the development of Kristaps Porzingis.

Anthony is one of the more polarizing players in the NBA, but he’s undoubtedly deserving of a Top 20 ranking.

It may not matter much for the Knicks in 2015-16, but the fact that Anthony is beginning to look like himself is promising for the future. His knee seems to be feeling fine, and that’s enabled him to go off for a number of explosive scoring performances.

The most encouraging aspect of Anthony’s recent uptick in production as a scorer is the fact that he’s improved his efficiency and maintained his effort to facilitate.

Over the past six games, Anthony is averaging 25.8 points and 3.8 assists on 49.6 percent shooting from the field. He torched the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets for 30 points apiece this past week, had 24 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in a win over the Detroit Pistons, and tallied 23 points on 15 shots against the Phoenix Suns.

Anthony is in the process of reattaining his superstar status, but his commitment to defending and facilitating at respectable levels deserves praise.

Next: The Slashing Star