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NBA Player Power Rankings: Russell Westbrook Pushing for MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) gestures from the court during the first quarter against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) waits for play to resume against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Knicks 91-89. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

17. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Last Rank: No. 17

Position: Small Forward

Slash Line: .435/.346/.827

Season Averages: 35.5 MPG, 22.1 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 3PM

It’s been a tedious process, but Carmelo Anthony is beginning to get his explosiveness back. He may never have the second jump that made him so dangerous in his younger years, but the elevation on Anthony’s jump shot is significantly more consistent than it was earlier this season.

The team results aren’t great, but Anthony’s individual performances offer reason for intrigue.

Anthony currently leads the Knicks in points, rebounds, assists, steals, 3-point field goals made, and free throws made per game. New York is 30-38 in the 68 games New York has played, and is 0-6 during the six games it played without him present.

Neither record is ideal, but the numbers are a clear display of how well Anthony has performed individually.

Anthony’s been the selfless face of the franchise, playing at a level that should be enough for New York to make a postseason push. For perspective, New York has a net rating of minus-0.8 with Anthony on the court and minus-6.7 when he isn’t.

That’s a difference of almost 6.0 points per 100 possessions.

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