Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Player Power Rankings: The Final Push For MVP

By Maxwell Ogden

Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) hands off the ball in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Thunder defeated the Nuggets 124-102. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 21
Next
Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) brings the ball up court defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) brings the ball up court defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

19. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Last Rank: No. 17

Position: Small Forward

Age: 31

Slash Line: .434/.340/.827

Season Averages: 35.4 MPG, 21.9 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 4.2 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.5 3PM

The New York Knicks are 31-48, but that’s more of a reason to praise Carmelo Anthony than criticize him. New York has overachieved so tremendously when Anthony is in the rotation that the notion of blaming him for their struggles borders on unfathomable.

Thus far in 2015-16, New York is 31-39 when Anthony is active and 0-9 when he doesn’t play.

Anthony leads the Knicks in points, rebounds, assists, and 3-point field goals made per game. He’s tied for the team lead in steals per game, and is No. 1 in both free throws converted and free throws attempted per contest.

Thus, it’s quite difficult to blame Anthony, who has finally completed his recovery from 2015 knee surgery, for New York’s struggles.

This most recent week wasn’t Anthony’s best, but his performance against the Charlotte Hornets was a shining example of his new mentality. He scored just 15 points, but tallied seven assists, six rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in his 38 minutes of action.

Anthony has embraced a team-first mentality, and it’s been one of the only reasons for New York remaining relevant.

Next: The Value of Consistency