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New York Knicks: 5 Reasons They Might Be Legit

By Gerald Bourguet

Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrates his game-winning shot with forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) celebrates his game-winning shot with forward Kristaps Porzingis (6) during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Knicks defeated the Timberwolves 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Knicks
Nov 25, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) gestures after scoring a three point basket during the first quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

2. An Experienced Touch

Carmelo Anthony hasn’t exactly been “great” in 2016-17. Though he’s averaging a team-high 22.5 points per game, his 449 total points have come on 379 shots, putting him at .433/.350/.868 shooting splits. By comparison, Porzingis’ 411 points have come on 319 shots, putting him at .470/.391/.786 splits.

But even with an impending changing of the guard in the Big Apple, Carmelo Anthony’s experience shouldn’t be overlooked. He hasn’t been playing the most efficient basketball, but in the last two weeks alone, he’s knocked down two go-ahead jumpers to hoist his team to victory late in games.

The Knicks aren’t title contenders by any means, but that kind of playoff experience could be invaluable if they find themselves in a competitive first round series down the road. There will be plenty of butterflies in Porzingis’ stomach whenever his first playoff series comes around, which is why having a certified star like Melo to set the example is so helpful.

Anthony has been a tad inconsistent so far this season, but aside from his late-game heroics, performances like his 35-14-5 against the Hornets or his 31 points in a win against Atlanta prove that on the right night, this historically elite scorer still has more than enough tricks in his bag to get the job done.

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