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Houston Rockets: 3 reasons Carmelo Anthony is a good fit

By Gavriel Wilkins

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2017 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Thunder 111-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 16: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 16, 2017 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Thunder 111-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images
Photo by Shareif Ziyadat/Getty Images /

3. Fits well alongside Chris Paul and James Harden

In spite of shooting a career-low 40.4 percent from the field last season, Anthony still managed to showcase a fairly solid stroke when playing off the ball, as the former scoring champion found most of his offensive success during instances in which he was not asked to create off the dribble.

Prior to going completely cold in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, Anthony proved to be a reliable catch-and-shoot specialist for Oklahoma City, sporting a 54.3 effective field goal percentage during the regular season. He was a superior marksman when garnering long range looks either above the break or from the right corner, producing an effective field goal percentage clip of 53.7 and 60 percent, respectively.

Although Melo possesses the ability to make plays for himself out in isolation, playing alongside of Chris Paul and James Harden could be the best thing to happen in his career, as Anthony does not have to worry about opposing defenses collapsing onto him as the main ball-handler, generating better looks in the process.

The 15-year veteran will likely be a recipient of wide open shots in the following situations, as Paul and Harden will seek to take advantage of countless driving lanes to set him up for easy catch-and-shoot looks and above-the-break 3-pointers in transition.

Should Anthony find a way to knock them down, then he could very well serve as an upgraded replacement to Ryan Anderson en route to putting together his finest shooting season as a pro.

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