Houston Rockets: 3 goals for Carmelo Anthony in 2018-19

3. Get adjusted to playing off the ball

For the third time in three seasons, Carmelo Anthony finds himself on a new team, with an entirely different set of cast mates in Houston.

As a result, Anthony will have to get adjusted to playing with the likes of Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela over the next few months, in addition to Harden and Paul. Melo, who once routinely operated with the ball in his hands, will now be asked to spend the bulk load of his time away from it in Mike D’Antoni‘s offense.

Although Anthony did manage to slowly assimilate himself as an effective off-the-ball option at times with Oklahoma City, there were many moments where the 15-year veteran appeared to be quite uncomfortable. Melo must show that he is capable of thriving in this role consistently in order to see an expanded role with the Rockets.

Despite sporting a 54.3 effective field goal percentage in catch-and-shoot situations during the regular season, Anthony struggled to find the same success during the postseason, posting an effective field goal percentage of 29.2 percent in catch-and-shoot situations for the Thunder during the 2018 NBA Playoffs.

Should Anthony fail to take advantage of open shots created by Harden and Paul, then it could  mark the twilight of his career, as learning how to play effectively off the ball in Houston might provide him with his only shot at winning a championship.