New York Knicks: 5 Takeaways From Their Homestand

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Feb 12, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) yells to the crowd after hitting a three-point basket during the second half against the San Antonio Spurs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Carmelo Anthony Can Still Fill It Up

Carmelo Anthony has received a lot of criticism this season. Fans have begun booing him at home games and Phil Jackson continues to play mind games, and lose, against Anthony. Despite receiving the brunt of the negativity surrounding the Knicks this season, Anthony still shows up and performs.

Anthony has battled a shoulder injury for almost two months now, but has missed only one game. He shows up on a nightly basis and gives this team all he has. Despite digging in about wanting to stay, people still find reasons to be negative about Anthony.

One thing people were saying was that he was declining. While Anthony is not as spry at 32 years old as he was when the Knicks first acquired him, he can still fill it up with the best of them. Over the five-game homestand, Anthony averaged 25.8 points per game, making 49 percent of his shots from the field and 43.3 percent from deep.

Anthony has been picked as the problem for the Knicks, but he has been far from the problem recently. He has seen his scoring average and efficiency pick up in 2017, as he is hitting his stride offensively. Yes, he still has his down moments defensively, but he remains one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NBA.

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Anthony should be given some praise for wanting to stick it out with the Knicks. He committed to them when he hit free agency three years ago and wants to see it through. Jackson can continue to push to trade him all he wants, but at the end of the day it remains Anthony’s decision as he has the full no-trade clause in his contract.

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