NBA Player Rankings: Top-10 Small Forwards In The NBA

Dec 27, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; New York Knicks forward

(7) dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings in the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

6. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Numbers to know:
10.43 – average shot distance in Melo’s first 3 seasons
14.63 – average shot distance in Melo’s last 3 seasons

Basketball Reference’s similarity scores have Melo’s career (through 12 seasons) akin to Rasheed Wallace, A.C. Green, and Dennis Rodman. All three have won championships as third wheels, not leaders.

See where I’m going with this? The (champion)ship may have sailed last offseason, when he chose to re-sign with the Knicks, rather than explore greener pastures with the Chicago Bulls.

Depressing facts aside, Anthony is still a seasoned veteran who can still produce at a top-5 scoring clip. While the triangle is obviously forcing Melo to take his game further away from the rim, he’s actually producing with more efficiency (TS% first 3 seasons = 53.3%; TS% last 3 seasons = 55.1%). Phil Jackson had a fairly good offseason, signing Arron Afflalo and Robin Lopez, while drafting Euro-star, Kristaps Porzingis, and under-rated PG, Jerian Grant.

A return to the playoffs for the Knicks and restored glory for Anthony may not be too much of a stretch. Plus, you know…..the East!

Next: Gordon Hayward