Houston Rockets: Clyde Drexler is the blueprint for Carmelo Anthony

Carmelo Anthony should be following in the footsteps of another 10-time All-Star as he prepares for his stint with the Houston Rockets

Carmelo Anthony officially signed with the Houston Rockets earlier this week, a move that was anticipated for quite some time.

After spending eight years with the Denver Nuggets, seven tumultuous seasons with the New York Knicks and a brief stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston is the best fit for a future Hall of Famer who has only advanced to the Conference Finals once in his career.

Not just because of the current roster, but the experience the organization has had with aging superstars in the past.

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Carmelo Anthony has never played for an organization that already had a blueprint in place. In Denver he teamed up with Allen Iverson, who never fully relinquished the role of the star, despite declining skills on the floor. The Knicks front office was a wreck. Last year in OKC was as much about keeping Paul George happy enough to re-sign with the squad, as it was winning right away.

Carmelo is joining a team where he may very well be the final piece of the puzzle. Ironically, it’s very similar to another 10-time All-Star who landed in Houston midway through the 1995 season.

Clyde Drexler was in his 12th year when he joined the Rockets and helped the franchise win its second-straight NBA title. Although he was still able to play at a high level, his role in Houston was much different than it was as a member of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Drexler averaged just 15 shots a game for the first time since his third year in the league. Despite receiving less offensive opportunities, he still scored 21 points per game, while shooting a career high .506 field goal percentage.

Carmelo Anthony should expect similar results. With defenders focusing on MVP winner James Harden, there will be plenty of open shots for Melo to knock down. Not to mention, coach Mike D’Antoni allows his guys to play a lot of isolation basketball. The former scoring champion is one of the best in the game at playing one-on-one, and will continue to thrive in that category this season.

While Drexler was a blessing for the Rockets, the organization hasn’t always had great success with aging superstars. Scottie Pippen and Charles Barkley joined forces the 1998-99 season, but unfortunately the aging Rockets were bounced from the first round of the playoffs by a youthful Lakers squad that featured Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

Houston’s current roster could easily fall victim to a similar path. Carmelo Anthony is 34 years old. Chris Paul’s 33-year-old body has failed him time and time again. The Rockets could have very well defeated the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals last year if CP3 was able to suit up for the last two games of the series.

The Rockets have to make a conscious effort to ensure that the role players don’t become accustom to just watching the action. Houston wouldn’t have back-to-back championships if it weren’t for guys like Kenny Smith and Vernon Maxwell, stepping up to compliment Hakeem Olajuwon. PJ Tucker needs to get his touches throughout the season. Clint Capela has to remain out of foul trouble. Michael Carter-Williams must show signs that he can carry the second unit.

Speaking of the second unit, there’s a notion that Carmelo Anthony has to come off the bench in order for his tenure with the Rockets to be successful. In addition to Michael Carter-Williams, Houston’s second unit features Eric Gordon and Gerald Green. All three of those guards play at an extremely rapid pace and it would be tough for Melo to keep up at this stage of his career.

Carmelo made it clear, during last year’s press conference with the Thunder, that the idea of him coming off the bench is a joke. If you’re the Houston Rockets, it makes no sense to bring Melo to the team knowing that he’s going to be frustrated with his role. They would have been better off keeping a content Trevor Ariza, who played an integral role in last season.

It’s not that Carmelo Anthony needs to accept a lesser role. He just needs to be conscious of his ability to play his game without interrupting the flow of the team. He is a rare talent offensively and can get a shot off whenever he chooses. That can be a gift and a curse. Teammates like James Harden and Chris Paul have heard the same criticism at varying stages in their careers.

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There are high expectations for the Houston Rockets heading into this season. Because of last year’s success, the finger will be pointed at Carmelo Anthony if this team fails. After all, his teams have struggled in the postseason throughout his career.

But in this scenario, unlike any of those before, Carmelo has a blueprint for how to win. It’s up to him if he decides to follow it.

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