Schmeelk's Stance: Carmelo Figuring It Out

By John Schmeelk
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FIGURING OUT HOW TO WIN

They are just words, but if Carmelo Anthony truly believes them it could mean great things for the Knicks. This was Carmelo yesterday, courtesy of Alan Hahn of Newsday and his Knicks Fix: "We hope that we can score 30 points and everybody else contributes in their own way, but for me, personally? I don't want to do that," he said. "I don't want to put that pressure on me to go out there and say that I want to score 30 points a night. I'm past that now." Anthony said something similar a week ago, how he would prefer to get easier shots in the flow of the offense rather than bullying his way to the basket in isolation situations. That was the game Carmelo played last night and it is a tease of what could be possible if Carmelo's statements are more than just words.

There's not one bad thing any Knicks fan, or basketball fan, could say about Carmelo's game against the Utah Jazz. It was beautiful in its efficiency, 12-16 from the field, 6-6 from the line and 5 assists. He got his numbers in the flow of the offense. Carmelo played great with Amar'e Stoudemire and was a willing passer, finding his teammate for open looks including a beautiful bounce pass for a layup on a pick and roll. If Carmelo is a willing passer (and he can be a good one) and lets his offense come naturally, this Knicks offense, especially once Chauncey Billups comes back, will be unstoppable.

If the Knicks can run more of their offense through Carmelo, knowing he is willing to share the ball and make his teammates better, everyone will be better off. In truth, as much as Amar'e had to shoulder the scoring load the first half of the season by going one on one, he is far more comfortable being a finisher on the receiving end of passes as he is going towards the basket. In his short time here, it's already clear that Billups can get him the ball consistently in good spots, but if Carmelo can do it, look out. Obviously neither Stoudemire nor Anthony is going to shoot like they did against the Jazz every night, but if they get the same quality of shots they will shoot a high percentage.

Due to his ridiculous ability to score the ball going to the basket, whenever Carmelo catches the ball on the wing or mid-post the entire defense shifts to his side of the court to help. After a few dribbles to the basket finding Stoudemire cutting to the basket should be easy. Or, if the defense simply clogs the lane, Stoudemire will be free for a mid-range jumper or one of his teammates wide open for a three. It's simple basketball, and plays into Mike D'Antoni's system, which stresses ball movement and spacing. If Carmelo can take advantage of those principles and truly be worried about getting the best shot, rather than his own shot, he will vault himself into the LeBron stratosphere of stardom.

If Carmelo is willing to do less, the team will do more. As Anthony said, he has already proven he can score with anyone in the league. He hasn't proven he can win with anyone in the league. That starts with being unselfish on offense. It includes being dedicated on defense every single night, something he and Amar'e talk about, but don't show on the court consistently enough. If those things happen, the Knicks will be a championship contender sooner, rather than later.

UP AND UNDER

Up: Neither can shoot a lick, but Anthony Carter and Jared Jeffries bring intangibles to the court every time they stop onto it. Both care about defense, hustle and getting their teammates involved a lot more than getting their own points. These are the types of players that Amar'e and Carmelo need to be surrounded by. Honorable mention for Roger Mason here, who played well in limited action in two straight games. If he can keep shooting well, he'll keep playing.

Under: Toney Douglas? Really? Why? He's playing perhaps his best basketball as a member of the Knicks, averaging 16 points a game since Billups got hurt. He's also averaging 6 assists, but if this stretch has proven anything, it's that Douglas still does not have what it takes to be a playmaker for the Knicks. He is a very useful player that can score in bunches and defend, but a traditional point guard that sets up his teammates, he is not.

AROUND THE WORLD

I know it's easy to take shots at the Miami Heat for crying in the locker room after the game, but people need to get a grip. I doubt players were wailing with tears flowing like my four year old nephew after he skins his knee. All Erik Spoelstra was trying to show was that his team cares a lot about winning, and hates to lose. Now, there should be some worry about the Heat's apparent inability to beat the better teams in the NBA. Their problems at the ends of the games are well documented. Just to switch it up, at some point they need to run a play that's not LeBron James setting up 30 feet away and going one on one. He's still the best player in the league, but it doesn't have to be that hard. How about a high screen and roll, with Dwyane Wade handling the ball and LeBron setting the screen? How about working off of Chris Bosh in the high post? Spoelstra needs to show some creativity.

THE FADEAWAY

There are those that have written how Mike D'Antoni's offense isn't right for the combination of Billups and Carmelo, players that excel in the half court. No, the Knicks probably won't run as much with a 34 year old point guard, but that doesn't mean D'Antoni's system still doesn't work. His spacing and ball movement principles, the true foundation of his system, work perfectly well with the current roster. Anthony, Billups, and Stoudemire will get better looks in his system than they will get elsewhere because of his system. Don't be ready to dump D'Antoni just yet. Now, if he can't motivate his team to play defense every night, or put in a good consistent defensive scheme, we can have this conversation again.

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