Knicks: Carmelo Anthony is Playing MVP Basketball

The term MVP is one of the most coveted in the world of sports besides champion, and the Knicks Carmelo Anthony is playing like a MVP this season. The story on Anthony was his ball hogging ways, immaturity, and unwillingness to work within a system. For a moment it looked true last year as Mike D’Antoni’s system floundered under Anthony. The glaring factor in that equation however was not Anthony stopping the ball, behaving immaturely, or not running the system. All of which Anthony made improvements in, considering his history. Defense, or lack thereof, decided D’Antoni’s fate in the long run last year. The Knicks opted for Mike Woodson, a defensive savvy coach to lead the reigns. This season with the addition of some solid veteran pieces we have been seeing a different Carmelo Anthony. You won’t find many of these changes in the stat sheets. Anthony this season makes the proper pass, instead of a forced pass out the post or last ditch effort. More players are scoring because of Anthony’s willingness to move the ball, early in the shot clock. Teams are now afraid to leave shooters. Iman Shumpert and Landry Fields didn’t have that luxury last season. Improved scoring by his teammates in return gives Anthony better looks at the basket. Anthony is second in the NBA in the scoring department at 27.9ppg. Anthony has also displayed a tremendous amount of hustle this season. A cut that required six stitches on his finger was the result of Anthony diving for a loose ball. MVP candidates are expected to lead by example. A player of Anthony’s caliber is going to take shots to assist their team in victory. That is where majority of Anthony’s ill-advised attempts are manifested. Other great scorers have fell guilty to doing too much. You take the good with the bad in those situations. Who thought that Carmelo Anthony averaging less assists would mean Knick victories? The ball isn’t in Anthony’s hand every possession. The guards are dishing while the Knicks swish as a team. This season like all champions have, Anthony is perfecting his game. Every time he passes the ball around and assures no one else has a better shot before going one-on-one. Stepping over to give another player some room or an angle to the basket. Tenaciously going after loose balls and scavenging for every possession. Those are traits you’re used to hearing about Carmelo Anthony. Get used to them as well as those MVP chants from the Garden rafters. The same sound that echoed as Knick great Patrick Ewing graced the floor in a Knicks uniform. As long as the Knicks keep improving on the glass, playing stellar defense, and Anthony continues to mold his game as a complete player, they’ll be there for a while. Follow Me On Twitter