It’s safe to say that Carmelo Anthony‘s spell with the Los Angeles Lakers has begun way better than many people expected, even for those who were actually optimistic with his arrival.
The veteran forward has proven early in the 2021-22 NBA regular season why the Lakers were right in going after him during the offseason, showing he’s ready to give them a boost coming off the bench.
Melo has dropped a team and game high23 points on Sunday against the Houston Rockets to improve his team’s record to 4-3. The 37-year-old is well-known for his scoring abilities, but he made sure of makingit clear that’s not his only strength.
Carmelo Anthony explains whichaspect of his gamedoesn’t get much recognition
Carmelo Anthony seems to always find a way to get buckets, regardless of his age, the team he’s playing for, nor the role he has on the team. His tenure in Portland proved that and now he’s doing it again in Los Angeles.
After being out of the NBA for more than a year, he had to accept a new role with the Trail Blazers and he revitalized his career since then. And now he’s responding perfectly to that role at the Lakers. To sumup, he has shown no problems whatsoever to adapt to different situations, and that’s what he thinks is not widely appreciated.
“I think people don’t really understand me. I think there’s a misconception out there about me and not being able to adapt to situations,” Anthony said, as quoted by the Los Angeles Times. “But I’m easily adaptable, man, to any situation. I always try to adapt to every situation that I’ve been in. Some better than others, but this is just an easy adaptation for me. Just being here, being around the guys, basketball minds that I’m around and also unselfish — just being ready. Just staying ready, understanding what’s needed from me on a night-to-night basis and just being prepared.”
Carmelo Anthony talks about his defensive abilities
Part of that adaptation to different situations implies he’s not just a guy who can help by scoring. On Sunday’s victory, Melo showed off some defensive skills as well by recording four blocks and two steals.
“I’m just trying to stick to the scheme, honestly just do what I’m supposed to do on the defensive end within our scheme,” he told Mike Trudell post-game. “Be there and be in position where I’m supposed to be at. I’m starting to get more used to just what we’re trying to do with our scheme and where I’m at on the court defensively moreso than offensively so. Today was one of those games, we were doing it in great fashion. I think I did a great job of being in position, being in spots.”
The season has just begun but it would be fair to say Carmelo Anthony has exceeded expectations so far. Because, even though the Lakers landed him thinking about this kind of help he could provide, the truth is that Melo is being even more impactful than expected. And not only because of the points he scored, but also because he can help on different ways and be adaptable to what the team needs.