National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Mentoring Mindaugas Kuzminskas

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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New York Knicks rookie Mindaugas Kuzminskas is learning something new from Carmelo Anthony. The lessons have been a daily routine at training camp.

If New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony has proven anything over the past year-and-a-half, it’s that he’s willing to be a mentor. He took Kristaps Porzingis under his wing in 2015-16 and was the leader of an inexperienced Team USA squad at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Whether or not the official mentor label is brandished, Anthony appears to be coaching up another player: Mindaugas Kuzminskas.

Kuzminskas, a Lithuanian player who’s spent the past three years in Spain’s vaunted Liga ACB, is no stranger to top talent. He played against some of the best international players in the world in Liga ACB and at the Olympics.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, Kuzminskas felt an immediate connection with the franchise player.

“When I got here, he asked me right away how was the Olympics and about my team,’’ Kuzminskas said. “Such a big player to know something about me, I felt immediately better on the team. Every day I pick up something from him, defending him at the practices are unforgettable, priceless.”

There aren’t many practice experiences more valuable than having to defend Carmelo Anthony.

Anthony is No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, won the 2013 scoring title, and is a six-time All-NBA honoree. His array of post moves, lethality from midrange and beyond the arc, and patented jab step have given even the best of defenders trouble.

The fact that Anthony is the player giving Kuzminskas a crash course on defending small forwards in the NBA bodes quite well for the 26-year-old’s long-term development.

Kuzminskas has experience playing against a high level of competition, but NBA small forwards are a different breed. Anthony may be the most well-rounded scoring threat, but he’s far from the only player worth discussing.

Kuzminskas will be matched up against the likes of Kevin Durant, Paul George, LeBron James, and Kawhi Leonard.

A decorated player on the international scene, Kuzminskas is learning the NBA ropes from one of the best in the business at training camp.