National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony Prepared To Spread The Wealth

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

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New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony isn’t worried about shot attempts or touches. If it helps the team win, he’ll happily spread the wealth.

In just 48 game minutes, the New York Knicks managed to turn jeers to cheers and skepticism to optimism. Mere days after a lopsided 117-89 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, New York picked up a big W in the home opener.

Though it wasn’t his finest performance as a scorer, Carmelo Anthony proved that he’s more of an all-around player than his reputation would imply.

Anthony finished with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists as New York pulled out a 111-104 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. It was a tremendous all-around performance by the Knicks, which shot 52.6 percent from the field as a team.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Anthony has no issue with spreading the wealth for the betterment of the team.

“You don’t see me complaining about it. You didn’t see me out there making a face,” Anthony said. “[It’s] something that I embrace. I look forward to just being out there with guys who can control the game and make plays, and when it’s my time, it’s my time.”

That selfless mentality will be the key to the Knicks’ postseason aspirations in 2016-17.

Anthony averaged a career-high 4.2 assists per game in 2015-16. Encouraging as that was, New York finished at 32-50 and Anthony was both recovering from injuries and battling new issues throughout the regular season.

With the 2016-17 Knicks, Anthony has the necessary level of talent around him to truly become an all-around player.

The Memphis game was an example of him doing so.

Anthony has recorded a usage rate of 28.5 or higher in every season since 2007-08, when he checked in at 27.5. He’s at 29.4 through two games in 2016-17, which lends credence to the belief that he’ll continue to see a high number of touches this season.

With what may be the best supporting cast he’s had since his days in Denver, it’s on Anthony to lead by example as a true team player.

So far, so good.