National Basketball Association

New York Knicks: Five Reasons Carmelo Anthony Is Still A Top 20 Player

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:36 p.m. ET

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Sports Illustrated recently released its list of the Top 100 NBA Players of 2017. New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony was ranked outside of the Top 20.

Aug 21, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; USA forward Carmelo Anthony (15) and USA guard Kyrie Irving (10) pose for a picture after winning the gold medal in the men’s basketball gold medal match during the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: David E. Klutho-USA TODAY Sports

Phil Jackson and the New York Knicks are placing their faith in Carmelo Anthony being able to silence his critics. The skeptics are out in abundance entering the 2016-17 season, as many point to Anthony’s age and lack of a championship as reasons to doubt his abilities.

Perhaps the most egregious slight Anthony has endured was at the hands of Sports Illustrated, which claims he’s no longer a Top 20 player.

Sports Illustrated recently released its annual list of the Top 100 players in the NBA. Anthony made the cut, of course, but he was ranked at No. 24 overall—below the likes of Al Horford and DeAndre Jordan.

A Top 25 ranking is nothing to scoff at, but there are numerous reasons to believe Anthony is still a Top 20 player in the modern NBA.

Anthony has the accolades of a surefire Hall of Famer. He’s a six-time All-NBA honoree, a nine-time All-Star, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, a former scoring champion, and he currently ranks No. 29 on the all-time scoring list.

Accolades are a sign of past success, but there are five legitimate reasons to believe Anthony is still one of the Top 20 players in the NBA.

Apr 1, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) defended by Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks defeated the Nets 105-91. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

5. Positional Versatility

Don’t confuse well-rounded statistics with positional versatility. Many players can rebound well from their position, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they can box out and bang down low—just as being able to hit open jumpers doesn’t mean a player can create their own offense.

One of the most valuable aspects of Carmelo Anthony’s game is the positional versatility that he possesses—a trait that few can match.

When a player can effectively play multiple positions on the floor, that offers a significant upgrade in value. Anthony certainly fits the bill as a Top 5 small forward and an unstoppable force when placed at power forward.

Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant kept it brief when explaining why Anthony is so effective at the 4. Per John Schuhmann of NBA.com:

“You can’t guard him with a big fella,” Kevin Durant said of Anthony.

It’s as simple as that.

Anthony is too strong for the average small forward and too quick for the average power forward. Even in the era of hybrids and small-ball sets, he’s one of the most physically overwhelming players in the NBA.

Anthony is also too skilled to give space, with top-flight proficiency from the post, midrange, and beyond the arc when found in rhythm.

Under an open-minded head coach, Jeff Hornacek, Anthony should remind the masses of how valuable it is to have a player with positional versatility.

4. Leadership

You may be able to find 24 players who have better numbers, reputations, or advanced metric ratings than Carmelo Anthony. Ben Golliver and Rob Mahoeny of Sports Illustrated certainly believe that they were able to.

There aren’t 20 players in the NBA who could’ve led Team USA to the Olympic gold medal in Rio—and that’s a major reason why Anthony is a Top 20 player.

For the skeptics: both the players and the coaches on Team USA singled Anthony out as the vocal leader of the young Olympic squad.

Yes, Olympic basketball is played under FIBA Rules, and yes, Team USA was heavily favored to win the gold. Those who watched the games, however, saw an inexperienced team that wasn’t quite sure of how to cope with the expectations.

He needed every ounce of that leadership as Team USA was tied with Venezuela after a quarter, won four games by 10 points or less, and escaped two games with three-point wins.

Furthermore, Anthony could’ve resented Kristaps Porzingis for being immediately labeled as his heir apparent. Instead, Anthony has embraced his role as a mentor and big brother to the next face of the franchise.

Everyone in the NBA has talent, but not everyone commands respect like Anthony—and yes, that matters both on and off the court.

Nov 23, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) is pressures by Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

3. Production

2015-16 was a season unlike any other in Carmelo Anthony’s NBA career. He sacrificed his scoring to improve as a defender—opponents shot just 42.1 percent against Anthony—and facilitator—he averaged a career-high 4.2 assists per game.

Raw numbers aren’t everything, but the type of production that Anthony consistently provides puts him in the conversation with some of the best players in the NBA.

Anthony finished the 2015-16 season with averages of 21.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.5 3-point field goals made per game. He averaged 22.8 points on a slash line of .449/.360/.852 after the All-Star Break.

For perspective, only three other players averaged at least 21.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 2015-16: Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Russell Westbrook.

Anthony admittedly needs to take the Knicks back to the playoffs before he enters any present-day discussion with Durant, James, and Westbrook. His production is on par with the best, however, and that alone justifies his Top 25 ranking.

The fact that Anthony is actually the center of an opposing team’s attention and not the beneficiary of a system or superior teammate gives his numbers Top 20 weight.

Nov 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) looks on as Magic forward Tobias Harris (not pictured) pushed New York Knicks center Robin Lopez (8) into forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during a three point shot during the first quarter of a basketball game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

2. Scoring Prowess

Versatility is more valuable than any individual trait, but if there’s an exception to the rule, it’s scoring. This isn’t to say that any high-quality scorer can be forgiven for their flaws in other areas; they can’t be

It’s to state that truly transcendent scorers are more valuable than just about any other player on a roster—and Anthony is a truly transcendent scorer.

Anthony currently resides at No. 29 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list with 22,497 points in 13 seasons. He won the 2012-13 scoring title, has averaged at least 25 points per game in seven different seasons, and has never dipped below 20 points per contest.

Even in 2015-16, when a knee injury took his offseason away from him and he played for two coaches who were both replaced, Anthony managed to rank No. 13 in the NBA in scoring.

Anthony is a genuinely elite scorer. His game is built to translate to the postseason, as evidenced by his career postseason average of 25.7 points per game and his average of 28.8 points per contest during his most recent appearance.

When a player’s teammates aren’t scoring and the game is slipping away, can they take over? For Anthony, the answer is a resounding yes.

Mar 26, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) controls the ball against Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James (23) during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

1. Commanding Attention

It’s much easier for a player to accumulate efficient statistics when they aren’t the center of a defense’s attention. Thus, when people reference shooting percentages of any kind, always make sure the players being compared play the same role.

There are few players who command immediate double teams and eyes from all angles of the court quite like Carmelo Anthony.

Some players may test better in advanced metrics, but it’s vital to ask what it is that they do for their team. Defense, rebounding, and facilitating are invaluable strengths, but being the No. 1 scorer and playmaker is a task unlike any other in basketball.

Anthony isn’t one of the many who has the luxury of picking his spots; he’s been the beginning and the end of the Knicks’ offense since his arrival in 2010-11.

When the ball touches Anthony’s hands, his teammates stop moving and the opposition brings a double team. While scoring isn’t the only factor, a player who draws the attention of a full team generally trumps a player who’s allowed to work in isolation against one defender.

Thus, while this may not show up in the box score or advanced metrics, the fact that Anthony is respected to the point of commanding consistent double teams is a testament to his status.

There are more well-rounded players than Anthony, but those who shine despite being at the center of an opponent’s game plan are those who deserve the most praise.

Anthony most certainly fits the bill as a Top 20 player whom every opponent makes a point to prepare for.