NEW YORK -- Carmelo Anthony had a productive, efficient night against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday: 27 points on 12-for-20 shooting with 7 rebounds and 3 assists . . .
But coach Derek Fisher noticed something about Anthony on Saturday that can't be gleaned from numbers.
“You see him comfortable with his teammates,” Fisher said.
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The trust could be one factor behind Anthony’s improved assist numbers this season.
His assist rate this season (5.2) is the second highest of his career, per basketball-reference.com. He’s also creating 8.1 points per game from his assists, which is ninth among forwards who play at least 25 minutes per game, per NBA.com.
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This isn’t to say that everything about Anthony’s approach on offense has changed. He still has the NBA’s second-highest isolation rate behind James Harden. And he’s shooting a career-low 41.6 percent from the field.
But the Knicks' offense seems to have a better balance this season. Anthony’s usage rate (30.4) is sixth-highest in the NBA but at its lowest level since he arrived in New York. He’s also attempting nearly two fewer field goals per game than his career average.
Great to see him becoming a leader for this group. And seems like KP is learning a lot from him that will prepare him when the franchise becomes his.
His numbers still reflect the first few weeks of the season.
This "Comfortable with teammates" is a triangle thing. Also they need to be comfortable with him.
More important that win's and losses is that this is a season of progress and that the players demonstrate fine execution of the triangle as they go along. I don't doubt that its a given that it takes hold but as long as progress is made. That in turn will recruiting an easier task going forward.
New York Knicks can be a basketball destination, not just a place to get a good contract and a place to party!
I like how Melo has come along. It's not easy to change up your game at this late stage. He's been pretty good with his teammates and the more they play like this the better the chemistry will get. That Trust is there on D and really starting to develop on Offense now. I'm hoping Melo can become a bit more efficient scoring the ball tho. If he can get his efficiency up and at the same time move the ball as his is that's gonna be a winning combo.
Pleased with his game so far. Don't mind when he is aggressive, as long as it is strong to the basket. Think his percentages would be higher if not for some forced threes and last second hand offs by his teammates. The team is so much more efficient when he and KP stay down low.
