The Evolution of Carmelo Anthony

Anthony has struggled to regain his shooting touch all season long, and with the exception of Wednesday night against Orlando—in which he had 25 points on 9 of 15 shooting—he still hasn’t found it. But again, that’s okay, because he’s found ways to help the team win without scoring in volume.

Anthony has always been a good facilitator, but he’s never looked to pass. In Denver, his job was to shoot the ball, and that was it. Defense and getting his teammates involved was an afterthought.

Not anymore.

Believe it or not, Anthony is not the same player he was with the Nuggets. Hell, he’s not the same player he was two weeks ago. He’s evolved as a performer and a leader, and—finally—adapted to his surroundings.

The above is a play Anthony never would have made, or rather, looked to have made. He receives the ball in the high post, which for nearly a decade, has been his primary residency. And for nearly a decade, Anthony would have lowered his head, put the ball on the ground and attempted to force his way to the rim.

But once again, not anymore.

This time, Anthony keeps his head up and surveys his surroundings before making a decision. And ultimately, Anthony decides to defer to a cutting Landry Fields, who finishes with a one-handed slam. That’s more than progress, that’s evolution.

Had another opportunity not presented itself, Anthony would have gone to work in isolation. However, one did present itself, and he took advantage of it. In previous years, and even weeks, Anthony wouldn’t have allowed himself to look for such an opportunity. He would have been content with keeping his eyes fixated on the rim.

But that Anthony hasn’t won games for the Knicks, this Anthony has.

So, as New York prepares to make one final push during the final stretch of the season, it has now become clear, for the first time all year, that Anthony has the team’s best interests at heart.

And that changes everything.