The Los Angeles Lakers made plenty of new additions this NBA offseason, with the Russell Westbrook trade garnering the most headlines. But, the most impactful acquisition could be the signing of Carmelo Anthony.
Anthony signed a veteran’s minimum deal to join the Lakers in free agency. This has been a long time coming for Anthony, as he was out of the league just two years ago because getting his career back on track with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Anthony has been magnificent with the Lakers thus far, scoring 16.7 points per game. He is scorching the nets to start the season, knocking down 52.2 percent of his 3-point attempts.
The 10-time All-Star is doing all of his damage with the second unit, as he has come off the bench in all seven games thus far. Against his former team in the Houston Rockets, he had one of his best games in recent history.
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Anthony scored 23 points, knocking down five 3-pointers, but it was his defensive stats that drew the most attention. He blocked four shots and swiped two steals, the first time he has reached those totals since he was a rookie with the Denver Nuggets.
Following the game, Anthony wanted to clear up some of the things that have been said about him when it comes to being adaptable.
“I think people don’t really understand me,” Anthony said. “I think there’s a misconception out there about me and not being able to adapt to situations. But I’m easily adaptable, man, to any situation.”
Did he make these comments on purpose following a victory over the Rockets? It would be fitting, as he made it only 10 games with Houston before the sides parted ways and he went without a team for over 12 months.
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That time away seemed to help put things into perspective for Carmelo Anthony, who is now thriving as a sixth man, last season with the Trail Blazers and thus far this season with the Lakers.
“I think for me now it’s just about being mentally prepared for whatever is being thrown at us. And the rest will take care of itself,” he said. “It’s basketball at that point. If you’re open, shoot it. If not, make a play for yourself, make a play for others. The more that I can simplify the game of basketball, the easier the game becomes, especially at this stage of your career.”
He is making things look easy in the early going of his tenure with the purple and gold. Melo is getting it done on both ends of the court, doing whatever it takes to help the Los Angeles Lakers win some games.
