Carmelo Anthony looking to bring experience of playing for U.S team back to the New York Knicks – NBA News
Carmelo Anthony is currently with the U.S Olympic basketball team travelling across Europe and preparing for the upcoming Olympics in London.
Anthony who has been selected for his 2nd Olympic appearance played an exhibition game against Spain on Tuesday, and was the highlight of the show.
Spain is considered the number one contender to challenge the Americans this year at the Olympics, and the exhibition game was dubbed to show the preparations of both teams. After a slow start by the Americans, Anthony got into
rhythm and started knocking down open three pointers. He finished with a game high 27 points and helped the U.S team cruise past the Spaniards for a comfortable 100-78 victory.
The small forward plays differently in the U.S squad as compared to the New York Knicks. In Team USA, Anthony lets the offense run through others, and picks his spots to knock down open shots. He is also more inclined towards passing
the ball and finding open guys, rather than trying to create magic himself on every possession.
The variety that he brings to the table in the U.S team is not on display when he plays for the Knicks.
But we might see some of what Anthony is doing for team U.S.A in his game for the Knicks next season. Talking to Chris Sheridan of Sheridanhoops.com, he said:
“But this whole experience, every time I come back and play USA basketball, my mindset is a lot different. The team-oriented atmosphere I bring back to my team, the focus I have, my conditioning, and carrying that into the regular
season, it’s like I’m getting an early start. Look at what happened the year after we won the gold medal. In 2009 I had one of my best seasons with Denver and we went to the Western Conference finals.”
Anthony is a superstar and there is no denying that. But he has so far failed to build a team around himself in New York. This upcoming season, with Amare Stoudemire healthy and Raymond Felton returning to the Knicks, Anthony has
the opportunity to allow his teammates to run the offense, and manoeuvre his game to become effective. Is he capable and willing enough to do that remains to be seen?
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