Jarrett Allen DENIES Carmelo Anthony at the rim! pic.twitter.com/QUDARfVLSN
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) December 8, 2017
It really is tough to watch fans of Carmelo Anthony remain in denial about his play. Brooklyn Nets’ Jarrett Jack reminds them all in Mexico.
It really is tough to watch these days and no, I’m not referring to the decline in Carmelo Anthony’s stature as a basketball player.
I’m referring to those blind loyalists who continue to blame everything else around Melo.
When he was with the New York Knicks, it was everybody else’s fault. Phil Jackson was the devil. Jeremy Lin didn’t deserve the spotlight. Mike D’Antoni didn’t know how to coach.
Now, at 33-year of age, unless you’re one of those “follow you to hell” types, it’s become completely apparent that Melo just isn’t what he once was — and that his game is entirely overrated.
After starting 8-12, the Oklahoma City Thunder won three straight games. In all three, Anthony took an obvious backseat to others, mainly Paul George and Steven Adams. His shots and minutes were down and the Thunder were winning.
Then Thursday night in Mexico happened, a 110-105 loss to the lowly Brooklyn Nets.
With George sitting this one out, Anthony shot 5-of-20 from the floor and allowed Nets big man Jarrett Allen to come up with the block of his young career. As Melo’s sluggish body drove to the hole, Allen came from the other side with lightning-quick ability to completely rock Anthony’s world (video above).
For Knicks fans, the nightmares of Roy Hibbert immediately come to mind:
Carmelo Anthony once represented one of the most dangerous ISO scorers in the history of the game. He’s still a dangerous yet inefficient 3-point shooter.
But for those who think he’s still an NBA superstar, please, wake up. Stop blaming the newest Melo culprit, Billy Donovan, and please watch the game film.
Carmelo Anthony just isn’t a starting-caliber NBA basketball player anymore. He can’t move.
