Carmelo Anthony
Steve Dykes/AP Photo

Carmelo Anthony is finding his groove with the Portland Trail Blazers and the rest of the league is starting to take notice.

File this one under, “I did not see that coming.” Melo stans can rejoice. Your boy is playing well.

Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Week after his impressive stretch of play for the Portland Trail Blazers. The former New York Knick is back after a year-long exodus and he’s looking like the Melo of old.

In three games—all victories—Melo averaged 22.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists. Although Anthony carries the label of an inefficient volume shooter, in those three wins he shot 57.4% from the field and a ridiculous 45.5% from three-point territory.

His impressive week would signal that Melo is back to his old ways after two disappointing campaigns with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets.

However, one week does not make a season. It certainly looks like Anthony is adapting to his surroundings in Portland, but let’s see how long he can sustain this level of play before anyone starts talking about an All-Star appearance or anything of the sort.

The Trail Blazers are now 8-12 after their recent three-game winning streak and sit just one game outside of the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The West is incredibly top-heavy with teams like the Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, and Houston Rockets.

That being said, the seventh and eighth seeds should be up for grabs. Portland is just one season removed from making the Western Conference Finals. It’s fair to expect this playoff-tested squad to put all the pieces together and secure a playoff spot When all is said and done.

After his breakout week, it looks like Anthony is going to be a major part of Portland’s success this season. Melo and the Blazers will play the vaunted Clippers (15-6) on Tuesday night on TNT (10 p.m. ET).

Giannis Antetokounmpo was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week after averaging 34.8 points in four wins.

 
NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.