Why Carmelo Anthony Is The Next Ringless Superstar?

Written By Clevis Murray

Carmelo Anthony has had a tremendous NBA career with six All-Star selections and will most likely be heading to Springfield (Basketball Hall of Fame) once he retires but Anthony will join Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Tracy McGrady & Charles Barkley as being one of the best NBA players of All-Time with numerous career achievements except making it all the way to June and winning the illustrious NBA championship to solidify their careers. 

Carmelo Anthony is midway through his 11th NBA season and has made it to the playoffs each season but the possibility of him making it this season is a little hazy with the 2013-2014 Knicks roster as they are currently out of the playoff picture.  Melo hasn't escaped the first round of the NBA playoffs except for in 2009 when the Denver Nuggets fought their way to the Western Conference Finals but lost to the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lakers in six games and in 2013 with the New York Knicks which resulted in the Knicks losing in the second round to the young & gritty Indiana Pacers in six games.

Melo is a tremendous scorer, scoring in a variety of ways and currently being tied for 2nd in the NBA in scoring with Kevin Love, averaging 26.3 points per game. As Carmelo is known for his offense he isn't known for what is known for winning championships......defense. With Melo's size and quickness one would think he would be a great defender but he doesn't have the commitment except early in the 2012-2013 season coming off winning a gold medal in London with Team USA. Melo was playing the best basketball of his career, playing tough defense & showing all out hustle and was thought of as a possible MVP candidate.

Carmelo Anthony has shown in certain games he can get his teammates involved but not on a consistent basis, with his career high in assists being 3.8 which was set during the 2006-2007 season playing alongside Allen Iverson. Anthony averages 31.6 possessions per game for his career and Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has indicated that he wants Anthony to distribute the ball more as he said a few years ago

"He’s going to have to involve his teammates more, get them in the flow at the offensive end."

With recently being called "sensitive" by a former teammate and being labeled as lazy, it can be said Melo has a lack of effort, which separates him from the true greats and adds to the list as to why he won't win an NBA championship as the #1 guy. Unless he changes the way he plays or becomes a journey man towards the end of his career going from team to team trying to make a last ditch effort for a ring like Karl Malone did unsuccessfully.

LeBron James for instance showed leadership and effort during the 2013 playoffs and against the Pacers in Game 5. He fiercely yelled at his team for a lack of effort and the need for them to play tougher.  With LeBron cursing, showing the emotion and leadership needed at the time the Heat followed his lead and picked up their intensity.  Carmelo Anthony isn't a leader like a superstar looking for a championship should be like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O'Neal were.

If Anthony is to change the perception of his lack of leadership and desire then it must happen soon because time is running out. If not then he will always have a "but" when fans look back on his career 10-20 years from now......."Carmelo Anthony was a great player but.................."

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