Inside the Loud House
Fansided

Syracuse Basketball: 2019 report card for SU alum in the NBA

By Mat Mlodzinski

TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors defends during Game One of the first round of the NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 13: Michael Carter-Williams #7 of the Orlando Magic dribbles the ball as Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors defends during Game One of the first round of the NBA playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on April 13, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /
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n/a. . Forward. Houston Rockets. CARMELO ANTHONY

This one stings the most. It is really impossible to give Melo a grade. After being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks and picked up by the Houston Rockets just one year removed from a failed experiment in OKC, Melo looked to have found a niche on a team with best friend Chris Paul and last year’s NBA MVP in James Harden.

This was perhaps the worst mistake in Anthony’s career.

Melo lasted just 10 games, averaging 13.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and shooting just under 33% from behind the arc. On top of this, it was clear that Carmelo just couldn’t find a spot where he fit into the rotation, often seeing his minutes fluctuate.

There were some good moments on the court this season though. Anthony scored over 20 points in three games, including a 28 point outburst against the playoff-bound Brooklyn Nets, in which he shot 9-of-12 from the field, and connected on six treys.

Overall though, this season was just too out there for Carmelo to receive an actual grade. For a player of his caliber to perhaps go out the way he did, it is nothing short of a disappointment.

However, people who follow the game know that Melo and Mike D’Antoni don’t exactly get along. After all, D’Antoni ran Stephon Marbury out of town when they were on the Knicks, and there have been some comparisons to D’Antoni doing the same with Melo due to his style of play.

Regardless of that situation, Melo can still bounce back. Those close to Melo know that he can still give good minutes to a team, especially one needing a boost in the scoring department. However, a team will have to take a chance on him, knowing that it could go wrong, and there are very few teams that may want to do that.

An A+ player in all of Syracuse fans’ hearts, Melo, unfortunately, takes home an underwhelming N/A for his 2018-19 NBA season.

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