Carmelo Anthony made his NBA return last month after not playing a game in over a year. Many had lost hope in the former scoring champ, and it was unclear whether he would be able to play at the level we have seen him play at in the past. In his past seven games of play, however, Anthony has unexpectedly averaged 16.4 points a game and was recently named the Western Conference Player of the Week. He has become a crucial part of a struggling Trail Blazers team after not being quite valuable for a team in a good while.
The question is: can Anthony keep it up? Will we get to the point where we can grant him, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum Big 3 status? It certainly is a stretch, considering Anthony’s age (35) and lack of consistency in recent years, but many of us have already been proven wrong so far. Anthony seems to want to make a statement that he can still compete in this league and we have started to see glimpses of it.
Coming off a trip to the conference finals, Portland has started the season with a disappointing below .500 record. In the recent three-game winning streak the Blazers went on, though, Anthony scored near (19) or above 20 points. Points do not dictate everything, but it is clear when he plays well, the team is successful. Anthony’s performance going forward could very well make or break the team’s chances at a playoff spot and even another postseason run.
Anthony needs to be consistent if this is to happen. That is where I am hesitant. Anthony was given a “re-birth” when Portland signed him. Unfortunately, it could have come too late. Anthony is not getting younger, as he is one of the very few active players left from the ’03 draft class. It would be bold to predict that he can still average over 20 points a game, but I would not put it past him. He is hungry. He wants to make the most of the opportunity he has been given. Such a drive could be just what Portland needs if they are going to start winning again.
I hate to believe that this is Anthony’s last shot in the league. We know that few teams wanted him on their roster at the start of this season and that is never a good sign for a veteran. For now, Portland is Anthony’s home. He has sprouted into a key piece in the lineup and he has provided evidence that he still belongs in this league. But consistency is key. Following the best week Anthony has had in a very long time, he sunk to dropping just 9 points and 1 assist against the Los Angeles Clippers. That cannot happen. For both his and Portland’s sake, Anthony needs to be more than an average player. This season might be the last time he has the capability to do so.
(All facts were gathered prior to Portland’s Wednesday, December 4 game vs. the Sacramento Kings).
Heart of a Champion 
