Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams says he's “happy to see” Carmelo Anthony back in the NBA and playing well for the Portland Trail Blazers.
Anthony was out of the league for more than a year before the Blazers signed him in November. Williams says Anthony should be applauded for staying mentality strong despite everyone saying he didn't belong in the NBA:
"It speaks to the mental stamina to fight the doubts and all of the articles and things being said about him that, in my opinion, wasn't fair at all. I'm just happy to see him back in the league."
Monty Williams on Carmelo Anthony's return as #Suns face #RipCity tonight. #NBA pic.twitter.com/gpngJlW0VM
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) December 16, 2019
Anthony and the Blazers face Williams and the Suns on Monday in Phoenix. The Blazers are 10-16 on the season, while the Suns are 11-14.
Melo has played in 12 games with the Blazers. He's averaging 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 41.5 percent from the field, 39.6 percent from beyond the arc and 81.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Portland has to string some wins together soon before it falls back too far in the Western Conference standings. After making it to the Western Conference Finals last season, the Blazers are currently in the 12th spot in the West.
Anthony has no doubt given the Blazers a scoring punch from the small forward position, but it's clear this team needs Jusuf Nurkic badly. The center is still recovering from the gruesome leg injury he suffered last season. It's unclear when Nurkic will play again.
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