Through his first seven games with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it has been a refreshing reboot to All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony's career.
Anthony is currently averaging a team-best 22.9 points on 46.5 percent shooting from the field while scoring more than 20 points in each of the six games prior to Tuesday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Following the game, the 33-year-old made it a point to emphasize how much simpler it has become for him to score due to reigning league MVP Russell Westbrook, according to Vincent Goodwill of Bleacher Report.
“(Trust) is a major key for me — [Kidd] is 100 percent correct,” Anthony said to B/R. “My best years have come with guys who I can trust at that position. Guys who know that position. Guys who I can play off of and rely on a night-to-night basis. I had Andre Miller, then Chauncey, Jason Kidd. Those guys really showed me the ropes.”
“As a result,” Anthony continued, “I had my best years. Now, having somebody like Russ who I know I can trust, I know I can put my faith in. I can go to war with him on a night-to-night basis. We both have the same code in mind—that's to win—and that's what makes it good for me.”




In a short span of time Anthony has grown quite comfortable in Oklahoma City playing next to Westbrook, which could be a sign that he may be willing to stay long term. The role in which the 28-year-old plays as the primary ball handler and distributor allows for the 10-time All-Star to focus on maximizing his scoring ability.
This may prove to be huge when it comes to playing against some of the top teams in the league as his scoring threat alongside fellow All-Star forward Paul George could make them a serious challenger to the defending champion Golden State Warriors.
With the more experience that Anthony garners playing alongside Westbrook and even George, it may lead to more big offensive nights from him this season.