Carmelo Anthony's best days might be long gone, but he is still a very capable contributor in the right role. When he was first traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a lot of people questioned whether ‘Melo would be able to adapt playing along with an MVP and a top five small forward.
After struggling for the first few months, the Thunder found their identity; a big part of it was Anthony accepting a reduced role. He does not handle the ball as much now, and he thrives taking catch-and-shoot jump shots.
Carmelo spoke with ESPN's Tim Keown, commenting on his transition to OKC and outlining the differences from the situation he was in a year ago:
“In New York, there was so much going on with the organization and the city. It was very tense up there, and you never really get a chance to have stability there. Here, man, I'm having fun with the game again. The joy of it — that's what guys know me as: laughing and smiling and enjoying the game. I think over the past couple of years I've lost that, and I think guys around the league have seen it.
As much as Anthony loved playing for the city of New York at Madison Square Garden every night, the situation was unbearable:
“That was the toughest part for me in New York, having to go in and go to work and still put a smile on my face and still deal with everything and not be as happy. Having the effects of that carry over to being around family and friends, being down so much but still having to be strong. It's pulls at you. You've got to be strong, but you're feeling down, and I had to deal with that.
He desperately needed a fresh start. “Then you come here and” — Anthony stops to draw in a massive inhale before exhaling into a sharp laugh — “it's refreshing. Fresh air here.”
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