Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was a bit surprised to see how long it took Carmelo Anthony to find his way back in the league after his short-lived tenure with the Houston Rockets mired him off the NBA hardwood for more than a full year.
“Yeah, a little bit,” said Kerr. “He's been a great player in the league for a long time, so it did surprise me, but I'm happy for him and this is a good team for him. A team that knows how to win and has already had success but needed help at that position — so it seems like a good fit.”
Steve Kerr on Carmelo Anthony’s return in Portland. Kerr said he was a bit surprised it took so long for Melo to return but says Portland is a really good place for him. pic.twitter.com/fy7iRPX7gb
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) December 18, 2019
Kerr also emphasized that Melo has been allowed to do what he does best — catch the ball off the block, face up, and score off the triple-threat position — an art he has mastered throughout his 17 years in the league.
That part alone has been critical for his success and allowed him to thrive, despite being away from the court for such a long time for a player of his caliber. Melo is averaging a healthy 16.8 points and 6.1 rebounds since joining the Portland Trail Blazers in November, recently putting up a pair of consecutive 20-point games and making an impact defensively.
Anthony has recorded two or more steals in the past five games and at least a block in the last three, starting to feel more at home after 13 games with the team. The 35-year-old is also shooting a career-high 42.6% from deep, a weapon the Warriors will have to look out for on Wednesday.
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