Monthly Archives: March 2011

Carmelo Anthony might want to start describing more games as “must-wins.” The New York Knicks star forward posted a super-star-like stat line of 39 points, 10 reb, and 5 assists to lead the Knicks to a razor-thin 120-116 victory over the New Jersey Nets. Especially impressive was his incredible 20 points in the 3rd quarter which left the Knicks only a point behind entering the fourth quarter after being down ten at the halftime break. After a back and forth fourth quarter, the Knicks finally took the lead for good with 1:07 left in the game on a two-point basket …continue reading

During their recent skid, the outlook of Carmelo Anthony had been like that of the doomed black knight in Monty Python and the Holy Grail: a mix of comical nonchalance and frightening denial in the midst of repeated, very bloody setbacks. “It’s just a flesh wound”, he seemed to say after every disappointing outing or fourth quarter collapse – wounds that time and practice would surely heal. That all changed prior to Monday’s matchup with the Magic – their second meeting in less than a week – with Anthony reluctantly labeling the game a must-win. Still, against an Orlando squad …continue reading

High volume scorers are the most visible players on the court. Frequently having the ball in their hands and with a bevvy of moves at their command, they are often at the center of the fans’ focus. Even though playing good defense, rebounding, or setting a good pick requires timing, intricate footwork, and body positioning, they are often attributed to desire. Whereas scoring is commonly thought to be the major measure of skill for a basketball player. But high visibility doesn’t necessarily translate into productivity, especially for the scorer who lacks a well-rounded game. For years basketball statisticians have tried …continue reading