Corridor of Fame coach Jim Boeheim has pushed again towards previous criticism of Carmelo Anthony from figures akin to George Karl and Phil Jackson.
Talking to SportsKeeda’s Mark Medina, Boeheim emphasised that Anthony’s influence on each the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks usually went underappreciated. “He made each staff that he was on higher than they have been,” Boeheim stated.
Anthony led Denver to the playoffs in every of his first seven seasons, however the staff persistently bumped into powerhouse opponents just like the Lakers and Spurs. Boeheim famous that even with out deep postseason runs, Anthony elevated the franchise right into a perennial contender.
“He couldn’t make a staff a championship staff by himself,” Boeheim stated. “It’s important to have loads of components to it. His time in Denver, there have been some nice groups with the Lakers and the Spurs. He made them higher, and that’s all you are able to do as a participant.”
In New York, Anthony carried the Knicks to their first 50-win season in over a decade in 2012–13, securing the franchise’s most profitable stretch for the reason that Nineties. His scoring capacity persistently ranked among the many greatest within the league, and he grew to become a 10-time All-Star over his 19-year profession.
Boeheim additionally highlighted Anthony’s achievements with USA Basketball. The ahead gained three Olympic gold medals and remains to be considered one of many program’s all-time main scorers.
“He was such an excellent scorer that if he began or got here off the bench, it didn’t matter,” Boeheim stated. “He’s a terrific worldwide participant. Kevin Durant and Carmelo are two of one of the best worldwide gamers as a result of they’re huge and so they can shoot the three.”
Anthony’s worldwide résumé included key performances in Beijing, London, and Rio de Janeiro, the place his versatility and taking pictures helped Staff USA dominate international competitors.
Although Anthony by no means captured an NBA title, Boeheim maintained that the criticism missed his true contributions. For Syracuse’s legendary coach, who guided Anthony to the 2003 NCAA championship, the ahead’s legacy stays tied to the methods he elevated groups at each stage.
