Does Carmelo Anthony fit with the Detroit Pistons?
Does Melo fit with Detroit?
The debate rages on among Pistons social channels. The fans are unsure of where he fits, if at all.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania broke down the fallout and what those around Anthony and the rest of the NBA are saying. Multiple sources told Charania that they believe Anthony can play and is a great teammate. One went one to say he was the “scapegoat” in Houston despite all the injuries.
More from Pistons News
- Which Detroit Pistons could save Team USA in the Olympics?
- Detroit Pistons could have major roster churn after 2023-24 season
- The best Detroit Pistons to wear each uniform number
- Full Detroit Pistons NBA 2K24 ratings
- Detroit Pistons: Who will sign the remaining NBA free agents?
In his 10 games, he scored 20-plus points three times, including 28 on 9-of-12 shooting in an eight-point win over Brooklyn. Three games later he scored two points on 1-of-11 shooting in an 18-point loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That’s the last game Anthony played.
He’s never been a perimeter threat, making 34.7 percent of his 3-point makes during his 16-year NBA career. His best season was in 2013-14 when he shot 40.2 percent from deep.
Detroit should be concerned about that, especially if Anthony rolls with the second unit. Luke Kennard is a 40.3 percent career shooter from 3-point range. Derrick Rose shot a career-best 37 percent from 3-point range with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, but there’s no guarantee he can keep up at that clip.
Related Story. Pros and cons of signing Derrick Rose. light
Floor spacing could become an issue if Anthony were to pair with those guys on the wing. If he’s at power forward, that makes it somewhat bearable depending on who fills the other wing spot. Granted, it could be Bruce Brown or Tony Snell, at times, to sure-up the defense on the wing.
Anthony’s defense has always been a weakness. He has a career defensive rating of 108. Since he turned 30, it’s ballooned to 110.2 in those five seasons.
One thing from Charania’s article stuck out when an unnamed former player had this to say about where Anthony may fit.
"“Everything I hear is that ‘Melo is a great teammate,” one prominent longtime NBA player told Charania. “It would have to be a veteran team for him, a team trying to win with strong vets around him.”"
Detroit has several veterans with Blake Griffin, Reggie Jackson, Morris, Rose, Tim Frazier, Snell and Andre Drummond. Adding Anthony to the mix could also give younger players like Sekou Doumbouya, Brown and Sviotoslav Mykhailiuk to expand their offensive games.
Related Story. How Detroit can achive a 50-win season. light
Several days ago Anthony’s trainer said that the 10-time All-Star wanted a farewell tour, similar to what has been done by recent veterans, such as Wade and Kobe Bryant. He disputed that during his recent interview with Stephen A. Smith.
He missed out on playing his first year with the Pistons, but would the organization be okay with having a farewell tour if Anthony played his final season in Detroit?
The Pistons are coming off their second playoff berth in four years with eyes on snapping a 14-game playoff losing streak.