Melo defending this season....behind only Lebron in 3ptrs allowed

[Ed MOTHERFUCKING G]

Overall, opponents have shot just 34% when Anthony is the closest defender to the play, according to NBA.com, down from 44% in other situations. That 10-point disparity is the fourth-best in the NBA among players who have defended at least 100 field-goal attempts this year.

Carmelo Anthony Is Among NBA’s Best Defenders—but Are the Numbers Lying?

Now this has value

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

This is from about a month ago -

Carmelo Anthony is only averaging 0.8 steals, and 0.6 blocks and 2.7 fouls per game, which is pretty mediocre and in line with his career stats. But the Knicks defense is 4.1 points better with him on the court. I think it's because he's done an excellent job of forcing bad shots and contesting. This season Carmelo is holding opposing players to 30.8% shooting, 14.6% lower than they normally shoot. Pick and Roll Ball-Handlers are scoring 29.2% on him, for .67 PPP. Post-up plays are scoring 71.4% on him for .92 PPP. The PPP is low because he's also forced 4 turnovers on 13 post-ups. Isolation Plays are scoring 25% on him for .57 PPP.

Haven't checked the numbers up to this point, but he's certainly kept up the consistency from the eye test.

 

[Here Comes the Pain]

Porzingis has really motivated Carmelo. Got melo at least trying this season.

 

[Illuminatos]

He's also looking to set up his teammates even more and let the scoring take a backseat this season. I didn't think he would do it but dude really changed changed his game up for the betterment of the team.

 

[MostReal]

 

[Shogun]

He's not the only option on offense anymore, also. He can afford to a expend some energy on defense

 

[Youhadasparkwhenustarted]

Melo is closing out hard on shooters, maybe harder than I've ever seen him, and contesting more shots. He has is lapses, but this is the longest stretch he's played good defense in maybe his whole career. The effort I think partially explains his shooting % to this point of the season too, but as he gets used to playing both ends, it's bound to trend upwards at least a little.

Some credit's got to go to Fisher though, the whole team has overachieved on defense.