Carmelo Anthony’s Mid-Range Game

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks reacts during the game against the Miami Heat during a game at Madison Square Garden in New York City on January 9, 2014. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2014 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

melo1 Carmelo Anthony is one of the best scorers we have in the game today. Offensively, there’s nothing he can’t do; whether it’s posting up, shooting the three ball, or giving defenders work in the mid-range game. He’s so versatile and that’s what makes him so deadly. As a player and a student of the game, Anthony was one player that I always tried to mirror my game from. His ability to adjust how he wants to score based on who’s defending him is so fun to watch. It’s great being able to admire his game because offensively, he can’t be stopped.

Melo Breakdown Shots
Carmelo Anthony’s shot selection from the past three seasons.
Anthony's shot chart in 2012-2013.
Anthony’s shot chart in 2012-2013.
Anthony's shot chart in 2013-2014.
Anthony’s shot chart in 2013-2014.
Anthony's shot chart in 2014-2015.
Anthony’s shot chart in 2014-2015.

Where Carmelo likes to do a lot of his damage is right around the elbow. The game is changing with a lot of players taking their game beyond the three point line but Melo still likes to keep his game inside the arc. He’s the king of the jab step which he uses to his advantage; reading his defender and getting them off balance. Anthony usually takes the jump shot after a few jab steps but sometimes he likes to go to his one dribble pull up as well. Defenders have to play him straight up because he’s so versatile and since he can shoot so well, that mid-range jumper is always there. A lot of opponents try to deny him of receiving that ball but he does a great job of using his body and great footwork to create space for himself at the elbow.

As you see in the video, the Knicks love to run a lot of elbow isolation for Melo to let him go to work. The combination of his size, great footwork, and quick release allows him to get shots off easily over his defenders. With such an array of moves, its nearly impossible to stop this guy. The NBA has had a series of guys that have entered the league and mastered the mid range game whether it was Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or Rip Hamilton; and Carmelo Anthony is another player that can be added to that list.

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