With this years Big 3 Season coming to a close, we are seeing some stars of the league getting serious considerations for NBA rosters. Players such as Joe Johnson, Amare Stoudemire, and Brandon Rush have gotten work outs with NBA teams. Meanwhile, former All-Star Carmelo Anthony has still only received one work out and no legitimate consideration to make a 15 man roster for this years upcoming NBA season. But why is it that players who have just about fazed out of the league a few years ago are getting work outs, where as Carmelo is still the odd man out?
The short answer is game film. Though Melo did play in the 2018-2019 NBA season, he only appeared in 10 games for the Houston Rockets. The last we saw of Carmelo Anthony in a competitive setting was all the way back in November. Not only was Carmelo last seen almost a year ago, his stint with the Rockets was underwhelming. Though the last 3 games of his stint he averaged around 21 PPG, he shot just above 40% and was one of the biggest defensive liabilities in the NBA. Essentially, Melo he was below average. With players who appeared in the Big 3 who are “NBA Ready” dominated. The last we saw of Joe Johnson he was dropping 25 PPG and knocking down contested step-back 4 point jump shots in the Big 3. If Melo went and played for the Big 3 next season (considering he does not get picked up this season)he would acquire better game film of himself, instead of the lack luster clips of the last two seasons.
Not only would Carmelo’s stock increase, it would actually help him stay “relevant”. Don’t get me wrong, Anthony is one of the more popular players in NBA history but if he doesn’t get signed prior to the start of the season; the whole “sign Carmelo” movement may die down. If Melo goes out and does Melo like things, that movement could just as easily gain traction again, if not more traction than it has currently. We see how fans are begging to get behind Joe Johnson to gain a contract. Imagine if a player of Carmelo Anthony’s stature did the same thing and how much popularity would come from that.
One of the other main reasons Carmelo needs to consider joining the Big 3 is it will keep him in game shape. Though Carmelo has been doing his own work outs, there is no way he can simulate actual game time speed. Even in Pro-Runs the speed is a lot slower than an NBA game. The closest thing to the speed of an NBA game is the Big 3. It is actually more physical and demanding than an NBA game according to the players in the Big 3. This will allow Carmelo to not have as much as a learning curve if he does get signed to an NBA roster.
If Carmelo is serious about reviving his NBA career, he needs to consider playing in the Big 3. There is no negative to doing so. If he does make this shift, not only would it help the Big 3, but he may start a trend of players who are on the back end of their careers going to the Big 3 to revive it.
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