Carmelo Anthony finally has a home in the National Basketball Association. It will likely be his last, but the fact that he’s in the league once again makes it a moot point. Since being unceremoniously cut by the Rockets this time last year, he had tried, and failed, to find new digs. Never mind that he remained in shape, and that, despite his advancing age, he continued to possess a knack for scoring. As even casual fans of pro hoops know, his desire to remain relevant coupled with an isolation-heavy style of play limited his purpose within the high-efficiency offenses required to keep pace in the modern era.
Still, Anthony stayed in touch with the league’s marquee names. More importantly, he and agent Leon Rose made sure that his own stayed in circulation; I’m ready to play at a moment’s notice, he argued, for a team — any team, really — that can make use of my talents. And, lo and behold, a perfect storm offered a prime opportunity. The Blazers, which just so happened to employ a system ultra-reliant on one-on-one forays, had stumbled out of the gates and stunted plans to improve upon their immediate-past conference-finals showing. They needed a spark plug, and he appeared to fit the role to a T.
Considering that Anthony will be on a non-guaranteed contract, the Blazers are only too willing to take the risk. Make no mistake, though: They want their gamble to pay off. They’ve seen All-Star Damian Lillard hit the ground running and put up superb numbers, only to chalk up losses in two of every three matches. And it isn’t simply because of the roster changes and spate of injuries that likewise put undue pressure on backcourt mate CJ McCollum to produce more in the face of targeted defenses. They need a spark, and they figure a highly respected future Hall of Famer can provide it.
For the partnership to work, though, Anthony needs to understand his place. His best days clearly behind him, he can’t expect to play savior and claim starter’s minutes as part of a newly formed Big Three. Instead, he would do well to prep himself as a reserve, willing to contribute whatever is asked and needed. And, in most instances, it will be as a safety valve, prepped for chances but invariably in support of Lillard and McCollum. In short, his role with the Blazers will be far removed from that with the Nuggets and Knicks (lead), with the Thunder (second option), and even with the Rockets (third string).
That said, Anthony needs to make the best of his time with the Blazers. In his hands lie the ending to his career; how he writes it will define his legacy. They’re taking a flyer on him, true, but because they believe in him. Now, he has to show he believes in himself the same way.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and Human Resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
